Any ideas to convince my college to offer the EF at least once?

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Farmer88

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Any ideas on how I should go about doing this? Anything I should promote? It’s probably going to be tough but I would like to try to convince the priests in Campus Ministry to at least offer one once for the students who have never experienced one. I’ve chatted with some of the very devout church-goers on campus but most of them have never experienced one. I’d appreciate the help. I have kind of an idea but if there’s more, all the better. Thanks!
 
Organize a group of people who pray regularly the traditional office (Vespers, Compline), to show, that there is real need for the traditional liturgy. This needs only permission from the administrator / pastor. The community prayer itself has it own value.

If there is a steady group, you can petition the bishop; but do not expect that if there are a thousand regular churchgoers for 5 weekend Masses, that the petition of 10 would change one of those Masses to TLM.
 
Well, I’m not really even looking for a weekly EF because it would be very difficult to convince them of that, plus there is a weekly one in downtown DC. I feel that convincing them to offer one or two for the students to experience the EF would be easier. There is a decent amount of students who are pretty devout and I feel that if they got to experience the EF, it would show them how magnificent the EF is.
 
Farmer88 said:
Well, I’m not really even looking for a weekly EF because it would be very difficult to convince them of that, plus there is a weekly one in downtown DC. I feel that convincing them to offer one or two for the students to experience the EF would be easier. There is a decent amount of students who are pretty devout and I feel that if they got to experience the EF, it would show them how magnificent the EF is.
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Why not just bring them to the EF downtown?
 
Wouldn’t mind doing that. Would be nice to do it on campus instead. One of the chapels is still pretty much set up in its pre-VII format, just would need the accessories like candles and such placed back. It’s a beautiful chapel as well. It would just be a little difficult I feel to convince the campus priests to allow it, or to even say it, not sure if they know it.
 
Why not do a “field trip” to the downtown Mass. If the reaction from those attending is positive, then you’d have something to present to your pastor.
 
Farmer88 said:
Wouldn’t mind doing that. Would be nice to do it on campus instead. One of the chapels is still pretty much set up in its pre-VII format, just would need the accessories like candles and such placed back. It’s a beautiful chapel as well. It would just be a little difficult I feel to convince the campus priests to allow it, or to even say it, not sure if they know it.
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Just curious. Does your college offer Latin courses? If not, the TLM might be a tough sell, even if you could find a TLM priest. Then again, maybe the TLM priest could promote the college offering a Classics curriculum.
 
Yeah. I don’t take them but I know they are given and that students do take them. Knew a girl last year who majored in it, now is I think a high school Latin teacher.
 
begin by speaking to the priest who is charge of Masses at your college chapel or campus ministry, if he says no it won’t happen. Convince him that it would be a benefit and attract a number of people.
 
Farmer88 said:
Any ideas on how I should go about doing this? Anything I should promote? It’s probably going to be tough but I would like to try to convince the priests in Campus Ministry to at least offer one once for the students who have never experienced one. I’ve chatted with some of the very devout church-goers on campus but most of them have never experienced one. I’d appreciate the help. I have kind of an idea but if there’s more, all the better. Thanks!
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I was asked that same question last year.
I arranged for the Extraordinary Form to be celebrated at Church.(I asked for and received permission) I contacted a priest to celebrate, rented a bus,and brought together children
and adults for a very special day!
The mass can be on campus or a nearby church which would eliminate the cost of a bus.
Schedule a special mass, perhaps Sunday afternoon.
Ask!
 
Hello! I was thinking the same thing when I first came to my university. But then I began organizing trips with friends to the Latin Mass, which have grown and grown so that, by the grace of God, perhaps fifteen other students from our smallish Newman Center have become fans. They’re varying degrees, some are just super-impressed and want to go every so often, and advocate incorporating more tradition into our regular Masses. The other extreme: one of my friends now goes weekly and brings a few of us a ride! 😃 Don’t be bummed if your priests say no. Even my super traditional ones did, when a couple of us asked, and explained the hostile atmosphere among the local hierarchy. You don’t want to make your priests suffer when you can so easily get to an established parish.

Start small. Do some work ahead of time telling people only positives about how much you love the Latin Mass, and make them curious. Then perhaps get one driver (reimburse them!) and take a trip with just a few. They’ll have a chance to share their impression with others and generate interest. Then make a Facebook event or put up a flyer, however you guys communicate. (monthly trips seem to work well for my group) And be sure to offer little explanation (that seemed to turn people off, and takes the fun out of it!), just tell them a few basics like to watch people around them, how communion is received, occasionally point out where they should be in the little red book, etc. Just let the Mass speak for itself 🙂 And be sure to spread the word that you’ll all be going out to lunch afterwards!

