Annibale Bugnini: Reformer of the Liturgy

This book achieves a wonderful balance between biography and history, which allows the reader to view Bugnini both as a person and in his historical context as part of the liturgical movement. It starts with a good overview of the early liturgical movement and ends with the chaos and iconoclastic madness of the 60s and 70s, culminating with Bugnini's banishment to Iran. Well organized and easy to read, this short book is packed with information about Bugnini and many other well-known characters from Vatican II and the liturgical movement. It does a good job tracing the origins of the liturgical tinkering that exploded after Vatican II to Pius X, and one is left with the impression that perhaps this is the crack from which the smoke of Satan entered temple of God. Pius XII's liturgical shortcoming are also laid bare. This may be difficult for some to accept, but the author makes a fairly compelling case.For lovers of the Ancient Rite, this book can be difficult to read at times. There are detailed descriptions of these conceited men savaging the most precious treasures of the Church. I imagine I would feel the same way if I were to witness someone destroy the Pietà with an angle grinder while proclaiming he was improving the statue. The book shows how quickly things spiralled out of control. The author seems to suggest the blame rests primarily with Paul VI, as he was probably in the best position to stop everything.The book is concise, and the tone is measured and avoids the polemics found in many other books on the subject. This is a great book that shows how we got where we are today.The only criticism I have is the author's rather myopic claim that the text of Sacrosanctum Concilium "wants Latin to remain the liturgical language." (p. 93). SC n. 36 2-4 plainly allows for virtually unlimited use of the vernacular subject only to the limits of the "competent territorial ecclesiastical authority . . . [and] confirmed, by the Apostolic See." It's time to recognize and acknowledge these documents are seriously flawed and contain far too many ambiguities and loopholes. The book would benefit from a less selective reading of Sacrosanctum Concilium.

I wrote a long review of this book over at Catholic World Report from which I am drawing this review."Archbishop Bugnini, was the Italian Vincentian who served as the influential secretary of the Consilium ad exsequendam Constiutionem de Sacra Liturgia (the Committee for the Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy). Chiron’s work is both a biography of Bugnini and a succinct overview of the Consilium’s work in implementing and imposing the liturgical reform that gave us the Novus Ordo and the current Liturgy of the Hours.Chiron’s work is equal parts impressive and depressing. It is impressive because Chiron avoids both polarizing starting points and conclusions, shows a great command of the primary sources, and in under 200 pages gives a succinct overview of the Consilium’s work. Chiron’s biography is a sober, objective, and well-researched account. His Bugnini is no bogeyman.It is depressing because the book gives an unvarnished window into the political machinations, processes, and frequent failings behind the liturgical reform. In reading Chiron’s book, one understands at a deep level Joseph Ratzinger’s trenchant but charitable critiques of the post-Vatican II liturgical reform."Buy this book so you know how we got here and how we can avoid making these mistakes again and restore the great liturgy of the Church.

If you are interested in Vatican II this is a must read whether if you are a Religious or Laity.Many names are listed which are necessary from a historical point, but what is revealing in this book is the process that gave us Vatican II.The original intentions of the many, many committees were to bring the Mass "alive" and closer to the time of Justin Martyr, especially to the parishioners who were uneducated. Unfortunately once the barn door is open for reform, the people involved think that their particular cause or horse in the race, is now paramount. So in their minds, if something is mentioned in discussion, that means it must need reform.It was never the Pope's intention for what was to become a run away stampede of reform. Many Religious took unbridled license were no license was given.Please read Forward and Author's Preface to get full picture.

As someone who came of age in the late 60's and 70's, I am a great admirer of Vatican II and especially the changes made to the mass and other sacraments. While Archbishop Bugnini played a leading role in the reform of the liturgy, it was Saint Pope Paul VI who signed off on every change and was the guiding hand throughout the preparation of the Roman Missal of 1970, which he promulgated. Hence, blaming Bugnini is silly and unjust if you don't like the missal; your quarrel is with Papa Montini. As for this book, it is a good, succinct retelling of the 20th-century process of Catholic liturgical reform, begun under Pius XII who amended the fast rules for communion and the Holy Week rites long before Bugnini came to power. The book is also even-handed and fair to the much-maligned archbishop, putting to rest the ridiculous charges that he was a Freemason attempting to undermine the church by wrecking its liturgy. That lie was first published in a trashy Italian magazine back in the 70's, and like so many lies, it took on a life of its own. [Btw, before my review is attacked by traditionalist Catholics, I want say that I have attended solemn high masses, in Latin and using the Tridentine rite. My Latin-English missal in hand, I was left cold and unmoved by the experiences, which seemed more like theater to me than communal worship -- although the music was often sublime. After these masses, I came to understand why the Council fathers wisely insisted on a reformed liturgy in which congregations were active participants, instead of passive audience members.]

Annibale! You couldn't make that name up, could you - says it all, really. 20th century liturgical iconoclastic vandalism spilling over into the 21st century. Just think, a certain deceased prelate hoped Bugnini's cause for canonisation would be introduced in Rome!