Just a lament and question about dancing

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newcalling

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I think this is the right forum? If not, I’m fine with it being moved, if that can still be done (I’m still not used to this format, LOL) It’s about liturgical dancing, but unlike a million other posts on this topic, I’m not suggesting any changes, just wondering where I have to draw my own lines. I understand there’s a reason we don’t do it in the west, and it has been awkward when it has been done.

I’m 1/4 Ludad (related to the Romany), raised in that culture, and it is in my upbringing and nature that when music is playing, I dance. I do it unconsciously. I have osteoarthritis in my back, shoulders, and hips, but my body still insists on moving when music is playing. I’m in my choir in my parish, the only bass singer in our SATB choir. I consciously work on suppressing my dancing, but it has to be a conscious effort and it somewhat distracts from my focus on the mass. Mind you, it would be the exact same problem if I was not in the choir, and was just in the pews. The most I allow myself to do is sway, and move my knee (but not my foot) to the tune, and kind of “emote” a little with my body. It would be too distracting to me to have to suppress it completely.

At what point am I dancing, and violating the rules? I cannot stress enough how it just really comes out, and I have to actively suppress myself from moving my feet and arms as well. I grip my cane too tightly and hurt my hands just to keep myself from moving my arms to the music. I’m a passionate person, and it’s just how I’m designed. I’m seriously asking for opinions on this one, and please be kind and charitable. No one has complained so far, but I don’t want to push the limits. I’ve only been Catholic since May 2015.
 
There are NO rules about moving in the pews. Just stay in the pews. You’re not a statue.

Go to a Mass in ASL by a deaf priest. THAT is how we should all be moving.

Many people move to music–it’s not an extraordinary thing. It’s natural and normal and only quelched by America’s purtanistic roots. Even my very atheist co-worker who listened to chant while he was working would slow bob along with the music.
 
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I love to sing, and I’m in the choir. My voice is alright. I can carry a tune, but my voice isn’t anything special. It’s a good choir voice, but I wouldn’t seek out a soloist career. People tell me I have a great voice, but when I hear it recorded or on speaker it sounds awful to me.
 
There are some people who are allergic to the thing that you are saying you do in the mass. We certainly have that kind of people and you may wonder why. Do not ask me.

I would say moving our bodies to the rythm of the music is natural because it is an expression. I would not see how that can be disallowed. In fact you are participating with your heart and your body. After all you are in your own posiiton in the pew and is not disturbing anybody. Just do not go out into the santuary will do.
 
As long as you’re not flinging your body into the personal space of the next body in the pew, don’t worry about it. A lot of people bounce a little bit in the pew. That’s not “liturgical dancing”. I find myself head-bobbing sometimes to a particularly rhythmic hymn, and when I was a child I would dance in the pew to the guitar songs.
 
I love the reverence of the Mass, and that’s appropriate. I just wish there was a time after mass to dance with bells and drums and tambourines and make a joyful noise to HaShem. Something between Jewish dancing, Gypsy dancing, and local Hispanic cultures. Ah, oh well. I know Catholics aren’t usually into the ecstatic experience, and there’s no charismatic parish around here.
 
I’m hoping you do this when you’re at home? With your background I can understand the desire to move. I remember reading about a Christian singer who was awake late Christmas eve and was inspired to dance. It was just her and God.
 
newcalling said:
I love the reverence of the Mass, and that’s appropriate. I just wish there was a time after mass to dance with bells and drums and tambourines and make a joyful noise to HaShem. Something between Jewish dancing, Gypsy dancing, and local Hispanic cultures. Ah, oh well. I know Catholics aren’t usually into the ecstatic experience, and there’s no charismatic parish around here.
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It’s not Catholics. It’s Euro-centric and puritanical influences. All the South American priests I know who come here also struggle with our robotic way both in Mass and outside of it.
 
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