Because I was born in 1936 I can testify to non- participatory liturgies .  
Liturgy is the work of the people .  Our work was to keep our noses in a book as the priest mumbled away in speedy Latin .
These were designed by Tridentine mindsets to create a statement against Protestantism  .
It was a belligerent statement , unfortunate and it was very insightful for the church fathers  at the Council to take such a bold stand for the glory of God and the need of  the People of God .
Card. Martini said about a dozen years ago that the church was 200 years behind the times .
"Today , now , is the acceptable time ."  If we fail to honor the present in which we have been placed it does appear we think we know better  than God .