SSPX Position on the New Mass

[TantumErgo09]

I know a traditional Catholic who follows the SSPX and the teachings of Archbishop Lefebvre. She cannot attend a Traditional Mass, so she assists at a Novus Ordo, she even is a reader there.  Grant it, this Mass is celebrated "by the book".  I have asked her about this saying it is sort of contradictory.  Her defense is that she has to fulfill her obligation and there is nothing wrong about being a reader.  She did say she hates the Novus Ordo, she finds it to be protestant, and while not heretical and evil in itself, its lack of tradition can bring people into heresy. She does not approve of it one bit.  She said that is pretty much the SSPX position also.  But she said that in the SSPX there are different opinions, and she said that being a reader doesn't add any sacrilege to the Mass.  What should I say to her? Are her opinions...well...orthodox?  And is there differing degrees of opinions in the SSPX?

[Ourladyofconsolation06]

Her defense is that she has to fulfill her obligation and there is nothing wrong about being a reader. She did say she hates the Novus Ordo, she finds it to be protestant, and while not heretical and evil in itself, its lack of tradition can bring people into heresy. She does not approve of it one bit. She said that is pretty much the SSPX position also. But she said that in the SSPX there are different opinions, and she said that being a reader doesn't add any sacrilege to the Mass. What should I say to her? Are her opinions...well...orthodox? And is there differing degrees of opinions in the SSPX?

According to a majority of the SSPX, she is committing a mortal sin by attending and participating in the Novus Ordo.

See:

2) Is the New Mass instrinsically evil?

Perhaps some desire that I speak even more clearly. Do we say that the New Mass is instrinsically evil. I do not use the word "instrinsic" because I fear that some of you perhaps do not understand this word, thinking it is the same as "invalid". No! That is why I avoid using the word "intrinsic", so that there will be no ambiguity and so that no one claims: "Therefore the Mass is invalid." I have never said that! The Mass in itself is not invalid. There are some valid Masses. But unfortunately there are probably many invalid Masses.....However, that the evil in the New Mass is truly intrinsic, in the text.....and not only something purely extrinsic, [in the abuses], this is certain.

Father Peter Scott, SSPX on the issue

 

[HotRod]

I find it ironic, that she fails to see the irony of her situation

She hates the Novus Ordo, but not only does she attend, she actually reads?  So she has no problem with a woman, entering the sanctuary and reading to the congregation?  I would think the sight of ANY laity entering the sanctuary during the Mass would bother her.  And she is SSPX?  Cafeteria SSPX?

[TantumErgo09]

I know...it is rather ironic.  She is very SSPX, she is stopping reading, but is waiting for the current "ministry cycle" to end.  For the sake of knowledge...what about a male reader?

[spraycj]

I know...it is rather ironic.  She is very SSPX, she is stopping reading, but is waiting for the current "ministry cycle" to end.  For the sake of knowledge...what about a male reader?

In the Traditional Mass, the "reader" should be at least ordained to the order of Lector, however it is permitted for a man who is at least tonsured to perform the function of the Lector, and even the function of subdeacon if a higher ranking cleric is not available.

[AdoramusTeChriste]

Her defense is that she has to fulfill her obligation and there is nothing wrong about being a reader. She did say she hates the Novus Ordo, she finds it to be protestant, and while not heretical and evil in itself, its lack of tradition can bring people into heresy. She does not approve of it one bit. She said that is pretty much the SSPX position also. But she said that in the SSPX there are different opinions, and she said that being a reader doesn't add any sacrilege to the Mass. What should I say to her? Are her opinions...well...orthodox? And is there differing degrees of opinions in the SSPX?

According to a majority of the SSPX, she is committing a mortal sin by attending and participating in the Novus Ordo.

OLOC, I'm afraid you are mistaken. In the first place, the "majority" of the SSPX doesn't go around pointing fingers at NO Catholics. In the second place,
even if a "majority" did, they aren't in the place to judge souls. Third, well... in a minute.

See:

2) Is the New Mass instrinsically evil?

Perhaps some desire that I speak even more clearly. Do we say that the New Mass is instrinsically evil. I do not use the word "instrinsic" because I fear that some of you perhaps do not understand this word, thinking it is the same as "invalid". No! That is why I avoid using the word "intrinsic", so that there will be no ambiguity and so that no one claims: "Therefore the Mass is invalid." I have never said that! The Mass in itself is not invalid. There are some valid Masses. But unfortunately there are probably many invalid Masses.....However, that the evil in the New Mass is truly intrinsic, in the text.....and not only something purely extrinsic, [in the abuses], this is certain.

Father Peter Scott, SSPX on the issue

You should have read further. From the same article:

However, even if we could be certain of the validity of the Novus Ordo Masses celebrated in today's conciliar churches, it does not follow that they are pleasing to God. Much to the contrary, they are objectively sacrilegious, even if those who assist at them are not aware of it. By such a statement, I do not mean that all those who celebrate or assist at the New Mass are necessarily in mortal sin, having done something directly insulting to Almighty God and to our Divine Savior.

 

[neel]

The SSPX isn't saying that ALL Catholics who assist at the Novus Ordo are sinning, but only those who know about the SSPX's position and either a.) disagree with it; or b.) "suck it up" and go anyway.  If I went to an SSPX chapel for a few months, and then told the priest that I'd be there every other week because I wanted to go to the Novus Ordo too, he'd tell me I was committing a mortal sin.

[AdoramusTeChriste]

The SSPX isn't saying that ALL Catholics who assist at the Novus Ordo are sinning, but only those who know about the SSPX's position and either a.) disagree with it; or b.) "suck it up" and go anyway.  If I went to an SSPX chapel for a few months, and then told the priest that I'd be there every other week because I wanted to go to the Novus Ordo too, he'd tell me I was committing a mortal sin.

No, he wouldn't. I know this from personal experience. My MIL attends the NOM, but occasionally comes to Mass with us. The SSPX priest told her that she is always welcome. He did NOT tell her that she would be in mortal sin if she ever went back.

Honestly, why would you make that claim?

[Ourladyofconsolation06]

To quote from the same article,
                         

However, regardless of the gravity of the sacrilege, the New Mass still remains a sacrilege, and it is still in itself sinful. Furthermore, it is never permitted to knowingly and willingly participate in an evil or sinful thing, even if it is only
venially sinful. For the end does not justify the means. Consequently, although it is
a good thing to want to assist at Mass and satisfy one's Sunday obligation, it is never
permitted to use a sinful means to do this. To assist at the New Mass, for a person
who is aware of the objective sacrilege involved, is consequently at least a venial
sin. It is opportunism. Consequently, it is not permissible for a traditional Catholic,
who understands that the New Mass is insulting to Our Divine Savior, to assist at
the New Mass, and this even if there is no danger of scandal to others or of the
perversion of one's own Faith (as in an older person, for example), and even if it is
the only Mass available.

 

What Father Scott is saying here is what Neel said. The SSPX says that it is sinful (here Fr. says venial at best) for a Traditional Catholic to attend the Novus Ordo. Not only is he trying to bind people with sin for going to a Mass given yo us by the Church, he's also confirming my point that the SSPX believes the Church can give us evil.

on, for example), and even if it is

the only Mass available

[TantumErgo09]

I have heard that there is some disunity in the SSPX on certain positions, maybe this is one of them.