San Antonio Liturgical Innovation

[HagiaSophia]

At San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas, there is a vigil of a sorrowful Mary and a horizontal statute of a slain Jesus. Congregation members anoint the statue and carry it around the neighborhood making the whole city a “sacred place.” Later, women dancers perform what is called “the flamingo dance.” The most dramatic dance is “the Our Father,” which is done around the altar.

“In Africa, to dance is to breathe, to be alive,” Kane said after showing a clip from Malawi, Africa. During services, a congregation member uses a large mortar and pestle like a drum for the opening prayer in dedication to Lady Africa. Several of their ceremonies are mixtures of culture and religion. Most of the dancing is performed towards the ground symbolizing that there is no separation of “sacred” and “secular.”

The hula in Oahu, Hawaii, is symbolic dance with gentle movement based on themes of faith, love and hope. During the liturgy, spiritual gifts are presented and a dance choir performs a hula.

In Siva, Fiji, a kava dance is performed. Originally, kava – a type of shrub whose juice is used to make a fermented drink – was presented in a coconut shell to a chief or archbishop. Over time the ritual has changed and the coconut shell was replaced by a chalice. After the chalice is given to the archbishop, the dancers conclude the ceremony with three handclaps.

In Western Samoa, a reconciliation ritual is carried out. During a ceremony a couple kneels before the church which is symbolic of all of God’s people. The couple asks for forgiveness on behalf of all of God’s people. After the request, a dance choir faces the congregation and sings to the Holy Spirit to “enlighten us.”

Kane admitted that after traveling the world he had a slight case of culture shock when he returned to the United States.

He suggested that since the United States is a first-world country it is hard for us to “receive” from other cultures. U.S. missionaries have been sent to foreign lands and now cultures from other lands are here in the United States – this is difficult for some people to accept, Kane said. We sent out missionaries to “control” the people who are now the ones we should learn from, he said.“We should reflect on different traditions and find ways to see how we are connected.”

thetigernews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/02/11/420c3395a8c0c

 

[tom.wineman]

Sounds like what the Jesuits like to call INCULTURATION .
Something the Vatican has been a little cool towards.
Could end up with a rite for every country or group.

 

[Agomemnon]

Sounds like what the Jesuits like to call INCULTURATION .
Something the Vatican has been a little cool towards.
Could end up with a rite for every country or group.

That’s what happens when pagans still use the trappings of christianity

 

[TNT]

This all comes from:

1. The false affirmation that ALL cultures / civilisations are of EQUAL value.
2. From #1 therefore the Church is to be absorbed INTO a culture instead of the historical Church practice that cultures are corrected, and elevated by the Church.

All cultures are no more equal than all lifestyles are equal. But the VATII church insists that all cultures be treated as equal.
Diversity by a liberal means Perversity.
Animal Farm in the flesh.
You cannot have a 1 world religion without dogma until all cultures are accounted for as legitimate. They do not have to change anything to join the new religion of man.
ps.
I lost my Faith in San Antonio. I came back to it in Dallas.

 

[rcn]

1. The false affirmation that ALL cultures / civilisations are of EQUAL value.

Please enlighten me. Which cultures / civilizations are of greater and lesser value.

(This oughta be good.)

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Agomemnon:

That’s what happens when pagans still use the trappings of christianity

Ah, yes pagans with Christian trappings – things like incense (originally came from the Zoroastrians), processions (the imperial court), genuflection (pagan gretting his/her king/queen/whatever). We sure need to keep that pagan stuff out of the Catholic Church!

Deacon Ed

 

[TNT]

rcn:

Please enlighten me. Which cultures / civilizations are of greater and lesser value.

(This oughta be good.)

Co-incidently or not, the one you choose each day to live and remain in. One that is enlightened by the Truths of the Christian faith.

Also by deacon Ed:

Ah, yes pagans with Christian trappings – things like incense (originally came from the Zoroastrians), processions (the imperial court), genuflection (pagan greeting his/her king/queen/whatever). We sure need to keep that pagan stuff out of the Catholic Church!

Nice try. Why not add candles? Statues, vertical architecture, altars, women’s veils, crucifixes, stoles?
In fact, why not include every practice of the RCC. No need to stop revision history at incense and genuflecting. Truth be told, the RC culture has contained nothing but stolen culture.
BTW:
Your church is doing that now:
Incense nearly non-existent
genuflecting for the Host…no longer the norm.
Yes, your church does believe in the “need to keep that pagan stuff out”.
Actually, I believe that the pigmy and New Zealand primitive is the best. … You know, cooking people, women half dressed. Although, .polygamy, saucers in the lips, 20 rounds of necklaces to push the neck an extra 4 inches, binding women’s feet, circumcising women…very equal.
Then, again, scalping your adversary has it’s attraction too, and let us not forget letting children die of starvation because they are in a lower caste, and honoring the cow with sacred care. Oh, yea, human sacrifice Aztec style…jerk the heart muscle out, drink the blood while the victims is alive, adore the sun.
You’re right. I guess all cultures are really equal. I take it all back. It was not thought out very well.

 

[Elizabeth_B]

Although I was born and raised here in San Antonio, I am not familiar with this particular custom. I don’t attend a lot of events at San Fernando, but I usually see these things in the local or archdiocesan paper.

I’ve had my eyebrows raised a couple of times by events there, but the vast majority of the events are beautiful and inspiring.

San Antonio is blessed with a rich and diverse heritage visible in its many parishes. From Las Posadas during Advent to the annual re-enactment of the Passion and Crucifixion through the streets of San Antonio, to the heart-raising Liederkranz concerts, we are able to experience many wonderful Catholic traditions from around the world.