8.307. Is there a contradiction between the Vatican II elimination of the traditional prayers at the foot of the altar and the reformed Novus Ordo Introductory Rites?
Yes, there is a clear and serious contradiction between the traditional Prayers at the Foot of the Altar and the post-Vatican II Novus Ordo Introductory Rites. The traditional Latin Mass began with a profound act of humility and spiritual preparation: the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, including Psalm 42 ("Judica me, Deus"), the Confiteor, and responses between the priest and server. This sacred exchange reminded both priest and faithful of the unworthiness of man before God and the need for interior purification before approaching the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In contrast, the Novus Ordo Missae eliminated these prayers entirely and replaced them with a simplified, communal greeting and a penitential rite that often lacks depth and seriousness.
This change reflects the broader shift in theology and liturgy brought about by the counterfeit Catholic religion of Vatican II. By removing the traditional prayers of humility and reverence, the Novus Ordo liturgy undermines the doctrinal foundation of the Mass as a propitiatory sacrifice and instead emphasizes a horizontal, communal celebration. This shift de-emphasizes the transcendent nature of the Mass and the unique role of the ordained priest, replacing it with language and gestures that promote a Protestantized, man-centered approach to worship.
1. Traditional Teaching: The Role of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
The traditional Latin Mass, codified by Pope St. Pius V in Quo Primum (1570), begins with the priest reciting the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar. These prayers include:
Psalm 42 ("Judica me, Deus"): A plea for God’s justice and mercy, affirming the priest’s desire to go to the altar of God.
Confiteor: A solemn confession of sins by both the priest and the server, invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary, angels, and saints.
Absolution and Psalm responses: These affirm God’s mercy and the worthiness to ascend to the altar.
This structured prelude is not mere ceremony—it expresses profound theological truths. The priest acts in persona Christi, offering the Holy Sacrifice on behalf of sinners, and must himself express humility and penitence before ascending the altar.
As Pope Pius XII taught in 1947:
“The sacred liturgy is the public worship which our Redeemer, the Head of the Church, offers to the heavenly Father and which the faithful associate with Him.”
The Prayers at the Foot of the Altar served precisely to make this association visible and spiritually effective.
2. Novus Ordo Reform: Elimination of the Prayers and a New Introductory Rite
In the Novus Ordo Missae, fabricated by Archbishop Annibale Bugnini and promulgated by the invalid anti-pope Paul VI in 1969, the entire Prayers at the Foot of the Altar were removed. In their place, a new “Introductory Rite” was devised, which begins with a greeting to the people, followed by a variety of options for a Penitential Act (e.g., the Confiteor, Kyrie, or other formulas).
This new form lacks:
The psalmic structure affirming the sacredness of the altar.
The priest’s individual confession before God.
The invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, and the angels in a personal appeal for intercession.
The tone of the Novus Ordo introduction is horizontal, focusing on gathering the community rather than preparing to offer the propitiatory Sacrifice of Christ to God.
As stated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM):
“The rites preceding the Liturgy of the Word... have the character of a beginning, an introduction, and a preparation. Their purpose is to ensure that the faithful... are established in communion with one another.”
Nowhere is the priest seen as standing apart as alter Christus in need of purification before ascending to offer the Sacrifice.
3. Theological Implications: Loss of the Sense of Sacrifice and the Sacred
By removing the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, the Novus Ordo rite severs the visible link between penance and the altar of Sacrifice. Instead of seeing the Mass as Calvary made present, it is now presented as a communal meal. This undermines the doctrine taught at the Council of Trent:
“If anyone says that the sacrifice of the Mass is only a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, or a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the Cross... let him be anathema.”
The traditional entrance rites emphasized man’s sinfulness and the holiness of the altar—echoing Exodus 3:5,
“Remove your sandals... for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
The Novus Ordo’s entrance, by contrast, is casual, welcoming, and anthropocentric—placing man, not God, at the center.
