Luther and Trent: Together Forever
G.D.O'Bradovich III
March, 2015
The following quotes seem to be unrelated, but we will demonstrate that they are connected in an unexpected manner.
“And Luther...attacked it [the church]...If we never get rid of Christianity, the Germans will be to blame.”
-Antichrist, Section 61, Friedrich Nietzsche
The "holy Synod charges pastors... that they frequently, during the celebration of mass, expound ...some portion of those things which are read at mass, and ...explain some mystery of this most holy sacrifice, especially on the Lord's days and festivals.”
-Council of Trent, 22 Section, Chapter 8
Nietzsche specifies that Luther was responsible for attacking the church. We may presume that the alleged early Christian heresies did not attack the church, being written works only, and although Leibniz and Kant are mentioned, the ire of Fred is directed at Luther. We must conclude that what Luther did was unknown until his time, revolutionary, in a word, and that it was so empowering that the the Roman Church responded by writing the Council of Trent as a reaction to Protestantism.
We believe that the radical nature of Luther’s actions is not the nebulous concept of “justification by faith” that spread throughout northern and western Europe. We believe that the revolution that swept through Europe was the concrete idea and visible practice that people should attend church.
As I frequently relate to Apprentice Tyler -“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Gentle Reader, it falls upon us to provide the evidence that before Luther, people in western Europe never attended church.
Historically, at a certain early section of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, the catechumens were dismissed during the service as only the faithful can witness the Christian mysteries. The Tridentine Mass also had a dismissal of the catechumens, but in Modern times even unbelievers can attend the service. Either we understand the Tridentine Mass as a radical departure from the previous form of the Mass or we understand the introduction of the Mass to the people at large. We will endeavour to demonstrate it is the later and not the former proposition.
The quote from Trent at the beginning of this paper informs us that priests were instructed to turn around and explain the mass to the faithful. If people had been attending church weekly, then they would know what was transpiring since the language spoken was their own language and while the change to Latin would not pose a problem to regular church attendees, the hardship would fall upon those who had never attended Mass. Changing the Mass from the vernacular to Latin would be less challenging to speakers of French, Italian, Spanish than if the implemented language were not related to the Romance languages, for instance, Hebrew, Greek or Chinese. In general terms, the faithful, if they had attended church, would know the major sections of the Mass, that is, the doxology, the creed, the gospel and epistle readings and communion.
We believe that the radical nature of Luther’s actions is not the nebulous concept of “justification by faith” that spread throughout northern and western Europe. We believe that the revolution that swept through Europe was the concrete idea and visible practice that people should attend church.
As I frequently relate to Apprentice Tyler -“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Gentle Reader, it falls upon us to provide the evidence that before Luther, people in western Europe never attended church.
Historically, at a certain early section of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, the catechumens were dismissed during the service as only the faithful can witness the Christian mysteries. The Tridentine Mass also had a dismissal of the catechumens, but in Modern times even unbelievers can attend the service. Either we understand the Tridentine Mass as a radical departure from the previous form of the Mass or we understand the introduction of the Mass to the people at large. We will endeavour to demonstrate it is the later and not the former proposition.
The quote from Trent at the beginning of this paper informs us that priests were instructed to turn around and explain the mass to the faithful. If people had been attending church weekly, then they would know what was transpiring since the language spoken was their own language and while the change to Latin would not pose a problem to regular church attendees, the hardship would fall upon those who had never attended Mass. Changing the Mass from the vernacular to Latin would be less challenging to speakers of French, Italian, Spanish than if the implemented language were not related to the Romance languages, for instance, Hebrew, Greek or Chinese. In general terms, the faithful, if they had attended church, would know the major sections of the Mass, that is, the doxology, the creed, the gospel and epistle readings and communion.
“... sacraments, but shall endeavour that the same be done piously and prudently by every parish priest; and this even in the vernacular tongue, if need be, and it can be conveniently done ...
In "a catechism which the bishops shall take care to have faithfully translated into the vulgar tongue, and to have expounded to the people by all parish priests ... during the solemnization of mass, or the celebration of the divine offices, they explain ... on all festivals, or solemnities, the sacred oracles, and the maxims of salvation; and that ... they endeavour to impress them on the hearts of all, and to instruct them in the law of the Lord.”
-Section 24, 7 Chapter
However, the above mentioned quote applies not only to the introduction of Latin, but we also read that the priest must “explain some mystery” of the sacrifice. This instruction is evidence that the people were ignorant about the sacrifice of the mass. From this ignorance, it is reasonable conclude that they were not previously allowed to participate or observe the church service.
