Are Your Traditional Catholic Beliefs a Source of Division Among Your Family and Friends?

[ethelzguy]

So are your traditional Catholic beliefs a source of division among your family and friends?

Nope, not at all. Because as I stated elsewhere, perhaps the greatest Catholic tradition is that we “pray, pay, and obey”.

I go to Mass to give Glory and Praise to our God, literally. I don’t go to critique the priest, deacon, lector/reader, altar server, EMHC, cantor, or organist.

I listen, I respond, I pray, I sit-stand-kneel, and I receive the Blessed Sacrement. I leave happy and smiling.

Sometimes the music is great, sometimes it’s awful. But I don’t dwell on it. I sing “On Eagle’s Wings” with the same off-key gusto that I do “Now Thank We All Our God”.

I hold many traditional beliefs, but I don’t use them to make statements or create problems within my Church or my family.

I don’t gripe to the Pastor, I don’t write letters to the Bishop.

Obedience is not limited to practicing “old school” Catholic ways.

Obedience is following our Church, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 

[nannygirl]

Nope, not at all. Because as I stated elsewhere, perhaps the greatest Catholic tradition is that we “pray, pay, and obey”.

I go to Mass to give Glory and Praise to our God, literally. I don’t go to critique the priest, deacon, lector/reader, altar server, EMHC, cantor, or organist.

I listen, I respond, I pray, I sit-stand-kneel, and I receive the Blessed Sacrement. I leave happy and smiling.

Sometimes the music is great, sometimes it’s awful. But I don’t dwell on it. I sing “On Eagle’s Wings” with the same off-key gusto that I do “Now Thank We All Our God”.

I hold many traditional beliefs, but I don’t use them to make statements or create problems within my Church or my family.

I don’t gripe to the Pastor, I don’t write letters to the Bishop.

Obedience is not limited to practicing “old school” Catholic ways.

Obedience is following our Church, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Well good for you! I’m happy for ya. I guess that means you’ve answered the question!

 

[margretto]

I
In fact I’m positive that is what it said:thumbsup:

Having some degree of experience with the verbiage of laws and regulations, I can tell you that when the words **is to be ** are used, it is not optional. It is in fact, mandatory.

:

Didn’t Christ criticize the Pharisees for being so admonent about “following rules and regulations”? Maybe this is what the Latin Mass has fallen into. Listen, we are there to celebrate Jesus Christ and his sacrifice that he gave for us. Perhaps the criticism and belittling of Vatican II is merely Catholics way of becomming Pharisees in these present times.

 

[margretto]

C’mon! I thought this thread was a place for people with traditional Catholic beliefs/practices to discuss flak they are getting from people who don’t have those beliefs/practices. We aren’t here to talk about EF vs OF, so please go start your own thread if this is what you want to talk about. I can’t imagine why anyone who is not a traditional Catholic would even be posting on this site. I suggest that those who are truly want to help each other just ignore those who are only here to argue and harass.

Where does it say that only Traditional Catholics can post? No one here is arguing or harassing but perhaps presenting another view opposed to others. That is not harassment. The Pharisees also did not like apposing views so they killed him instead.

 

[nannygirl]

Not a whole lot in the real world.

The real opposition to Tradition, I find most often, on this traditional catholicism sub-forum I visit quite often. I’ll have to send you a link sometime .

Peace in Christ,

DustinsDad

I hear you! I have several friends in the real world, many of whom are of a more liberal persuasion, but how we worship God has never been an issue with us. We love the Lord Jesus and would never even consider criticizing how the other worships. It’s sad that a person gets negatively labeled according to what Mass they attend! We all have our preferences and as I have said many times, if it’s OK with the Pope, what’s the problem? I happen to love Tradition. Where would the church be without it?

 

[nannygirl]

Finally somebody brought up Protestants. I’m a convert from a Disciples of Christ household. My mother is very supportive of my catholicism and often goes to mass with me. The only bone of contention we have is that I will not allow her to chew gum even though she is not receiving the Eucharist. She complies but it annoys her but I can’t have her perceived as disrespectful or setting a bad example for the children,

Just this Saturday I attended a Mass where there was an extra ceremony inducting a girl into a religious order. The Sisters passed out their own pre-printed missals and I noticed they had a little warning about gum chewing.

 

[EasterJoy]

Didn’t Christ criticize the Pharisees for being so admonent about “following rules and regulations”? Maybe this is what the Latin Mass has fallen into. Listen, we are there to celebrate Jesus Christ and his sacrifice that he gave for us. Perhaps the criticism and belittling of Vatican II is merely Catholics way of becomming Pharisees in these present times.

