I was speaking with someone recently about the fact that "modernist" parishes are generally shrinking in the Catholic Church and more traditional parishes are growing. No modernism is not fading quickly, but the signs are steadily increasing that show that Catholics (especially the younger generations) are wanting a return to our historic faith and practises. During the conversation, I was asked "is this just a pendulum swing?" The questioner seemed to be hoping that it was only a temporary situation, and that eventually things would "swing" back to modernist tendencies once again.
Yes, a "pendulum swing" is one possible interpretation of events. And, yes, it is also true that there is a certain degree of "reactionary" behavior in the traditional interests of many Catholics today. That is not, however, what I think is the best explanation of events. If it were truly a "pendulum swing" then we would be able to see the pattern in the past as well (modern, traditional, modern, traditional, etc.). Although there are varying fluctuations in Church history, there is nothing to reflect this kind of "swing" from modern to traditional going back and forth in history.
Therefore, we are led to consider another possible interpretation. Thus, we should compare the modernist tendencies of our day, and ask ourselves: is this similar to what the Church looked like prior to this development (which, although present earlier, had an enormous increase in the late 1960's)? The answer is an easy "no". This does not mean that the Church before Vatican II was perfect -- if it had been it is unlikely that we would have had a Second Vatican Council. Thus, the modernist trend was a new thing foisted upon the Church by those who hated Vatican II and wanted to change the Church into something else (yes, you read that right).
Rather than a swing of the pendulum, it should be evident that what we are dealing with is an attack on the liturgy that began 50 years ago (not counting the precursors that can be seen in the 1940's and 50's) and now today we are experiencing the beginning of its restoration. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard, or read, Catholics who say that they "like" the "contemporary style" of the liturgy. I have heard many say that the contemporary music and casual attitude of the priest help them to "enjoy" the liturgy more. Yet, I have never heard anyone say that contemporary liturgy struck them with awe at the majesty of God. I have never heard anyone say that the modernist paraphrasing that many priests engage in for the parts of the Mass makes them feel more reverent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The reason should be obvious.
Enjoyment alone is not grounds to justify contemporary and modernist behaviors in the Mass. This is not a "pendulum swing" that we are seeing. It is an experience of enlightenment when the faithful realize that people made a mistake and not only took the ideas of the new liturgy too far, but also went about breaking most of the rules that were given to us for the liturgy. When this happens, people step back and say, "I cannot do it this way anymore". This is what I have seen from many of the faithful that I have spoken with recently; not just at St. George, my Ordinariate parish, but also elsewhere. People are tired of "liking" the liturgy; they want to be "awed" by the liturgy. This is what we call restoration.
