C
CutlerB
Guest
I was in SHOCK at Mass today. The other priest was saying the Mass, of whom I noticed that he does things differently than the regular priest of my parish. This is not intended to be insulting, ranting or judging, Moderators.
Anyway, since it was Saint Lucy’s memorial the other day, the children talked about her at their Sunday School. They go there straight after Mass begins, and return at about the time for the Pater noster, which is in German by the way, but I digress. They were a bit later today, and they returned just after Communion was distributed.
We had just all got back into the pews when the priest said “Let’s have the children come up to the altar with the teachers and gather around it holding hands.” He then joined them in their circle, and as the hymn began, they put on paper hats in the shape of advent wreaths and began to dance. Yes, the teachers and the priest did so too.
I was in a state of shock and did not sing. From the corner of my eye, I could see a man who looked very traditional-minded from his attire and behaviour. He did not sing either, and prayed instead, so I joined him in prayer. Even though I know things aren’t always done according to the rubrics, I did not expect that. In fact, I thought about leaving, but didn’t, since it was the end of Mass anyway. I just sat there and gasped.
The lady next to me, who hopefully did not notice my expression, turned to me saying “It’s nice to see this done again. I instituted it years ago!” to which I really couldn’t think of anything to reply. I ended up saying “Well, someone seems to have remembered it”.
It was the first (and hopefully only) time I witnessed liturgical dancing. It was quite enough and discomforting as it was.
Now, I was going to write the priest about this, but I can’t find relevant statements that forbid such abuse. Can anyone provide some information?
Anyway, since it was Saint Lucy’s memorial the other day, the children talked about her at their Sunday School. They go there straight after Mass begins, and return at about the time for the Pater noster, which is in German by the way, but I digress. They were a bit later today, and they returned just after Communion was distributed.
We had just all got back into the pews when the priest said “Let’s have the children come up to the altar with the teachers and gather around it holding hands.” He then joined them in their circle, and as the hymn began, they put on paper hats in the shape of advent wreaths and began to dance. Yes, the teachers and the priest did so too.
I was in a state of shock and did not sing. From the corner of my eye, I could see a man who looked very traditional-minded from his attire and behaviour. He did not sing either, and prayed instead, so I joined him in prayer. Even though I know things aren’t always done according to the rubrics, I did not expect that. In fact, I thought about leaving, but didn’t, since it was the end of Mass anyway. I just sat there and gasped.
The lady next to me, who hopefully did not notice my expression, turned to me saying “It’s nice to see this done again. I instituted it years ago!” to which I really couldn’t think of anything to reply. I ended up saying “Well, someone seems to have remembered it”.
It was the first (and hopefully only) time I witnessed liturgical dancing. It was quite enough and discomforting as it was.
Now, I was going to write the priest about this, but I can’t find relevant statements that forbid such abuse. Can anyone provide some information?
Haven’t been to the UK in years. It’s about time!