The 'Traditional Mass' as an element of re-Christianization

The following is the Q&A of Father Goodwin, an FSSP Priest. Have to give a Sword-dub (h/t) to NLM for this article. (Emphasis mine.)

ZENIT: Why do you feel that following the traditional Roman rite is vital to "re-Christianizing" our world?

Father Goodwin: The Traditional Mass is a very important element in the re-Christianization of the world because it so clearly and fully embodies the faith of the Church. The whole notion of Christ's sacrifice is the central point of the Mass.


Of course, the primary objection that's most often offered to it is "Why would you want to celebrate the Mass in a language that people don't understand?" But that makes the assumption that the relationship of people to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is primarily one of comprehension; that the Mass is a piece of information to be learned and understood.


Today, Mass is most often celebrated in the world where people can see everything that is going on and understand everything that's said. Can we honestly say that the result of this has deepened their appreciation for what's going on? When pollsters tell us that 80% of Catholics under the age of 59 have a non-Catholic idea of what the Blessed Sacrament is, the whole communication thing may not be so successful. That should not be the primary goal. The primary goal is the worship of God.


The Mass is not a bunch of jumbled elements that we put together or we construct in order to make something that is meaningful to us. The Mass is something that exists in itself, to which we conform ourselves, so that we can more perfectly unite with God.


I think that's what young people find in the Traditional Mass. They're not looking for an explanation; they're looking for the presence of Christ. This is, in a very primary way, about reverence, piety and devotion.

The answer that he gave to the above question, succinctly explains the nature and appeal of the Usus Antiquior. In his final statement he explains why young people are drawn to the Extraordinary Form. An attraction, that for years, modernist leaders in the Church said did not exist.

The argument was always, "We need to make the Mass relevant to the youth." Fr. Goodwin explains that just the opposite is true: that the youth are reverent, pious, and devoted and look for Christ, so that they may conform themselves to HIM in order to more perfectly unite with him.