My first liturgical Dance Experience

[childofmary1143]

While I don’t agree with the hand holding or the liturigical dance, Why isn’t the Pope coming down hard on these practices???

Hand holding during the Our Father has become such a common practice…the Pope has to obiviously know about this.

The rock n roll music too? I thought the Pope wanted to do away with this type of music.

Considering with what he is facing with the Motu Propio about the Tridentine Mass and about Pro-Abort “Catholic” Politicians I would say that the Pope has enough on his plate. Besides repeating what is already Liturgical law wouldn’t make it anymore enforceable its up to the Dioceses and Bishops to enforce it and for us to make sure that they enforce it.

 

[Elzee]

Regardless if it is encouraged or ‘approved’ by the Archbishop or not, I would write a letter to both the priest and the Archbishop asking them to respect the Holy Mass and ensure it is celebrated in accordance with the Church guidelines. Ask them point blank that if liturgical dancing is allowed, to please inform you of the official Church document stating such.

I’m in the process of writing such a letter myself - not in regard to dancing, but I attended Mass last weekend and the priest adlibbed** every part **of the Eucharistic Prayer with the exception of the words of consecration - a regular occurrence when he says Mass.

 

[THurifer2]

Even though liturgical dance is wrong and shouldn’t be done, I would never dare label the person doing so (who I’m sure had decent intentions) with jezebel.
From wikipedia:

The name Jezebel has come down through the centuries to be used as a general name for all wicked women. Jezebel is portrayed in modern usage as a controlling whore in such phrases as “painted Jezebel.” *

Calling someone a whore is unacceptable. It is this kind of sarcasm that makes the orthodox and obedient lose credibility.

Count your chickens before they hatch butster. Her name was jezebel if you have a problem with it blame her parents.

 

[Sarabande]

I understand how you feel. My school used to do them with the 7th and 8th grade girls dressed in white robes dancing in their bare feet to taped music. I fortunately never had to do it. It looked silly then, but it didn’t really bother me one way or the other at that time.

I’m usually respectful and quiet when I have had to visit other parishes due to traveling, etc. Only two times did I actually had sort of mini panic attacks due to the music. My husband and I were dating at the time and had decided to attend mass at my home parish. This particular mass had a rock band. The music was so loud, overbearing, with the congregation applauding after communion. I tried so hard to concentrate on prayer, but my heart kept racing, my head spinning and my body felt like it was being plunged down into some negative abyss. I couldn’t get up to receive communion. It was like I was frozen stiff. During the applause, I told my husband that I had to leave. He was more than willing to leave as well. We ended up attending mass at his parish 15 minutes away.

The other time was last year when I went to visit family in Virginia. We attended mass at my aunt’s parish. We had unfortunately started late and got there right when the procession was happening. The music at least wasn’t a rock band, but something about it made me panic. I got physically sick and couldn’t go in and had to stay outside in the vestibule. The other thing was that they had ushers that would usher latecomers in like it was at a classical music concert - you know when you are asked to wait until the music ends and then you can enter so to not disturb the musicians? They were doing that there as well, so that might have added to my physical ailment. Anyway, I felt horriable that I got this visceral reaction to it, but my body and my soul literally could not enter that place and I had no control over it. I had to attend mass somewhere else. It was so strange. I guess it’s because music is so important to me in a spiritual sense for my prayer life. Usually, I can sit through bad music, though, but those two times my body and my sould just couldn’t got through it. I didn’t want to share it with my aunt because I knew she loves to go to mass there, but my husband and parents knew about it and they thankfully understood.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

While I don’t agree with the hand holding or the liturigical dance, Why isn’t the Pope coming down hard on these practices?

Gosh our Archbishop is tightening up things where we are.

 

[tomch]

And now for a view from the “other side” of the tracks… After reading all the vehement complaints, I’m starting to get a bit frustrated, but I’ll try to calm down so as not to offend anyone.

I just converted to Catholicism (for doctrinal reasons) this Easter from a semi-Pentecostal Baptist environment, so I’m used to the instruments and clapping.

I find myself quite disappointed in the worship in my new Catholic church. Nobody sings. When I look around, nobody’s lips are even moving. This type of “worship” isn’t what you folks are defending, is it? I find myself wishing I were back in my Baptist church for the worship portion of the service. The Baptists LOVE to worship the Lord, and it shows.

The book of Psalms is full of musical instruments, clapping and dancing. Obviously, these activities are an essential part of David’s (and the rest of the Jews’ worship). Why is the “Psalms” type of worship so repulsive to so many Catholics?

