Do you ever regret learning about the Mass?

[NewsTheMan]

And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

People were on their phones.
Our own Priest during his sermon had his phone ring in his pocket.
His sermon involved him dancing imitating a drunk person
Everybody was clapping at his dancing and phone ringing
EMsHC were treated like concelebrants (5 EMsHC for less than 60 people too)
The local guitarist was brought in to sing a solo song about love after communion
People were chatting in line before communion.
We had drums during songs
People were walking in and around the altar after Mass
Cake was served inside the Church after Mass

I mean, that was just the things I noticed. I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

 

[runningdude]

That is sad. Have faith that not every mass following the new order world wide is that bad.

 

[Biedrik]

Just endure. Remember, despite all the things done there, Jesus is still present. He is still in the Eucharist. Communion is so immensely holy. Focus on that. The holiness and purity of the Blessed Sacrament outweighs all those abuses that you mentioned more than we can imagine.

 

[faithfully]

It’s true that ignorance is bliss… huh.

The things you list, however, are totally off the wall… Is this ALL the time? Is this the only church you can go to? Can you shop around a bit?

I’d be bummed if my only option just felt totally wrong.

My favorite priest was just moved. His homilies were engaging, to the point, you hung on every word… He did allow cake to be served at the end of mass ONCE, and it was specifically a children’s mass, AND they don’t have a hall to move to.

The church I go to now is a little “different”. But it’s fine. The hardest part for me, is that one of priests has an extremely strong accent that I’m not personally familiar with. He gives really long Homilies… and I understand maybe about 1/3 of what he’s saying… so frustrating. I’m just hoping I’ll pick up on his accent soon.

 

[Warrenton]

My friend: Your feeling is shared by many. I felt the same way for years. What I eventually did was get an old rite missal (any one will do, but the better ones have more prayers - and you can find them on line). When your missal arrives, pray the old rite while the priest says the mass at your church. You will feel much better! With all of us praying, the Church will undergo a renewal, as she has many times before.

God bless!

 

[PJM]

=NewsTheMan;7196584]And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

People were on their phones.
Our own Priest during his sermon had his phone ring in his pocket.
His sermon involved him dancing imitating a drunk person
Everybody was clapping at his dancing and phone ringing
EMsHC were treated like concelebrants (5 EMsHC for less than 60 people too)
The local guitarist was brought in to sing a solo song about love after communion
People were chatting in line before communion.
We had drums during songs
People were walking in and around the altar after Mass
Cake was served inside the Church after Mass

I mean, that was just the things I noticed. I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

PRAY for them, contact your bishop and be brief, factual and as chaititable as possible; and FIND ANOTHER Parish!

 

[The_Reginator]

And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

People were on their phones.
Our own Priest during his sermon had his phone ring in his pocket.
His sermon involved him dancing imitating a drunk person
Everybody was clapping at his dancing and phone ringing
EMsHC were treated like concelebrants (5 EMsHC for less than 60 people too)
The local guitarist was brought in to sing a solo song about love after communion
People were chatting in line before communion.
We had drums during songs
People were walking in and around the altar after Mass
Cake was served inside the Church after Mass

I mean, that was just the things I noticed. I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

My first reaction was “Were you in a Catholic church?”
How very sad, but I can relate to your question.

When I converted it was at an FSSP parish – they celebrate the EF only.
Due to health reasons I had to return to my local parish, which only celebrates the OF.
It was like going from a heavenly banquet to a heavenly fast food joint. (I am exaggerating a bit.) For a while I had to confess that I left Holy Mass in an angry mood.
I am still learning how to deal with it.

This video may help a little. It is about the EF, but a lot of it can be applied to either form of Mass.
Traditional Latin Low Mass Introduction

 

[FAB]

And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

People were on their phones.
Our own Priest during his sermon had his phone ring in his pocket.
His sermon involved him dancing imitating a drunk person
Everybody was clapping at his dancing and phone ringing
EMsHC were treated like concelebrants (5 EMsHC for less than 60 people too)
The local guitarist was brought in to sing a solo song about love after communion
People were chatting in line before communion.
We had drums during songs
People were walking in and around the altar after Mass
Cake was served inside the Church after Mass

I mean, that was just the things I noticed. I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

I don’t doubt that you came away with this impression, but knowing that there are two sides to every story. Although I could venture to expain the he events you discribe perhaps more reflection than anger is called for.

