Hypothetical Mass

[silverwings_88]

This thought has been lingering in my mind for a while, but I imagine of a hypothetical Mass…

My ideal Novus Ordo Mass would be in a modern church, where all women and men are dressed in their Sunday best (befitting to whatever culture it would be). Upon entering the church, ushers greet the congregation’s members with a happy “Pax tecum,” responding with “Et tecum.” All women wear their typical Sunday veils, and candles illuminate the inside, filled with incense.

The music played is familiar praise-and-worship melodies, replaced with Latin lyrics. And there is utter silence and total reverence during the giving of the Holy Gifts. All prayers are in Ecclesiastical Latin except the Homily, which would be given in the vernecular. No hand-holding during the Pater Noster, and during the Kiss of Peace, kisses on the cheek for family members and close friends and handshaking for other members.

That’s my Novus Ordo: Modern setting, modern music with a blend of our Sacred Tradition. I s it too farfetched? This is something I would love to initiate if I were to be a priest .

Instead of singing “This is the air I breathe…” how about “Spiritus Domini…” or “In nos, veni Jesu…” or “Anima Christi…” instead?

“Anima Christi est,
Anima Christi est,
Spiritus sanctus
venit in me…”

 

[Brain]

Well, I think one of the good features of the NO is the vernacular prayers. Latin can be used at various points (for example my pastor does the kyrie and/or penitential rite, the sanctus, memorial aclimation, and angus dei, and sometimes more in latin during lent and advent, and we sing more traditional if not latin hymns. and we do all the adoration rites in latin all year). and i am a HUGE fan of doing the whole thing in latin (minus readings and homily) when a mass is intended for a multilingual congregation, or other solemn reason.

We are now so used to the vernacular that to bring out latin makes it a special occasion, for better or for worse. with that in mind, when we bring out latin lets have the mood of the mass be more reverent.

My parish is housed in a strip mall, but there I have participated in some of the most reverent, true to the REAL intent of the council, and beautiful masses i have ever seen. the TLM is wonderful, the NO is just as wonderful when done correctly.

I do agree with the kiss of peace thing though.

 

[patrick456]

For me, an ideal mass would be in an old church, where the altar would be simple yet beautiful (preferably like the ones in old churches) , where the priest would just do what the church says and not add things in the mass. the priest can be in a fiddleback or in a modern chasuble. and the choir would be that of a group of monks (or if not possible, even a choir can do) singing the gregorian chant (but non-protestant sounding litugical songs can do too). and the priest says certain part of the mass in Latin, and the mass would be free of abuses, and the priest would face the east along with the people (if it is possible).
and people would dress modestly, and communion time should be done with respect and reverence.

 

[patrick456]

Just think if our Eastern brothers were reconciled with us. Just imagine how the liturgy would look…