"Clown masses"

[MetalMark]

This is an alleged occurrence I hear mentioned frequently by traditional Catholics. I originally thought it was a metaphor but then I found out it meant Mass conducted by clowns. :doh2:
I seriously doubt this is happening much at all, however. Just because one bad thing happens once and someone goes on the internet about it doesn’t mean it’s happening everywhere.

I want to know names, dates, places, etc. where such events have taken place.

 

[Layman]

I think it may have happened once or twice but it has since become a shorthand term used by traditionalists for liturgically-abusive Masses generally. There may also be special Masses for circus folk generally.

[Later] Actually, Google throws up a fair amount about it.

The term now refers, I think, to Masses where the rubrics are played around with, where you might find peculiar lay participation or a priest trying to jolly things up a bit.

 

[malphono]

As a rule, they’re not services “conducted” by clowns (although there have been photos & videos posted here and elsewhere of priests dressed like clown) but services that include clowns. Perhaps you might want to do a search.

In any case, I’d say such events are not optimal. And while I cannot (and would not anyway) provide names, places, dates, etc, I can say they do still exist.

Clowns belong in a circus, not at the Holy Mysteries.

And BTW, I’m not 14 …

 

[palmas85]

This is an alleged occurrence I hear mentioned frequently by traditional Catholics. I originally thought it was a metaphor but then I found out it meant Mass conducted by clowns. :doh2:
I seriously doubt this is happening much at all, however. Just because one bad thing happens once and someone goes on the internet about it doesn’t mean it’s happening everywhere.

I want to know names, dates, places, etc. where such events have taken place.

They actually happened with a distressing degree of frequency in Europe, Germany and Austria in particular, primarily in an effort to attract more people to the Mass by making it a so called fun and festive occasion.

The oft quoted fiction that they were Masses performed primarily for circus performers is just that, a fiction. That particular fiction chose to totally ignore the fact that the Priest was also dressed as a clown in these Masses.

In these fun Masses, the Priest, Altar Servers, Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers would dress as clowns to show their good humor and the adaptability of the Mass in all occasions. There were also times when these Masses would be presided over by a Bishop or Cardinal and they alone would not be attired as a clown.

Fortunately, these Masses did not have the desired effect of bringing more people to join in the fun and they have pretty much disappeared to a large degree. Thankfully.

They were pretty much confined to the years between the late seventies to the early to mid nineties.

 

[peary]

Yes, in the late 60s all the way up into the early 90s, some priests actually dressed up as clowns and celebrated Mass. I attended a few in college. Later, they were referred to as the more politically correct “clown liturgies.” I even remember the time we had a priest-mime. WE were the ones who recited the words of consecration!! Yep, there was a lot of nonsense going on back then…even today, actually, but it’s better than it was.

 

[JuanCarlos]

Yes, in the late 60s all the way up into the early 90s, some priests actually dressed up as clowns and celebrated Mass. I attended a few in college. Later, they were referred to as the more politically correct “clown liturgies.” I even remember the time we had a priest-mime. WE were the ones who recited the words of consecration!! Yep, there was a lot of nonsense going on back then…even today, actually, but it’s better than it was.

??? Wow.

I think things are better today though. I grew up in possibly the most liberal diocese in America, and I have never seen a clown Mass.

 

[Layman]

I doubt they’re something that would have been received with joy, even in a liberal parish. Maybe few requests for repeats and rumblings from the pews killed them off?

 

[I_Believe]

This is an alleged occurrence I hear mentioned frequently by traditional Catholics. I originally thought it was a metaphor but then I found out it meant Mass conducted by clowns. :doh2:
I seriously doubt this is happening much at all, however. Just because one bad thing happens once and someone goes on the internet about it doesn’t mean it’s happening everywhere.

I want to know names, dates, places, etc. where such events have taken place.

It’s not common, but make no mistake, it happens. Clown-like stunts are more common.

February of this year…



What you see here is a priest blessing the flock with a super soaker…

americanpapist.com/2009/02/photos-priest-uses-super-soaker-to.html

I could post a link to a site with many photos of clowns in the Sanctuary during Mass, even priests dressed as one, but there is no need to at this point. Things are getting better.Better to pray for our priests as H.H. BXVI has asked, this being the Year of the Priest.

And please understand traditionalists want one thing first and foremost. They want the Crown placed back on our Savior’s head.

That’s all.

 

[thunderballs75]

I’d bet there have been more licit clown masses in the last 40 years than there have been licit TLMs.

 

[PadraigPearce]

I’d bet there have been more licit clown masses in the last 40 years than there have been licit TLMs.

That’s the saddest thing I’ve read in a while, but it’s probably true. I just don’t understand the thinking behind this kind of display. All it does is make the Church look like it’s ashamed of itself and its traditions. Kids aren’t dumb, and they recognize when they’re being patronized. It’s like at my parish when one of the priests used to bring props with him for the homily, like puppets and things. This was for the adults, too! These goofy masses might attract people but it will be for the wrong reasons, and they’ll probably leave as soon as the puppets go away. I’ve been to a few FSSP masses, and the thing that struck me most was the absolute seriousness with which their priests take their vocations. Even during the procession there was a certain dignity which rarely seems present at other parishes.

