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wany
Guest
The poll was conducted by Georgetown University. I was born in 1964 and do not remember the Latin Mass but I like it very much. When Pope Benedict lifted the restrictions on celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass, the pastor of my parish did not, and to this day, has not even made any mention of it. Fortunately there is a parish 20 miles away from mine that has it. The priests, altar servers, and congregation there are very reverent for both the Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo. The pastor there offered an eight week course explaining the Latin Mass step by step before he began to implement it. It is beautiful and I don’t have any ambivalence towards it at all.
J
John_Grudzien
Guest
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that only part of the story. If I remember what Raymond reported the right way, wasn’t that 6 in 10 of ALL U.S. Catholics were ambivalent about the Extraordinary Form? The missing part, I believe, is that 50% of those Catholics who attended at least Sunday Mass weekly would be interested in attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form!
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otjm
Guest
The overall response to the question elicited a 29% yes they would attend.
When the information was filtered to those attending Mass weekely or more, 45% said they would attend.
What is not clear is whether or not “yes” meant they would attend regularly, or “yes” they would go at some point.
It is unclear given the locations where the EF is celebrated regularly that they are receiving the attendance that the poll would suggest. Evidence is only anecdotal; however, it seems that some Masses have a full or nearly full church, and others a moderate attendance. Further, other anecdotal evidence suggests differently than the poll; the highest favorable response came from pre-Vatican 2 born Catholics (30%), while the anecdotal evidence points to a 30’s age crowd with children.
What is also clear is that opinions have shifted downwards towards a much larger “no opinion” direction.
In other words, it would seem that when asked their opinion, people seem to be more favorable about attending the EF than when it is actually available. In short, it is easy to give an opinion when nothing is called for but the answer; when the reality faces one, decisions may be different than the previously expressed opinion would indicte.
M
ML64
Guest
I grew up with the Latin Mass and I just Love to beable to atend a Latin Mass.
If we Catholics think about it ,it is the Mass that was given to us.
The sad part is along with the Latin Mass some of the most beautiful prays and practises where set aside. If you don’t believe this get 1962 Missal they are all there .
With everything that is going wrong in the world maybe we all should go back to the Latin Mass and prayers.
It’s funny I’m sure some of the ones who don’t want the Latin Mass back will run around the country looking for Antiques.
This is our past and should be honoured and respected and there is nothing wrong with saying Latin Masses also.
With the Latin Mass you get more time, quite with the Lord and isn’t the Lord who we come to honour in church.
If we Catholics think about it ,it is the Mass that was given to us.
The sad part is along with the Latin Mass some of the most beautiful prays and practises where set aside. If you don’t believe this get 1962 Missal they are all there .
With everything that is going wrong in the world maybe we all should go back to the Latin Mass and prayers.
It’s funny I’m sure some of the ones who don’t want the Latin Mass back will run around the country looking for Antiques.
This is our past and should be honoured and respected and there is nothing wrong with saying Latin Masses also.
With the Latin Mass you get more time, quite with the Lord and isn’t the Lord who we come to honour in church.
J
John_Grudzien
Guest
You SHOULD have quiet time and repectful attitudes in Church!..
Around here in Michigan , they seem to give greater respect to The Word than The Eucharist they way they parade around with the missal raised above their head! I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to worship the Book…I come to ADORE The LORD!
Around here in Michigan , they seem to give greater respect to The Word than The Eucharist they way they parade around with the missal raised above their head! I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to worship the Book…I come to ADORE The LORD!
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otjm
Guest
You are not worshiping a Book andy more than you are worshiping a Chalice.You SHOULD have quiet time and repectful attitudes in Church!..
Around here in Michigan , they seem to give greater respect to The Word than The Eucharist they way they parade around with the missal raised above their head! I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to worship the Book…I come to ADORE The LORD!
The Chalice contains the Lord.
The Book contains God’s revelation of Himself to us. In giving honor and reverence to Sacred Scripture, we give honor to God. When the Book is held up, it is not for worshiping the book itself; it is done to call attention to the fact that this is our Sacred Scripture, which is a critical, vital, necessary and intrinsic part of our faith.
It makes as much sense to raise it up and process (as processions were an intrinsic part of the Mass before Vatican 2) as it does to incense the Book (which also was done prior to Vatican 2). Oh, and we incensed the altar and the crucifix then too; but we didn’t worship them by doing so.
People complain about the OF, and then when we do something that shows the honor, love and respect we have for Our Lord, they complain about that too.
Truly amazing, wouldn’t you agree?
M
mdgspencer
Guest
I don’t see a problem. Catholics are perfectly free to attend either kind of mass. If someone is ambivalent about the Latin mass, he can just go to one in his own language. The operational fact is there is a choice, and the popes have been insisting on allowing this.
M
ML561
Guest
My parish offers a Latin Mass once a month, and there is another parish in the community which offers the Latin Mass every day. I went to my first Latin Mass this summer and it was awesome. I was born in 1961 and was received into the Catholic Church in 1982. Only recently has the Latin Mass become available in my community and I think it is wonderful.
There is a parish in the community, however, which has offered only the Latin Mass for years but I have been advised not to attend Mass there because it seems that the priest and the congregation do not believe in the authority of any Pope since Vatican II–I believe the correct term for them is “sedevacantists” that is they believe that the seat of the Pope has been vacant since Vatican II and that no Popes since that time have any legititimate authority. It is also rumored that they are a very clannish and almost cult like group, suspicious of any newcomers. Apparently they do not recognize the authority of our archbishop either. Anybody have some insight into this? I’m just curious. Are they considered real Catholics, or schismatics? Are there a lot of them around? Peace to all of you.
