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The Once and Future Roman Rite: Returning to the Traditional Latin Liturgy after Seventy Years of Exile
Ever since Paul VI imposed a new set of liturgical books, Roman Catholic faithful have suffered the effects of a hasty and far-reaching reform permeated with nominalism, voluntarism, Protestantism, rationalism, antiquarianism, hyperpapalism, and other modern errors. But man is not master over divine liturgy; rather, all of us are called to be stewards of it, from the lowest-ranking layman to the pope himself.
Dr. Peter Kwasnieski argues that sacred Tradition is the guiding principle for all authentic Christian liturgy, which originates from Christ and is guided by the Holy Spirit throughout the life of the Church. The prominent identifying traits of the classical Roman Rite—and indeed of all traditional rites, Eastern and Western—are absent from the Novus Ordo, estranging it from their company and making it impossible to call it “ the Roman rite.” To respond to this crisis of rupture, we must return fully to the Tridentine Rite, the Roman rite in its robust perennial richness, for which no special permission is or could ever be needed. Fidelity to the traditional Latin Liturgy is, at its root, fidelity to the Roman Church and to Christ Himself, Who has lovingly inspired the growth and perfection of our religious rites for two thousand years. This awe-inspiring gift of tradition allows us to taste, even now, the banquet of the promised land of heaven.
Dr. Peter Kwasnieski argues that sacred Tradition is the guiding principle for all authentic Christian liturgy, which originates from Christ and is guided by the Holy Spirit throughout the life of the Church. The prominent identifying traits of the classical Roman Rite—and indeed of all traditional rites, Eastern and Western—are absent from the Novus Ordo, estranging it from their company and making it impossible to call it “ the Roman rite.” To respond to this crisis of rupture, we must return fully to the Tridentine Rite, the Roman rite in its robust perennial richness, for which no special permission is or could ever be needed. Fidelity to the traditional Latin Liturgy is, at its root, fidelity to the Roman Church and to Christ Himself, Who has lovingly inspired the growth and perfection of our religious rites for two thousand years. This awe-inspiring gift of tradition allows us to taste, even now, the banquet of the promised land of heaven.
472 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2022
74 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Peter Kwasniewski
54 books79 followersDr. Peter A. Kwasniewski holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College in California and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
After teaching at the International Theological Institute in Austria and for the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austrian Program, he joined the founding team of Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, where he currently serves as Professor of Theology and Choirmaster. He is a board member and scholar of The Aquinas Institute for the Study of Sacred Doctrine, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, and a tutor for the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies.
Kwasniewski has taught and written extensively on a wide variety of subjects, especially Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. He has published two books with The Catholic University of America Press and a volume of music for liturgical use, Sacred Choral Works (Corpus Christi Watershed, 2014). His latest book, Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis: Sacred Liturgy, the Traditional Latin Mass, and Renewal in the Church (Angelico Press, 2014), is being translated into eight languages.
Dr. Kwasniewski writes for several major weblogs, including New Liturgical Movement and Rorate Caeli.
After teaching at the International Theological Institute in Austria and for the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austrian Program, he joined the founding team of Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, where he currently serves as Professor of Theology and Choirmaster. He is a board member and scholar of The Aquinas Institute for the Study of Sacred Doctrine, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, and a tutor for the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies.
Kwasniewski has taught and written extensively on a wide variety of subjects, especially Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. He has published two books with The Catholic University of America Press and a volume of music for liturgical use, Sacred Choral Works (Corpus Christi Watershed, 2014). His latest book, Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis: Sacred Liturgy, the Traditional Latin Mass, and Renewal in the Church (Angelico Press, 2014), is being translated into eight languages.
Dr. Kwasniewski writes for several major weblogs, including New Liturgical Movement and Rorate Caeli.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2025
Fabulously written book leaving me no doubt that the Church will return to the traditional worship, but I may not live to see it. It is what I grew up with, and it is what I love. Remember, Pope Benedict XVI said something to the effect of it cannot be considered dangerous for us now after being the worship of the Church for centuries.
June 7, 2025
More of a summary of recent scholarship and preaching-to-the-choir of those who intuit the Novus Ordo's shortcomings, I most appreciate the white-pill ending of how the "TLM" is actually the Once and Future Roman Rite. Dr K's thesis that Catholic liturgy takes its authority from long usage and not positive law is intriguing but not fully developed. Recommended to whomever needs a well-sourced, well-written polemic in favor of the Vetus Ordo.
November 16, 2022
Dr. Kwasniewski's newest book fleshes out a thought that I have been pondering for some time. Namely, that if Sacred Tradition is part of Divine Revelation, and The Sacred Liturgy itself is the main vehicle for the transmission of Sacred Tradition, then there needs to be a serious discussion about what has been happening in Liturgy over the last several decades.