This "college may be a perpetual seminary of ministers ... the youths may be ... trained in the aforesaid ecclesiastical discipline ... they shall learn grammar, singing, ecclesiastical computation, and the other liberal arts; they shall be instructed in sacred Scripture; ecclesiastical works; the homilies of the saints; the manner of administering the sacraments ... and the forms of the rites and ceremonies. “
-Council of Trent, 7 session, 11 chapter
“Into this college shall be received such as are at least twelve years old ... and who know how to read and write competently ...”
-Council of Trent, 23 session, 28 chapter
We infer that previous to the council of Trent priests were illiterate and ignorant of “sacred scripture” et cetera.
“The parish priest shall have a book ... in which he shall register the names of the persons married, and of the witnesses, and the day on which, and the place where, the marriage was contracted.”
-Council of Trent, 24 Section, 1 chapter
We conclude that marriage registries were not universal before the council of Trent and we wonder if marriages were performed in churches since the parish priest must record “the place where the marriage was contracted”. We would assume the place of marriage would be the parish.
“For the sacred Scriptures make open mention not only of priests, but also of deacons; ... from the very beginning of the church, the names of the following orders ... are known to have been in use; to wit those of subdeacon, acolyth, exorcist, lector, and door-keeper; …”
-Council of Trent, 23 Section, Chapter 1
Perhaps the most surprising “order” is that of “door-keeper” or tyler. We assume that the doorkeeper is to prevent the uninitiated from observing the Mass after the catechumens have been dismissed. Of course, the tyler would prevent non believers or cowans from entering.
“CANON II.-If any one saith, that it is lawful for Christians to have several wives at the same time, and that this is not prohibited by any divine law; let him be anathema. “
-Section 24
While Rome is attempting to impose celibacy on their priests, they also insist that the laity can not have more than one wife. We infer that married priests and multiple wives among the laity were not uncommon.
“The holy Synod, desirous that the office of preaching, which peculiarly belongs to bishops, may be exercised as frequently as possible, for the welfare of the faithful, and accommodating more aptly to the use of the present times, ... ordains, that the bishops shall themselves in person, each in his own church, announce the sacred Scriptures and the divine law ...”
-24 Session, Chapter 4
We do not understand why preaching is a peculiarity of the episcopal office.
Applying"themselves assiduously to the praises of God; to offer up victims, praises, and prayers; to celebrate the sacrifice of the mass on each Sunday at least, the day whereon God made the light, rose again from the dead ... Furthermore, it exhorts that they fast at least on every Friday, in memory of the passion of the Lord, and give alms to the poor: further, on every Thursday there shall be celebrated, in the cathedral church, the mass of the Holy Ghost,”
-2 Session
Teaching "grammar gratuitously to clerics, and other poor scholars, that so they may afterwards ... pass on to the said study of sacred Scripture.”
-2 Session, 1 Chapter
The "preaching of the Gospel is no less necessary to the Christian commonwealth than the reading thereof; and whereas this is the principal duty of bishops ..., archbishops, primates, and all other prelates of the churches ... to preach the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Archpriests and "curates, and all those who ... have the cure of souls, shall, at least on the Lord's days, and solemn feasts ... feed the people committed to them, with wholesome words, according to their own capacity, and that of their people; by teaching them the things which it is necessary for all to knew unto salvation, and by announcing to them with briefness and plainness of discourse, the vices which they must avoid, and the virtues which they must follow after, that they may escape everlasting punishment, and obtain the glory of heaven...”
-2 session, 2 chapter
It "was always the custom in the Church of God, that laymen should receive the communion from priests ...”
-13 Session, 8 Chapter
The faithful were unaware the laity receive communion from priests. A possible explanation is that previous to Trent they never received communion.
“Epiphany, which will be the seventh of the month of January…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of the Epiphany.
The “festival of the conversion of Saint Paul, which will be on the twenty-fifth day of the month of January…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of Saint Paul’s conversion.
This "day-being the eighteenth of the month of January, in the year MDLXII from our Lord's Nativity, consecrated to the chair of Blessed Peter…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of Saint Peter’s chair.
The "Thursday after the second Sunday of Lent, which will be on the twenty-sixth day of the month of February?”
On "Thursday, the fifth day after the first Sunday of the approaching Lent, which (Thursday) will be the third day of the month of March…”
The "festival of St. Joseph, which will be on the nineteenth day of the month of March…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of Saint Joseph.
