Priest Actively Discouraging Me From Attending EF Mass

[JulianN]

First of all, the decline in Mass attendance began prior to what you are calling “failed experiments.” We have no idea what the downward spiral would look like without the changes in the liturgy – but it was already happening.

I’ve experienced far more scorn from those who dismiss the service of older priests, and who constantly blame them for ruining the Church. Often, those people who long for tradition have a fascinating way of wanting that to stop as soon as we get back to the Middle Ages. I never hear a hue and cry for the house churches of the early Church, nor for services conducted in Greek or Aramaic.

 

[jeeter]

Mark121359:

you know who!

You mean Pope Francis, the duly elected successor of St. Peter?

DING! DING! DING!

We have a winner, folks!

 

[JulianN]

Mass attendance was at a high of 75% in 1955, but had slipped to 67% by 1962, when Vatican II began.

And the document you linked rather makes my point. So thanks.

 

[Augustinian]

Mass attendance was at a high of 75% in 1955, but had slipped to 67% by 1962, when Vatican II began.

And the document you linked rather makes my point. So thanks.

Religious attendance and observance has declined across the board in America, not just Catholics.

Attendance at Presbyterian and Methodist churches have also declined, and they weren’t affected at all by V2.

 

[phil19034]

Problem IMO there were too many Low Masses. That’s probably one of the reasons for more participation, organ, Gregorian chant etc. at Vatican 2.

You might be right. And its honestly a lot of work in order to have a high mass. I’m sure there were plenty of Parishes that couldn’t do it each week.

 

[Cirdan_XII]

If your priest was in the seminary in 1970 then he was being taught why the Mass was changing, and those reasons would have been focused on the pros of the new mass the cons of the old.

This, and also some people, priests included, at least in my own limited experience, have a pavolvian hate of anything that is tradition and cannot even contemplate why others may want it. I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s when the old stuff was mostly already gone but there were still many people around who remembered it. My parents and many others in the parish were quite traditionalist, but many others were against that, including our priest. I remember there being some very ugly discussions. I am pleased that tempers have calmed since then and that we can now discuss these things more openly and honestly.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Yes, both OF and EF are valid.

Your priest may have a hangup about EF Mass. He may also be concerned that you will bail on his parish and maybe take your financial support elsewhere. Many priests are not really thrilled about their parishioners wanting to go to another Catholic church for Mass. They may even take it personally as a rejection.

My advice would be, go to whatever Catholic church you want, but leave your parish priest out of it. If you need your EF stuff blessed, ask the priest at the EF Mass or EF parish. He’ll be happy to help.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

This, and also some people, priests included, at least in my own limited experience, have a pavolvian hate of anything that is tradition and cannot even contemplate why others may want it.

There are also priests who have a pavlovian hate of anything that is “modern” or anything that is “charismatic” or anything that they personally don’t like. Like I said, if whatever you want to go do is okay with the Pope, then don’t worry about your priest’s personal hangups. Do whatever is approved by the Magisterium and helps you get closer to God.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Perhaps the only “EF” mass in town is offered by a congregation not in communion with Rome.

I would expect in that case the answer would have been, “That congregation is not in communion with Rome, and I must advise you that if you attend there, you’re putting yourself into an occasion of sin.” Not just a priest expressing a general caution about “anachronistic” Mass.

P.S. Happy birthday, LittleLady!

 

[TK421]

Hello all! I’m currently attending an Ordinary Form parish, but I’ve been wanting more and more to go to an EF Mass, there is a church in my city that offers it, and I’ve been considering on going. I’ve been studying Latin, and I really love the beauty of the Extraordinary Form.

I’ve purchased a 1962 missal, but when I brought it to my priest to bless it he looked disgusted. He said “Why do you even have this?” I explained to him my desire to also attend an EF Mass in our city, and he explained to me that I need to be careful about that “old stuff”, and that the EF Mass is anachronistic and that is why the Church changed the Mass.

I was quite shocked my priest would ever discourage me from attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Both the OF and EF are valid rites within the Church yes?

That’s his opinion and not more than that.

If the parish is in full communion with Rome it’s perfectly fine to assist at Mass there.

 

[JulianN]

I’m not conflating the two at all; simply mentioning that those who long for certain traditional practices have a specific time period in mind. The OF is, in many ways, closer to the original form of the liturgy, so it’s also rooted in tradition. But that gets lost in the discussion.

There is absolutely no problem with the OP, or anyone, attending an EF Mass. The problem arises when people imply, or flatly state, that the EF is somehow more reverent, holier, or in any way ‘better’ than the OF.

 

[Dovekin]

some people, priests included, at least in my own limited experience, have a pavolvian hate of anything that is tradition and cannot even contemplate why others may want it.

Do you think this is why some people do not like the tradition they have received, and want to go to some older “tradition” that is different from how they were raised?

 

[goout]

Often, those people who long for tradition have a fascinating way of wanting that to stop as soon as we get back to the Middle Ages. I never hear a hue and cry for the house churches of the early Church, nor for services conducted in Greek or Aramaic.

Restoring Christianity to just after the crucifixion would be fine for most of us. It’s hard to conform personal tastes to sacrifice.

 

[goout]

Hello all! I’m currently attending an Ordinary Form parish, but I’ve been wanting more and more to go to an EF Mass, there is a church in my city that offers it, and I’ve been considering on going. I’ve been studying Latin, and I really love the beauty of the Extraordinary Form.

I’ve purchased a 1962 missal, but when I brought it to my priest to bless it he looked disgusted. He said “Why do you even have this?” I explained to him my desire to also attend an EF Mass in our city, and he explained to me that I need to be careful about that “old stuff”, and that the EF Mass is anachronistic and that is why the Church changed the Mass.

I was quite shocked my priest would ever discourage me from attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Both the OF and EF are valid rites within the Church yes?

Maybe the priest has had bad experiences with traditionalism or traditionalists. Maybe he suspects this is not good for your soul. I dunno, truly, I don’t know you. But everyone has a bias, including priests. Might be good to think the best of him.

So, are you going to Mass then?

 

[Scott84]

Me and my girlfriend are both planning on going to our first EF Mass this Tuesday.

 

[JulianN]

The Church indeed recognizes them. The Church does not, however, endorse any implication that the OF is superior to the EF. Or vice versa. That is where a problem arises.

 

[poche]

Is this priest part of a community that is in full communion with the rest of the Catholic Church?

 

[Scott84]

Yes, he is.

 

[Cirdan_XII]

Do you think this is why some people do not like the tradition they have received, and want to go to some older “tradition” that is different from how they were raised?

Absolutely.

But it may take some self-reflection to acknowedge that.

 

[JulianN]

My point is that the intolerance generally goes the other way, in my experience. It is legitimate to hold the view that the Extraordinary Form is a valid form of the Mass. It is legitimate to hold a personal preference for that Mass. It is not legitimate to hold the view that the Extraordinary Form is better, more holy, etc. than the Ordinary Form. That view defeats the very meaning of Catholic and Communion. The Mass is, in whatever form, the means by which we experience the Eucharist, the source and summit of life. To imply that one form is somehow “less,” is disrespectful, to say the least.