By Tim Rohr
This is a specifically Catholic Church post, so, as is my practice with previous posts of this type, I only mention it on this blog and refer you to my other - if you care to read it.
https://1timothy315.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-discussion-no-debate-no-synodal.html
Merry Christmas.
With the exception of receiving the Holy Eucharist, I have to say that attending the Novus Ordo (NO) Mass of Vatican II, the Mass celebrated today in our churches, is less than spiritually nourishing for me. It is not nourishing because of its many components of which I have come to disagree with after doing some reading, such as this article which you have posted. How spiritually uplifting is it when you encounter female altar servers whose presence likely contributes to the decrease in vocations to the priesthood; Eucharistic ministers and holy communion in the hand; the almost complete absence of Mass prayers in Latin, the sacred language of the church; the almost exclusive use of Eucharistic Prayer II which I understand was written on a napkin in a cafe around the time of Vatican II, rather than the centuries old Eucharistic Prayer I (the Roman Canon); contemporary hymns often sung in a pop style and accompanied by secular instruments such as drums, the electric guitar, and even the saxophone. These components seem like just an extension of our secular everyday world rather than entering into "the sacred mysteries." As has been stated, the main focus of the NO Mass seems to be the partaking of a meal rather than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, the latter of which is the focus of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). The sight of a lay Eucharistic minister distributing holy communion alongside the priest in the sanctuary, as I have observed in some parishes, presents the optic of there being no distinction between the laity and the ordained priesthood (no doubt what the "synodal" church wants to convey).
ReplyDeleteI would just like to add that I see the the lay ministers at Mass as well-intentioned and just desiring to serve God and the Church. I myself was formerly a lector who loved doing this ministry until I discontinued it after reading that lay people, and especially women, should not serve at the altar. I formerly loved singing many of our contemporary (secular sounding) hymns at Mass but now feel that they may not be appropriate and should be replaced by more traditional and sacred music. Could we go back to some Gregorian chant? I still like singing many of our contemporary hymns but just not at Mass.
I have also wondered what our priests think about these liturgical issues.
I believe one priest who attempted to celebrate a more reverent liturgy was Pale' Mike Crisostomo (RIP). Several years ago an announcement in the church bulletin at St. Anthony's in Tamuning stated that there would be changes in the celebration of Mass to include an ad orientem posture by the priest; more recitation of prayers in Latin (At that point, I was already hearing certain prayers, such as the Our Father, being prayed in Latin); and reception of holy communion on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail. I am not privy to any details but was informed that these changes were not approved by "the powers that be" (my own terminology) and so no changes were made to my sadness and disappointment. However, Pale' Mike in his particular Masses continued to request that holy communion be received on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail.
News reports reveal that it is the TLM that is growing worldwide especially among young people and young families perhaps partly because it is a complete stepping away from our secular world. The Vatican seems to not want to acknowledge this and instead wishes to suppress or restrict the TLM. This attempt to deprive us of our rich and sacred Catholic tradition once and for all in favor of a "synodal" Church is sad. I know my comments will not make any difference except it gives me the opportunity to express my views and to support your attempts to inform people about what is happening and has happened with regard to our Catholic Mass and to encourage us all to continue praying for the Church.
Thank you for your comments. Don't be so sure they won't make a difference. It was the COMMENTS on this blog that brought about the ridding of this diocese of Apuron. Re Fr. Mike. You are correct. I rarely attended St. Anthony but definitely noticed the changes he made, especially returning the tabernacle to the center of the church behind the altar. I also heard of his giving people the option to kneel to receive. May he rest in eternal peace.
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