The ones who feel they can choose to do what they want when the Church says different. They will carp about the female reader and cantor before Mass begins. God forbid if we have a female server. Some will try to coerce visitors to wear head coverings.
They will genuflect during the creed instead of bow. They will refuse to acknowledge anyone – even their spouse next to them during the kiss of peace, but they will gladly extol the horrors of the kiss of peace to anyone who will listen. They will kneel during the agnus dei instead of stand. They are quick to preach about the horrors of the laity assuming the orans position, yet they will cross themselves and tap their breasts throughout the Mass – none of which are mentioned in GIRM or RS.
They will receiving holy communion under one species (perfectly OK) and then tell anyone within earshot that no hand that has not been consecrated should ever touch a chalice. They will whine about the piano, even though it is played reverently and the Church does not prohibit their use.
I have plenty more if you need it…
If these are the illustrations that you choose to use for cafeteria Catholics then you apparently have a somewhat limited view of Catholicism. All you have mentioned here are differences in discipline and nothing whatsoever to do with doctrine or dogma.
Bur since that is apparently what concerns you the most we can address those issues.
The carping abut female servers lectors and cantors is of no real importance. People are free not to like a particular practice, The Church doesn’t say accept this and keep your mouth shut. People have a right to their opinions about such things. Many feel that the use of these people unnecessarily intrudes into the area that is rightfully that of the clergy. As far as female servers, since they can never become Priests I see no real reason to have them as one of the main reasons for having young men as severs is to expose them to the Mass at a deeper level so that a vocation may indeed be fostered. .
I really don’t believe that hoardes of mantilla wearing women surround visitors to the church with spare mantilla or babushkas in hand in attempts to COERCE them into wearlng them. It would be interesting to see though:thumbsup:
Genuflect instead of bow in the Creed. Serious issue here. Especially since almost no one even bothers to bow, Of course there are times in the year when a genuflection is called for in the rubrics, you are aware of that correct? In that case would you be as equally displeased at those who don’t genuflect but bow instead? I am interested in your response to that one.
Acknowledging those around them during the Kiss of Peace. Well, the rubrics don’t define what someone is to do in this situation at all, and it is left up to how is it worded, local custom? I’ve seen everything from nodding of heads, to shaking hands, to flashing peace signs to roaming up and down the aisles looking for cute girls to greet. It really doesn’t seem to be that important as in recent years I have seen it omitted altogether in a lot of places
Kneeling during the Agnus Dei instead of standing. Well, we kneel at the end of the Angus Dei, but we used to kneel throughout. To me that is a non issue as you are generally talking about a period of about 30 seconds or so except when you have one of the more progressive versions being sung by the choir. And to be truthful, it takes a few of us older folks a bit longer to kneel than it might someone younger. I will agree though that if the rubrics call for standing we should stand.
The laity and the Orans and tapping the breast. Interesting issue here. Apparently many in the Vatican do not approve of the Orans position for the laity and many dioceses have apparently issued instructions counseling against the practice. I think it kind of falls into the handholding during the Our Father area.
Tapping the breast however** IS** in the rubrics of the Mass even though most people don’t do it. I assume you knew that though.
As to unconsecrated hands not touching the Eucharist that is exactly what many of us were taught. You really can’t fault people too much for believing the very thing the Church taught them to believe in the first place. Let us remember also that the use of extraordinary ministers is not automatic and is not permitted everywhere. It is not required nor mandated at all. It a much overused and abused position.
The piano issue is totally irrelevant as the church doesn’t have rules concerning that particular area and I don’t really understand why you brought it up.
I would be interested in the plenty more that you have though. I certainly hope they have more meat to them than the ones you presented.
