observation: many parishioners neglect to perform required gestures during Mass

[clem456]

Reading this thread discourages me from ever returning to the Church. It’s so terrible to be scrutinized by others, I don’t think I could take it.

This is a problem, IF the main thrust of evangelization is to bring souls back to Christ.
If it’s not, then never mind…

 

[illinidiva]

Even if you don’t like him he is still due the respect of the papacy and should be refered to as Pope or His Holiness.

You’ve convinced me. You are right and know much better than the bishops and clergy how to handle the faith. Let’s just dump the rubrics of the Mass because they don’t matter.

Oh… So you are the protocol police as well. Perhaps we should use the full title in posts.

And since lay people seem to want to police how priest do their job and point out the flaws of others, perhaps Father should be able to come to your place of employment and critique you

 

[Genesis315]

I think Benedict overemphasized the liturgy and it made him less effective on other issues.

According to the Second Vatican Council, “the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 10).

The only way to truly be “effective on other issues” is to emphasize the liturgy.

 

[Lapey]

I think Benedict overemphasized the liturgy and it made him less effective on other issues.

This is where you cross the line. Please be more respectful of the former Pope and the faith. Being Catholic is much more than belonging to a social group and singing together. The truth of heavenly worship is the Mass. Let me ask you, if you were worshiping God in heaven, would you simply do as you “feel” makes you happy or would you worship as John did in the book of Revelation?

Actions and postures matter in Liturgy, rubrics mean things. You may not see the supernatural in the Mass, but many Catholics do.

Canon Law states that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith; the “most august” of sacraments. The Eucharistic Celebration deserves to be seen in the dignity of God in Heaven; for that is exactly what it is.

You were doing well for a while saying that we sometimes concentrate on the wrong things which allows us to be distracted, but here you have carried it to a different level; a disrespectful level.

 

[illinidiva]

Well? Can a pope maybe get slightly caught up and emphasize the wrong things as well as an average Joe layperson? Or are their actions always right and they can never be constructively criticized? I just wish that more emphasis had been placed on good Church governance, reforming the IOR, resolving the sexual abuse scandals, etc. and less emphasis on Missal translations and the Pope’s vestments. I think that this is something that we’re all guilty of… so why would the clergy be excluded.

And you can have a supernatural experience with God in many places. Life is messier than the formal rubrics.

 

[Lapey]

Well? Can a pope maybe get slightly caught up and emphasize the wrong things as well as an average Joe layperson? Or are their actions always right and they can never be constructively criticized? I just wish that more emphasis had been placed on good Church governance, reforming the IOR, resolving the sexual abuse scandals, etc. and less emphasis on Missal translations and the Pope’s vestments. I think that this is something that we’re all guilty of… so why would the clergy be excluded.

And you can have a supernatural experience with God in many places. Life is messier than the formal rubrics.

Do you have any idea what the Mass is? And no, the Pope is not fodder for your opinions to opine as though it matters what you think of his actions.

 

[illinidiva]

Do you have any idea what the Mass is? And no, the Pope is not fodder for your opinions to opine as though it matters what you think of his actions.

We live in the democratic 21st century. We aren’t 12th century peasants. I also have opinions about politicians. I don’t think Obama cares what I think about him.

And I know what the Mass is as a cradle Catholic. I just think arguing that increasing Latin in the Mass or demanding everyone follow the correct gestures will bring Middle East peace or end abortion.