M
mwscott
Guest
Today I drove three hours to Columbus, Ohio to visit a friend - who is not Catholic. I had heard that the Holy Family Parish in the downtown area was a very beautiful and traditional parish. Although I was not there in time for the Tridentine Mass I was very excited to have the opportunity to hear their Novus Ordo Mass at 5:00pm. My non-Catholic friend (who is 19 like me) said that she would be glad to go with me.
When we arrived at the church I was very pleasantly surprised to see a sign, posted just behind the last row of pews that read, “Please, no talking beyond this point.” Naturally, my friends face showed a little worry because she had clearly never been in a church like this one.
To get straight to the point, I left that Mass utterly inspired and awe struck. The Mass was celebrated by a forty-some-old (not elderly), hobbled priest who seemed nearly blind. He could barely read from the Sacramentary and he gave the entire homily with his eyes shut. He was assisted by two elderly men in ties. One of the men - who also served as the Lector - had a severe limp, and the other shook. What was most inspiring, however, was the priest’s dedication to the Mass. Although it was clear he was in pain, he made sure that every time he genuflected his knee made it as close to the floor as he could muster. I am not exaggerating when I say that it took him 30 seconds to genuflect one time. But the congregation sat by in approval and support of his dedication.
The Church wasn’t packed but I would say that there was easily 150 to 200 people there. The organ was out of tune, the singing wasn’t great, and the homily was a little boring but I am certain that there wasn’t a single person in that church that wasn’t fully dedicated to that Mass. When we left the Church my non-Catholic friend said, “that was really amazing.”
Needless to say, I left that Church with hope. Three times a day that holy priest says Mass. (I am sure that the morning Masses fill the Church) and three times a day all those people leave inspired. This holy priest truly does the work of God by rightfully and reverently offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I have confidence for the Church. Sure for every parish like this there are 100 still caught up in the remnants of the “spirit of Vatican II” but the Church as Vatican II envisions is here. Seminarian enrollment is up, 100 Anglican parishes are entering full communion with the Church, and each day a person like my friend, who has never seen a Catholic Mass leaves a parish like the Holy Family in Columbus inspired by a holy priest.
When we arrived at the church I was very pleasantly surprised to see a sign, posted just behind the last row of pews that read, “Please, no talking beyond this point.” Naturally, my friends face showed a little worry because she had clearly never been in a church like this one.
To get straight to the point, I left that Mass utterly inspired and awe struck. The Mass was celebrated by a forty-some-old (not elderly), hobbled priest who seemed nearly blind. He could barely read from the Sacramentary and he gave the entire homily with his eyes shut. He was assisted by two elderly men in ties. One of the men - who also served as the Lector - had a severe limp, and the other shook. What was most inspiring, however, was the priest’s dedication to the Mass. Although it was clear he was in pain, he made sure that every time he genuflected his knee made it as close to the floor as he could muster. I am not exaggerating when I say that it took him 30 seconds to genuflect one time. But the congregation sat by in approval and support of his dedication.
The Church wasn’t packed but I would say that there was easily 150 to 200 people there. The organ was out of tune, the singing wasn’t great, and the homily was a little boring but I am certain that there wasn’t a single person in that church that wasn’t fully dedicated to that Mass. When we left the Church my non-Catholic friend said, “that was really amazing.”
Needless to say, I left that Church with hope. Three times a day that holy priest says Mass. (I am sure that the morning Masses fill the Church) and three times a day all those people leave inspired. This holy priest truly does the work of God by rightfully and reverently offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I have confidence for the Church. Sure for every parish like this there are 100 still caught up in the remnants of the “spirit of Vatican II” but the Church as Vatican II envisions is here. Seminarian enrollment is up, 100 Anglican parishes are entering full communion with the Church, and each day a person like my friend, who has never seen a Catholic Mass leaves a parish like the Holy Family in Columbus inspired by a holy priest.