In no time your friends will be saying on their own, why can’t the priest face the tabernacle in our campus Masses? Why can’t we have an altar rail? It really shocked me too lol. It’s only God’s grace, you cannot do this on your own. If He wants people to come to the TLM, He will only use you. While there is a part of you that just wants to go yourself, it’s your responsibility to share this great thing with others. Just never deride the New Mass, there’s also some in our generation just looking for a good conspiracy theory and will latch onto all sorts of nonsense put out by schismatic groups. Don’t be a bitter Latin Mass-er, God won’t be able to work through you and bring others to tradition that way. I’m sure you’re not like that, just be careful because as the face of the Latin Mass in your campus ministry you need to be a good example, otherwise they’ll think we’re all crazy. :o
 
Hi all, I haven’t posted in a long while on the topic of having EF form of the Mass. I do not understand why this has been such an uphill battle! I lived through the time when the now so called EF mass was the OF of the Mass! In my humble opinon, anyway I feel that I am a member of a new religion! I go to mass every Sunday and try to follow the Faith as I learned it as a child.I am looked at as sort of a “relic” in my “slap happy” “trendy” "spirit of Vatican II "church.It is so hard to keep the faith , when it feels like I woke up a "Non Catholic! The “funny” thing to me is in the 70’s no one had to "fight " to usher in all the new changes the "so called ’ spirit of Vatican II brought. There was no choice then at all! I wonder if there would have been “polls” then how many would have wanted the "N.O Mass then.I see many writings on " The Church and the Tridentine Mass , that treats the true form of the Mass as a relic also! 40 some years later when 80% never knew the what the Catholic Church was like or how as the True Church, we were DIFFERENT ! With our "spirit of Vatican II bishop I have given up on him and pray when he retires soon.That I can have the mass of my youth! I really can’t see why the Pope didn’t order one Tritentine mass in each church and try it for 5 years and PROVE if it makes a difference in the Church! It seems that everyone everywhere is having an issue getting this Mass back. I pray for the day when our Church will be restored, as Christ promised to be with His Church to the end of time! God bless all of you in your efforts to bring back The Mass of the ages and the Saints!
 
I am sorry for getting off topic.My “passions” sometimes get the best of me.I think trying to convince each bishop is a great effort indeed, I think however,we need to teach church history as a part of religious instruction and each church should offer this instruction , as to the older form of the Mass and why it evolved into the form it became.Many at the time of Vatican II felt we were going back to a form that was used by the early Church.As part of this is true, as the beliefs evolved and people began to understand the the great gifts Jesus left us being with us at every Mass in the form of bread and wine and the meaning of true sacrifice. A sense of “awe” before our God evolved, and his true presence in every church.As it should be I feel. If the Queen of England were to visit any church , she would be greeted with much pomp and we would be at our formal best! is not our creator and God worth MORE then a CASUAL, INFORMAL Liturgy! I feel whichever form of the Mass keeps you closer to God is good. I feel however, that BOTH forms of the Mass should be taught and offered so ALL can not only become closer to God but by understanding our Church"s past and the RICHNESS of our faith through the the prayers of the past 1500 years we can ALL be TRUE Catholics and much closer to God. God bless you all.
 
The common belief before Vatican too, that the people’s participation and processes which dominate the new form was the form throughout Europe before the Reformation.

There are people who like the casual and informal, other require the formal, solemn forms. It was a mistake, that the old form with its formality was not kept.

As for your goal, I got an idea.

Put your money where your mouth is.

