They Will Know We Are Traddies By Our Love

[lizaanne]

I have never personally experienced this, but I know it happens, and especially in forums and blogs - I think the author makes an excellent point:

They Will Know We Are Traddies By Our Love

“For those who had suffered being abused and marginalized for decades, the transition must be hard. Can you imagine having the Mass that you grew up with taken away and replaced with something alien and unfamiliar? How do you think it would feel to be treated as though you are schismatic for simply clinging to the Catholicism of your youth? Would you appreciate being called a fanatic, a fundamentalist, and a Pharisee for holding to your traditions and devotional practices? And how would you like to be marginalized, forced to drive 50 miles just to get to a Mass held at 1:30 in the afternoon in a parish that doesn’t want you there, and where it’s impossible to build real community because it’s local to none of the attendees? It’s as if everything these people knew about Catholicism was suddenly gone and replaced by a cheap imitation, and when they expressed their dismay, they were met by smug replies that Vatican II “did away with all that.””

~Liza

 

[whm]

“t’s as if everything these people knew about Catholicism was suddenly gone and replaced by a cheap imitation, and when they expressed their dismay, they were met by smug replies that Vatican II “did away with all that.””

~Liza

I don’t like the highlighted part. I think that kind of statement show’s a serious flaw and can add to a very divisive situation. Whether one prefers to attend one form of Mass over the other is perfectly fine. But to imply the the Eucharist at a NO Mass is a “cheap imitation” is dangerous. I realize that is not what was said, but ultimately the climax of any Mass is the Eucharist which is of infinite value. Infinity plus or minus 10 is still infinite.

I certainly empathize with the rest of it.

 

[dixieagle]

Very interesting and thought-provoking blog post, well-written and soul-searching.

My late mother was very much a traditionalist, subscribed to The Remnant, etc., and was about as conservative as possible. She and Dad would attend the TLM whenever they could. Though they lamented the change from what was familiar and loved, I don’t recall them ever being “dour” about it. I do remember being appalled by the tone of The Remnant, however.

I can’t comment about any experiences with local traditionalists, as there are so few here (rather ironic, as we live in a very conservative part of the country.)

 

[simple_soul]

I have never personally experienced this, but I know it happens, and especially in forums and blogs - I think the author makes an excellent point:

They Will Know We Are Traddies By Our Love

“For those who had suffered being abused and marginalized for decades, the transition must be hard. Can you imagine having the Mass that you grew up with taken away and replaced with something alien and unfamiliar? How do you think it would feel to be treated as though you are schismatic for simply clinging to the Catholicism of your youth? Would you appreciate being called a fanatic, a fundamentalist, and a Pharisee for holding to your traditions and devotional practices? And how would you like to be marginalized, forced to drive 50 miles just to get to a Mass held at 1:30 in the afternoon in a parish that doesn’t want you there, and where it’s impossible to build real community because it’s local to none of the attendees? It’s as if everything these people knew about Catholicism was suddenly gone and replaced by a cheap imitation, and when they expressed their dismay, they were met by smug replies that Vatican II “did away with all that.””

~Liza

*Dear Liza,

I agree that he does make a valid point. But, I also agree with whm. The reason is I lived this life, the way you describe it here, for about 26yrs. I can not count how many times we changed parishes growing up. The complaint was always the same, the Church was not “traditional” enough any more. This included both Roman Rite and Eastern Rite. I do believe one Church that we stayed with the most had the most influence on me and I credit that priest with the reason I started going to church again. I do believe he was one of God’s most precious gifts to me. But, even some of what he said and did was always questioned because it just did not “seem” right with the group that my family was involved with. Thankfully this was one time in my life that I remeber my father turnning a deaf ear to them and actually listened to the priest and let him explain the reasons behind the things that where in question. My father accepted it.

What I am trying to say is I love the EF and the OF as well as the Liturgy of that Church.
That’s the important point. No matter what form or rite we belong to we all have, as the author said, “a pearl of great price that should make us excited to be Catholic, and to share the goodness we’ve found with others.”
From a lot of arguments and debates I read at CAF I gather that a lot of people do not see this. I am not sure as to all the reasons why or why I see it the way I do. Maybe it is because I have not had any “bad” experiences with any form or rite. But I believe if we stop putting so much focus on just traditions, disciplines, and rituals and get to the meat of what every liturgy or mass is about we realize it is not all about traditions, disciplines, and rituals but about God’s love for us and our love for Him and each other. When it comes down to it, I do believe that nothing else matters. Yes, traditions, disciplines, and rituals are good in and of themselves and a way that we can add to expressing our love and respect for God but when we make them more important than what they are there for then I believe we lose what the real reason for them was all about. They become our god. Not a way of honoring God, but our god. When we make things our god other than God then we do lose our love for God and each other.

So I would have to say yes he does make a valid point, but that point, as I see it, can be made for all Rites and their forms because I see all forms talked down and disrespected in on way or another, either directly or indirectly, by those of other forms all the time.

As always I do hope and pray this make some sense,*