It's All in the Presentation

The St. Louis Review covered the recently released book by Abp. Piero Marini, the longtime Papal Master of Ceremonies who was lately removed and replaced by Msgr. Guido Marini (no relation). The change of scene for the Archbishop has been widely viewed as a repudiation by the Holy Father of the modernist-style liturgies that had marked the former Marini's tenure. Though Msgr. Marini has not held the position for very long, there have been some immediately noticeable developments.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, the altar crucifix and is back at front and center.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, Papal vestments have once again become more traditional and dignified-- for example:

Old Marini (left); New Marini (right)

Now, some see the photo at left as a manifestation of "progress" and "renewal". Some suppress a gag reflex. Some see the photo at right as a manifestation of "a return to a preconciliar mindset". Some rejoice. It all depends on your point of view.

So, back to the Review's story. Here is an excerpt. I will leave it to the reader to infer the opinion of the writer.

New book describes liturgical battles

by John Thavis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a new book, a Vatican archbishop has chronicled the birth pangs of the liturgical reform generated by the Second Vatican Council and warned of a Roman Curia tendency to return to a "preconciliar mindset."

The book, "A Challenging Reform," was written by Archbishop Piero Marini, who recently ended a 20-year tenure as papal liturgist. His Vatican career began in 1965 in the office responsible for implementing liturgical renewal.

Archbishop Marini recounted the rise of a decentralized and dynamic reform movement in the 1960s and its "curialization" in the 1970s by Vatican officials afraid of losing control...