Being a traditional Catholic in a Novus Ordo parish

[Monica4316]

Hi,

I’m in a bit of a dilemma…

I became Catholic a couple years ago, and it was all based on the writings of the Saints, the devotions, the theology, etc… I had decided to be Catholic before I had ever been to Mass. When I went to Mass for the first time, and after, I loved the Eucharist, and Adoration, but to be honest I found everything else disappointing. Something was just really missing. It didn’t match with what I had read about…and all the things I came to love about Catholicism, so few even knew about them

Then, I went to my first Latin Mass, and finally realized THAT is the Catholicism that I’ve always wanted… and I’ve wanted to go back ever since.

This past year, I’ve been living in a different city attending university… and I’ll be graduating this spring so I’m moving back home in a week and probably won’t be back here, except to visit (it’s far away though). Well for most of this year I’ve been attending a Latin Mass parish (FSSP), and I’m having difficultly with the idea of having to leave it now and going back to my old parish. My parish back home isn’t horrible, there’s no liturgical abuse, the priest is great… but everything else about it is really kind of watered down, modern… it’s not at all like the Latin Mass parish. I’ve found this parish helped me so much more spiritually. In addition, there are really good priests here… and I’ve been getting spiritual guidance from a priest and it helped me a lot, I’m afraid I’d feel a bit lost when I’m back home, in a totally different environment. I’ll miss all the traditions/devotions, being around like minded people in church, the reverence in the Mass, the spiritual direction I’ve received, Confession being available before every Mass, Adoration on First Fridays, etc… I have good Catholic friends back home, and of course I miss my family, but it’s really lonely at my parish and I feel like my views are way more traditional than everyone else’s there. I would drive to the Latin Mass an hour away, on Sundays, but I don’t have a car.

I’m just wondering, is anyone else in this situation? what do you do? I’m accepting this necessary change as something from God, perhaps it can help me to learn detachment, but at the same time… the reason I love the Latin Mass is because it helps me to worship Him… I just don’t feel I’ll ever get used to the Novus Ordo, the way it is now, with all the changes that didn’t even come from the Vatican.

I also wanted to clarify, I’m not open to attending any sedevacantist or schismatic group. I would only consider the Latin Mass where the priest are in communion with Rome, like FSSP, or Institute of Christ the King. But there’s nothing like this in my hometown.

Also, I’m canonically Eastern (Russian) Catholic, but attending an Eastern rite parish might not really be an option for me in my hometown either. I’d have to find out. But before I get a car, my choices are sort of limited (and it will be a while before I have a car). Soo… I’ll assume for now, before I have done more research, that I’ll be going back to my old Novus Ordo parish.

 

[Califman831]

If at all possible do not attend one of the modernized parishes. I will say some prayers for you sister and hope u find a parish that that will not damage your faith in the Lord.

 

[Monica4316]

If at all possible do not attend one of the modernized parishes. I will say some prayers for you sister and hope u find a parish that that will not damage your faith in the Lord.

thanks for the prayers

well it won’t damage it… it just makes me sad that’s all. I do think it’s important that I still fulfill my Sunday obligation and receive the Sacraments, I’d rather receive the Eucharist in a Novus Ordo parish than nowhere at all.

I think that if a person has an opportunity to go to a Latin Mass parish, they should… but if their only option is Novus Ordo, that doesn’t dispense them from fulfilling their Sunday obligation, and it’s always better to have the Sacraments

the problem I’m facing is that the in the Novus Ordo, I’m only there for the Eucharist, - I love that part, Communion, because it is Our Lord… but everything else is sort of difficult for me. (I don’t mean the essence of the Mass, which is still there, but all the externals… music, the way things are done, the lack of reverence, often a lack of depth/tradition, etc). In the Latin Mass, I really don’t have any complaints…

God bless

 

[corsair]

I’m kind of in a similar situation. We drive 120 miles each way for the FSSP parish in Seattle. But at $4.00 a gallon for gas, its only once or twice a month. We did find a fairly reverent OF parish. The music is mostly hymns from the 1800’s and the priest is very aware that he has several more traditional types in the church.