The early church was Jewish and sang David’s psalms. I’m wondering…Did they not clap during their services? Did they not dance? I honestly don’t know (and so I’m certainly open to correction) but I think maybe they weren’t so upset about it as some of you folks seem to be. It’s a shame to be singing a Psalm about “clapping our hands,” or “lifting our hands to the Lord” while we rigidly stand with our hands at our sides, don’t you think?

And what about this outcry over holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer? I just don’t get it. Are we so concerned with “protecting the liturgy” and “doing things correctly” that we ignore Jesus’s command to love one another? What’s more important? Can’t we love one another WHILE we worship, or is there a rule against that? And if there IS a rule against holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer, maybe it should be changed, eh? I can’t imagine the Lord telling his disciples… “Now make sure that you don’t hold hands when you say this…”

My wife and children are still Baptist, although they have come to a few Masses with me… they are not impressed, and feel that the Catholic Church is dead, cold, and unfriendly. Some of my best friends (Baptists) came to the Holy Saturday service (when I joined) and got “dirty looks” because they didn’t participate in the Nicene Creed - they simply didn’t know where it was found in the missal, and do not have it memorized. (If I were sitting nearby, I would have helped them - not judged them.) What a shame! I doubt I’ll ever get them into a Catholic church again.

If I could find a parish in my area that had the “all our hearts” style worship and more friendliness that you folks are complaining about, I’d LOVE to attend there. I personally applaud the trend, and believe that this would not in any way lessen the respect that we give to God. I think it will bring revival to a Church that seems to be in need of a “heart transplant.”

 

[Stephen_Korsman]

Regardless if it is encouraged or ‘approved’ by the Archbishop or not, I would write a letter to both the priest and the Archbishop asking them to respect the Holy Mass and ensure it is celebrated in accordance with the Church guidelines. Ask them point blank that if liturgical dancing is allowed, to please inform you of the official Church document stating such.

I’m in the process of writing such a letter myself - not in regard to dancing, but I attended Mass last weekend and the priest adlibbed** every part **of the Eucharistic Prayer with the exception of the words of consecration - a regular occurrence when he says Mass.

At our cathedral, there are three priests. One omits the creed at every Mass. This Saturday communion was via the “take and dip” method - the priest (not the creedless one) gave us the Host, said “The Body and Blood of Christ” and then most people marched up to the altar, where the chalice stood, dipped it into the Blood themselves and then consumed it.

 

[maryjk]

Well, I’ve heard of Liturgical Dance, but never experienced it. After reading your experience, I don’t think I want to either. Fortunately, in my area of the country (Southeast) not much of this seems to be going on. It certainly hasn’t happened in my parish.

I have never experienced it, either.

There is plenty of hand holding down here, but no dance yet. But we are due for a new Bishop, so who knows what the future might bring.

 

[johnstown_johnn]

It sounds like a pagan ritual. Kind of like a throwback to ancient Greece or even earlier.

 

[Sarabande]

I don’t think any of the comments were particularily vehement. The Jezabel comment might have been a little over-the-top, but I have a feeling the poster didn’t mean it in that context. People were just expressing what happened to them physically when things like this occurred during the mass. Just as we can’t help whe something incredibly positive and spiritual overwhelms us and takes over us, it’s the same when some negative overwhelms us. For people like the OP or myself, we received a vicseral, negative reaction. I couldn’t believe that something like what I describe in my previous post, actually did make me physically ill, but it did and it can’t be helped when it happens. Will I have to learn to fight it so that it doesn’t happen again? Maybe, yes. But I am extremely sensual and search for spiritual ecstasy when it comes to music, so I couldn’t promise that I won’t become ill again. In terms of Liturgical Dance I haven’t seen it done live since the 8th grade, although I have seen things on the Internet, so I don’t really get a negative visceral reaction from it.

Anyway, just because we don’t think Liturgical Dance should be permitted into the liturgy (there really isn’t anything wrong with that dance outside of the liturgy, if you like that sort of thing), or don’t hold hands with our brothers and sisters, doesn’t mean we worship God any less or love each other any less. I don’t think most people are ignoring God’s command to love one another by not holding each other’s hands. Sometimes, the person kneeling in silent prayer is just as fervent in his/her worship and love as the person who prefers to worship more with a lot more physical gestures. So, I think saying that

I can understand how you come to feel the way you do especially, since you come from a religious culture that does worship God differently than most Catholics. I’m sorry that you are not happy with your parish. Perhaps you can try to get involved in the parish council or make suggestions to the pastor. I don’t know what to say about the dirty looks since I wasn’t there and I’ve never experienced something like that. Most people are too busy in prayer to be looking around and finding fault with other congregants. Either way, though, I’m sorry that it happened to your friends.

