The following paragraphs are taken from the Council of Trent's session on the Mass. Observe how those bishops thought that men were weak and needed external helps, whereas today we have risen above such weakness. Furthermore, they saw the ancient rites and languages as essential, whereas today we know them to be extraordinary, i.e., out of the ordinary. We've come a long way ... or, rather, have we left the narrow path?
And whereas such is the nature of man that, without external helps, he cannot easily be raised to the meditation of divine things; therefore has holy Mother Church instituted certain rites, to wit, that certain things be pronounced in the Mass in a low, and others in a louder, tone. She has likewise employed ceremonies, such as mystic benedictions, lights, incense, vestments and many other things of this kind, derived from an apostolical discipline and tradition, whereby both the majesty of so great a sacrifice might be recommended, and the minds of the faithful be excited, by those visible signs of religion and piety, to the contemplation of those most sublime things which are hidden in this sacrifice.
Although the Mass contains great instruction for the faithful people, nevertheless, it has not seemed expedient to the Fathers that it should be everywhere celebrated in the vulgar tongue. Wherefore, the ancient usage of each Church, and the rite approved of by the holy Roman Church, the mother and mistress of all churches, being in each place retained; ...
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