Some of us got together and formed a Latin Mass Society and got recognized by the pastor. We have made lots of progress toward bringing back many traditions to the parish.
Rosary starts at 8:00 am while confessions are being heard. and finishes by about 8:20am. Silence is maintained (mostly) prior to Mass, which starts at 8:30am.

We have resurrected an old processional crucifix and have made many Altar Frontals. The group even bought a set of 6 candlesticks and an Altar crucifix. On special ocassions the priest will wear some of our antique vestments. Such as yesterday when he wore a gold gothic chasuble. It almost matches the gold Altar Frontal.

You need to seek out like minded souls and get organized. Hopefully this 3rd edition of the Roman missal will assist you in getting some tradition back.

God Bless.

 

[Timothysis]

I think that if a person has an opportunity to go to a Latin Mass parish, they should… but if their only option is Novus Ordo, that doesn’t dispense them from fulfilling their Sunday obligation, and it’s always better to have the Sacraments

Instead of giving us your opinions about the Mass why don’t you follow the directives of Christ’s Church? The Sunday obligation is fulfilled by attending either form of the Mass. It really doesn’t matter what you “think” people should do. Pope Benedict only celebrates the Ordinary Form of the Mass in public; do you think he shouldn’t?

the problem I’m facing is that the in the Novus Ordo, I’m only there for the Eucharist, - I love that part, Communion, because it is Our Lord… but everything else is sort of difficult for me. (I don’t mean the essence of the Mass, which is still there, but all the externals… music, the way things are done, the lack of reverence, often a lack of depth/tradition, etc). In the Latin Mass, I really don’t have any complaints…

The answer to your “problem” is to research and understand that the Mass is the same, regardless of the form. Just because it isn’t the way YOU want it doesn’t mean that it is somehow lacking. A visiting priest from Poland said that under the communists, Mass in Belarus was not allowed for 70 years. How would you like it if the Mass were denied to you in such a manner, EF or OF? Perhaps you should thank God that you do have access to the Mass and the sacraments and pray for those unfortunates around the world who do not have such ease of access.

 

[jasenwallace]

I understand your frustration but you have only one real choice…you need to leave the novus ordo religion completley whether it is FSSP or some other indult organization and attend a truly tradional catholic parish. Most of the church is infected with moderism.

 

[Califman831]

Yes I understand what you mean. I continue to attend the parish of my baptism which is located in a small town. The quality of the mass here varies on what time and day a person attends. The morning weekday mass is reverent is bilingual and given that the majority of the attendees tend to be seniors. The weekend masses on the other hand have a charismatic influence and I cringe when attending them at times. You may do well to ask the locals of the city you are considering moving to for the best times to attend mass with consideration to what you are seeking to experience.

 

[FaustinaClare]

I would LOVE to try a Traditional Latin Mass but we don’t have one in our diocese Luckily for me I have an extremely reverent and more traditional NO mass at my Parish. Love my priests!! God Bless Them.

 

[kozlosap]

I understand your frustration but you have only one real choice…you need to leave the novus ordo religion completley whether it is FSSP or some other indult organization and attend a truly tradional catholic parish. Most of the church is infected with moderism.

Whoa there my friend - I’m sure the Holy Father would be quite interested to learn that the mass he celebrates is the “novus Ordo religion” and not of the one holy Catholic and apostolic Church. I will act like your post was just a bad joke told without much forethought.

 

[jasenwallace]

You cannot harmonize the NO mass with the traditional latin mass. They are not the same. You need to make a choice. Say goodbye to the NO religion and your local diocese and embrace traditional roman catholicism. The NO mass will be gone in the next 20-30 years…

 

[kozlosap]

You cannot harmonize the NO mass with the traditional latin mass. They are not the same. You need to make a choice. Say goodbye to the NO religion and your local diocese and embrace traditional roman catholicism. The NO mass will be gone in the next 20-30 years…

I suggest you move to Paris.