 

[deluca1976]

Praise be to God for the fullness in Christianity that you are now a part of, tomch!

You raised some valid questions from the heart of a former Baptist who loves to give praise to God.

I find myself quite disappointed in the worship in my new Catholic church. Nobody sings. When I look around, nobody’s lips are even moving. This type of “worship” isn’t what you folks are defending, is it? I find myself wishing I were back in my Baptist church for the worship portion of the service. The Baptists LOVE to worship the Lord, and it shows.

The book of Psalms is full of musical instruments, clapping and dancing. Obviously, these activities are an essential part of David’s (and the rest of the Jews’ worship). Why is the “Psalms” type of worship so repulsive to so many Catholics?

The early church was Jewish and sang David’s psalms. I’m wondering…Did they not clap during their services? Did they not dance? I honestly don’t know (and so I’m certainly open to correction) but I think maybe they weren’t so upset about it as some of you folks seem to be. It’s a shame to be singing a Psalm about “clapping our hands,” or “lifting our hands to the Lord” while we rigidly stand with our hands at our sides, don’t you think?

First, let me say that it is sad that many Catholics do not sing at Mass. Sometimes I just want to gently poke them in the stomach like the Pillsbury doughboy to see if they’re still alive.

Perhaps some fear that their voices do not sound good, but most probably don’t even fully realize what they are a part of. More needs to be done to help make every Catholic actively participate in the Mass. Another thought: remember that (hopefully) many Catholics still attend Mass on Sunday because it is a requirement, whether they ‘want to’ or not. However, how many less-than-on-fire-for-God Baptists attend services when they don’t really want to? Would they be more inclined to simply stay at home, since it’s just a Sunday service. I would venture to guess that perhaps a few of those tight lipped Catholics are there because it is an obligation, whereas some of their Baptist-equivalents are out doing other things because their conscience might not badger them as badly since they don’t have the same obligation?

However, when it comes to the whole ‘extra motions’ that you are used to in your Baptist services, let me touch on what we, as Catholics, know the Mass to be - the Mass is nothing but the very Sacrifice that Christ offered on the Cross! It is not a mere representation. It is not a symbol. It is not an allegory.

It is Jesus Christ Crucified upon the very Cross for our salvation!

You ask valid questions about the early Mass, and I honestly don’t know what the early Mass was like either (I do have a book I purchased from TAN a while back on this very subject, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet

In turn, let me ask you a question: what do you think the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John (and what few other Disciples dared to remain at the foot of the Cross while Christ was dying) were doing? Do you think they were jumping up and down with tambourines giving praise to God with smiles and clapping their hands? Do you think they were holding hands in a circle around Golgotha, skipping along?

While these images may seem ludicrous to us, please understand that when some traditionalists see some of these modern things happen at the Mass, this is exactly what they see! They see people running around with wild clothing performing dancing moves along Calvary’s hills. They see people ‘doing their own thing’ at the foot of the Cross in a manner that one wouldn’t expect to see given the situation.

Yes, there can be times to give great glory to God with our voices, and perhaps even bodily movement, with a variety of musical instruments. But please understand that the very Sacrifice of the Mass is the very Sacrifice offered by Christ on Calvary, and our thoughts, posture, clothing, and behavior should reflect this fact. Keep the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as just that - The Holy Sacrifice. If people want to get together to sing and dance, then please reserve the church or the church hall at another time.

(end of part 1)

 

[deluca1976]

And what about this outcry over holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer? I just don’t get it. Are we so concerned with “protecting the liturgy” and “doing things correctly” that we ignore Jesus’s command to love one another? What’s more important? Can’t we love one another WHILE we worship, or is there a rule against that? And if there IS a rule against holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer, maybe it should be changed, eh? I can’t imagine the Lord telling his disciples… “Now make sure that you don’t hold hands when you say this…”

My wife and children are still Baptist, although they have come to a few Masses with me… they are not impressed, and feel that the Catholic Church is dead, cold, and unfriendly. Some of my best friends (Baptists) came to the Holy Saturday service (when I joined) and got “dirty looks” because they didn’t participate in the Nicene Creed - they simply didn’t know where it was found in the missal, and do not have it memorized. (If I were sitting nearby, I would have helped them - not judged them.) What a shame! I doubt I’ll ever get them into a Catholic church again.

