Well, the Latin was never, “The Lord be with your spirit.” The Latin has always stated, “The Lord be with you.”
The whole point of the new translation will be to have the English be a better *literal *translation of the Latin.
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The whole point of the new translation will be to have the English be a better *literal *translation of the Latin.
C
Cat
Guest
I’m thinking that maybe it’s just a habit on the part of the priest. He has good manners and automatically says “Thank you” when someone does or says something kind for him. His mother or father probably trained him a little too well!
Yes, it shouldn’t be part of the Mass liturgy and he should strive to break this habit because it is incorrect to add personal words to the Mass. But habits are really hard to break for many of us. Some people have no problem just “giving up” something that isn’t good for them or others. But most people struggle to get rid of habits, and it’s especially hard when the habit seems to be a “nice” one, like saying “Thank you.”
For a long time, whenever the elevator door opened, I would say “Thank you” as I stepped in. No one was there, and the elevator isn’t a person, but somehow I had gotten into that habit!
(Yes, I’m old enough to vaguely remember elevator attendants, so maybe that’s where it started.)
I say “Thank you” a lot when it isn’t at all necessary. It’s just a habit. I guess it’s better to say TY too much than not enough.
I’ve heard a lot of people say, “I’m sorry” constantly, even though it isn’t necessary. Drives me nuts! But it’s a habit.
Again, if it is just a habit, the priest should break it, but that’s easier said than done.
Yes, it shouldn’t be part of the Mass liturgy and he should strive to break this habit because it is incorrect to add personal words to the Mass. But habits are really hard to break for many of us. Some people have no problem just “giving up” something that isn’t good for them or others. But most people struggle to get rid of habits, and it’s especially hard when the habit seems to be a “nice” one, like saying “Thank you.”
For a long time, whenever the elevator door opened, I would say “Thank you” as I stepped in. No one was there, and the elevator isn’t a person, but somehow I had gotten into that habit!
(Yes, I’m old enough to vaguely remember elevator attendants, so maybe that’s where it started.)I say “Thank you” a lot when it isn’t at all necessary. It’s just a habit. I guess it’s better to say TY too much than not enough.
I’ve heard a lot of people say, “I’m sorry” constantly, even though it isn’t necessary. Drives me nuts! But it’s a habit.
Again, if it is just a habit, the priest should break it, but that’s easier said than done.
E
EasterJoy
Guest
“Pretentiously humble”…now I have heard it all. I’m not saying that no one should care if the rubrics are followed, but drawing uncharitable conclusions about a priest’s inner life because he offers a reflexive “thank you” is over the top.
How would you all feel if you overheard your priest say that his parishioners were “viciously correct”? How about “unendurably pious”? So, how do you think he would feel if he knew you were on the internet accusing him of being “pretentiously humble”? Do you see what I’m getting at? Talk to your priest if he has a habit that bothers you or if you have questions about the liturgy, rather than make conjectures about him on the internet.
If this is your biggest complaint, a priest that says “thank you”, either reflexively or because he *mistakenly *thought you all were wishing that the Lord be with him personally, when in fact you were merely following the rubrics and deeply wish he would just do the same…COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!! The same thing goes for those of you who don’t like to hear priests who shout “Amen” during their homilies.
I keep hearing the priest acts in the person of Christ. So great…we might give him a little respect, if we put him in that positions, maybe? The benefit of the doubt? Apparently nobody on this forum has been in a parish that has had to go without a priest. You could be getting a lot worse…even down to having no one who will answer the call to serve you at all.
Maybe our greatest problem isn’t priests who say “thank you” too much. Maybe it is parishioners who forget that they should be saying it far more often. Have a little gratitude.
J
japhy
Guest
Is it reflexive or not? Is the priest saying “thank you” basically saying, “aww, you shouldn’t have…”? Why don’t we say “thank you” when HE says “The Lord be with you”?
I’ll agree we need to cultivate an environment of thanksgiving. Perhaps if more men saw that people love and appreciate their priests for the sacrifices they make, they would find the vocation of the priesthood more noble and would consider it more thoughtfully. (Not, of course, out of a desire to receive praise, but out of a desire to fulfill a need in God’s people, and to serve Him in such an extraordinary way.)
