Mass anxiety

[Paxvobis]

Hi.

I consider myself a traditionalist, but I can’t go to a TLM more than once a month. Nevertheless, whenever I’m at the OF and the priest makes changes to what he is supposed to say or do I get distracted and anxious. Why, just last Sunday, the priest ad libbed an entire Preface and Eucharistic Prayer.

The point of this poss is not to bag on priests, but is to ask this: how can I avoid becoming distracted and anxious when things like this happen? How can I get myself focused on offering up the sacrifice rather than worrying about people talking or the priest changing words and the like?

Speaking of offering up the sacrifice, I guess I’ve never really understood how this is supposed to be done. Does this mean meditating on the crucifixion during the Canon, or what?

Thanks.

 

[willofgods]

I don’t know if his ad lib was true ad lib, or if it fell under one of these:
Eucharist Prayers I-IV. Unfortunately the “dozens of texts” doesn’t make things very specific.

 

[Margie9]

0.5 mg Ativan

 

[CB_Catholic]

Hi.

I consider myself a traditionalist, but I can’t go to a TLM more than once a month. Nevertheless, whenever I’m at the OF and the priest makes changes to what he is supposed to say or do I get distracted and anxious. Why, just last Sunday, the priest ad libbed an entire Preface and Eucharistic Prayer.

The point of this poss is not to bag on priests, but is to ask this: how can I avoid becoming distracted and anxious when things like this happen? How can I get myself focused on offering up the sacrifice rather than worrying about people talking or the priest changing words and the like?

Speaking of offering up the sacrifice, I guess I’ve never really understood how this is supposed to be done. Does this mean meditating on the crucifixion during the Canon, or what?

Thanks.

You may think this being facetious, but I assure you it is not. Quit reading the “liturgical abuse” complaint threads on CAF, and the numerous complaints about the Mass and priests. They will have you looking for stuff you never even thought of. If you must, lay off the forums for a while. It can be very easy to develop a “liturgical police” attitude, and lose focus on Christ. I had trouble with that until the Lord cured me of it. Then pray for the grace to focus on Jesus. Remember, only God is perfect, and God does not expect perfection from anyone.

Also remember that the priest has been called by God Himself to serve the Church and has given up his entire life to serve God, the Church, and YOU. Hope this helps.

 

[fred_conty]

Hi.

I consider myself a traditionalist, but I can’t go to a TLM more than once a month. Nevertheless, whenever I’m at the OF and the priest makes changes to what he is supposed to say or do I get distracted and anxious. Why, just last Sunday, the priest ad libbed an entire Preface and Eucharistic Prayer.

The point of this poss is not to bag on priests, but is to ask this: how can I avoid becoming distracted and anxious when things like this happen? How can I get myself focused on offering up the sacrifice rather than worrying about people talking or the priest changing words and the like?

Speaking of offering up the sacrifice, I guess I’ve never really understood how this is supposed to be done. Does this mean meditating on the crucifixion during the Canon, or what?

Thanks.

There are optional Prefaces and Eucharistic prayers the priest may select. So maybe he didn’t make one up but just used an optional one.

But there are many distractions everyone will encounter while attending Mass. I’m sure you are familiar with a lot of them without going into detail. How are these to be handled?
Distractions are not a crime nor are they a sin. In fact distractions can be a moment of grace if we redirect ourselves back to our prayer when they occurr. For God does not look at our successes, but at our efforts to do his will. A few minutes before Mass, if you look at the tabernacle and realize who is there and thank him for the wonderful invite he gave to you to be there this morning at his holy table, and in a loving way tell him how grateful you are for this, this mood will naturally flow into the mass when it starts. If there is no tabernacle, then look at the cross.

When the offering of the body and blood takes place right before the Our Father, that is especially the holy of holies of the Mass and the time to remember that we offer ourself as well as all we do and think to God the Father in union with Jesus for ourselves and the whole world. This is the moment that the Father is most pleased as he sees the sacrifice of his dearest Son. That indeed is the most solemn moment of grace which Jesus performed for us. “Do this in memory of me.”