 

[JustaServant]

It’s not common, but make no mistake, it happens. Clown-like stunts are more common.

February of this year…

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3310658564_41fba83d81.jpg

What you see here is a priest blessing the flock with a super soaker…

americanpapist.com/2009/02/photos-priest-uses-super-soaker-to.html

I could post a link to a site with many photos of clowns in the Sanctuary during Mass, even priests dressed as one, but there is no need to at this point. Things are getting better.Better to pray for our priests as H.H. BXVI has asked, this being the Year of the Priest.

And please understand traditionalists want one thing first and foremost. They want the Crown placed back on our Savior’s head.

That’s all.

I agree.
But I wouldn’t make too much out of this. It was a youth Mass. A roomfull of teen-agers. Perhaps a lack of judgement of the priests part.
But what do I know…

 

[palmas85]

I agree.
But I wouldn’t make too much out of this. It was a youth Mass. A roomfull of teen-agers. Perhaps a lack of judgement of the priests part.
But what do I know…

Well of course don’t make much of it. After all, since they are kids, why expose them to the correct way to worship? It is a well established fact that once they reach adulthood, the scales will suddenly fall from their eyes and they will automatically become devout orthodox Catholics and forget all of the craziness that goes on at so called youth masses.

It is good to remember however that at least one of the organizations that is instrumental in youth Masses, Lifeteen, has been called on the carpet over some of the abuses they committed and apparently continue to commit.

No my friend, please don’t try to excuse this sort of irreverent behavior by pointing out that the irreverence happened at a youth Mass. They, the youth have every right to a solid orthodox and reverent Mass just as much adults do. In fact maybe more so. Remember that you cannot build a strong house on a weak foundation.

 

[I_Believe]

Well of course don’t make much of it. After all, since they are kids, why expose them to the correct way to worship? It is a well established fact that once they reach adulthood, the scales will suddenly fall from their eyes and they will automatically become devout orthodox Catholics and forget all of the craziness that goes on at so called youth masses.

It is good to remember however that at least one of the organizations that is instrumental in youth Masses, Lifeteen, has been called on the carpet over some of the abuses they committed and apparently continue to commit.

No my friend, please don’t try to excuse this sort of irreverent behavior by pointing out that the irreverence happened at a youth Mass. They, the youth have every right to a solid orthodox and reverent Mass just as much adults do. In fact maybe more so. Remember that you cannot build a strong house on a weak foundation.

Thank you.

 

[I_Believe]

I agree.
But I wouldn’t make too much out of this. It was a youth Mass. A roomfull of teen-agers. Perhaps a lack of judgement of the priests part.
But what do I know…

I don’t think the priest should be dragged into the street and stoned. But there once was a time when a priest would never entertain such an idea, let alone do it.

I dunno though. Are those tie dye vestments ? Perhaps he was already stoned.

 

[Walking_Home]

Originally Posted by palmas85 View Post
Well of course don’t make much of it. After all, since they are kids, why expose them to the correct way to worship? It is a well established fact that once they reach adulthood, the scales will suddenly fall from their eyes and they will automatically become devout orthodox Catholics and forget all of the craziness that goes on at so called youth masses.

---

Ditto.

 

[datingtrappists]

This video I found on Youtube highlights some clips from some very… interesting Masses. The first approximately two minutes are of the gentleman who compiled these clips speaking about the gift of the Eucharist – the Mass and how these abuses and lack of judgement can show a disregard and disrespect of it. Perhaps the most profound quote from this person is this: “Christ gave us the great gift of the Eucharist-the Mass. Alot of people don’t appreciate that gift and want to turn the Eucharist, the Mass, into the worhip of man rather than the worship of God.”

For those who don’t have a strong enough heart to be able to watch these clips (and I barely do… I have to go to confession soon, actually ) I have provided some “highlights” of these abuses and lack of judgement showcased in this video.

There are two clown Masses shown and one Halloween Mass… the Halloween Mass has a witch singing the the responsorial psalm, the Devil playing the piano, and the Priest giving the final blessing in a Barney costume (and he completely ad libs the final blessing… something to the effect of “May God love you and hug you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”). There is also an African Puppet Mass with a liturgical dancer… also the bread used for the Eucharist looks to be levened… and the cup for the Precious blood is in a crystal “wine glass”. There is also a video of “women priests”… again with a crystal “wine glass”… and the minor doxology (you know, the “through Him, with Him, in Him…”) is “through Christ, with Christ… etc”.

Also, there are several other videos that are highlighted in the “related video” tab that looks to have a similar content.

Again, don’t view if you are faint of heart… but even if you are, you can still pray for these people (and others like them)… that they may come to a deeper understanding and love and appreciation of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist… and that the love will manifest in their actions.

 

[thunderballs75]

youtube.com/watch?v=ZQPkYwIOCRM&feature=fvw

I guarantee there are more vibrant masses on any given Sunday than there are traditional masses. Not that I’m perfect, but I think everybody can do a little bit better. At least, that’s what it is like down here. Not sure about the rest of the United States.