 

[jasenwallace]

How’s that NO church working out for you in San Fransico? Having a little problem with those paedophile “priests”

 

[FaustinaClare]

You cannot harmonize the NO mass with the traditional latin mass. They are not the same. You need to make a choice. Say goodbye to the NO religion and your local diocese and embrace traditional roman catholicism. The NO mass will be gone in the next 20-30 years…

well when the NO disappears there should be the TLM to take its place. Then I will go to the TLM. Until then, I only have the NO to choose from which is the OP’s main problem as well.

 

[ByzCat3]

You cannot harmonize the NO mass with the traditional latin mass. They are not the same. You need to make a choice. Say goodbye to the NO religion and your local diocese and embrace traditional roman catholicism. The NO mass will be gone in the next 20-30 years…

I don’t see where the problem is. There’s less “harmonizing” to be done there than between the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and either Mass, and yet the Byzantine Churches are in communion with Rome.

I suggest you move to Paris.

Enlighten me?

 

[kozlosap]

How’s that NO church working out for you in San Fransico? Having a little problem with those paedophile “priests”

I attend a quite traditional Jesuit Parish in Northern California.

 

[WFS5801]

Instead of giving us your opinions about the Mass why don’t you follow the directives of Christ’s Church? The Sunday obligation is fulfilled by attending either form of the Mass. It really doesn’t matter what you “think” people should do. Pope Benedict only celebrates the Ordinary Form of the Mass in public; do you think he shouldn’t?

She made it clear that she wishes to fulfill her religious obligations, whether she has to go to the NO Mass or not. She is expressing her sadness for having to leave her Latin Mass because, as she clearly pointed out, the Latin Mass and its traditions are more conducive to worship for her (as they are for many). Why does this seem to offend you?

The answer to your “problem” is to research and understand that the Mass is the same, regardless of the form. Just because it isn’t the way YOU want it doesn’t mean that it is somehow lacking. A visiting priest from Poland said that under the communists, Mass in Belarus was not allowed for 70 years. How would you like it if the Mass were denied to you in such a manner, EF or OF? Perhaps you should thank God that you do have access to the Mass and the sacraments and pray for those unfortunates around the world who do not have such ease of access.

Obviously something is lacking for her – and for many, many Catholics who seek out the Latin Mass and the reverence they find in it. Since I’ve recently began attending an FSSP Mass with two very good priests (who encourage frequent confession) I can clearly see the sadness she would feel in having to leave such a parish. All things are not equal. The Latin Mass engenders quiet reverence in worship. The NO Mass maybe, maybe not. At any rate the Church understands the need for the Latin Mass, why can’t you?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Go to Mass, Monica, with a positive attitude, and look for Jesus in every person you see, rather than focus on the music, the supposed lack of reverence, the supposed lack of spiritual depth. Perhaps God is trying to tell you something by your not having access to what you want. Perhaps He wants you to appreciate the OF and not be so negative about it. It is, after all, the Ordinary Form of the Mass of the Catholic Church in which millions of people worship Him every day, and that worship is just as pleasing to Him as in the EF. Mass should never be about what we want. Spiritual growth is, after all, more about submitting to the Will of God rather than depending on the external situations we are in to aid us.

 

[Monica4316]

I’m kind of in a similar situation. We drive 120 miles each way for the FSSP parish in Seattle. But at $4.00 a gallon for gas, its only once or twice a month. We did find a fairly reverent OF parish. The music is mostly hymns from the 1800’s and the priest is very aware that he has several more traditional types in the church.

Some of us got together and formed a Latin Mass Society and got recognized by the pastor. We have made lots of progress toward bringing back many traditions to the parish.
Rosary starts at 8:00 am while confessions are being heard. and finishes by about 8:20am. Silence is maintained (mostly) prior to Mass, which starts at 8:30am.

We have resurrected an old processional crucifix and have made many Altar Frontals. The group even bought a set of 6 candlesticks and an Altar crucifix. On special ocassions the priest will wear some of our antique vestments. Such as yesterday when he wore a gold gothic chasuble. It almost matches the gold Altar Frontal.

