I want to start going to Latin masses but am afraid that I'm "abandoning" my parish

[callmeChris]

I’ve always gone to Novus Ordo masses in my life simply because that’s the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church. Our lady has always stressed to be a part of our parishes and to not be phased or stressed of w.e your priest and parish is doing/going through and to be an example of prayer and piety but I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it. but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish instead of remaining there for the sake of being a small light of piety amidst all the people clamoring and talking and dressing Inappropriately and the sometimes lackluster sermons and liturgical music. Is it wrong to want to leave my parish and the Novus Ordo for something as beautiful and traditional as the Latin mass?

 

[PopePiusXIISupp]

Don’t worry you can go to both. You aren’t committing a sin by wanting to go to another beautiful Mass. I think you might be a tad bit Scrupulous though since you said but am afraid that I’m “abandoning” my parish pray to the Lord and Our Lady to deal with scrupulosity. Also go to FSSP (Fraternity of St. Peter) or Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and never SSPX (until they are in union and no they are not in schism due to there choice of word but are separated brothers) SSPV and CMRI (Sedevactist avoid at all cost) Hope this helps!

 

[mattp0625]

I’ve always gone to Novus Ordo masses in my life simply because that’s the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church. Our lady has always stressed to be a part of our parishes and to not be phased or stressed of w.e your priest and parish is doing/going through and to be an example of prayer and piety but I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it. but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish instead of remaining there for the sake of being a small light of piety amidst all the people clamoring and talking and dressing Inappropriately and the sometimes lackluster sermons and liturgical music. Is it wrong to want to leave my parish and the Novus Ordo for something as beautiful and traditional as the Latin mass?

I have also attended a few Latin masses. They are hard to find these days.

Pope Benedict did indicate the Latin mass is still valid.

However, we also know the church fathers spoke about schisms in the Church - although that may be directed at formal schisms among Christians.

If it were me, I would try to do both and mix it up a little. You could also attend more than one mass per week if they have mass on different days.

Remember, Christ established the Church and gave her authority. We still must respect her decisions, even from Vatican II.

 

[commenter]

I have also attended a few Latin masses. They are hard to find these days.

Pope Benedict did indicate the Latin mass is still valid.

However, we also know the church fathers spoke about schisms in the Church - although that may be directed at formal schisms among Christians.

If it were me, I would try to do both and mix it up a little. You could also attend more than one mass per week if they have mass on different days.

Remember, Christ established the Church and gave her authority. We still must respect her decisions, even from Vatican II.

“even”?
Yes, the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass) has a majesty all its own, where I go from time to time.
Regarding the OP’s expectations about what Our Lord would want, I urge you to focus especially on public revelation: the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, etc. Private revelation can sometimes nurture us to be more receptive of public revelation, but should be taken only in context of public revelation, especially what our current pope and bishop are teaching.
Pope Benedict (and other popes) were specific about the value of attending the EF Masses offered in unity with the local diocese.
I can relate to the OP’s concerns about liturgical abuses in their “home parish”. I guess it depends on the local situation. Some diocesan approved Latin Masses are offered in a community that nurtures faith in many ways. In some cases there is a whole parish that is solidly orthodox. They may offer only the EF, or maybe the EF and OF. Consider making that your home parish, if it is practical.

I lingered for a few years in an OF parish, where the pastor called me a reactionary, only now and then going to Sunday Mass at the EF or an orthodox parish elsewhere. The reason I lingered is that my children were in the parish school, the parishioners were my neighbors, there were some ministries I could participate in, with only a little interference.

Ideally you would have a “faith community”, where you not only worship well, but also have mutual support and ministry from like minded Catholics, especially as we move into what I expect will be persecution of the Catholic Church. Your own personal decisions would depend partly on family circumstances - do you have children? - transportation - as well as worship preferences. If there is no solid Latin Mass parish you can join, consider joining a nearby parish with the Ordinary Form, that offers orthodox liturgy and teaching and ministry.

 

[ProVobis]

… but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish

While everyone has his territorial parish you’re not abandoning the Church, which now allows for personal parishes in line with your spiritual needs, such as Latin Masses, Polish Masses, confessions, etc. It’s a great benefit to have these IMO.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Why not do both, and then see how it goes? You sound very loyal to your parish, by the way, which speaks well of you. Maybe try looking at it the other way, though. If the mass and congregation have changed that much, then perhaps your parish has, in a certain sense, abandoned you? I don’t know. If the subject comes up with anyone, you could just say exactly what you said in your original post.

