Bishop Sanborn: The New Mass (Novus Ordo) and its Protestant Changes
Summary, Analysis, and Takeaways of Bishop Donald Sanborn’s Sermon on the Liturgical Changes of Vatican II
In this sermon, Bishop Donald Sanborn presents a fundamental argument regarding the nature of the Vatican II liturgical changes: were they merely accidental modifications (which would be permissible within Catholic tradition), or were they substantial changes that constitute a rupture with the Catholic faith? He argues that the Novus Ordo Mass represents a substantial departure, aligning it with Protestantism rather than traditional Catholic worship.
Bishop Sanborn asserts that Vatican II’s liturgical reforms were deliberately crafted to make the Mass acceptable to Protestants, removing elements that highlight the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the unique role of the priest, and belief in transubstantiation. The sermon outlines multiple theological errors introduced into the Novus Ordo, including:
The redefinition of the Mass as a communal gathering rather than a sacrifice.
The elimination of references to transubstantiation, replacing them with ambiguous language.
The introduction of lay Eucharistic ministers and communion in the hand, further degrading belief in the Real Presence.
The alteration of the words of consecration, particularly changing "for many" to "for all," which he argues invalidates the sacrament.
The destruction of traditional liturgical disciplines, such as fasting before communion, genuflecting, and the use of Latin.
The bishop concludes that the Novus Ordo is not simply an inferior liturgy but a heretical construct that aligns with modernist and ecumenical errors. He states that if the Vatican II changes constitute a substantial rupture, then the Novus Ordo is illegitimate, and the Vatican II clergy—including the Pope—are false shepherds who have defected from the Catholic faith.
Key Quotes
On the Novus Ordo as a Sect:
“If it is a substantial departure, it sucks out of the Novus Ordo any claim to legitimacy and reduces it to being nothing else but a sect.”
On the Protestantization of the Mass:
“The spirit and principle of the liturgical changes of Vatican II are to make the central act of worship acceptable to the Protestants.”
On the Definition of the Mass in the Novus Ordo Missal:
“The Lord’s Supper or Mass is the sacred assembly or congregation of the people of God gathering together with a priest presiding to celebrate the memorial of the Lord.”
(No mention of sacrifice, transubstantiation, or the unique role of the priest.)
On the Suppression of Transubstantiation:
“The word ‘transubstantiation’ is an odious, dark word for Protestants… therefore, it’s gone.”
On the Protestant Nature of the New Offertory Prayers:
“It is a blasphemy to offer to God bread and wine… anything less than the body and blood of His Son is a blasphemy.”
(Referring to the Novus Ordo offertory prayers, which remove the explicit sacrificial nature of the Mass.)
On the Role of the Priest:
“The priest is now a mere ‘president’ who presides over the congregation, which is carrying on the worship… in the traditional Mass, the priest alone offers the sacrifice.”
On Cardinal Ottaviani’s Condemnation of the Novus Ordo:
“The Novus Ordo Mass represents, both as a whole and in its details, a striking departure from the Catholic theology of the Mass as it was formulated in Session 22 of the Council of Trent.”(Cardinal Ottaviani’s critique of the Novus Ordo.)
Analysis from a Sedevacantist Pre-Vatican II Catholic Perspective
Bishop Sanborn’s argument aligns with the sedevacantist position that the Vatican II liturgical changes represent a total rupture with Catholic Tradition, meaning the Vatican II Church is a false church, and its hierarchy—including the Pope—cannot be legitimate Catholic authorities. His reasoning follows several key points:
The Mass as a Sacrifice vs. a Protestant Service
In traditional Catholic theology, the Mass is the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. The priest, acting in persona Christi, offers the same sacrifice to God the Father.
The Protestant view sees worship as a communal gathering with hymn singing and preaching, where the minister acts only as a leader.
The Novus Ordo redefines the Mass in a Protestant way, focusing on a "memorial meal" and removing explicit references to sacrifice.
The Elimination of Transubstantiation and the Real Presence
By removing genuflections, changing prayers, and introducing communion in the hand, belief in the Real Presence is gradually erased.
The removal of the term "transubstantiation" and the suppression of clear references to the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist make the new rite ambiguous and acceptable to Protestants.
The words of consecration changed from "for many" to "for all", contradicting Christ’s words and rendering the sacrament invalid or at least doubtful.
The Destruction of the Priesthood
The Novus Ordo transforms the priest from an ordained mediator offering a true sacrifice into a mere “president” leading a communal celebration.
This destroys apostolic succession because the new ordination rite also weakens the theology of the priesthood.
A Break with Apostolic Tradition
The Novus Ordo removes uniquely Catholic prayers and inserts elements borrowed from Protestant and Jewish traditions, showing a clear rupture.
The abandonment of Latin severs the Church from centuries of tradition and allows doctrinal changes via ambiguous translations.
The Vatican II Church is Apostate
Since the Catholic Church cannot officially promulgate heresy, and since the Vatican II hierarchy promotes a false, Protestantized liturgy, they cannot be true Catholic authorities.
The sedevacantist conclusion follows logically:
The men who promulgated and continue to enforce this false worship cannot be true Catholic popes or bishops.
The Vatican II church is a false church, distinct from the true Catholic Church.
Takeaways
The Novus Ordo is not merely an inferior Mass but a complete rupture with Catholic tradition.
It was designed to align with Protestant theology, stripping away Catholic identity.
The removal of sacrificial elements and traditional disciplines weakens belief in the Real Presence.
The shift from offering Christ to presenting mere bread and wine devalues the Mass.
The suppression of transubstantiation and genuflection destroys faith in the Eucharist.
The Vatican II liturgical reforms are part of a larger modernist apostasy.
The introduction of ecumenism and religious indifferentism shows a rejection of Catholic exclusivity.
The Vatican II church no longer teaches the Catholic faith as it was handed down from the Apostles.
Catholics must reject the Novus Ordo and adhere to pre-Vatican II traditions.
The only way to remain Catholic is to reject the Vatican II changes and hold fast to traditional Catholic worship and doctrine.
The sedevacantist position follows logically: if the Novus Ordo is heretical, the Vatican II hierarchy cannot be legitimate Catholic authorities.
Final Conclusion
Bishop Donald Sanborn’s sermon is a comprehensive indictment of the Novus Ordo Mass, demonstrating that it represents not a reform, but a destruction of Catholic worship. He argues convincingly that the Vatican II liturgical changes were deliberately designed to undermine belief in the Real Presence, redefine the priesthood, and replace Catholic worship with a Protestant-style service.
From a sedevacantist perspective, this is irrefutable evidence that Vatican II constitutes a total break with Catholic Tradition. Since the Church cannot officially promulgate heresy, those who promote the Vatican II liturgy cannot be true Catholic authorities. The logical conclusion is that the Vatican II Church is a counterfeit—a sect that has usurped the Catholic name while abandoning its faith.
