Do Not Turn Into a Fight - 10 Reasons to Love the EF

[Denise1957]

Like low volume mumbling, or Mass in a language you don’t understand?

What you perceive to be low volume mumbling is not really “mumbling.” I don’t think it’s a respectful word for the prayers that the priest is offering, and it isn’t fair to use such a word. It’s true that some of the prayers are not very audible. But do we really have to hear and understand every single word that the priest says? The priest is offering the prayers on our behalf. We can pay attention through the missal translation - or not. We can also choose to meditate, at various times, the four ends of the Mass, which is adoration, thanksgiving, forgiveness, and asking to merit graces needed.

And although the Mass is in a language we don’t understand fully, this doesn’t mean that we don’t understand the Mass. And after a few years of attending the EF, we do understand a lot of the Latin that is used. We don’t have to - because we have the vernacular translation alongside the Latin in the Missal. Even older children can follow along; it’s not that difficult. But of course this has been explained here many times before.

 

[Melchior_1]

What you **perceive **to be low volume mumbling is not really “mumbling.” I don’t think it’s a respectful word for the prayers that the priest is offering, and it isn’t fair to use such a word.

I’m aware of what the priest is doing. But this highlights a key in all of this; perception. There’s a perception some have that Latin is better, there’s a perception some have that the EF is “more sublime”. Yet when the coin is flipped and people have what is perceived as a negative perception, it’s labeled as disrespect.

Objectively speaking, hushed speaking tones could be perceived as mundane. Really, anything could be seen as mundane, especially if being done by rote.

 

[Denise1957]

I’m aware of what the priest is doing. But this highlights a key in all of this; perception. There’s a perception some have that Latin is better, there’s a perception some have that the EF is “more sublime”. Yet when the coin is flipped and people have what is perceived as a negative perception, it’s labeled as disrespect.

Objectively speaking, hushed speaking tones could be perceived as mundane. Really, anything could be seen as mundane, especially if being done by rote.

The priest is not mumbling when he offers prayers. And it’s okay for those who are attached to the EF to think that Latin is better, and that the EF is more sublime. No one is forced to attend an EF if they feel that parts of it, or all of it, is mundane. Though I do agree that anything can be seen as mundane, if done by rote, and the mind becomes forgetful of the meaning of the words being used. But this can apply to both forms of the Roman Rite. Sometimes we get distracted, or bored, and forget the true and important meanings of the prayers.

 

[Melchior_1]

The priest is not mumbling when he offers prayers. And it’s okay for those who are attached to the EF to think that Latin is better, and that the EF is more sublime. No one is forced to attend an EF if they feel that parts of it, or all of it, is mundane. Though I do agree that anything can be seen as mundane, if done by rote, and the mind becomes forgetful of the meaning of the words being used. But this can apply to both forms of the Roman Rite. Sometimes we get distracted, or bored, and forget the true and important meanings of the prayers.

Again, I know this. All I am saying is that it can sound like mumbling, and when someone says “don’t make sounds that are evoke mundane things”, it does need to be mentioned that there could be a perception that applies to the EF.

Again, perceptions and subjective opinions of course.

 

[RogerDeCourcy]

Saying something is subjective means from that person’s perspective. Saying “70’s style music evokes the 1970’s” and not a religious atmosphere is not mere opinion. Music evokes memories and feelings in classes of people. There’s a reason rock is played at concerts and everyone goes ape. Gregorian chant does not have that effect, because it’s designed that way. **Advertisers are very aware of the effect music styles have, they make a lot of money from pushing people’s emotional buttons unbeknownst to them and yet this is denied to the bitter end here. **

Want to evoke feelings of holiness? A special language, ancient prayers, music and a rite which cannot be picked up quickly is the way to go. Easy to pick up, easy to bowdlerise. Easy to pick up, easy to take for granted. Common language means common and not special.

Pretty basic, but the nay-saying goes on here, to absurd lengths.

Hmmm, I wonder if the Pope said tomorrow, in his delightful accent: “My deer bretheren in Jesus Christ, is iss my will zet from Holy Thurzday of 2017 ze Extraordinary Form of ze Latin Rite will once more become, ze Ordinary…” how many people would leave the church, riot or just fall on their knees, sobbing?

That seems to be the fear. I do not think it is credible.

 

[larsont7]

There’s a perception some have that Latin is better…

Well, Latin is THE language of the Catholic Church. In that respect, I would say that it is “better”.

 

[ProVobis]

Objectively speaking, hushed speaking tones could be perceived as mundane. Really, anything could be seen as mundane, especially if being done by rote.

Call it what you want but from the Council of Trent, Session 22:

CHAPTER V.

On the solemn ceremonies of the Sacrifice of the Mass.

And whereas such is the nature of man, that, without external helps, he cannot easily be raised to the meditation of divine things; therefore has holy Mother Church instituted certain rites, to wit that certain things be pronounced in the mass in a low, and others in a louder, tone.
…
CANON IX.–If any one saith, that the rite of the Roman Church, according to which a part of the canon and the words of consecration are pronounced in a low tone, is to be condemned; or, that the mass ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue only; or, that water ought not to be mixed with the wine that is to be offered in the chalice, for that it is contrary to the institution of Christ; let him be anathema.

By the way, the official designation of the “Low Mass” is Missa Lecta (literally, “read Mass”) It had been also referred to as Missa Privata but Pope John XXIII discouraged its usage as such.