I have a difficult time knowing how to answer this. Please understand that I am happy that you have found the fullness of Christianity in the Church. However, please remember that we should not be Catholics because it gives us a warm fuzzy feeling, or that our Mass gives us that uplifting feeling - just as you shouldn’t marry someone solely because you have feelings for them despite being completely opposite in every single way. We are Catholics because we know the Catholic Church to be the One, True Church infallibly lead by the Holy Spirit in matters of Faith and Morals, not because the Mass seemed like “a cool thing”, or because a Priest was on tv and sounded like a neat guy. These can be great things to introduce us to the Church, but should not be why we proclaim our Catholic Faith.

Even though we as humans are vulnerable to our senses leading our decision-making abilities, I would be wary in trying to convert someone to the Faith majority-based on them ‘liking the Mass’ (introducing them to the Mass is one thing, but having it be the crux of the conversion is another). Because what happens if you move? If the Priest is re-assigned? And your new pastor/parish has a Mass that you ‘don’t feel the same at’. Would you leave because it doesn’t feel the same? I’d hope not - you would stay a Catholic because you know the Church to have the fullness of Christian Revelation! Our Faith is not based on feelings, but upon the Immutable Timeless Truth of Christ. The Incarnation didn’t happen so Jesus could teach us to have warm fuzzy feelings - it was to teach us the way of our salvation and to offer His Body and Blood for our sake.

Lastly, as far as the hand-holding during the Our Father goes, the Congregation for Divine Worship has specifically addressed this posture/action, and has commented that (IIRC) it detracts from the reality that Christ Himself is Present upon the altar. If Jesus Himself is Present on the altar, why do we need to ‘grow closer to each other’? Yes, it can be a nice, polite, neighborly thing…but this practice first originated (I believe) with protestant churches, where Christ is not fully present in the Eucharist. It takes away the focus of our personal relationship with Christ and instead places more emphasis on us interacting with our neighbor.

If you were walking in a shopping mall and Jesus appeared before you, would your first inclination be to suddenly form a human chain and have everyone hold hands in a circle around Him?

And what if I personally feel it would be nice to not just hold hands - but to also do something else, like put my arm around the shoulder of the person next to me? Or if I think it would be nice to insert some other random, personal deviation from/to the Mass at any other random point? The Mass is the perfect prayer, and it is the UNIVERSAL prayer of the Church. It is everyone’s prayer.

Please understand that when people try to tinker with it and ‘personalize’ it to their whims, it suddenly no longer stays as the Universal Catholic prayer, but suddenly becomes Fr. Bob’s prayer, or Ms. Denise’s (“parochial administrator”) prayer, or Jim the “Director of Liturgy”'s prayer.

Another example - why pray the Our Father? Why can’t we simply vocally pray any prayer we want? Because the Church, in union with Jesus, Her Mystical Bride, has perfected the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[agapewolf]

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is ALSO the celebration of the Resurrection.

Yes, Mary and John WOULD HAVE jumped and danced and praised.

Liturgical dance is not allowed…which is fine. I’m not saying we should do it, but the argument that because its the crucifixion so we shouldn’t “be happy” or sing joyful songs doesn’t work.

 

[SLCFranciscan]

I can guarantee that this would never have happened at an SSPX mass.

 

[seekerz]

And now for a view from the “other side” of the tracks… After reading all the vehement complaints, I’m starting to get a bit frustrated, but I’ll try to calm down so as not to offend anyone.

I just converted to Catholicism (for doctrinal reasons) this Easter from a semi-Pentecostal Baptist environment, so I’m used to the instruments and clapping.

I find myself quite disappointed in the worship in my new Catholic church. Nobody sings. When I look around, nobody’s lips are even moving. This type of “worship” isn’t what you folks are defending, is it? I find myself wishing I were back in my Baptist church for the worship portion of the service. The Baptists LOVE to worship the Lord, and it shows.

The book of Psalms is full of musical instruments, clapping and dancing. Obviously, these activities are an essential part of David’s (and the rest of the Jews’ worship). Why is the “Psalms” type of worship so repulsive to so many Catholics?

The early church was Jewish and sang David’s psalms. I’m wondering…Did they not clap during their services? Did they not dance? I honestly don’t know (and so I’m certainly open to correction) but I think maybe they weren’t so upset about it as some of you folks seem to be. It’s a shame to be singing a Psalm about “clapping our hands,” or “lifting our hands to the Lord” while we rigidly stand with our hands at our sides, don’t you think?

