Reverent Novus Ordo Masses?

[Tis_Bearself]

I really wish people would stop using “reverent” as a synonym for “does things like they do at EF Mass” or “does things in an old fashioned way”. I go to a lot of OF Masses and I rarely see anyone acting in an irreverent, disrespectful way. People generally genuflect at the proper times, give the proper responses, stay quiet when they are supposed to be listening to the priest, maintain proper manners and posture, come down for Communion in a quiet and well-behaved way, etc. Priests do not commit "liturgical abuses " willy nilly and they seem fully engaged in their duties especially at the Consecration. The Mass is a standard Mass and not a “clown Mass”, there is no chorus line dancing in the sanctuary.

 

[Indyann]

Perhaps your idea of “reverence” differs from what others perceive as reverence.Maybe some of us wish not to have to flip through a missal to find out which prayer to say. Maybe we want to just go to that otherworldy place in our hearts and minds without the encumbrance of translating another language into our own. I was brought up with the traditional Mass, but I do not dislike it at all. But, I find the OF more conducive to lifting my heart and mind to God. I do not disparage anyone who thinks differently. Neither should you.

 

[ja0824on]

I was born in 1955 For me, the Latin mass made God mysterious and approachable. In English, I can actively participate in mass and pray from my heart, not just recite lines of an ancient language that means nothing to me. Great post, I couldn’t have said it better.

 

[jackofalltopics]

In the EF you do not recite anything.

 

[exnihilo]

I’ve been to plenty of reverent NO Masses. I’d say irreverence is rare where I live. I’m not sure the more casual attitude, which I sometimes do encounter, is irreverence. I can see why people might say it is irreverent. But is it?

 

[joeybaggz]

In fairness to those liking and respecting the Latin Mass. I will agree that those attending the Latin Mass are probably as reverent or more so than some attending the NO. But those attending the Latin Mass today are making a choice based on knowledge of what they like and is meaningful and reverent to them. For them it is THEIR best choice. No disrespect is, or was, meant to those who love the Latin Mass.
My point in my post is that I suffered through the Latin Mass when it was “forced” on us, when there was no alternative. I will strenuously oppose those “tradcats” that want the Latin Mass reimposed on the laity and the NO done away with. I love the NO (fortunately I attend Mass at a monastery church run by Benedictines) and it is done with incredible reverence in an incredible Basilica setting.

 

[joeybaggz]

I was born in 1955 For me, the Latin mass made God mysterious and approachable. In English, I can actively participate in mass and pray from my heart, not just recite lines of an ancient language that means nothing to me. Great post, I couldn’t have said it better.

Approachable or unapproachable? I always found God as distant and disconnected from my ordinary experience when I was a boy.

 

[Sunbreak]

My small parish has reverent Novus Ordo Masses. We have no altar girls, no need for extraordinary ministers since the parish is so small and people are not carrying on conversations in the church.

 

[ja0824on]

I meant approachable. We were taught to fear God.

 

[Duesenberg]

It really is the luck of the draw. Mass down the street from me is like a time machine to about 1975. They’re still using felt banners; polyester is king in the sanctuary; sacred vessels are of clay; the music is advertised as a “Folk Choir”. Another place might be completely different, though technically using the same Missal.

We’re human beings though. It’s easy to claim “externals don’t matter,” but we’re human beings and externals do indeed matter.

One thing that really bothers me is that some of those felt banners (even if they appear to have been made by dyslexic orangutans), poly vestments/altar adornments and clay cups are EXPENSIVE! I must say I absolutely detest brass altar furnishings with a machined/grained finish that cost more than highly polished versions! Ugh!

You’re right, externals DO MATTER!

 

[Debbie_Kono]

I started out in a very conservative NO parish (communion rails and Communion on the tongue while kneeling) that also offered the TLM on Saturday evenings. I would go Saturday’s as often as I could. I still do a weekly holy hour there and when possible I attend Thursday night Mass with Exposition and Benediction…but I’ve since switched to a ICKSP parish for Sunday Solemn High Masses. They are truly beautiful. Today, however, I wasn’t able to make it to the ICKSP Mass and went to the “last chance” 8:30 pm Mass at the NO parish. I was a bit disappointed though that they had altar servers (older, not kids) distributing Communion tonight instead of bringing out more priests at the Our Father prayer as they usually do. This past summer the lead priest was sent back to his homeland in Slovakia…I hope tonight wasn’t an indication of things changing. I’ve heard rumors that we’ve lost some parishioners lately. I hope things don’t change there…it’s the only NO parish around this area with the reverence people are wanting.

 

[Debbie_Kono]

Externals do matter. That is why God gave us the Sacraments and sacramentals…physical signs we can “bump into” as I heard one priest explain it.

 

[Reuben_J]

I would disagree. It is technically allowed, but is only supposed to be in extraordinary circumstances, hence “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.” The fact that is has become the norm is an abuse. It is ideal to receive from a priest or deacon.

Can you cite examples please. EMHC is not an abused. Have you ever been to a mass in a big cathedral where perhaps there are about 800 to 1500 people attending, and where you even have an upstair balcony with five long rows of pews? Most of the times there is only one celebrant. You would require many EHMCs to distribute Communion at different stations to save time for the next mass which would commence in the next hour.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

some of those felt banners (even if they appear to have been made by dyslexic orangutans)

Those things always drove me insane too. With all the art students and home crafters who hang around churches, I never understood why the banners had to look so bad. The average fifth-grade art student back then could have designed better banners.

 

[Reuben_J]

I would disagree. It is technically allowed, but is only supposed to be in extraordinary circumstances, hence “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.”

Extraordinary as versus ordinary, who are the clergy; and the extraordinary circumstances are perpetuating reality - too big congregation for a single ordinary minister to handle that the service of the extraordinary ministers is needed on a permanent basis.

Until such a time when we have twelve priests (to do the duty of the twelve or more EHMCs that is required in a big parish) to con-celebrate so that we have the number to distribute Communion or twelve new churches in every small neighborhood as alternative, the service of the EHMCs will not go away.

We are living in an extraordinary time.

 

[Gingersnaps4]

The masses at my OF parish are all very reverent, and the priests and deacons take all masses very seriously. I have never seen a lector or extraordinary minister dressed inappropriately, and I’ve never seen a “clown mass” or any liturgical abuses, or parishioners acting irreverent.

 

[njmah16]

Down deep I do wonder if you’re deliberatly attempting to offend others?

Wow. assume intentions. Nice. Based on what I have seen and experienced, I have genuine concern for proper respect for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Sue me.

 

[Duesenberg]

Wow. assume intentions. Nice. Based on what I have seen and experienced, I have genuine concern for proper respect for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Sue me.

No “assumptions.” See for yourself:

Im wondering your thoughts on the Novus Ordo vs. Traditional Latin Mass. I’ve been to a few Latin Masses, and they are unquestionably tend to be more reverent. My main question is does anybody have a Novus Ordo parish that is overall very reverent? I ask because many of the NO parishes in my area have troubled me in irreverent celebration of Holy Mass. The normal use of many “Eucharistic Ministers” also troubles me. By the way, I do not regularly attend the TLM. (Edited because I realized the condescending tone of the original post)

 

[njmah16]

All I see from that is that I don’t know how to form a sentence.

 

[runningdude]

se many of the NO parishes in my area have troubled me in irreverent celebration of Holy Mass. The normal use of many “Eucharisti

Prior to the new order of mass introduced in 1970, the old order was treated just as irreverently in some parishes. In my home parish, the mass has always been celebrated reverently. It has nothing to do with which form is used.