Opinions on Liturgical Dancers

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In my long walk to Rome, I spent five years as a priest in the Charasmatic Episcopal Church. When I was recurted, with a number of years in the Lutheran clergy and two master’s degrees under my belt, that church was very Anglo-Catholic a’la John Henry Newman (later John Cardnal Newman). Unfortunately, it also had a strong nativist, “born again” contingent, which loved liturgical dance. Had it been well done, it would have had no standing in the tradition of the church. As it was, it put me in mind of the 'Ladies Auxilery" in the play “The Music Man” doing their “Inturpretive Dance.” Fortunately, these neo-pagans never ventured into the chancel, as two of my fellow priests and I were ready, willing, and able to toss them bodily out the door. If I want a hoochy-coochy show, I’ll go to the Episcopal “cathedral” of St. John the Devine in NYC. They have elephants and the "Christa Crusifix :bowdown: :bowdown: " too!
 
My experience with a Liturgical Dancer…
We had this parishoner who had seen this *wonderful liturgical dancing * somewhere. I was a part of the Music Ministry and so I was privey to what was going on because we where apart of the liturgical planning team, and she got permission from our parish priest. None of us had any idea really what she was talking about, but she assured us it was a beautiful expression of faith. So its Palm Sunday and she shows up at the back of church in a purple unitard, pink see through skirt, ribbons from her hair and wrists, bells on her ankles, holding a golden bowl. It was one of those horrible experiences where you don’t know whether to laugh out loud or stand mouth agape in shock. It did not go over well. The entire parish stood there staring, dis beleving what was going on. After Mass, my FIL (he was the leader of the band) was given the task to tell her gently that we wouldn’t be doing that again. (He has a gentle way) After that she tried to participate in the music ministry, but she shook the egg shaker constantly and it was very distracting. There is a place for every intrument, just not in every song. My FIL had to tell her to STOP , and I think she was hurt by that and she never showed up for practice again. I respect that people are trying to come to a deeper place of spirituality, but Liturgical dancers are just ridiculous!
 
I think that the idea is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. What are the dancers doing? Or should I say, what are the dancers celebrating? Jesus’s death on the Cross? The sacrifice of the Mass? Jesus offering himself to the Father? If the Mass is an earthly representation of the Heavenly Liturgy, then what parf of the Heavenly Liturgy are they celebrating? I’m not sure.

But as happens with everything else, once an organization or a ritual, or a practice, etc. becomes coed than ultimately that organization, ritual, or practice becomes feminized. Can you imagine liturgical dancers at the Mass in 1962? But now, in the quest to “empower women,” we now must contend with the prospect of liturgical dancers. Each time we seek to pacify a group or correct a so-called disparity, we change the essential nature of the Mass.

What will the Mass be like 50 years from now if this trend of whimsical intrusion continues? Talent night at the Mass as we celebrate ourselves in movement and foster self-esteem and empowerment in our young girls…oh the horror.
 
The only time I’ve ever seen liturgical dance that was well done was on EWTN in watching the Saturday night service in the World Youth Day coverage. It was respectful, it was part of the tradition of the dancers, and it was not in the context of the Holy Mass. . . it was an a appropriate time for that kind of free expression of the youth of that culture, helping the mostly western youth there come to a better understanding of that culture’s expressions of worship. Until I saw that, I never would have said that liturgical dance had any place at all in the Church. There are exceptions to some rules.
 
I certainly don’t think it has any place in the mass, that’s for sure. :nope: And, I don’t really like it anyway.
 
If I saw a “Liturgical Dancer” during Mass, I would be out of there so fast that anyone in front of me would probably be a rug. :mad:

PF
 
I’m guessing I’m lucky to have never witnessed Liturgical Dancers. I’m sure if I was to experience it I would end up freaking out and running out of the Church swearing to never return.
 
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kaygee:
The only time I’ve ever seen liturgical dance that was well done was on EWTN in watching the Saturday night service in the World Youth Day coverage. It was respectful, it was part of the tradition of the dancers, and it was not in the context of the Holy Mass. . . it was an a appropriate time for that kind of free expression of the youth of that culture, helping the mostly western youth there come to a better understanding of that culture’s expressions of worship. Until I saw that, I never would have said that liturgical dance had any place at all in the Church. There are exceptions to some rules.
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Did you enjoy the liturgical jugglers as well?
 
Pfft. I’d walk out of that church and fulfill my sunday obligation in a place that honors Our Lord. Then I’d send the parish an anonymous gift subscription to the New Oxford Review.
 
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Ignatius:
Did you enjoy the liturgical jugglers as well?
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Wait, wait, wait.
Juggling is NEVER in mass according to many people here!!!

In fact it is downright “rediculous” to state it!:whacky:
 
And I used to think our parish’s “Drama Ministry” was bad.
We had a group of people who would put on skits during Mass to illustrate the Gospel reading. Made my stomach hurt just to watch them. I think the archdiocese clamped down on this–they no longer perform. But if they ever start “Liturgical Dancing” my family and I would go to another parish.
 
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Aurelia:
And I used to think our parish’s “Drama Ministry” was bad.
We had a group of people who would put on skits during Mass to illustrate the Gospel reading. Made my stomach hurt just to watch them. I think the archdiocese clamped down on this–they no longer perform. But if they ever start “Liturgical Dancing” my family and I would go to another parish.
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We had a local church advertise that they had “Mime Group” performing Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
Now I must say that I could not bring myself to go there, so it might have been done in good taste. However just thinking of the possiblies of tastelessness made me giggle.
 
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