You need to seek out like minded souls and get organized. Hopefully this 3rd edition of the Roman missal will assist you in getting some tradition back.

God Bless.

thanks, wow that is interesting, I wish I could find like minded people at my parish… but I’m kind of doubting there would be a lot. It’s not the most conservative parish.

Instead of giving us your opinions about the Mass why don’t you follow the directives of Christ’s Church?

um… firstly i’m not giving opinions and I am following the Church. Did the Vatican tell us to receive Communion in the hand? no, that were some disobedient bishops - who didn’t even ask the Pope for permission. Did the Vatican say to have Eucharistic ministers at every Mass? No. Did the Vatican support the mistranslations in the English Missal? No that’s why it’s getting changed. Did the Vatican tell us to get rid of altar rails, have no preference for male or female altar servers (actually the document says that male servers should be encouraged), have modern music, guitars (Pope Benedict actually supports Gregorian chant), liturgical dancing, clown Masses, and no Latin (the documents say to keep some Latin) ??? because according to my research, what we see in parishes today doesn’t even come from VII or the Pope. So no I’'m not being disobedient to the Church in seeking a reverent liturgy like what the council probably actually had in mind. Before Novus Ordo is reformed, and fixed in parts, - TLM is far superior.

Furthermore… did the Vatican tell us to ignore devotions like Adoration, First Fridays, Corpus Christi processions, availability of Confession, etc??? again, - I think the traditional Catholic movement is more faithful to the Church than the liberal type of Novus Ordo. There is also a more traditional conservative type of Novus Ordo, like what we see on EWTN, which i support as well. But those types of parishes can’t be found everywhere.

The Sunday obligation is fulfilled by attending either form of the Mass. It really doesn’t matter what you “think” people should do. Pope Benedict only celebrates the Ordinary Form of the Mass in public; do you think he shouldn’t?

I asked a question from other traditional Catholics. I didn’t say anything about the validity of the Novus Ordo. I consider it valid I just think it has many problems right now. I also didn’t say that my Sunday obligation is not fulfilling in the Novus Ordo Mass. So please stop attacking me thanks

The answer to your “problem” is to research and understand that the Mass is the same, regardless of the form. Just because it isn’t the way YOU want it doesn’t mean that it is somehow lacking. A visiting priest from Poland said that under the communists, Mass in Belarus was not allowed for 70 years. How would you like it if the Mass were denied to you in such a manner, EF or OF? Perhaps you should thank God that you do have access to the Mass and the sacraments and pray for those unfortunates around the world who do not have such ease of access.

why are you attacking me? I asked a question at the Traditional Catholic forum.

I just said before that I agree the ESSENCE of the Mass is still there, but the FORM is lacking. Since I do live in a place where Mass is available, I want one that glorifies God the MOST. Which I believe is the TLM or a reverent NO.

How is it logical to say that we should put up with liturgical abuse just because we should be thankful we even have a Mass? Shouldn’t we strive for the BEST option out there, in our situation?

Your’e also implying that I’'m not thankful for the Sacraments, which isn’t true… your post is very judgemental

modernism or no modernism, I believe in the Papacy… I want to stay in communion with Pope Benedict, that to me is truly Catholic. “Where the Bishop is, there is the Catholic Church”. I thin the best option for me is FSSP, because they are traditional, not modernist, and also in communion with Rome. The other option, would be an Eastern Catholic parish, or a very reverent Novus Ordo. Since I cant find the Latin Mass in my area, I have no choice but to attend my parish. I still need the Sacraments. My thread is just asking, how to still be traditional and not get discouraged there. (because I’ll definitely miss a lot of the things i found at the FSSP parish).

