Walking out of Mass in Protest

[Fragonard]

I realise that a bell of a certain design may frequently be used in Buddhist ceremonies but one cannot say that a bell is buddhist as such. If its used by a christian for a Christian purpose than I can see nothing wrong with it, it is performing the same purpose as any other bell. You may be thinking of a bowl shaped object that rings and continues to ring for considerable time, it always rminds me of God’s infinity and would seem appropriate but not necessarily familiar in Christian worship.

I spoke to a group of orthodox religious after that incident and asked, “What is going on over there?” And they knew all about it. They incorporate New Age things into the liturgy. When I asked about the bell they mentioned it was a Buddhist practice. I should have walked out before it went that far, as the interior of the “church” was very bizarre and that was the first time where there truly was no tabernacle in sight-ANYWHERE. There were other odd things that happened even before “Mass” began, but no need to go into all of that here… I am new to the area or I would have avoided it altogether.

 

[centurionguard]

After reading many of the posts here in this thread makes me think some would put up with any outrageous blasphemy at Mass.

And you wonder why Catholics are leaving the Church for other Faiths or going to
the Traditional Latin Mass.

Call it what you like but if such music is similar to the music the OP depicted it is Blasphemy.

Well I can’t say that it would surprise me all together. It’s beyond me to see and understand a priest who would allow such a travesty depicted by the OP…

You definitively would catch me in that parish the following week and perhaps never.

I’m too OLD SCHOOL. Ultra Modern Christian Rock Music in a Catholic Mass doesn’t do a damned thing for me.

But that’s just me. If my family parish started music in the Children’s Mass like that I’d be gone in a flash.

Really how does one incorporate HUMBLE REVERENCE in a Mass with that kind of music.

Mass today in some parishes has become more about People than it does Jesus Christ our Savior.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

There is a difference between determining a parish/priest is not reverant or orthodox and deciding to attend a different parish, and getting up in the middle of Mass and walking out simply because of a poor choice in music.

I don’t remember reading any posts where someone said there was absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of music in Mass. What I read was advice to stay at Mass and then take up the issue with the pastor, music director, youth coordinator, afterwards.

We are obliged to point out problems in the Mass and try to get them corrected. This song wasn’t simply a different taste in music, it truly is inappropriate for Mass. But stomping out isn’t the way to get things changed.

I would like to hear from the OP what the reaction from the pastor was about this song.

After reading many of the posts here in this thread makes me think some would put up with any outrageous blasphemy at Mass.

And you wonder why Catholics are leaving the Church for other Faiths or going to
the Traditional Latin Mass.

Call it what you like but if such music is similar to the music the OP depicted it is Blasphemy.

Well I can’t say that it would surprise me all together. It’s beyond me to see and understand a priest who would allow such a travesty depicted by the OP…

You definitively would catch me in that parish the following week and perhaps never.

I’m too OLD SCHOOL. Ultra Modern Christian Rock Music in a Catholic Mass doesn’t do a damned thing for me.

But that’s just me. If my family parish started music in the Children’s Mass like that I’d be gone in a flash.

Really how does one incorporate HUMBLE REVERENCE in a Mass with that kind of music.

Mass today in some parishes has become more about People than it does Jesus Christ our Savior.

 

[Corki]

We are obliged to point out problems in the Mass and try to get them corrected. This song wasn’t simply a different taste in music, it truly is inappropriate for Mass. But stomping out isn’t the way to get things changed.

I would like to hear from the OP what the reaction from the pastor was about this song.

I haven’t seen anyone support the idea of “stomping out”. You have reached (jumped) to the conclusion that leaving Mass would be a highly visible, angry act. There’s a big difference between making a polite exit to protect the family or to maintain reverence vs. “stomping out”.

It’s unlikely that “pointing out the problems” in a case like this would do anything to “get them corrected”. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor and simply removing oneself is enough.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Hi, Joe —

I’m not usually one to post about these things, but…

There’s a different liturgy on the Vigil of Pentecost. Sequence happens on the Sunday. I’ve never done a Pentecost Sequence with Alleluias, but I’d love to know which one you’re talking about. Could you post it? More Alleluias the better

We used Come, O Holy Spirit, Come [Veni Sancte Spritus] from the OCP missalette which I think is right. I don’t have a link for it. Interestingly it is not in the readings on the USCCB site.

Our Diocesan ORDO specifies the Sequence for both the Vigil and for the Sunday mass.

 

[YankeeRC]

After reading many of the posts here in this thread makes me think some would put up with any outrageous blasphemy at Mass.

I have considered such situations. If it were some outrageous blasphemy like an anti-Catholic protest or someone shouting over and silencing the priest I imagine I would break into Immaculate Mary and hope people would join in to drown out the blasphemy, similar to how civil rights groups broke into Amazing Grace in the 60’s.

As for Mass itself I’d hope it was easy to find a parish or even a time of day (usually earlier) within a parish when you know this will not happen. However, that may not be the case in some areas due to the lack of Churches or Priests no doubt.

 

[Taurks]

I would have absolutely left. BTW, I’m 21 years old, so I’m not a gray-haired traditionalist.