From the Apostles to right now, our shepherds have the authority to mandate rubrics. That doesn’t make them Pharisees.

Remember that little-end-of-parable-point made by Our Lord about the guy showing up for the wedding feast in improper attire, and being pitched out on his ear, too. Attention to rubrics isn’t pharasaical…and the tendency to take the attitude “Thank you, Lord, that I am not like these other sinners” is not restricted to one political or liturgical end of the spectrum or the other.

As the thread implies, there is very often this kind of attitude coming at our brothers and sisters, simply because they observe the ancient rubrics! They are treated as if love of the TLM or the rosary is something to be embarrassed about! It is a great deal to ask that they endure that kind of treatment and yet never get to complain to anyone under similar circumstances, lest they become “Pharisees.”

If they were to tell their families that their attendance at a perfectly valid liturgy was not good enough, that might be another matter, but this is not what the thread is about.

 

[palmas85]

Didn’t Christ criticize the Pharisees for being so admonent about “following rules and regulations”? Maybe this is what the Latin Mass has fallen into. Listen, we are there to celebrate Jesus Christ and his sacrifice that he gave for us. Perhaps the criticism and belittling of Vatican II is merely Catholics way of becomming Pharisees in these present times.

I wonder if those who throw the term Pharasee around really understand who the Pharasees were and what position they occupied in Judaism of the times.

I would thin that more than a few might be somewhat surprised to learn the truth about them.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

As the thread implies, there is very often this kind of attitude coming at our brothers and sisters, simply because they observe the ancient rubrics! They are treated as if love of the TLM or the rosary is something to be embarrassed about! It is a great deal to ask that they endure that kind of treatment and yet never get to complain to anyone under similar circumstances, lest they become “Pharisees.”

 

[spellinggirl]

I have a lot of friends who are different religions. My best friends are are a non-practicing Jew and a non-denominational Christian. I also have a few Catholic friends who I can talk about church to. None of my pals get upset with me if I talk about church. My school is pretty mixed, so people don’t get too angry if someone talks about their religion.

 

[margretto]

I wonder if those who throw the term Pharasee around really understand who the Pharasees were and what position they occupied in Judaism of the times.

I would thin that more than a few might be somewhat surprised to learn the truth about them.

Since you are referring to me, YES I do know what the term Pharasee means. When we get so worried about rules and regulations and not about loving our neighbor and God then we could easily fall into that category. There is a fine line. I would also like to add that it doesn’t matter to me which Mass is attended. But when I see one group put down another then I am reminded of the Pharasees. BTW there are many who attend the NO Mass who love the rosary as well.

 

[nannygirl]

Since you are referring to me, YES I do know what the term Pharasee means. When we get so worried about rules and regulations and not about loving our neighbor and God then we could easily fall into that category. There is a fine line. I would also like to add that it doesn’t matter to me which Mass is attended. But when I see one group put down another then I am reminded of the Pharasees. BTW there are many who attend the NO Mass who love the rosary as well.

Who are you talking about? Who is putting down whom here?

 

[margretto]

Who are you talking about? Who is putting down whom here?

I did not state that SOMEONE here on this particular thread put anyone down, this was a general comment.

 

[CradleCath]

I recently admitted to my folks I have been attending the Traditional Latin Mass and they gave each other a weird look. Every time I bring it up, they look bothered, which is weird because that’s the Mass they grew up with. I have a bad feeling that this Mass alone is going to solicit some sort of critical reaction.

I have yet to meet a Catholic who is interested, much less happy, in knowing I have started going to the Latin Mass. My siblings make jokes like, “Well, now you have a good reason for falling asleep: you don’t even know what they are saying!”

I can’t imagine what their reaction will be if and when I start adopting some more traditional Catholic beliefs and customs. Anyone else run into this problem?

Yep!! As a 66 yr. old Catholic, my children just put my attendance at the Traditional Mass down to “nostalgia”. I realize **now **how lacking the catechisis was that they received during the 70’s. For them, the Catholic Church began at the council. I’m searching for a way to teach them the theology of the Church of pre-Vatican II.

HOWEVER, my brother, (we are very close) who hasn’t attended Mass since the 60’s mentioned that he “might” like to go with me next Sunday if the Mass was the Traditional Latin Mass. This man became a fallen away Catholic sometime during his college years & his service in Vietnam…I’m not sure which (if either) precipitated his rejection of the Catholic Church, as I had contact with him only by mail during that time & it was upon his return from the war that I realized he no longer attended Mass.