 

[Julian0404]

Sit in the first row - always.
Put all the movement, distractions and improper behavior behind you.
Focus 100% on the consecration.
When the first bell rings, the church is filled with angels in anticipation of honoring JESUS when HE comes at the consecration. Those angels give GOD the glory and honor we can never provide, so that even during the disrespect of some lay persons, GOD is being honored and adored. Offer your adoration up to GOD, with those of the angels HE has sent to adore HIM.
Be prepared for the consecration, do not let it surprise you by being distracted - be in front - and when the priest lifts JESUS up, that is the highest, most sacred time of the Mass. It is brief, but for a few short moments, you can share with JESUS your most desired request and love. Don’t be caught unawares, JESUS is looking down from the altar at you at that moment, give HIM your love even if it is only My LORD and My GOD When the priest does likewise with HIS blood, be prepared and offer HIM your adoration. Even if you are the only person doing so, you alone will have pleased your GOD and SAVIOR beyond your ability to know.

 

[sskelly]

What a nice video. I didn’t know about those traditions.

Newsthe Man, I agree, find a new church/get a missal. Jesus is still there. (I wonder what He’s thinking.) You could get a Latin mass on DVD just to renew your spirit.

 

[ProVobis]

I thought the Mass was flourishing in South Africa. Aren’t the new translations already in place there?

 

[archangel04]

I feel the same way you do, sometimes I ask myself, why did I have to be so curious and attend the TLM so many times ja ja. Now I got back to my home parish and I have to refrain from taking communion because I get angry at time, I know I shouldn’t.

Maybe the Lord wants me there to start curving things around, small changes one by one. Who knows

 

[At_Trent]

Man. I’m just fed up.

Two things to consider.
1- ask your priest to talk with you at his convenience, and raise your concerns in a prudent manner. Put it down on paper to lesson the chance your emotions will get out of hand. If he is very busy, consider typing your concerns and sending/handing it to him. Explain you only want your parish to show reverence toward the Most Blessed Sacrament, and perhaps he could bring this about from the pulpit.

2- in the meantime, get to Mass early and sit in the first pew. This will allow you to focus on the Sanctuary and the Mass without having some of the things you describe in your line of sight, thus distracting you.

Don’t judge your fellow parishioners too harshly. They may very well not know better. This goes back to what they hear from the pulpit.

Also, you can read each day’s Traditional Mass propers here.
tridentine-mass.blogspot.com/

When you find yourself upset, pray the Act of Reparation

Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.

Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.

We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.

Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the Cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our Altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.

O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

God Bless

btw, the saintly priest pictured below laments the very things you describe often in his homilies. He is in full communion with the Church and he makes a difference from the pulpit. He’s 94, please pray a little prayer for his health when you get a chance.

J+M+J

 

[At_Trent]

I feel the same way you do, sometimes I ask myself, why did I have to be so curious and attend the TLM so many times ja ja. Now I got back to my home parish and I have to refrain from taking communion because I get angry at time, I know I shouldn’t.

Maybe the Lord wants me there to start curving things around, small changes one by one. Who knows

I made it through a OF Mass without distraction today for the first time in a very long time. I missed the TLM because unexpected company dropped in. I simply prayed on the way to the OF that I wouldn’t let myself be distracted, and it worked Deo gratias. I didn’t receive Communion, but it wasn’t planned that way. I just got so deep in prayer waiting my turn to get in line, I opened my eyes to see I had gotten way behind so to speak. So I just did a Spiritual Communion.

Worship, just as life, is knowing one’ s priorities and making the right decisions. And I think someone like myself, who prefers the TLM, can attend a OF without feeling shortchanged. There will always be distractions at the average parish, even the traditional ones.

 

[Cathryn]

The more I learn about the Mass the less distracted I get and the more I appreciate both the TLM and the Ordinary Form of the Mass done reverently. I never regret learning about the Mass. The same incredible Sacrifice happens in both forms of the Mass. The Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ comes down on the altar. Calvary is made present in an unbloody manner in either form of the Mass. My personal preference is the Traditional Latin Mass. I am sacristan for both forms of the Mass. I also look forward to the changes in the language of the Ordinary Form.

I must add however that my pastor does both the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form, which probably helped me have my positive attitude.

 

[LiveLovePray]

I find the Mass to be a beautiful thing.

 

[The_Reginator]

Sit in the first row - always.
Put all the movement, distractions and improper behavior behind you.
Focus 100% on the consecration.
When the first bell rings, the church is filled with angels in anticipation of honoring JESUS when HE comes at the consecration. Those angels give GOD the glory and honor we can never provide, so that even during the disrespect of some lay persons, GOD is being honored and adored. Offer your adoration up to GOD, with those of the angels HE has sent to adore HIM.
Be prepared for the consecration, do not let it surprise you by being distracted - be in front - and when the priest lifts JESUS up, that is the highest, most sacred time of the Mass. It is brief, but for a few short moments, you can share with JESUS your most desired request and love. Don’t be caught unawares, JESUS is looking down from the altar at you at that moment, give HIM your love even if it is only My LORD and My GOD When the priest does likewise with HIS blood, be prepared and offer HIM your adoration. Even if you are the only person doing so, you alone will have pleased your GOD and SAVIOR beyond your ability to know.

