September 9, 2026

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

Each week, this North Country Catholic prints an item from Pope Leo XIV from his weekly audience. Recently, Pope Leo has been presenting a series of talks about the Second Vatican Council. In last week’s item Pope Leo talked about the reform of the Catholic Church’s Mass liturgy by the Council. Pope Leo’s message spoke of these reforms which he considered did so much to promote participation for the people at Mass with the priest celebrant. Pope Leo said this, “The need arose for the faithful to celebrate the liturgies more consciously and actively, not as strangers and silent spectators but participating fully in the salvific mystery.”

This was when I was a young priest. I was involved then. So, today, I want to share with you my personal experience. I was ordained a priest and began to minister five years before the Second Vatican Council. I remember well, shortly after ordination, that Pope John XXIII was planning to convene an Ecumenical Council. Of course, we wondered what was going to happen. During those years before the Council, I celebrated Mass in Latin; we all did. I remember one of my very first activities as a young priest were teaching the new altar servers the Latin responses for Mass.

Pope Leo says the people in those days attended Mass just like spectators. I do agree with him, but what could we do? Many simply said their Rosary during Mass. In those days, we, priests, celebrated Mass with our backs to the congregation. The people really couldn’t see what I was doing at the altar. But I want to assure you that I believed then, as I do now, that ordination gave me the spiritual power to consecrate the bread and wine to the Body and Blood of Jesus. It was just that the people couldn’t see much in those days and, I believe, they couldn’t participate fully. There were the bells to tell them when the consecration of the Mass took place, and we elevated the host and chalice. The Mass seemed only for the priest. I remember that I didn’t even see them at all, not even at weddings or funerals.

Then came Vatican II and the reform of the liturgy. I must tell you I rejoiced. I have loved celebrating Mass ever since. First, the prayers were now in the vernacular – for us, English. The people could now join with me in the prayers of Mass. They knew what was happening; they could truly participate with me, the celebrant. We were all better united with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

There were so many other changes and lots to prepare for. We had to build or find an altar of sacrifice to place in the sanctuary. I remember that I was assigned to St. Mary’s in Massena in those day, and we found a great carpenter to make that altar. And, of course, then the celebrant priest faced the people for Mass. Thinking back, it was very different; I tried hard to resist staring at people during Mass. I suppose even now I have to resist any distractions.

These reforms transformed the Mass for me. I knew the people were truly with me, participating with me in all I was doing. They were part of the celebration of the Mass.

Today, I hope you notice that as you pray at Mass. I hope you realize that you can and should unite yourself with the priest and with the Lord Jesus who is truly present. We are all united in prayer and Spirit with Our Lord. So, you see, I continue to thank God for the Council and its reforms. I love how we celebrate Mass; at each Mass, I feel so united with you – the People of God. We are together as one, being formed and being sent to live well in God’s love.