I let him know that I thought he was making a BIG error many years ago…but, I have never nagged him about it, I know him well enough to know that, if I had, he’d have walked away. I have simply prayed that he would return home. Who would have thought that the TLM, just might be the catalyst that he needs.

Keep attending & most importantly keep **studying **the Latin Mass, no matter what your relatives think. You never know what may happen as a result.

 

[CradleCath]

[C
I am not saying that I am great, I have been given so much, but because I have been given much, much is expected of me, so in many ways “innocence is bliss.” Now that I have so much knowledge about right and wrong, I am held to a much higher standard, and it is just as hard as those who were not taught as much and are held to a different standard.
It is hard sometimes not to have friends, but God gave me 3 sisters, 2 brothers and the most wonderful parents in the world, what more could I ask for. [/COLOR]

You, young lady are BLESSED. Kudos to your parents.

 

[CradleCath]

I would guess it’s a matter of how you bring it up more than anything else. I would further guess that consciously or subconsciously you are actually fishing for what you term a “critical reaction.” In fact I think you’re doing it with this very posting. That, or you want to commiserate with others who also wear the traditionalist badge.

Who cares? Why ask? Are you trying to elicit certain responses? Don’t bring it up --** you don’t need a pat on the back – **just enjoy it.

Like what? Wearing a chapel veil and speaking full time in Latin? My advice to you is to enjoy the EF and stop wandering around with your chin stuck out begging people to metaphorically smack you…

I must say that I think the attitude of your post is confrontational & condemning AND an example of what we traditional Catholic confront daily.

 

[nannygirl]

Yep!! As a 66 yr. old Catholic, my children just put my attendance at the Traditional Mass down to “nostalgia”. I realize **now **how lacking the catechisis was that they received during the 70’s. For them, the Catholic Church began at the council. I’m searching for a way to teach them the theology of the Church of pre-Vatican ll.

I converted 2 years ago and am really surprised at how little some Catholics know their faith. Our priest offers classes for childen and adults to correct this sad situation. So many Catholics act, in my opinion, much more like Protestants in their lack of obedience to the teachings of the Magesterium (Confession, birth control, abortion, Holy Mass attendance, attending on Holy days of obligation, etc). It’s shocking to me that many Catholics mock the distinctiveness of the Catholic Church because they want her to fit in with and be like the rest of the world.

 

[nannygirl]

CradleCath:
I must say that I think the attitude of your post is confrontational & condemning AND an example of what we traditional Catholic confront daily.

I agree with you. It is a mistake to make assumptions about peoples’ motives.

 

[CradleCath]

What a stupid remark!! All the Church teachings are summarised in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is applicable to ALL Catholics. If you tell me there are beliefs not in the CCC then please tell us what they are and what your source is!!

“Beliefs” are those things to which we give a deep-seeded mental & emotional assent… things that usually result in actions. Do most Liberal Catholics you know, ** give deep-seeded mental & emotional assent to **the fact that artificial contraception is sinful? Do they act as if they accept the Churches teachings on remarriage after divorce? Do they even realize that Pope John Paul II called for reforms re the abuses in the US. concerning annulments? Do they vote for pro-abortion candidates? Do they define the Mass as a recurrence of the Sacrifice at Calvary…OR…a Communal Meal? There are beliefs, both in the CCC & not, about which Liberal & Traditional Catholics disagree…

For goodness sakes, even our Bishops differ on issues. Do you really think that Bishop Bruskewitz & Cardinal Roger Mahony agree upon the all-male priesthood, the use of altar BOYS exclusively, the placement of the Tabernacle, the ordination of homosexuals? Do you think that they view instructions from the Vatican in the same way. I wish they did, but I’m not “stupid” enough to believe it is true.

 

[aristotle]

I can’t imagine what their reaction will be if and when I start adopting some more traditional Catholic beliefs and customs. Anyone else run into this problem?

At times. It must be my group of friends, because I typically run into the opposite problem: I’m not traditional enough. It all depends on the groups you hang out with.

But I pray you find support and strength during this time.

What customs, by the way? I’m just curious.

And what beliefs? Do you mean beliefs as in philosophy or spirituality? Because Catholics have wide variety of beliefs, so long as they attest to the same doctrines and dogmas.

I am a Thomist with a Dominican spirituality. My wife has a more Salesian spirituality, and her philosophy aligns more with a Christianized Ayn Rand.

Every Catholic is different.