I’m glad I went to a High Mass, the music was very beautiful! I found it hard to follow along, but that is to be expected as this was my first time.
A few questions:
Most of the women wore covering over their heads, what exactly is the reason for that?
It seems that in the new mass, the people in the pews are more “involved” with the responses and singing. Would you agree with this assertion?
Is it typical for the Father to sprinkle everyone with holy water before mass?
I went to the latin mass because I was curious and wanted to experience it. I still like the new Mass I grew up with, and support Vatican II 100%. What do you think the reasons are for the others in attendance? Most of the people there seemed like regulars, yet they were far too young to actually remember the pre-VII Church. Is it just their preference?
If the Church stil provide the old tridentine mass, why exactly do some feel the need to join things like the SSPX?
Thanks all!
In the 1917 Code of Canon Law, it was a requirement for women to veil their heads in some way, whether with a hat or an actual veil.
I can’t help but fall into autopilot mode when I go to OF masses. I don’t feel any more “participatory” because I make responses. In fact, I feel less so, because I feel like I’m being treated like a child that has to “participate” in everything to “feel included.” That’s how most responses make me feel. With that said, I do like doing the Litany of the Saints.
Do people who can’t speak but are otherwise normal “participate” in OF masses any less just because they can’t make responses? NO! And is it because of some politically correct, “He can do it too!” attitude? NO! It’s because mass participation is firstly and primarily an interior action, and only secondly an outward action. If we
had to “make responses” to “participate” in mass, then wouldn’t that mean that praying inside one’s head while, say, driving, isn’t effective? Yes, that’s what that attitude means. Because mass is the supreme prayer of the Church. It seems that some people think that if you don’t shout “AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT” with gusto, then you’re not “participating.” I don’t buy that. Mass is prayer. If you don’t want to make outward responses, fine. They don’t make mass any better in the intrinsic prayerful sense, which is what matters. It feels so gimmicky when people talk about “participation.” Like seriously? Is this middle school field day?
Sprinkling water is called asperges, and it is done on the principal (main) mass on Sundays at high masses and missas cantatas. It is done in the OF as well. The song you heard during this was “Asperges me.”
I think you make a very telling point about the congregation. The popularity of the EF is stronger with the younger generation than it is with the elderly and middle-aged generations, I think. Perhaps this is because older people like steady stuff, I don’t know. I have my own opinion that it is because the older people were lied or given misrepresented opinions in their younger years that “Latin is forbidden” and other ridiculous things like that, and they ate it up and believed it, and still do. But, I don’t know I guess. I am 18 and I love the EF mass.
I think the reasons for the others in attendance is that they have probably been subject to some improperly celebrated OF masses,which may or may not be the norm for them, and they don’t care for it.
