The words "hear" and "participate" are not synonymous.
In the usage of the Church, they are.
It was not until the advent of the liturgical movement (1880’s) that the term “hear” gave way to “participate.”
That is not to say that there aren’t countless earlier references to “participation” in the Mass, but simply that this is not how the average Catholic described what he did at Church prior to the liturgical movement.
For example, when I say I “hear” Mass I do not deny anything in the following passage from the Catholic Encyclopedia (ie., it’s merely semantics), and I prefer the term “hearing” Mass because it avoids all the ambiguities the modernists have attached to “participation:”
“Finally, in the fourth place, must be mentioned those who participate actively in the Sacrifice of the Mass, e.g., the servers,
sacristan,
organist, singers, and the whole congregation joining in the sacrifice. The
priest, therefore,
prays also in their name: Offerimus(i.e. we offer). That the effect resulting from this (metaphorical) sacrificial activity is entirely dependent on the worthiness and
piety of those taking part therein and thus results exclusively ex opere operantis is evident without further demonstration. The more fervent the
prayer, the richer the fruit. Most intimate is the active participation in the Sacrifice of those who receive
Holy Communion during the Mass since in their case the special fruits of the Communion are added to those of the Mass.”
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10006a.htm Moreover, I would dispute anything said in the quoted passage mandates the use of hand missals (which didn’t exist before 1900), congregational singing, or precludes the praying of the Rosary at Mass. Nevertheless, these things have taken on a quasi-official nature, even within tradition, which are in reality entirely arbitrary preferences (more helpful for some, and less so for others, as nature and temperament dictate).
Topic: Francis Issues Desiderio Desideravi on Mass (Read 10205 times)