Sunday, February 08, 2009

FSSP Mass DVD

I finally got the FSSP "Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite" mass DVD. I ordered it when they were still giving them away for free while living in Florida but I never got it. (I thought they found out was Anglican and decided not to send it!) I collect this stuff and have the St. Clement's DVDs, Resurrection, and other FSSP DVDs too. I know... I have no life.

So anyway, the "Extraordinary Form" DVD is really good. It is an instructional DVD on how to celebrate old form of the mass. It is extremely well-produced (done with EWTN) and has great commentary and pointers. It would be useful for traditional Anglican priests and their training too, as it shows how to move and act with dignity at the altar for "ad orientem" celebrations. (the only way mass should be celebrated in the Western Rite IMHO)

Even though this is very good, though, I must say that I was taught most of the principles and actions in this DVD, so in that sense it was "nothing new" for me. I did learn a few new things that I think would make my celebration look a tad better (such as never walking diagonally along the front of the altar, but always walking parallel to it), so those I will implement. Other things it covers are not germane to our rite, or are purely optional (such as the excessive altar kissing - which I used to do, but have cut back on).

All in all I give this DVD 10 out of 10 stars. It would make an excellent addition to the video and liturgical library of any nerdy and foppish priest.