Offer $500 stipend for your priest for a mass (he chooses the date, to avoid any kind of resemblance of buying the Mass) for the intention to promote the Tridentine Mass. If you find 10 people thinking similarly like you, and each of you offer $50 a month, that could convince almost any priest that your intention is honest and serious.
garyfigurski said:
I am sorry for getting off topic.My “passions” sometimes get the best of me.I think trying to convince each bishop is a great effort indeed, I think however,we need to teach church history as a part of religious instruction and each church should offer this instruction , as to the older form of the Mass and why it evolved into the form it became.Many at the time of Vatican II felt we were going back to a form that was used by the early Church.As part of this is true, as the beliefs evolved and people began to understand the the great gifts Jesus left us being with us at every Mass in the form of bread and wine and the meaning of true sacrifice. A sense of “awe” before our God evolved, and his true presence in every church.As it should be I feel. If the Queen of England were to visit any church , she would be greeted with much pomp and we would be at our formal best! is not our creator and God worth MORE then a CASUAL, INFORMAL Liturgy! I feel whichever form of the Mass keeps you closer to God is good. I feel however, that BOTH forms of the Mass should be taught and offered so ALL can not only become closer to God but by understanding our Church"s past and the RICHNESS of our faith through the the prayers of the past 1500 years we can ALL be TRUE Catholics and much closer to God. God bless you all.
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I did get a reply back. I was told that other students had expressed a desire for the EF as well. I was then told that it was decided that if the Basilica decides to restore the EF, they would tell students about it. Also, if Cardinal Wuerl told them to, they would offer it on campus. For the time being, they are only telling students to go downtown to experience it. Kind of disappointed because I feel like he thought I was asking for it to be said weekly when I wasn’t. I was simply expressing my desire for one.

Right now, I’m not sure if I’ll put any more effort into it for this semester since there is only one more month left. I may start preparing something for next semester however. Whether that is trying to gather a group to go to Mary Mother of God in Chinatown or see if the Archdiocese can do anything, I’m not sure what to do. Any ideas?
 
Farmer88 said:
I did get a reply back. I was told that other students had expressed a desire for the EF as well. I was then told that it was decided that if the Basilica decides to restore the EF, they would tell students about it. Also, if Cardinal Wuerl told them to, they would offer it on campus. For the time being, they are only telling students to go downtown to experience it. Kind of disappointed because I feel like he thought I was asking for it to be said weekly when I wasn’t. I was simply expressing my desire for one.

Right now, I’m not sure if I’ll put any more effort into it for this semester since there is only one more month left. I may start preparing something for next semester however. Whether that is trying to gather a group to go to Mary Mother of God in Chinatown or see if the Archdiocese can do anything, I’m not sure what to do. Any ideas?
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IIRC, the Shrine is (at least it was) quasi-independent, meaning that it’s not directly dependent on the local bishop. (Come to think of it, CU itself was that way too.) Any priest in good standing with faculties from any diocese in the country used to be able to offer Mass there, publicly, at will. He needed only to present his credentials to the Rector.

Now, if that is no longer true, I guess it’s back to the drawing board. If, however, it is still true, what I think might be best is to first find a priest who is able and willing to offer the EF and do it there. It may not be technically “on campus,” but as I recall, the Shrine is within “spittin’ distance” of Caldwell Hall.
 
Farmer88 said:
Well, I’m not really even looking for a weekly EF because it would be very difficult to convince them of that, plus there is a weekly one in downtown DC. I feel that convincing them to offer one or two for the students to experience the EF would be easier. There is a decent amount of students who are pretty devout and I feel that if they got to experience the EF, it would show them how magnificent the EF is.
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Easier for who? Like anyone else, campus priests have a lot to do with limited resources. Are any of them even trained in the EF? If so, has he offered one lately? There is more labor involved in this for the priest than you may realize. Instead of putting in a lot of training and preparation to give the EF one time, maybe one of the priests could help you encourage a group to attend one of the existing EF masses in your area and even go along with you. That would accomplish what you are seeking with much less impact on his other duties. Asking one of the priests get permission to do it, put in hours of work preparing, and probably rearrange chapel schedules seems like a lot to ask to avoid taking a 10 min bus ride.
 
I know a tiny group does hold the EF in the Shrine every now and then on Wednesdays but I’m always in class when it is held. As of right now, I’m probably going to end up waiting to try anything until next semester. I’ll figure things out over the summer.
 
laszlo said:
The common belief before Vatican too, that the people’s participation and processes which dominate the new form was the form throughout Europe before the Reformation.

There are people who like the casual and informal, other require the formal, solemn forms. It was a mistake, that the old form with its formality was not kept.

As for your goal, I got an idea.

Put your money where your mouth is.

Offer $500 stipend for your priest for a mass (he chooses the date, to avoid any kind of resemblance of buying the Mass) for the intention to promote the Tridentine Mass. If you find 10 people thinking similarly like you, and each of you offer $50 a month, that could convince almost any priest that your intention is honest and serious.
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I don’t think priests can accept a stipend of such a high amount, besides…how is it not just a bribe (and a sin) to offer the priest so much for that?
 
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