4. Apostolic Tradition: Unbroken Liturgical Discipline
The use of Psalm 42 and the Confiteor before the offering of sacrifice goes back centuries and has deep roots in the Roman Rite. It was not invented by the Tridentine reform but codified and preserved by it. The Council of Trent declared that such venerable traditions must be maintained, not discarded:
“If anyone says that the ceremonies, vestments, and outward signs used by the Catholic Church in the celebration of Mass are incentives to impiety... let him be anathema.”
The Prayers at the Foot of the Altar prepared both priest and people to enter the holy place. Their removal is a rupture with the organic development of Catholic worship and a mark of the Vatican II counterfeit liturgy’s discontinuity.
5. Impact on Doctrine and the Faithful
The practical result of this liturgical reform is devastating. Catholics no longer begin Mass with a profound sense of awe, reverence, and fear of God. Instead, they are greeted with a “Good morning” and invited to celebrate themselves.
This change erodes belief in the Real Presence, the priesthood, and the necessity of sanctifying grace. It is no wonder that belief in the Eucharist has plummeted among Novus Ordo attendees.
As Pope Leo XIII stated in 1896:
“The Church is bound to proclaim without interruption that truth which comes from God, and by the command of Christ must carry on the work of salvation...”
The Novus Ordo has failed to preserve that continuity of truth. Its abandonment of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar is not a simplification—it is a doctrinal rupture.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Post-Vatican II Position | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening of Mass | Begins with Psalm 42 and Confiteor to express unworthiness | Begins with greeting and optional Penitential Act | Reverent preparation replaced by casual tone |
| Penitential Focus | Deep personal and priestly confession before God | Community-oriented confession with multiple options | Loss of emphasis on sin and purification |
| Structure and Continuity | Rite preserved from antiquity and codified by Trent | Invented in 1969 by Bugnini’s commission | Represents a rupture, not organic development |
| Theological Meaning | Reinforces Mass as a sacrifice offered by the priest | Suggests Mass is a communal celebration | Contributes to doctrinal confusion |
| Priest’s Role | Alone confesses and seeks worthiness before God | Greets the people and blends into the assembly | Obscures distinction of sacred priesthood |
| Spiritual Impact | Instills reverence and holy fear before God | Promotes informality and self-focus | Leads to irreverence and loss of belief in the Real Presence |
Summary:
The elimination of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar in the post-Vatican II Novus Ordo Mass represents a grave contradiction with the traditional Catholic liturgy and doctrine. Historically, the Mass began with Psalm 42 and the Confiteor, expressing profound reverence, penance, and the priest’s unworthiness to ascend the altar. These prayers were essential not just for formality, but to teach and embody Catholic theology regarding the holiness of the Sacrifice and the sanctity required of the priest.
In 1969, under the direction of the modernist Bugnini and the invalid anti-pope Paul VI, these prayers were removed entirely. They were replaced with a simplified and flexible “Introductory Rite” that lacks the personal penitential dimension and reverent tone of the traditional entrance. This change reflects the Vatican II sect’s broader move toward a man-centered, horizontal liturgy, rather than a God-centered act of sacrifice.
The theological implications are devastating. The removal obscures the priest’s sacrificial role and undermines belief in the Mass as the re-presentation of Calvary. By removing the signs of purification and humility before the altar, the Novus Ordo opens the door to a false sense of spiritual complacency and a loss of reverence for the Eucharist.
From the standpoint of continuity, the traditional rite’s opening prayers were rooted in centuries of liturgical tradition and reinforced by the Council of Trent. Their removal represents a clear break from the Church’s organic development of worship.
Ultimately, the Novus Ordo’s reformed introductory rites are emblematic of the counterfeit Catholic religion born of Vatican II—a religion that seeks to appease modern man rather than honor Almighty God. Traditional Catholics must reject these innovations and hold fast to the liturgy handed down by the saints, which preserves and proclaims the truths of the Catholic Faith.