Unusual Palm Sunday Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter catholicanswerA
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

catholicanswerA

Guest
I just went to the Palm Sunday mass. For the Gospel, they had a bunch of students in face paint and black dress basically act out the crucifixion. There was a person who was supposed to be Jesus and he carried a cross around the church and was “crucified” in front of the altar. They also sang contemporary songs during the Gospel in between some of the passages. Also, there were statements not in the Gospel at the beginning and end of the presentation.

I have never seen this sort of act/play/Gospel presentation ever. I thought it was quite ridiculous and I created a username on this website just to see if anyone else has ever experienced something like this.
 
Write to the pastor. If no response, write to the Bishop. The Gospel should not be acted out, especially in such a seemingly profane way. Just write to/talk to your pastor. If it scandalized you then it scandalized most others too.
 
I don’t know if it’s technically not allowed, but it definitely is inappropriate. The Passion can either be 1) read by the priest, deacon, etc. or 2) read by a group of readers lay or ordained.

Do you remember what the statements were?
 
It started out as normal “The Passion according to Matthew”. Then there was some woman who started saying things like (as close as I can remember) “What a week for Jesus. He arrived in Jerusalem and this week was his last. The Pharisees hated him” et cetera, et cetera. I’m thinking this whole time… I know this isn’t in the Gospel. This went on for about a minute before the actual Gospel started. And at the end it was the same sort of stuff “What a week for Jesus” etc.
 
I know in my parish, this is common only in the Hispanic culture and they go over the top with it, in a good way. All the other Masses just have the Passion read.
 
I’ve seen the Passion acted out in this way, but not as a substitute for the Gosple reading. I think it’s inappropriate for Mass, but probably a good learning activity for the kids in another time and place.
 
Was this the only mass of the day? Was it announced (perhaps in the bulletin) that the youth were going to do something different or special at a particular mass? I have been to a mass where there was “liturgical dancing”. I didn’t like it. You are probably having the same kind of reaction I had to the liturgical dancing. (:eek: = me)
 
This is problematic. The Passion narrative shouldn’t be performed, but must be read or sung from the assigned texts in the lectionary.

I recommend writing a charitable letter to the pastor addressing your concern, and asking for a reply. If Father refuses to comply, or if this happens again, then I’d inform the Local Ordinary.
 
My advice is always to speak to your priest first and see what insight he can give you into the liturgy you experienced. What can appear to be strange and irreverent can be a case of our lack of understanding.

I can say this because my church, which unfortunately was identifiable in the post, was singled out for a Lenten Mass that many posters declared was totally unacceptable based upon the description by the OP. There was no bad intent on the part of anyone, but people were far too quick to judge without full knowledge of what happened. This was especially hurtful because the liturgy was completely approved by the Church.

So, get all the facts first. Then proceed further if needed. Just don’t prejudge.

🙂
 
Wow, I’m having flashbacks to the 1980s and 90s – and it isn’t pretty.

When I was in college, we acted out readings all the time. We even replaced one reading with a really lovely poem… Within a couple years I was on my way out of the Church and into all manner of other spiritual seeking – really dark years in my life.

When I returned to the Church after being away for 14 years, I found out that the religious priests who were at my college parish were removed by the Archbishop. The liturgist who wrote our little plays and found our poem was also sent packing.

Get in touch with the pastor, and respectfully express your concerns. Then go from there…

Praying for you and this parish.

Gertie
 
Sadly, they do this on Good Friday in my Parish during the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion.

It’s sad, it’s a joke, it’s a complete and utter abuse. We just need to pray, maybe contact your Bishop.

I don’t mind a play about the passion, but it has absolutely no place during Mass.

God bless!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top