And what about this outcry over holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer? I just don’t get it. Are we so concerned with “protecting the liturgy” and “doing things correctly” that we ignore Jesus’s command to love one another? What’s more important? Can’t we love one another WHILE we worship, or is there a rule against that? And if there IS a rule against holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer, maybe it should be changed, eh? I can’t imagine the Lord telling his disciples… “Now make sure that you don’t hold hands when you say this…”

My wife and children are still Baptist, although they have come to a few Masses with me… they are not impressed, and feel that the Catholic Church is dead, cold, and unfriendly. Some of my best friends (Baptists) came to the Holy Saturday service (when I joined) and got “dirty looks” because they didn’t participate in the Nicene Creed - they simply didn’t know where it was found in the missal, and do not have it memorized. (If I were sitting nearby, I would have helped them - not judged them.) What a shame! I doubt I’ll ever get them into a Catholic church again.

If I could find a parish in my area that had the “all our hearts” style worship and more friendliness that you folks are complaining about, I’d LOVE to attend there. I personally applaud the trend, and believe that this would not in any way lessen the respect that we give to God. I think it will bring revival to a Church that seems to be in need of a “heart transplant.”

I know what you mean. My personal view is that there needs to be decorum at Mass (e.g. one shouln’t dress for Mass any less carefully than for work) and that standards and practices should be maintained. One of the reasons our Church is called catholic is that wherever you go in the world the Mass is essentially the same. Now here comes the but…

We shouldn’t be so stuck on every little detail that that becomes more important than worshiping God as a family. I believe the examples you gave of King David (and indeed the words of all the prophets) rightly remind us that worship is something that comes from the heart and not out of rules and regulations (though it is rightly governed by them). In other words, rules are necessary to prevent anarchy, but in themselves do not give rise to true worship - that arises from the heart.

If that is so, our real concern and passion should be to shine forth, awaken in others and preserve in ourselves that true worship that comes from the heart. That’s what we should be worried about more than whether it’s correct to hold hands to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Proper form at Mass is not going to get us into heaven; proper attitude of heart is.

I consider myself a moderate who tends toward compromise in the non-essentials. I resist moving from the middle because it seems like there are extremes at either end. To me it’s just as appalling to see (in Church) a bare-backed teenager chewing gum while singing platitudes and rocking to the beat as it is to stand among stone-faced people with a my-best-friend-just-died-look who’ll barely sing a note and who couldn’t tell the paramedics my name if I dropped in the pew!

I love my Church (till death) but really feel that those on the extremes of the spectrum need to take a hard look inward. Not that I may not need to as well…

 

[tomch]

Thank you, Deluca1976 for your very thoughtful reply. A couple of your points especially got me thinking:

1. The Catholics that may be attending only because of obligation.
2. The analogy about John and Mary at the foot of the cross.

I especially appreciated the mention of the “foot of the cross” - and that’s something that I hadn’t fully appreciated before, coming from a Baptist background. Yeah, I suppose they weren’t exactly whooping it up, eh? They were devastated and confused and in deep sorrow.

Baptist have an saying - “Why do Crucifixes have Jesus still on the cross? Didn’t he rise from the dead?” - obviously the Baptist services are a little more “resurection oriented.” I understand that the Catholic Mass is intended to focus on Jesus’s suffering and death, and joyful dancing would be very inappropriate.

And maybe the perceived “unfriendliness” is really deep worship and reflection after all. (or maybe it’s sheer “obligation” as you mentioned). I’ll try to be more understanding, and put myself more into the “foot of the cross” mentality when I attend Mass.

Thanks again for taking the time to share these thoughts. Your (name removed by moderator)ut really made me think!

 

[Ani_Ibi]

tomch:

I find myself quite disappointed in the worship in my new Catholic church. Nobody sings. When I look around, nobody’s lips are even moving.

Yikes! We sing. Our lips move.

tomch:

This type of “worship” isn’t what you folks are defending, is it?

No. Although many parts of our worship are quiet. Most of the time when the Sanctus arrives, I can’t move or speak after that. It’s all I can do to stir myself to go up for Communion.

A Charismatic Mass can be very very quiet and go for hours. It is sheer bliss. Oh there is the speaking in tongues and singing in tongues and words of Knowledge and the usual things, but there comes a time when beautiful deep silence falls on everyone.

tomch:

I find myself wishing I were back in my Baptist church for the worship portion of the service. The Baptists LOVE to worship the Lord, and it shows.

