American traditional Catholicism?

[lucybeebee]

America is not a country known for its deep traditions; anything that’s been going on for at least 25 years is considered traditional. Many of the aspects of traditional Catholicism arose from European immigrant cultures. This would be less problematic if Catholics remained almost completely apart from the world like the Haredi Jews, but that’s not the nature of Catholicism. Once the members of the ethnic group in question assimilated, they threw away those traditional devotions. Being Catholic is essentially one “lifestyle” out of many. What does/should traditional Catholicism mean in the American context, particularly given the rootless nature of modern living?

 

[Freshman88]

All Catholics prior to Vatican II were traditionalists, it was the only brand of Catholicism in existence.

Assimilation does not mean that Catholic practices are thrown out. What makes you think that devotion ends with assimilation?

These devotional practices have nothing to do with culture, and everything to do with piety.

If you want to see American traditionalism, simply go to your local EF parish and they will show just how American traditionalism functions.

Also, Catholicism cannot be seen as simply a “lifestyle”, it is much more then that, it is a religious conviction. Out of that religious conviction comes the devotional practices. Catholicism cannot be seen as being simply cultural.

 

[lucybeebee]

All Catholics prior to Vatican II were traditionalists, it was the only brand of Catholicism in existence.

Assimilation does not mean that Catholic practices are thrown out. What makes you think that devotion ends with assimilation?

These devotional practices have nothing to do with culture, and everything to do with piety.

If you want to see American traditionalism, simply go to your local EF parish and they will show just how American traditionalism functions.

Also, Catholicism cannot be seen as simply a “lifestyle”, it is much more then that, it is a religious conviction. Out of that religious conviction comes the devotional practices. Catholicism cannot be seen as being simply cultural.

I attend the EF almost exclusively and go to an FSSP parish, so I see American traditionalism in action. Based on what I’ve seen, traditional Catholicism seems to be lacking in the creativity seen in other self-consciously different religious groups (e.g., ). We have yet to see a Chesterton, a Georges Bernanos, or a Dorothy Day to arise in our generation.

I think that post-1969 traditionalists are self-consciously Catholic in way that pre-Vatican II Catholics were not. The things that they took for granted (e.g., nuns in habits, Catholic schools that are actual Catholic, Mass as a sacrifice) are things that we need to comment on today. The kind of organic Catholic folk customs found in places like Mexico, are largely absent in American Catholic life. They may strike us as being superstitious, but are part of a sacramental mindset and influence how people view the world with a Catholic lens. Probably the closest thing to the kind of traditional Catholic culture that I’m thinking of could be found in Louisiana, but post-Katrina that might not be the case anymore.

Although Catholicism shouldn’t be considered a lifestyle option, that’s often the way that most people live it out. Swapping religions has become so commonplace that it’s almost like changing clothes. The average Catholic probably views being Catholic as akin to being Jewish; something you can be ethnically without actually believing anything the Church teaches.

 

[deigloriam]

While TLM parishes are, obviously, Traditionally Catholic, there is some truth to the fact that they don’t have that traditional, ethnic feel most parishes would have had Pre-Vat-II. The explanation is pretty simple though, as they aren’t ethnic parishes anymore. How could they be when they draw such a diverse (in all areas but Faith) group from often wide areas. The important aspect - the Faith - is there, and with time (most of these parishes have only had the TLM for <15 years) I’m sure many of the “externals” will return, some familiar, some not. The Faith will always remain True and unchanging, but our demographics have not, and will not, so our parishes will tend to reflect that.