On "the Thursday after the most sacred festival of the Ascension of our Lord, which will be on the fourteenth day of the month of May…”
On "the Thursday after the approaching solemnity of Corpus Christi, which will be the day before the nones of June…”
On "the tenth of the calends of June, in the year 1537 of our Lord's Incarnation…”
On "the Thursday after the next most sacred festival of Pentecost. Celebrated on the seventeenth day of the month of June, in the year MDXLVI.”
On “the Thursday after the approaching solemnity of Corpus Christi, which will be the day before the nones of June”
The “Thursday after the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which will be the fifteenth of September next…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of September 14.
The "Thursday after the octave of the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which will be on the seventeenth of the month of September next…”
The "fortieth day from this present, which will be the eleventh of October…”
The "Thursday after the octave of All Saints, which will be the twelfth day of the month of November…”
On “the festival of Saint Catharine, virgin and martyr, which will be the twenty-fifth of November…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of Saint Catharine.
At "Saint Peter's, in the year MDLX of the Lord's Incarnation, on the third of the calends of December…”
On "the Thursday after the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which will be the ninth day of December next…”
The Council Fathers were thoughtful to clarify the date of the fixed feast of the conception of Mary.
In "the year MDXLVIII of our Lord's Incarnation, on the eighteenth of the calends of December…”
APPENDIX: VARIOUS OBSERVATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OF TRENT
The six references to “August” were not referring to the month, but to the Emperor.
We note the number of times the council resumes on a Thursday and we do not know the significance of this day.
The inclusion of the date of the fixed Feast is extraneous for the presumably knowledgeable church fathers, but necessary for the ignorant reader.
The various methods of dating utilized in the Council of Trent.
We note the number of times the council resumes on a Thursday and we do not know the significance of this day.
The inclusion of the date of the fixed Feast is extraneous for the presumably knowledgeable church fathers, but necessary for the ignorant reader.
The various methods of dating utilized in the Council of Trent.
APPENDIX: SELECT REFERENCES TO SCRIPTURE
According "to sacred Scripture, and the traditions of the apostles, approved Councils, the consent of the Catholic Church, and the authorities of the holy Fathers…”
And "any articles what-ever, either in writing, or by word of mouth, and to explain, establish, and prove them by the sacred Scriptures, and by the words, passages, and reasons of the blessed Fathers…”
Either "in writing or by word of mouth, and to explain, establish, and prove them by the sacred Scriptures, and by the words, passages, and reasons of the blessed Fathers…”
According "to sacred Scripture, and the traditions of the apostles, approved Councils, the consent of the Catholic Church, and the authorities of the holy Fathers…”
And the "sacred Scriptures show, and the tradition of the Catholic Church has always taught, that this priesthood was instituted by the same Lord our Saviour, and that to the apostles…”
“For the sacred Scriptures make open mention not only of priests, but also of deacons…”
By "the testimony of Scripture, by Apostolic tradition, and the unanimous consent of the Fathers, it is clear that grace is conferred by sacred ordination…”
They "shall be instructed in sacred Scripture…”
Each "in his own church, announce the sacred Scriptures and the divine law…”
It "happen that the facts and narratives of sacred Scripture are portrayed and represented…”
Be "preserved in the Church; which (Gospel), before promised through the prophets in the holy Scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, first promulgated with His own mouth…”
In "matters of faith, and of morals pertaining to the edification of Christian doctrine…”
Wresting "the sacred Scripture to his own senses, presume to interpret the said sacred Scripture contrary to that sense which holy mother Church,--whose it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures…”
Henceforth, "the sacred Scripture, and especially the said old and vulgate edition, be printed in the most correct manner possible…”
NB-As of 2015, the printing of the “old and vulgate edition” has not been accomplished.
Following "the testimonies of the sacred Scriptures, of the holy Fathers, of the most approved councils, and the judgment and consent of the Church itself…”
To "expound and interpret the said sacred Scripture, either personally, if they be competent, or otherwise by a competent substitute…”
“In the monasteries also of monks, let there be in like manner a lecture on sacred Scripture…”
Adhering "to the doctrine of the holy Scriptures, to the apostolic traditions, and to the consent of other councils and of the Fathers…”
Either "in writing, or by word of mouth, and to explain, establish, and prove them by the sacred Scriptures, and by the words, passages, and reasons of the blessed Fathers, and to answer even, if it be needful, to the objections of the General Council…”
The aforesaid "Council of Trent, according to sacred Scripture, and the traditions of the apostles, approved Councils, the consent of the Catholic Church, and the authorities of the holy Fathers…”
Either "in writing or by word of mouth, and to explain, establish, and prove them by the sacred Scriptures, and by the words, passages, and reasons of the blessed Fathers…”