There is a parish in the community, however, which has offered only the Latin Mass for years but I have been advised not to attend Mass there because it seems that the priest and the congregation do not believe in the authority of any Pope since Vatican II–I believe the correct term for them is “sedevacantists” that is they believe that the seat of the Pope has been vacant since Vatican II and that no Popes since that time have any legititimate authority. It is also rumored that they are a very clannish and almost cult like group, suspicious of any newcomers. Apparently they do not recognize the authority of our archbishop either. Anybody have some insight into this? I’m just curious. Are they considered real Catholics, or schismatics? Are there a lot of them around? Peace to all of you.
O
otjm
Guest
Just as a guess, a group called SSPX (Society of St. Pius 10th), or SSPV (Society of St Pius 5th). The first group was started by Archbishop Lefbvre after Vatican 2; he consecrated 4 bishops in direct violation of an order from the Pope. They are in the process of working with Rome to be reunited.
The second group is much smaller, and more removed from Rome. All things being equal, the advice to avoid thme is well given. Some of the issues between the SSPX and Rome have to do with their objections to some (or all) of the documents of Vatican 2; other disagreements have to do with the Ordinary Form of the Mass. Part of it comes also from issues in France going back to the French Revolution; the SSPX are strongest in France and Brazil.
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rlg94086
Guest
Well, yes and no. The offering of an EF Mass is still not widespread in many areas. Yes, if enough people demand it, the priest/bishop should offer one. However, that is not a true measure of whether people would attend if it was offered.
R
rep140
Guest
I’m old enough to have been an altar boy at the Tridentine Mass. I prefer the newer Mass, but I don’t think that Joe and Mary Catholic have an opinion. Our pastor has had one request for it from a parishioner. He has been a priest for about 15 years and stated that he wouldn’t know how to do one.
D
Dee_Dee_King
Guest
did they poll church going orthodox catholics or cultural catholics? obviously, someone who doesn’t go to mass regularly or confession will have no opinion.
O
otjm
Guest
There is no known list of orthodox Catholics, nor is there a list of cultural Catholics.
CARA has been doing polling on Catholic issues since 1964. Their mission:
to increase the Church’s self understanding
to serve the applied research needs of Church decision-makers
to advance scholarly research on religion, particularly Catholicism
I have never seen anyone challenge their research as driven by any intent to skew statistics in favor of one position or another.
As to your last comment; that is not an absolute. There are a multitude of reasons people leave the Church (and those who consider themselves Traditionalists would have it that people left in droves over the introduction of the OF; however, statistics don’t show this). Assuming for the moment that the Traditionalists were correct, just the opposite would seem to be the greater possiblity.
As to those who have no opinion, the poll is broken down by frequency of attendance:
Weekly or more often: Favor, 33%; No opinion 47%
Less than weekly, but at least monthly: Favor, 29%; No opinion 58%
Afew times a year or less often: Favor, 21%; nNo opinion, 71%.
So it is true that the less people attend, the more likely they are to have no opinion. However, with those attending weekly or more often, the combination of No Opinion and Opposed is 67%. But even for those who rarely go, 21% say they would attend an EF.
D
dsulpizio
Guest
There is a lot of hype from certain blogs about young families discovering the Latin Mass and flocking to it…it is just hype supporting the hype that young catholics are drawn to orthodoxy and tradition.
I don’t see the explosion of interest in the Latin mass that some latin mass church-goers swear exists. I prefer and attend the Latin mass here in Houston and the church is half empty and has been for the 4 years that I’ve been here…wish it were not so, but it is.
I don’t see the explosion of interest in the Latin mass that some latin mass church-goers swear exists. I prefer and attend the Latin mass here in Houston and the church is half empty and has been for the 4 years that I’ve been here…wish it were not so, but it is.
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otjm
Guest
Um, I probably would not use the word “hype”. Part of the problem is that enthusiasm (which is perfectly fine) is greater than perspective. Also, there are parishes where the EF has large attendance.
People who want the EF are excited about it, enthusiastic, and want to share what they have found; and that is to be expected. time will tell how it all works out, and we are not talking about a year or two; it may take a decade or two.
S
Sonny1954
Guest
The first year I was an altar boy the mass was still said in Latin. I never thought much about it one way or another until I began serving mass in English! I went from mindlessly mumbling memorized sounds to actually responding to the priest. I felt the same way about it when I was not serving, but praying in the pews.
I know all about the cultural, linguistic and religious significance of Latin. It cannot be denied. But at this point in my life, I’d just as soon hear a mass in Chinese Mandarin or German or Italian (which I at least understand a little) as hear one in Latin. It’s just another language I don’t know.
Viva la venacular!
I know all about the cultural, linguistic and religious significance of Latin. It cannot be denied. But at this point in my life, I’d just as soon hear a mass in Chinese Mandarin or German or Italian (which I at least understand a little) as hear one in Latin. It’s just another language I don’t know.
Viva la venacular!
R
rlg94086
Guest
So, you were never taught the meanings of the prayers and/or took the time to learn them? How sad.
T
thunderballs75
Guest
It is incredible to think that for about 1500 years the Mass was basically entirely Latin, and now all of a sudden us Latin Mass people are the crazy freaks. 
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Sonny1954
Guest
I guess it was sad in a way. We were 10 years-old. Our priest was interested in perfect pronunciation and sharp timing. No one every suggested that we actually learn what we were saying. That’s the truth. Yes, it was sad.
But once the mass was allowed in English, I used to think, what were we doing all that time speaking “gibberish.” Of course I never dared SAY that, and it wasn’t “gibberish” at all. It was the “parent” of many languages and historically important. It just wasn’t our language.
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