 

[The_Apostolate]

Don,t be afraid to go too Latin Mass, for their are times I go too Latin Mass at a church that has Latin Mass,and I go back to my Parish, during the rest off the times.

 

[HelenRose]

I’ve always gone to Novus Ordo masses in my life simply because that’s the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church. Our lady has always stressed to be a part of our parishes and to not be phased or stressed of w.e your priest and parish is doing/going through and to be an example of prayer and piety but I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it. but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish instead of remaining there for the sake of being a small light of piety amidst all the people clamoring and talking and dressing Inappropriately and the sometimes lackluster sermons and liturgical music. Is it wrong to want to leave my parish and the Novus Ordo for something as beautiful and traditional as the Latin mass?

If you are one of very few musicians in your parish and they need your voice, if you are one of very few teachers in your parish and the Religious Ed department need you, if you work tirelessly in the kitchen when there is a funeral or any number of other jobs that need attention, I would say that you might be abandoning your parish. However, a small light of piety will probably not be missed very much.

 

[Tim_D]

…I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it.

If you want to go to the Latin Mass, then go but don’t try to decide what way “Our Lady and Our Lord” want Mass to be offered. Not only is such an attitude offensive to those of us who prefer Mass in our native language but it is also offensive to the many other rites of the Church that do not celebrate the Roman rite.

 

[PJM]

I’ve always gone to Novus Ordo masses in my life simply because that’s the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church. Our lady has always stressed to be a part of our parishes and to not be phased or stressed of w.e your priest and parish is doing/going through and to be an example of prayer and piety but I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it. but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish instead of remaining there for the sake of being a small light of piety amidst all the people clamoring and talking and dressing Inappropriately and the sometimes lackluster sermons and liturgical music. Is it wrong to want to leave my parish and the Novus Ordo for something as beautiful and traditional as the Latin mass?

GO!

Go where the Holy Spirit leads you:thumbsup:

The Latin Mass is termed the Extraordinary FORM by Divine Intervention IMO

Easter Blessings,

Patrick

 

[Pianofish]

GO!

Go where the Holy Spirit leads you:thumbsup:

The Latin Mass is termed the Extraordinary FORM by Divine Intervention IMO

I agree with Patrick. If you would like to attend the EF then attend the EF. If it will help you spiritually grow and worship the Lord, then go and don’t look back. Many people attend either the EF exclusively and there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason for you to continue attending the OF at your current parish if you see change that isn’t suitable for your worship and spiritual development. You can pray for your old parish from anywhere, including the pews of the EF.

 

[hazcompat]

I also agree with Patrick

w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20070707_lettera-vescovi.html

Peace

 

[thecolorsblend]

I’ve always gone to Novus Ordo masses in my life simply because that’s the most common form of worship in the Catholic Church. Our lady has always stressed to be a part of our parishes and to not be phased or stressed of w.e your priest and parish is doing/going through and to be an example of prayer and piety but I just want to experience and be a part of the Traditional Latin mass which imho is the way Our Lady and Our Lord would want it. but I’m afraid that I’m somehow abandoning my parish instead of remaining there for the sake of being a small light of piety amidst all the people clamoring and talking and dressing Inappropriately and the sometimes lackluster sermons and liturgical music. Is it wrong to want to leave my parish and the Novus Ordo for something as beautiful and traditional as the Latin mass?

There’s nothing wrong with exploration. As a Catholic in presumably good standing, there shouldn’t be any major problem with attending a Latin Mass, receiving, etc.

If you determine you appreciate the Latin Mass more than Novus Ordo, well, my contention would be that you must at least be open to making the change. Some people can only truly absorb the Novus Ordo. For others it’s the Latin Mass. For others it may be something else. There’s no sin in preferring one over another. Besides even if you prefer the Latin, nobody says you have to make the change tomorrow. You also don’t have to switch permanently. Maybe you can split your time between the Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo. There are several ways to handle this.

I frequently attend Latin Mass but I split my time at an Anglican Use parish because I want Mass in English in a form that I can accept better than Novus Ordo. I don’t believe I’m abandoning my FSSP parish when I go to the Anglican Use parish. Of course, it helps that the FSSP priest long ago gave his blessing to my attending whatever Mass I choose so long as it’s in communion with Rome and I don’t miss my obligation.

