The most significant Papal Decree in favour of Dialogue Mass is the Instruction on Sacred Music of 1958
Nevertheless, this same Instruction of 1958 does not make this method of participation in any sense obligatory but rather recognises that ”all are not equally capable of correctly understanding the rites and liturgical formulas; nor does everyone possess the same spiritual needs; nor do the needs remain constant in the same individual. Therefore these people may find a more suitable or easier method of participation in the Mass when they meditate devotedly on the mysteries of Jesus Christ, or perform other devotional exercises and offer prayers which, although different in form from those of the sacred rites, are in essential harmony with them. “ It is therefore obvious that to claim that this one manner of assisting at Mass is more in conformity with ” the mind of the Church” is something of an exaggeration.
Silence and sound are mutually exclusive. If it is ever conceded in practice that a single person who decides to avail himself of making the responses at Mass has every right to do so then it spells the final end of what was once the universal and exclusive practice of the Western Church for more than 1000 years.
Proponents of Dialogue Mass often suggest that it is somehow reprehensible not to join in the prayers of the Mass with everyone else. If this were so, Dialogue Mass, although in principle optional would become, in fact, obligatory wherever it is introduced. Furthermore, it is clearly impossible for a silent majority to impose itself on even a tiny minority of vocal participants. A given church or country must have a definite policy on the matter otherwise disorder would ensue. If a change in favour of Dialogue Mass were to be made now it would no doubt be deemed necessary, in order to promote harmony and avoid conflict, for the silent participants to be “educated” after the manner espoused by Father Reinhold which we have considered above by establishing an elite of liturgical enthusiasts to pave the way in convent or school chapels and student groups - just as took place in the heady days of the 1950s and 1960s God forbid that we should ever see anything resembling a repetition of those tragic times!
