The Mass on EWTN - what do you think?

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Charioteer said:
That’s very interesting to know. Those (like EWTN’s) knee-jerk adoptions of that altar candle/crucifix configuration based on comments in The Spirit of the Liturgy seem to have the same basis as the destruction of high altars a couple of generations earlier – acting without really knowing (or possibly caring) about the subtle details and the potential liturgical impact(s). Thankfully its use is easily reversed where appropriate at little or now cost – unlike their ancestral shenanigans…
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There is no need to be rude or denigrating in your comments. This is also a gross misinterpretation of the Holy Father’s book, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
 
Here is the explanation that the Holy Father’s Master of Ceremonies gave last year regarding the manner in which the faithful are to receive Holy Communion from the Pope as well as the reason behind the location of the crucifix at the Papal Masses.

Let’s look at the issue of the reception of Holy Communion:
As for communion placed by the pope on the tongues of the faithful, kneeling – during his recent visit to Santa Maria di Leuca and Brindisi – Marini affirms that this will become “a regular practice at papal celebrations.” And he continues:
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«In this regard, it must not be forgotten that the distribution of communion in the hand remains, from the juridical point of view, a dispensation from the universal law, conceded by the Holy See to the bishops’ conferences that have asked for it. The practice adopted by Benedict XVI tends to emphasize the continued validity of the norm for the whole Church. In addition, one might also note a preference for the use of this manner of distribution which, without taking anything away from the other, better highlights the truth of the real presence in the Eucharist, aids the devotion of the faithful, and makes it easier to enter into the sense of mystery. In our time, pastorally speaking, it is urgent to recover and emphasize these aspects.»
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Now, here is what Msgr. Marini says about the position of the crucifix:
On the placement of the cross at the center of the altar, Marini says:
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«This indicates the centrality of the Crucified One in the Eucharistic celebration, and the exact orientation that the entire assembly is called to have during the Eucharistic liturgy: we do not look at ourselves, but we look at Him who was born, died, and rose for us, the Savior. Salvation comes from Lord, He is the East, the rising Sun to whom we must all turn our eyes, from whom we must receive the gift of grace. The question of liturgical orientation in the Eucharistic celebration, and the manner – including practical – in which this takes form, is of great importance, because with it is communicated a fundamental reality that is at the same time theological and anthropological, ecclesiological and inherent to personal spirituality.»
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This explanation is certainly consistent with the writings and homilies of the Holy Father.
 
EWTN’s daily mass and all of its other shows is one of the main reasons why I converted from being a Lutheran 3 years ago
 
Yes, it seems well-thought-out to me, contrary to what has been suggested here.😉
 
No, I don’t believe EWTN’s application of the Benedictine-style altar cross/candles arrangement is necessarily a good one. In his The Spirit of the Liturgy Pope Benedict writes about the benefit for the faithful that derives from making the crucifix and not the priest the focus of the Mass.

So EWTN introduces the configuration and one of the first things they do is adjust the camera angels so we can better see the celebrant! That suggests to me that they implemented to configuration for the wrong reason(s.) It’s also aesthetically too busy/crowded in their specific application and I believe an altar and its furnishings should be beautiful.

EWTN aside, I personally believe that all ordained priests are icons of Jesus Christ – far more powerful reminders of God the Son than any gold-plated brass or silver crucifix. I also like clearly seeing both species and the sacred vessels. That’s why I personally do not favor said arrangement for most applications.

For some of the special Papal Masses with the giant altar it looks fine. For most others it does not.
 
I like EWTN’s daily mass-it is very reverent and holy. Not that I have a problem with the length of a Mass-but the priest’s homily can be quite long-resulting in an hour-long daily mass. I like CatholicTV’s mass because its only nearly half-an-hour long. Another thing that I notice: Whenever Fr. Reed celebrates mass on CatholicTV there is like, no one in the congregation. But when I see The Daily Mass on EWTN, the entire church is filled. :highprayer:
 
I love the EWTN daily Mass when Fr. Wade Menezes presides. His manner, his voice, and his superb homilies make it a treat. (I love long homilies when they’re good.) I usually watch the Mass twice when he presides because I get so much out of it. He has an almost flawless speaking voice & perfect cadence. I also really respect priests who spend as much time as he does preparing his homily, doing his research. I also wish he would come to our parish to give a mission, retreat, or something.
 
Commander901 said:
Why is there no sign of peace at the EWTN Mass?
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It’s the celebrant’s choice and I think EWTN feels that eliminating the sign of peace meshes well with the image they are trying to project.

I find that quite sad.

When visiting bishop celebrate the Mass on EWTN they often call for the sign of peace and the people act very nice. Respectful handshakes, etc. This is superb witness to millions including many Catholic pastors. By eliminating the sign of peace you not only negatively impact the Mass in my opinion you also take away a teaching opportunity.
 
OhMalley said:
It’s the celebrant’s choice and I think EWTN feels that eliminating the sign of peace meshes well with the image they are trying to project.

I find that quite sad.

When visiting bishop celebrate the Mass on EWTN they often call for the sign of peace and the people act very nice. Respectful handshakes, etc. This is superb witness to millions including many Catholic pastors. By eliminating the sign of peace you not only negatively impact the Mass in my opinion you also take away a teaching opportunity.
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What possible image could they possibly be trying to project by eliminating the sign of
peace? It certainly does not speak well of them.
 
