Traditionally minded OF parishes in the US

[Wendy1989]

In the Nashville Diocese, Church of the Assumption has Mass in the EF on Sundays and on some weekdays as well as on First Fridays. Lovely parish that is located in the Germantown neighborhood north of downtown Nashville. St. Edward parish has the OF but I do believe that only males serve for the Sunday Mass. Don’t hold me to that - big brewhaha happened a couple years ago Everytime I’ve been to Mass at that parish the servers were male.

Nashville is an ’ it city’ with lots of new hipsters. Our diocese has a new (1 + year) Bishop.

 

[LisaB]

This has been an encouraging thread for me, thanks for your answers. It’s nice to know that there are quite a few traditional parishes out there.

 

[Catholic21]

In the Grand Rapids, MI diocese, there is Sacred Heart Parish headed by Fr. Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute. They celebrate traditional OF Mass and also celebrate the Latin Mass every Sunday.

 

[PJH_74]

My only comment here would be to say some of this really is really peripheral. You can likely avoid less traditional based on the Mass you go to. Teen stuff is teen stuff, not really part of the Mass really, if I’m understanding you right. I’m not sure what you mean by changing the words of the Mass, but those words have to be approved. As for greetings before Mass, get there a little earlier and pray a Rosary or something. I would certainly leave you alone myself. I guess in my view the health of the Parish is most important.

 

[Fuerza]

I’m not sure if you’ve experienced this, but the OP is referencing priests who ad lib lines and deviate from the approved text of the Mass. For example, at a parish that I frequently attend when my schedule does not permit me to go elsewhere, the following routinely occurs:

-The priest insists on saying “so many”, instead of “for many”, emphasizing the word “so”, and then adds several original lines to the end of consecration.
-He then commemorates, in addition to the pope, the bishop and the bishop emeritus, the parish life director, the “music ministers” and a chain of other people I can’t remember.
-He changes “Holy Catholic Church” to “Imperfect Catholic Church” during the Creed.
When the word “men” occurs in a prayer or scripture reading, he changes it to “people”. As in, “I will make you fishers of people”.
-The parish life director, the same woman who is commemorated in the EP, usually gives the homily.

This is just an example to show that some priests are not concerned if things are approved. Luckily you seem not to have to deal with this.

 

[LisaB]

Wowwww. I’ve never experienced it quite like that before. Yes, this would be an example of a parish that I could never attend more than once.

 

[PJH_74]

-The priest insists on saying “so many”, instead of “for many”, emphasizing the word “so”, and then adds several original lines to the end of consecration.
-He then commemorates, in addition to the pope, the bishop and the bishop emeritus, the parish life director, the “music ministers” and a chain of other people I can’t remember.
-He changes “Holy Catholic Church” to “Imperfect Catholic Church” during the Creed.
When the word “men” occurs in a prayer or scripture reading, he changes it to “people”. As in, “I will make you fishers of people”.

• Unless I’m getting my English word meaning incorrect, I don’t see substituting “so many” for “for many” really change the meaning, even if emphasizing it. I guess it really doesn’t bother me that much, the reference language is in Latin to start with. The words of Institution aren’t really magic ones, it takes a Priest. They are words indicating the actions he is taking and I really don’t see one small ad lib changing that. It’s certainly not heretical.
• I’ve certainly heard additional people prayed for at this point pretty much all of my life. He’s certainly got the Ecclesiastical order correct.
• I guess I read this one as a bit of pastoral direction, all churches are imperfect since they are made up of people. The Church’s Holy teachings are not the Church as best I see. Then again I can understand why this one might be irksome more than others.
• I guess I see a movement in language here and that is legitimate when it comes to translations. Women were certainly not excluded in many cases where men/man have traditionally been used to signify all people. He’s certainly not making up a new word here, rather trying to include women more and there’s nothing wrong with that. Practically changing to “people” gives the translator more freedom to indicate when men/man actually means that specifically.

If these items are substantially distracting, then yes, find some other place. Lord knows people search out Parishes for various other reasons. My very devout parents have moved on from the church I grew up in to one that to one that might be a bit more like the one you describe above at certain times. But this church is alive with an excellent age spread and also has a 24 hour accessible shrine to the Virgin. There are also a good number of side chapels for more traditional contemplative worship and I seem to remember the Eucharist is often available for adoration. I can’t remember not having a Baptism often multiple ones when I join them. The children and young adults lead one Mass a month (music, readings, etc.). The engagement of the Parishioners is amazing and the Spirit is definitely alive. I wish more Catholic churches managed this spread of spiritual experience, I’d think you’d find so many more “Coming Home”.

I guess I just don’t see any of those invalidating the Mass. As I said, I’m more concerned with with churches that are alive and either growing or more importantly doing significant and enlivened ministry outside the church’s walls.

 

[OraLabora]

If you’re lucky enough to be in a place that has a monastery, you might find what you’re looking for. You have to belong to a parish but there’s no rule that says it’s the only place you may fulfill your Mass obligations.

I’m blessed that I live near a Benedictine monastery. So blessed that I became an oblate. The Mass there is in the Ordinary Form, but:

• Everything is word-for-word from the Missal and Lectionary
• The Propers are in Latin Gregorian chant, a cappella. Every. Single. Day.
• The Ordinary is in Latin/Greek Gregorian chant, a cappella. Every. Single. Day.
• The music consists of organ prelude, offertory and postlude on a magnificent pipe organ (but only at appropriate times)
• There are long silences after each reading and the homily
• Incense is used when appropriate (every Sunday, feasts and solemnities)

Needless to say I attend Mass there almost every Sunday even though it’s not my parish.

As bonus, for the Divine Office, Lauds and Vespers are in Latin and in Gregorian chant; at the other hours, the hymn is in Latin, as is the final Marian antiphon at Compline.

Most Benedictines do make an effort at good liturgy, even those in the vernacular. There are other orders with great liturgy as well, in the Ordinary Form. Just check around!

 

[Fuerza]

I don’t recall saying that these invalidate the Mass. They don’t. But they are not permitted. I was merely addressing your point in an earlier post that implied priests will only use approved wording. This is certainly not the case. Also, “so many” is used by this priest deliberately to counteract the “for many”, which is not seen as inclusive enough. There is quite a substantial difference.

With the regard to men/people, you seem not to be aware of the divisive politics behind the terms. This is also a significant change.

 

[PJH_74]

I don’t recall saying that these invalidate the Mass. They don’t.

That’s good. I can’t count the times though that someone comes on here ready to report a priest to the Bishop. I know that was not the intent of the OP, it just informs my reaction to the some of this.

With the regard to men/people, you seem not to be aware of the divisive politics behind the terms. This is also a significant change.

I’m aware, but I see it as stated and I think it is looking at the tree not the forest. There is so much else out there and the intent was almost always inclusive of both sexes, otherwise we might have some salvation issues.