Also, the usual disclaimer. Please don’t yell at me because I’m not one of those who looks down his nose at Novus Ordo. I attended a Novus Ordo Easter Vigil on Sunday and it was absolutely incredible. I loved it! I simply prefer the Latin Mass and Anglican Use, that’s all. But they’re all equally Catholic, obviously. There’s plenty of room for everybody.

 

[corsair]

Seems everyone agrees that you should follow your heart in this. and I agree too. In July of 2007 I began to transition to the TLM. As of 3 years ago that transition is complete. Our group spent three years in a “rented” Polish parish celebrating the TLM. This past October we were given our own personal parish and an FSSP priest. Just finished our first Holy Triduum in the EF. It took time to develop 9 altar boys plus two adult males to serve the Mass. And we struggled with training a schola and choir. But God blessed us and now we are un-wreckovating our old church. Communion rail is almost finished. Next will come the carpets for the Altar steps.

Make the trip to the TLM you won’t be sorry.

 

[TK421]

Celebrating in a Catholic liturgy in full communion with Rome is not a sin.

You have a charitable attitude with being a good witness to others, “a little Christ”. Whatever you do and wherever you go, never lose that. If we pray and fast and preach, but do not have obedience, we are not living as Christian men and women. God bless you brother.

 

[Catholic4Christ]

Do what is most beneficial to your own piety. Yes, it would be appropriate to contribute monetarily or otherwise to your own parish. However, if you find that the vetus ordo nourishes your soul more effectively, and if you are fortunate enough to have one nearby (not all of us are!), then I think you should attend (and support) that Extraordinary Form Mass. I know if I had a regular TLM in my area, I would be there every week, but in the meantime I have great respect for the priests and community I am a part of now, even if I find the services a little lackluster

On the other hand, it is possible that the “little sufferings” you feel when attending your parish’s Mass are of benefit to your soul, as well, though in a different way. And sometimes, though not always, this could represent a call to find ways to become involved at your parish in ways that help promote the kind of spirituality that you (and others) might be drawn to. You might not be able to mold the Mass in your own image, so to speak, but you can still help make your church a community that feeds your soul in other ways.

Dig deep and find out where the Lord is calling you - He knows where it is best for you to be.

 

[OraLabora]

I sort of feel the same way and I’m not proud of it. There is no EF Mass available near where I live but I became an oblate of a local Benedictine monastery and that’s where I attend Mass 75% of the time.

Frankly I got sick of the terrible music and liturgical short-cuts in my parish. The abbey’s Mass is OF but in Gregorian chant (Latin/Greek for the Ordinary and Latin for the Propers, French plainchant for the rest, even the readings are sung in French), and extremely reverent.

That said I am doing something about the poor music in parishes and 14 years ago I joined a schola of about a dozen and a half men who sing the Gregorian propers and ordinary at parish Masses once a month. So that is the other 25% of my Mass attendance. However it is a different parish each month (and sometimes the cathedral).

 

[commenter]

I sort of feel the same way and I’m not proud of it. There is no EF Mass available near where I live but I became an oblate of a local Benedictine monastery and that’s where I attend Mass 75% of the time.

Frankly I got sick of the terrible music and liturgical short-cuts in my parish. The abbey’s Mass is OF but in Gregorian chant (Latin/Greek for the Ordinary and Latin for the Propers, French plainchant for the rest, even the readings are sung in French), and extremely reverent.

That said I am doing something about the poor music in parishes and 14 years ago I joined a schola of about a dozen and a half men who sing the Gregorian propers and ordinary at parish Masses once a month. So that is the other 25% of my Mass attendance. However it is a different parish each month (and sometimes the cathedral).

Not just doing something, but doing something positive and productive, benefiting others, working for change but in unity with the Church. What if everyone on CAF took this response, not just on liturgy but on other stuff?

 

[PJM]

I agree with Patrick. If you would like to attend the EF then attend the EF. If it will help you spiritually grow and worship the Lord, then go and don’t look back. Many people attend either the EF exclusively and there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason for you to continue attending the OF at your current parish if you see change that isn’t suitable for your worship and spiritual development. You can pray for your old parish from anywhere, including the pews of the EF.

Thanks for the assist

Easter Blessings,

Patrick

 

[OraLabora]

Not just doing something, but doing something positive and productive, benefiting others, working for change but in unity with the Church. What if everyone on CAF took this response, not just on liturgy but on other stuff?

Thanks for the encouragement!