Lifeteen mass, what the heck is it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Catholic_Tom
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Catholic_Tom

Guest
Is it valid? If it is valid, how can I find one in my area?
 
O no, this topic again! :rolleyes: The Lifeteen mass is one of the biggest liturgical debates on this forum. Lifeteen is valid and has the blessing of the Pope (here’s the catch) AS LONG AS IT FOLLOWS THE RUBRICS FOR THE MASS. The problem is that Lifeteen masses often do not follow the rubrics. The most noticible abuse is having the teens gather around the altar durring the consecration, big no no. Now this doesn’t happen at every lifeteen mass, but it has become the calling card of lifeteen. The mass is the mass, liturgical abuses can happen anywhere. However, Lifeteen is geared towards teens, so some radicals think they have the liberty to reform the liturgy to suit their purposes. Notice how I said, “some people.” Mark my words, a debate will start.

Now besides abuses, some people do not like the music played at lifeteen masses and others feel that lifeteen does not preach Orthodox Catholic teachings. But I’m not getting into that.
 
As for what lifeteen is, it is a youth ministry program. Parishes that have lifeteen will have a lifeteen mass on the weekends. Lifeteen masses are geared for teenagers. Many lifeteen masses will have Christian Rock or Glory and Praise music played at them. Sometimes they can be very Charismatic, others not so Charismatic, it depends on who is celebrating it and what type of parish it is. Sometimes they will have a guest speaker who will give a personal testimony. Some people see Lifeteen as a great way to Evangelize our youth, others see that is on the brink of heterodoxy.
 
Psalm45:9:
As for what lifeteen is, it is a youth ministry program. Parishes that have lifeteen will have a lifeteen mass on the weekends. Lifeteen masses are geared for teenagers. Many lifeteen masses will have Christian Rock or Glory and Praise music played at them. Sometimes they can be very Charismatic, others not so Charismatic, it depends on who is celebrating it and what type of parish it is. Sometimes they will have a guest speaker who will give a personal testimony. Some people see Lifeteen as a great way to Evangelize our youth, others see that is on the brink of heterodoxy.
Click to expand...
As someone who attended Life teen throughout high school, I can attest that this is a very fair presentation of Life Teen. Two comments:
  1. First, the liturgical abuses cited (teens around the altar, e.g.) are to have been rectified by October 1, 2004. This information comes from Life Teen’s official website, www.lifeteen.org .
  2. In terms of orthodoxy, Life Teen unapologetically teaches what the Church teaches as it applies to teenagers.
 
Catholic Tom:
Is it valid? If it is valid, how can I find one in my area?
Click to expand...
Call around to local parishes and see if it is offered. This is the only way I know to find out.
 
Catholic Tom:
Is it valid? If it is valid, how can I find one in my area?
Click to expand...
On the Life Teen website you can do a search for a parish near you. There is a search function at the top of the website.

I would recommend that you use the contact us feature on the website and direct any questions to them.

For a real impression of the program though, you should attend their training sessions, or look for a “hub” parish in your area (all this info can be found on their website, or contact your regional director). The “hub” parishes are ones that represent Life Teen working as it should. If you attend just any parish that chooses/ claims to use the Life Teen format you never know what you might get.

FYI I was a Life Teen “Youth Minister” for the last 4.5 years, and it really changed my life and saved my faith.

In Christ,
Pisio
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top