N
Newbie2
Guest
The Lord be with you.The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
And also with you.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Don’t mention it.
E
EasterJoy
Guest
Again, I’m not saying the priests shouldn’t stick to the rubrics. I’m saying that calling a priest “pretentiously humble” because he makes what could easily be a reflexive response is over the top. If he’s doing something that could be interpreted as an attempt at humilty, why interpret it as pretentious, and to the world, no less?
Priests, like anyone else, need to be able to work in an environment where they can make a mistake without being attacked for it and even where they can be imperfect over the long haul without “driving” the people they serve “nuts”.
Lighten up, people, and keep the big picture in mind. Or as the elderly gentleman put it, when asked the secret of his life-long marriage:* “Every morning, I look in the mirror, and I remind myself, ‘Well, you’re no prize, either.’”.*
Of course our pastor is not perfect yet. If he were, why would God put him through into the purifying crucible of serving us?
C
Cat
Guest
Thank you, thank you, for a post that breathes of reason and charity!Again, I’m not saying the priests shouldn’t stick to the rubrics. I’m saying that calling a priest “pretentiously humble” because he makes what could easily be a reflexive response is over the top. If he’s doing something that could be interpreted as an attempt at humilty, why interpret it as pretentious, and to the world, no less?
Priests, like anyone else, need to be able to work in an environment where they can make a mistake without being attacked for it and even where they can be imperfect over the long haul without “driving” the people they serve “nuts”.
Lighten up, people, and keep the big picture in mind. Or as the elderly gentleman put it, when asked the secret of his life-long marriage:* “Every morning, I look in the mirror, and I remind myself, ‘Well, you’re no prize, either.’”.*
Of course our pastor is not perfect yet. If he were, why would God put him through into the purifying crucible of serving us?
CAF ought to develop a list of members who are like you, and then when newbies get upset or confused, CAF could alert you to step in and reassure them that the priest isn’t the devil just because he slips in an extra-rubrical “Thank you,” and that the Catholic Church really isn’t going to hell on a handsled because the old ladies chat loudly before Mass starts.
E
EasterJoy
Guest
I don’t know about that! When it is something that bothers me, or when someone makes me wonder if they’re not a bit sanctimonious, I have needed a similar correction myself!
I have no business calling anyone onto the carpet as if I never do the same myself, and should not write as if I do. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify on that point!!
B
Blueberry
Guest
As the OP, I do agree, it IS pretentiously humble. That’s a perfect description. No we don’t presume to know the mind of any priest. I’m sure whoever it is has the best of intentions, Some of us just don’t think it is appropriate. No, I don’t think it is reflexive. I believe it is something the priest PLANS, because it didn’t start appearing until a certain point, and then I was hearing it a lot. I think it is a faddish thing.
If it’s wrong to talk about itliturgical improprieties, then why don’t we just delete this entire forum?
I agree I don’t have the right to judge the motives of any priest, But I don’t believe anyone has the right to judge mine.
Boy, it’s easy to make some people mad.
If it’s wrong to talk about itliturgical improprieties, then why don’t we just delete this entire forum?
I agree I don’t have the right to judge the motives of any priest, But I don’t believe anyone has the right to judge mine.
Boy, it’s easy to make some people mad.
E
EasterJoy
Guest
Have you talked to your priest about this, or just told the rest of us that you interpret the gesture as a pretentious show of humility? Would you word it that way to his face? If not, why word it that way to us? Do you see what I’m getting at?
Really, you are right: if no good is going to come out of these discussions, if it is only going to be a place to criticize and vent where anyone on the planet can read it, there is no point in having the discussions at all. In what way has this little discussion improved your situation? Are you feeling more inclined to suffer the irritation patiently? Have you gleaned any ideas about how to address the problem in a positive manner that has any likelihood of working and that won’t damage your relationship with the priest? What are your motives in posting, and have you achieved your goals?
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