Disturbed about the changes in The Mass

[mjschmalen]

I recently came back to the church after a few years. It seems that the Holy Trinity, and our Blessed Mother is always there to welcome us back after we fall. I was raised Catholic in the old ways. I spoke Latin as an altar boy, the priest faced the altar, and everyone dressed-up to attend mass. I truely believe that the Church is our Father’s house of prayer. Now that I’m back and wanting so much to pray earnestly, I find it so offensive and disrespectful of those who don’t realize that inappropriate talking, wearing shorts, flip-flops, tee shirts(especially altar boys),and the"Bolting for the door" when mass is over, is so very hurtful to those of us who know why we are there. But how degrading to our Heavenly Father, our dear Jesus, our dear Holy Spirit, and our dearest Blessed Mother. I really hope and pray that our parish leaders will somehow be able to enforce the ways of The Church, the way that we all know should be Spiritual Behavior. I’ve spoken to some of the parish priests, and they just shrug their shoulders. Can anything be done besides praying for these lost souls?
Thank You for your attention, and may God Bless You!!!

 

[Marsha_Adams]

Where are you located? It may be that there is a Traditional Latin Mass nearby. You will find it more reverent and less of a culture shock.

 

[Newbie2]

Should be in Liturgy/Sacraments?

 

[bpbasilphx]

About altar boys wearing tee-shirts, I don’t think it matters much what they are wearing under their cassocks or albs. I generally wear a t-shirt and shorts under my cassock; it gets hot here in Phoenix.

One thing I like about the Melkite parish where I attend Divine Liturgy: people are NOT in a hurry to leave after church (though the pastor has several times commented about the noise in the narthex afterwards). People love to go to the parish house to have refreshments and schmooze. They are as sociable (and noisy) as a cageful of parakeets. (BTW–I like parakeets.)

 

[tee_eff_em]

About altar boys wearing tee-shirts, I don’t think it matters much what they are wearing under their cassocks or albs.

I have known a number of priests who were of the custom to remove their clerical shirt and collar prior to vesting for the liturgy. If you think a cassock and surplice is hot, some chasubles look positively toasty.

tee

 

[nicolep]

This is one of the most common subjects on this forum. Other than pray, no, there isn’t much we can do. It’s not just the Catholic Church suffering in this area. It’s very wide spread.

 

[Sam_Maloney]

You must not be in my diocese: the priests haven’t faced the same direction as the people in more than 40 years.

It’s worth remembering that at least part of the reason for the changes was that the latin was being abused by priests who wanted to hurry things along, and many people sat there with little engagement with what was going on.

Today’s Latin Masses are no doubt more reverent.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Now that I’m back and wanting so much to pray earnestly, I find it so offensive and disrespectful of those who don’t realize that inappropriate talking, wearing shorts, flip-flops, tee shirts(especially altar boys),and the"Bolting for the door" when mass is over, is so very hurtful to those of us who know why we are there. But how degrading to our Heavenly Father, our dear Jesus, our dear Holy Spirit, and our dearest Blessed Mother. I really hope and pray that our parish leaders will somehow be able to enforce the ways of The Church, the way that we all know should be Spiritual Behavior. I’ve spoken to some of the parish priests, and they just shrug their shoulders. Can anything be done besides praying for these lost souls?
Thank You for your attention, and may God Bless You!!!

Hi,

Also pray that you will not judge these people. They are just caught in the culture of the time. If someone talks or distracts you, smile and say “Please be quiet. I am praying.”

And please do not call them “lost souls” They were probably attending Mass all the years you were away.

Lux