OhMalley said:
It’s the celebrant’s choice and I think EWTN feels that eliminating the sign of peace meshes well with the image they are trying to project.

I find that quite sad.

When visiting bishop celebrate the Mass on EWTN they often call for the sign of peace and the people act very nice. Respectful handshakes, etc. This is superb witness to millions including many Catholic pastors. By eliminating the sign of peace you not only negatively impact the Mass in my opinion you also take away a teaching opportunity.
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I think that rather than make disrespectful comments and judgments, it might be better to just call or write to EWTN and ask them the question directly. Whenever I have had to call them on something, they’ve been rather nice and are willing to explain things.
 
Commander901 said:
What possible image could they possibly be trying to project by eliminating the sign of
peace? It certainly does not speak well of them.
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No, it does not speak well of them – at least in my eyes or probably in the eyes of most Catholics – but most Catholics do not watch EWTN.

But the sign is peace is widely denigrated by those within their target market who somehow equate removing the sign of peace with being more “conservative.”

I believe that’s why they have removed it.

NB. I asked them once in an e-mail why they don’t offer communion under both species. Their response was ridiculous.
 
I like it as well. I think some things may be left out because of time restraints.

I wonder if there is any where in the country that has such an OF Mass. With most all the ladies wearing a veil…with beautiful traditional hymns and Latin. Our parish has chant and some Latin only at the Vigil Mass. I often wonder if it is the only church in the country that has such a Mass.
 
OhMalley said:
When visiting bishop celebrate the Mass on EWTN they often call for the sign of peace and the people act very nice. Respectful handshakes, etc. This is superb witness to millions including many Catholic pastors. By eliminating the sign of peace you not only negatively impact the Mass in my opinion you also take away a teaching opportunity.
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So we now know who OhMalley really is…RickWood, Chuy, Charioteer…etc. Why don’t you try masking the arguments you make time and time again under different names?

Soon, another board moderator will ban you and you’ll be back under another name.
 
Monica4316 said:
🙂 I sometimes watch the daily Mass on EWTN. I think that it’s a good example of what the ‘novus ordo’ Mass was meant to be… it follows the rubrics very well, imo, there’s no liturgical abuse, and it’s reverent and overall a very good Mass! what do you think? Does anyone else here watch it? I think if all parishes followed this model, no one would really complain about the ‘novus ordo’ like we see happening 😉

God bless
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I like the EWTN Masses ok. I wish they wouldn’t show them so many times a day though- I’d rather see more of their other programming. I have a hard time getting into TV Masses for some reason too- especially since I have reverent Masses in my town that I can go to, and would much rather do that then watch it on TV. I’m very glad that EWTN does broadcast Mass though- their Masses are reverent and don’t have abuses- they provide an example to clergy for what they should be doing, and an example for the laity for what they should be experiencing in their parishes (and it encourages them to ask for those things from their priests, and it can be comforting when they cannot experience those things “in person”).
 
OhMalley said:
No, it does not speak well of them – at least in my eyes or probably in the eyes of most Catholics – but most Catholics do not watch EWTN.

But the sign is peace is widely denigrated by those within their target market who somehow equate removing the sign of peace with being more “conservative.”

I believe that’s why they have removed it.

NB. I asked them once in an e-mail why they don’t offer communion under both species. Their response was ridiculous.
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Oh. It all makes sense now. 😉
 
OhMalley said:
It’s the celebrant’s choice and I think EWTN feels that eliminating the sign of peace meshes well with the image they are trying to project.

I find that quite sad.

When visiting bishop celebrate the Mass on EWTN they often call for the sign of peace and the people act very nice. Respectful handshakes, etc. This is superb witness to millions including many Catholic pastors. By eliminating the sign of peace you not only negatively impact the Mass in my opinion you also take away a teaching opportunity.
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I am glad they don’t do it.
 
  1. The congregational sign of Peace is OPTIONAL. The Ignatius hymnals used at the Irondale chapel have the Ordo with RUBRICS stating clearly the congregation kiss of peace is an option. I, for one, am glad they omit it.
  2. Several folks have said they missed incense. The daily Mass is already 40 minutes +/-. Working and trying to get there and back to work already calls for some planning. I love incense, but for daily Mass, it would lengthen it too much for me to attend.
  3. The chapel is quite small - so it often is full.
  4. The best part is that there is adoration before and after Mass - with confession available in the adjoining room and the Angelus said at noon and the Prayer to St. Michael after Mass
 
I love the sound of Latin. Very beautiful. My very favorite part is skipping of the sign of peace and holding hands during the Our Father. I find it very confusing why we take that particular time during the mass to concentrate on each other. Jesus is only present on the altar for a short time and that is precisely the time we take to greet each other. No wonder why there is lack of respect and belief that the Eucharist is truly the body, blood soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. I have even seen priests come down and leave Jesus on the altar to greet all the congregation. You also see people still greeting each other all the way up to receive. Very disconcerting.
 
Seems to me Jesus said “My peace is my gift to you.” But we should not share that
gift with others at Mass. Right. And since I see another person using the word “idiots”
to refer to others who write in here, I’m done with this forum. No more.
 
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