It takes a while to clue into the various forms of worship. Talk to a priest or trusted elder. You can try the Adoration. Or even a Charismatic Prayer Group.

tomch:

The book of Psalms is full of musical instruments, clapping and dancing. Obviously, these activities are an essential part of David’s (and the rest of the Jews’ worship). Why is the “Psalms” type of worship so repulsive to so many Catholics?

Oh it’s not. It’s a question of when. Usually we sing our Psalms and most sing quite exhuberantly in our church.

tomch:

The early church was Jewish and sang David’s psalms. I’m wondering…Did they not clap during their services? Did they not dance?

In Messianic Jewish schul they do. And it is a very holy feeling.

tomch:

I honestly don’t know (and so I’m certainly open to correction) but I think maybe they weren’t so upset about it as some of you folks seem to be. It’s a shame to be singing a Psalm about “clapping our hands,” or “lifting our hands to the Lord” while we rigidly stand with our hands at our sides, don’t you think?

I think it is the attitude that some bring to Liturgical dance that may be the problem. Sometimes it looks a bit self-conscious as though folks know they are doing something risque. That distracts other folks from the Mass.

tomch:

And what about this outcry over holding hands during The Lord’s Prayer? I just don’t get it. Are we so concerned with “protecting the liturgy” and “doing things correctly” that we ignore Jesus’s command to love one another?

Some things are private. Some things are public. During the sign of peace folks often hug each other enthusiastically for an extended period of time. Of course you get those who won’t even look at you.

tomch:

My wife and children are still Baptist, although they have come to a few Masses with me… they are not impressed, and feel that the Catholic Church is dead, cold, and unfriendly.

There is much that is not understood by non-Catholics. Also folks come to Mass for something between themselves and God. They don’t socialize until after the Mass.

tomch:

Some of my best friends (Baptists) came to the Holy Saturday service (when I joined) and got “dirty looks” because they didn’t participate in the Nicene Creed - they simply didn’t know where it was found in the missal, and do not have it memorized.

Oh hek. Change your church! In our church nobody cares if you aren’t moving your lips. Or if you look like you’re lost, they’ll hand you a missal and smile.

tomch:

If I could find a parish in my area that had the “all our hearts” style worship and more friendliness that you folks are complaining about, I’d LOVE to attend there.

Phone the parish and ask for the charismatic prayer group.

tomch:

I personally applaud the trend, and believe that this would not in any way lessen the respect that we give to God. I think it will bring revival to a Church that seems to be in need of a “heart transplant.”

I agree that many parishes need more of a family community after Mass. Nobody said joining the Catholic Church would be easy. In many respects it is quite difficult to be a Catholic.

 

[tomch]

… My personal view is that there needs to be decorum at Mass and that standards and practices should be maintained…but

We shouldn’t be so stuck on every little detail that that becomes more important than worshiping God as a family…

Proper form at Mass is not going to get us into heaven; proper attitude of heart is.

I consider myself a moderate who tends toward compromise in the non-essentials. I resist moving from the middle because it seems like there are extremes at either end. To me it’s just as appalling to see (in Church) a bare-backed teenager chewing gum while singing platitudes and rocking to the beat as it is to stand among stone-faced people with a my-best-friend-just-died-look who’ll barely sing a note and who couldn’t tell the paramedics my name if I dropped in the pew!

Very well spoken. Thanks for your explanation. I’m not sure I’ve come to a final conclusion yet, but I think I totally agree with you. (Did that make any sense?!)

 

[seekerz]

Very well spoken. Thanks for your explanation. I’m not sure I’ve come to a final conclusion yet, but I think I totally agree with you. (Did that make any sense?!)

Sure it does. And may God bless you on journey of faith.

 

[tomch]

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is ALSO the celebration of the Resurrection.

Yes, Mary and John WOULD HAVE jumped and danced and praised.

Liturgical dance is not allowed…which is fine. I’m not saying we should do it, but the argument that because its the crucifixion so we shouldn’t “be happy” or sing joyful songs doesn’t work.

One thing I don’t understand about this liturgical dance… maybe you can help me. If it’s not allowed, then why is it happening?

I personally don’t appreciate the dance. I suppose for the dancers it probably is very worshipful, but for me, it’s a pretty big distraction.

Thank you also for your comments about the Mass also being a celebration of the Resurection. I see so many “sides” to the Mass that I must admit to being a little bit confused. I’ll stay tuned and maybe I’ll get things sorted out soon!