 

[thistle]

Hi,

I’m in a bit of a dilemma…

I became Catholic a couple years ago, and it was all based on the writings of the Saints, the devotions, the theology, etc… I had decided to be Catholic before I had ever been to Mass. When I went to Mass for the first time, and after, I loved the Eucharist, and Adoration, but to be honest I found everything else disappointing. Something was just really missing. It didn’t match with what I had read about…and all the things I came to love about Catholicism, so few even knew about them

Then, I went to my first Latin Mass, and finally realized THAT is the Catholicism that I’ve always wanted… and I’ve wanted to go back ever since.

This past year, I’ve been living in a different city attending university… and I’ll be graduating this spring so I’m moving back home in a week and probably won’t be back here, except to visit (it’s far away though). Well for most of this year I’ve been attending a Latin Mass parish (FSSP), and I’m having difficultly with the idea of having to leave it now and going back to my old parish. My parish back home isn’t horrible, there’s no liturgical abuse, the priest is great… but everything else about it is really kind of watered down, modern… it’s not at all like the Latin Mass parish. I’ve found this parish helped me so much more spiritually. In addition, there are really good priests here… and I’ve been getting spiritual guidance from a priest and it helped me a lot, I’m afraid I’d feel a bit lost when I’m back home, in a totally different environment. I’ll miss all the traditions/devotions, being around like minded people in church, the reverence in the Mass, the spiritual direction I’ve received, Confession being available before every Mass, Adoration on First Fridays, etc… I have good Catholic friends back home, and of course I miss my family, but it’s really lonely at my parish and I feel like my views are way more traditional than everyone else’s there. I would drive to the Latin Mass an hour away, on Sundays, but I don’t have a car.

I’m just wondering, is anyone else in this situation? what do you do? I’m accepting this necessary change as something from God, perhaps it can help me to learn detachment, but at the same time… the reason I love the Latin Mass is because it helps me to worship Him… I just don’t feel I’ll ever get used to the Novus Ordo, the way it is now, with all the changes that didn’t even come from the Vatican.

I also wanted to clarify, I’m not open to attending any sedevacantist or schismatic group. I would only consider the Latin Mass where the priest are in communion with Rome, like FSSP, or Institute of Christ the King. But there’s nothing like this in my hometown.

Also, I’m canonically Eastern (Russian) Catholic, but attending an Eastern rite parish might not really be an option for me in my hometown either. I’d have to find out. But before I get a car, my choices are sort of limited (and it will be a while before I have a car). Soo… I’ll assume for now, before I have done more research, that I’ll be going back to my old Novus Ordo parish.

There is no such thing as a Novus Ordo Church or Novus Ordo parish. The NO is a valid Mass.

 

[Monica4316]

Yes I understand what you mean. I continue to attend the parish of my baptism which is located in a small town. The quality of the mass here varies on what time and day a person attends. The morning weekday mass is reverent is bilingual and given that the majority of the attendees tend to be seniors. The weekend masses on the other hand have a charismatic influence and I cringe when attending them at times. You may do well to ask the locals of the city you are considering moving to for the best times to attend mass with consideration to what you are seeking to experience.

thanks I find the morning Masses tend to be more reverent… they use the organ at 9 am and then switch to guitar later on

I would LOVE to try a Traditional Latin Mass but we don’t have one in our diocese Luckily for me I have an extremely reverent and more traditional NO mass at my Parish. Love my priests!! God Bless Them.

that is good I wish the TLM was more available too!! I know with the FSSP, they tend to start parishes where there is an interest in the Latin Mass, otherwise no one would attend and it would be better than to send the priests somewhere where they are more needed. Do you think others in your area might be interested in a TLM?

even if it will be gone, - the essence of the Mass is still there… I mean, the parts that make it a Mass are included. It’s the rituals and practices around those parts that are imperfect. (and in the case of the English translation… the Consecration part should say “for many”, but thankfully that is getting changed soon)

just a question… why do you think the NO will be gone that soon?

well when the NO disappears there should be the TLM to take its place. Then I will go to the TLM. Until then, I only have the NO to choose from which is the OP’s main problem as well.

exactly I’m not going to stop receiving Jesus in the Eucharist just because I can’t get a TLM. My issue is how to deal with missing my current parish and wanting the TLM where it’s not available.