Topics on Tradition

by Chad A. Ripperger

An collection of the articles written by Fr. Chad Ripperger on various theological and philosophical topics.

Genres: Religion, Catholic

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2013

About the author

Chad Alec Ripperger, F.S.S.P. is an American Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher and exorcist. He is well known among Traditionalist Catholic circles and has given numerous talks around the country on various religious topics. Many of these are available for viewing on YouTube.

Reviews

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖋️ Although this work gets intense – very intense – at times, it captivated my attention and cleared up questions that I was looking for answers to regarding Modernism and the destructive nature of Vatican II in the Church. Father Chad A. Ripperger explains Traditionalism versus Modernism, and through his many articles (chapters) clears up the sources of the confusion and breakdown of the post-Vatican II Church, the valid reasons for Traditionalism, et cetera. I first learned of Father Chad A. Ripperger via one of Dr. Taylor Marshall’s podcasts.

🏮 Kindle Unlimited.
🔲 Excerpts of note:

🔹The old rite teaches us modesty in this respect by being ordered to God and not earthly things. The fact that the Mass is oriented – i.e., facing interior east (not necessarily geographical east but rather with all participants in the Mass facing the same direction) – means that we are concerned about God more than ourselves. This is itself a kind of modesty. We do not offer Mass facing each other or worry about what people are going to think of how we have arranged the liturgy.

🔸Curiosity is the vice opposite to studiosity and is the vice in which we seek useless and profane knowledge. Chapel veils are great for cutting the curiosity of males. In the past, people were instructed not to “rubberneck” during Mass or while in the church, since it showed a lack of modesty with regard to one’s exterior glances and a neglect of custody of the eyes. The old rite, by focusing all in the direction of God by the orientation of priest and people, teaches us to direct our eyes and not to be looking around. If the priest does not face interior east, then the tendency arising from human psychology is to start looking at each other. That in turn will spill over into a lack of custody of the eyes during Mass, and when Mass is not going on in the church. This is also why churches were not built to be “theaters in the round” in which everyone could see each other.

🔹Human tradition can only produce human certitude. Human certitude increases and decreases with time and can fail entirely. Ecclesiastical tradition, on the other hand, is human insofar as it is something which is in the hands of men, but it is something far higher than mere human tradition. It is higher because the organ of transmission is Christ’s Church which is directed by the Holy Spirit.

🔸When we consider the action of the Mass from the point of view of Christ who offers by means of the priest, by virtue of the Church as a juridic person and by virtue of the priesthood of the priest who offers, the fruits are derived ex opere operato. It is by the very work performed that these fruits are derived from the Mass.

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[Catholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Topics on Tradition" by Fr. Chad Ripperger is an enlightening exploration of Catholic traditions, particularly focusing on the liturgical aspects and the Tridentine Mass. Fr. Ripperger delves into various types of tradition, including the Magisterium's role as the guardian and interpreter of these traditions. He discusses the historical development of the Mass, illustrating how modifications in liturgical practices can reflect a departure from the reverence and guidance of the Holy Spirit that earlier saints adhered to. The book also addresses the impact of modern philosophical trends like immanentism on the Church's liturgy and theology. Fr. Ripperger emphasizes the importance of tradition in maintaining the integrity and universality of Catholic faith and practice, critiquing contemporary approaches that diverge from established doctrines and rituals.

This book was a pivotal read for me, offering a comprehensive understanding of why the Tridentine Mass is considered more efficacious and meritorious than the Novus Ordo Mass. Fr. Ripperger’s analysis of the Mass’s historical and theological evolution is both thorough and thought-provoking. He effectively demonstrates how certain changes in the liturgy, especially those influenced by modernist thought, can lead to a loss of the sacred and a shift towards a more anthropocentric approach. His discussion on the principles of liturgy and the nature of rites provides a compelling argument for the superiority of the Tridentine Mass in maintaining the true essence of Catholic worship.

[Anne-Marie Woloszyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Read

I learned a lot from this book on Catholic tradition that I did not know before. It gave me a greater appreciation of Catholic Traditionalism in general.

[A.D. Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense!

There is a lot of information here, and it's a bit heavy and hard to get through. This is a deep dive and not for the casual reader.