 

[ConstantineTG]

And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

People were on their phones.

This is where I start to scratch my head. Because if you put the same people in an EF Mass, you’d get the same irreverence. Its not the form of the Mass thats the problem.

Our own Priest during his sermon had his phone ring in his pocket.
His sermon involved him dancing imitating a drunk person

Again, put the same priest in an EF Mass and what do you get?

Everybody was clapping at his dancing and phone ringing
People were chatting in line before communion.
People were walking in and around the altar after Mass
Cake was served inside the Church after Mass

Again, put the same people in an EF Mass…

EMsHC were treated like concelebrants (5 EMsHC for less than 60 people too)

Concelebrants are determined by those who are present at the altar during Consecration, not during distribution of Communion.

The local guitarist was brought in to sing a solo song about love after communion
We had drums during songs

I mean, that was just the things I noticed. I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

The OF isn’t the problem here from what I’ve seen. Its really sad that people put the blame on the OF when clearly it wasn’t the culprit. The Mass doesn’t abuse itself. Clearly if these people (priest included) are willing to break the rules of the OF, give them the EF they’d do the same.

 

[Damase]

And subsequently lean towards the quite traditional Mass? I tend to enjoy Mass less since I learnt more about Mass, and the Latin Mass. Not placing TLM above anything else… but I enjoy Mass less knowing what it could be like. I try my best to just go along with it but I just cannot. I was almost in tears today in Mass (sounds weird huh) but I just couldn’t understand how what I was attending was an actual Mass!

…

I just thought in my heart of hearts that this is not what a Mass is meant to be. I don’t know what else to do. Unfortunately in South Africa there are no Latin Mass parishes, I have only heard of one Parish that offers Latin Mass occasionally. My own Parish is the only one for miles.

Man. I’m just fed up.

This is a hard situation, but you must remember that the New Mass, though perhaps theologically less deep than the TLM, is still valid, and that Christ is really and truly present in the Eucharist in the New Mass as he always has been in the old!

Your situation is lamentable in that it seems that the Mass in your area is particularly abused, and moreover you have no choice. Offer up your prayers during Mass for the conversion of those involved; beg God to find the sacrifice, however mishandled and misunderstood, acceptable in his eyes. And if you notice anything that you believe constitutes a grave concern, such as something that might invalidate the Mass (such as unacceptable matter for the sacrament, or messing with the form of the consecration), report it to your bishop.

I am so blessed to live in a major metropolitan area of the United States—the Diocese of Pittsburgh has had a Latin Mass community since the late 1980s, and it’s only a ten minute drive from my house. There are times, however, when I’ve been present at less-than-perfect liturgies. Once on a high school retreat we had a priest who said Mass on a coffee table (horrors). In situations like these, I might have been tempted to think, “If only I didn’t know about the Latin Mass; if only I didn’t care about the Church’s liturgy so much.” But this is the wrong attitude to have. Thank God that you are a conscientious Catholic. Thank him for making you in his image, so that you may apprehend beauty as the hallmark of Truth.

Martin Mosebach’s The Heresy of Formlessness (Ignatius Press, 2003) contains the following observation, which I think is perfect for this discussion (emphases mine):

Perhaps the greatest damage done by Pope Paul VI’s reform of the Mass (and by the ongoing process that has outstripped it), the greatest spiritual deficit, is this: we are now positively obliged to talk about the liturgy. Even those who want to preserve the liturgy or pray in the spirit of the liturgy, and even those who make great sacrifices to remain faithful to it—all have lost something priceless, namely, the innocence that accepts it as something God-given, something that comes down to man as gift from heaven. Those of us who are defenders of the great and sacred liturgy, the classical Roman liturgy, have all become—whether in a small way or in a big way—liturgical experts. In order to counter the arguments of the reform, which was padded with technical, archaeological, and historical scholarship, we had to delve into questions of worship and liturgy—something that is utterly foreign to the religious man. We have let ourselves be led into a kind of scholastic and juridical way of considering the liturgy. What is absolutely indispensable for genuine liturgy? When are the celebrant’s whims tolerable, and when do they become unacceptable? We have got used to accepting liturgy on the basis of the minimum requirements, whereas the criteria ought to be maximal. And finally, we have started to evaluate liturgy—a monstrous act! We sit in the pews and ask ourselves, was that Holy Mass, or wasn’t it? I go to church to see God and come away like a theatre critic.

The forty years of Lent is almost over, don’t worry.

 

[NewsTheMan]

Concelebrants are determined by those who are present at the altar during Consecration, not during distribution of Communion.

I will reply to everybody and this post later but I just wanted to say for the above - yes, I know that. They were two separate points but linked.

They are all present at the alter, they have communion at the same time as the Priest. Hence, they are acting like concelebrants.