Dr. Kwasniewski takes the time to evaluate different aspects of the liturgical reform of the immediate pre and post-Conciliar period and convincingly argues that the break with Sacred Tradition is a major factor in current problems in the Church, in particular widespread heresy and apostasy which has been the order of the day, particularly in the last twenty years or so. He dives deeply into the Roman Canon, the looseness of the NO rubrics, and various other issues, while arguing that the way to reclaim a truly Catholic worldview is a return to the Church's traditional worship, which, as Pope Benedict XVI made clear, "Cannot be considered dangerous for us now after being the worship of the Church for centuries."
While I do not agree with all of Dr. Kwasniewski's conclusions, I appreciate greatly the work that he put into the research and writing of this hefty text. I think that this book is well worth the read for anyone who wants to know more about the Mass and how the Church worships and teaches.
Dr. Kwasniewski takes the time to evaluate different aspects of the liturgical reform of the immediate pre and post-Conciliar period and convincingly argues that the break with Sacred Tradition is a major factor in current problems in the Church, in particular widespread heresy and apostasy which has been the order of the day, particularly in the last twenty years or so. He dives deeply into the Roman Canon, the looseness of the NO rubrics, and various other issues, while arguing that the way to reclaim a truly Catholic worldview is a return to the Church's traditional worship, which, as Pope Benedict XVI made clear, "Cannot be considered dangerous for us now after being the worship of the Church for centuries."
While I do not agree with all of Dr. Kwasniewski's conclusions, I appreciate greatly the work that he put into the research and writing of this hefty text. I think that this book is well worth the read for anyone who wants to know more about the Mass and how the Church worships and teaches.
May 21, 2025
An excellent analysis of the Roman Rite as it is, and the Roman Rite as it was. Clear, concise, historical, and analyzes the major changes to the Roman Rite. Dr.K is a true gem when it comes to defending the Mass. I especially enjoyed the comparisons between the eastern and western Rites.
January 30, 2023
My reversion story and the events surrounding it, would probably bore folks to tears! This book does not- Dr K poured his heart and soul into this work (I’m affectionately referring to this as his Opus!) and it shines on every page. Beautifully researched arguments on the Church’s “reform,” what was taken out of the liturgy, and why the TLM will be the future. It is summed up in other reviews as well: “if you are to pick one book on liturgical reform, this is it!”
I usually have a difficult time with books this well researched as it sends me down a rabbit hole of other resources I barely have time to get to (as a homeschooling mother of 5)! But I certainly appreciate the thoroughness of this appendix, art credits and bibliography- a resource in itself! Highly recommend anything Dr K puts out there!
I usually have a difficult time with books this well researched as it sends me down a rabbit hole of other resources I barely have time to get to (as a homeschooling mother of 5)! But I certainly appreciate the thoroughness of this appendix, art credits and bibliography- a resource in itself! Highly recommend anything Dr K puts out there!
April 20, 2025
This is one of the best reads so far. It tackles a lot of notions regarding the faults of reformation that's happening in the Catholic Church.
If only more people could just open their eyes, a lot would ask, is the Liturgy still Catholic or Protestant? One thing that a Catholic should understand that the book should have expressed more- the Pope is not God; hyperpapalism is idolatry. No Pope can play God, and no priest should downplay sin.
There are so many good insights that I had to highlight them.
If only more people could just open their eyes, a lot would ask, is the Liturgy still Catholic or Protestant? One thing that a Catholic should understand that the book should have expressed more- the Pope is not God; hyperpapalism is idolatry. No Pope can play God, and no priest should downplay sin.
There are so many good insights that I had to highlight them.
March 6, 2025
This book was a very thorough chronicle of the Traditional Latin Mass and the ill-advised implementation of the Novus ordo Mass. The author goes into great detail about the consequences of this change and what modern Catholics are missing out on.
December 23, 2023
Exceptional work, thoroughly researched. Tone is too combative to gift o people on the fence, and some conclusions dont seem to have a proper groundwork laid before reaching them, but overall a great addition to anyone's liturgical library.
February 6, 2023
An excellent overview of the mass of the ages and a deep dive into the deficiencies of the new one.
August 7, 2025
**Note** This review was posted on my Goodreads two years ago, but I was editing it and revising and then never posted it. “One and Future Roman Rite” is the most academic defence of the Tridentine Mass against the innovations of the Novus Ordo. Whereas other books will give very æsthetic-based arguments, “Once and Future Roman Rite” is very textual based, going through and comparing the texts of the Old and New Mass. For some people, this boring, for other people, this is a more convincing argument. I happen to fall into the latter. If you love history and primary sources, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews