X
Xandria
Guest
I became Catholic three weeks ago and went to my first Tridentine Mass yesterday. It was wonderful! I’m now going to the Novus Ordo Mass on Saturdays and to the Tridentine Mass on Sunday evenings. I have the privilege of being able to go to a TLM every week now. It is the only one available in my entire federal state and is being celebrated in a relatively small chapel.
Anyway, yesterday I was especially awed by the rich heritage of our Catholic faith and besides the liturgy itself it became especially evident to me in the crucifix that is hanging in the chapel. It is a medieval work and actually too large for the small chapel. It was made in 1475, a few decades before the Protestant Reformation and has been in my city ever since. The church it originally hung in is destroyed by now. But the crucifix has witnessed so much history! It was made when everyone was still Catholic. Then the reformation came and suddenly it was in the deepest diaspora along with just a handful of Catholics. Over the next centuries Catholicism was outlawed, until it was allowed again under more tolerant Prussian rulers, but still discriminated against. Pope Pius XII, when he was still apostolic embassador in Germany, celebrated Mass in my parish that the chapel belongs to and led a procession through the city (the chapel and parish church are connected by a large street). In the 1930’s Hitler officially received his power in front of the Protestant dome just down the street and started his persecutions, also against Catholic priests and believers, who stood against him or showed mercy and compassion to those whom he persecuted. Then came the communists and started their persecution of religion in general which lasted for almost 50 years. Although they were rather successful, today 80% of the population in my city alone are still without any faith, the Catholic Church is still there and my parish is growing. Those who persecuted the Church are long gone, but the Church and this crucifix are still there.
And I’m so happy to finally belong to the Church! Just wanted to share!
Anyway, yesterday I was especially awed by the rich heritage of our Catholic faith and besides the liturgy itself it became especially evident to me in the crucifix that is hanging in the chapel. It is a medieval work and actually too large for the small chapel. It was made in 1475, a few decades before the Protestant Reformation and has been in my city ever since. The church it originally hung in is destroyed by now. But the crucifix has witnessed so much history! It was made when everyone was still Catholic. Then the reformation came and suddenly it was in the deepest diaspora along with just a handful of Catholics. Over the next centuries Catholicism was outlawed, until it was allowed again under more tolerant Prussian rulers, but still discriminated against. Pope Pius XII, when he was still apostolic embassador in Germany, celebrated Mass in my parish that the chapel belongs to and led a procession through the city (the chapel and parish church are connected by a large street). In the 1930’s Hitler officially received his power in front of the Protestant dome just down the street and started his persecutions, also against Catholic priests and believers, who stood against him or showed mercy and compassion to those whom he persecuted. Then came the communists and started their persecution of religion in general which lasted for almost 50 years. Although they were rather successful, today 80% of the population in my city alone are still without any faith, the Catholic Church is still there and my parish is growing. Those who persecuted the Church are long gone, but the Church and this crucifix are still there.
And I’m so happy to finally belong to the Church! Just wanted to share!