There is a tremendous problem in the Catholic Church currently in regards to reverence for God. Some Churches have done away with kneeling altogether, and others have hideous modern altars with barely more than a crucifix. This needs to stop, and the Church needs to remember the awe of Godly Worship which is essential to the faith. Clown masses and rock and roll do not foster that sacred awe.

 

[ArchStreetBand]

We used Come, O Holy Spirit, Come [Veni Sancte Spritus] from the OCP missalette which I think is right. I don’t have a link for it. Interestingly it is not in the readings on the USCCB site.

Our Diocesan ORDO specifies the Sequence for both the Vigil and for the Sunday mass.

Thanks for the info!

The difference among Diocesan ordinances is amazing and confusing. Makes it harder to judge from afar.

Thanks again!

 

[ArchStreetBand]

I have considered such situations. If it were some outrageous blasphemy like an anti-Catholic protest or someone shouting over and silencing the priest I imagine I would break into Immaculate Mary and hope people would join in to drown out the blasphemy, similar to how civil rights groups broke into Amazing Grace in the 60’s.

As for Mass itself I’d hope it was easy to find a parish or even a time of day (usually earlier) within a parish when you know this will not happen. However, that may not be the case in some areas due to the lack of Churches or Priests no doubt.

LOL. I’d join you! A perfect protest.

 

[henrikhank]

Pax et bonum!
When people feel like walking out of Mass it’s often because they are not meditating on the holy Mysteries. They are rather self-centered than God centered. I have attended Masses that is a bit more modern/contemporary for me but how can I possibly get what I want at Mass. I am a sinner so worshiping God and stop sinning is very difficult. There is this dream that most of us here have that all Roman Catholics would celebrate the Tridentine Mass so all the problems pertaining to Mass could be solved. It can’t be that simple. Even at the Tridentine Mass we would be sinners. I often watch very beautiful traditional Masses (different rites) and think that if I would attend these Masses everything would be so great but when attending these Masses it’s not like that. People had problems even in the past. It’s not just a matter of the outside but rather you meditating on the holy Mysteries.
I don’t like versus populum and modern Masses very much but they are still valid.

And remember that walking out of Mass may be a criticism of the priesthood. I know saints hate when we criticize priest (even if Jesus criticized the priests of his days)

remember this the next time you attend Mass: youtube.com/watch?v=npF54R5Yw3k

 

[Phemie]

After reading many of the posts here in this thread makes me think some would put up with any outrageous blasphemy at Mass.

And you wonder why Catholics are leaving the Church for other Faiths or going to
the Traditional Latin Mass.

Did you happen to attend the catechetical conference in your archdioce in May? Attend the Mass? Not that I want to imply there was anything blasphemous about it, just wondered if you’d attended.

It was the bolded part that made me ask the question because much of the conference was spent reassuring us that that was not happening in Canada.

BTW, do you know of anywhere that the EF is celebrated in Atlantic Canada?

 

[Will_S]

I would have absolutely left. BTW, I’m 21 years old, so I’m not a gray-haired traditionalist.

Funny, I thought you were Bill Gates

 

[puzzleannie]

What if your baby is fussy or one of your young children is being disruptive? I often take my little one to the narthex or even outside if he’s causing a fuss or needs to nurse.

or when the cranky toddler wants to leave Mass in protest (not the long-suffering parent)

we have done this only once when we went back to my childhood parish and they were having the overflow Mass in the hall. Granted this was late 70s but still, when they took actual loaves of wonder bread to the altar and several ladies started putting it on plates we left. And yes I talked to some parishioners and this was regular practice for that Mass, the children’s Mass no less, and it was supposed to be Mass, not some reenactment or teaching event. That parish since has a new pastor and is one of the most orthodox in that diocese thank goodness.

 

[bird79]

I wouldn’t have walked out. I think it was meant with good intentions. If i was really that concerned about it I would speak to the head of the music ministry and relate my concerns. In this time of declining church participation, many places are trying out ways to appeal to a variety of audiences in hopes to deliver the message of Jesus - some may see it as tacky, others as fun - I could understand not wanting to have it as a weekly tradition.

 

[TheMc]

I wouldn’t have walked out. I think it was meant with good intentions. If i was really that concerned about it I would speak to the head of the music ministry and relate my concerns. In this time of declining church participation, many places are trying out ways to appeal to a variety of audiences in hopes to deliver the message of Jesus - some may see it as tacky, others as fun - I could understand not wanting to have it as a weekly tradition.

Have you ever considered that these things are part of the reason for the declining church attendance? If we would simply celebrate the Mass well, according to the rubrics, including the ones concerning chant and other liturgical Music, the attendance may go down for a while, but eventually, it will be better than before. It would be better to have a congregation of 100 faithful people than 1000 people who are simply there for the pop music.

The church is not a business, and we should not be making our decisions on how to get the most people in the door. We should be making our decisions based on what the church says, and if this song isn’t secular music I don’t know what is. It has no place in the Mass.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

I would have left too. I also would have taken video on my camera phone to show the the Bishop too and asked for his explanation.

In the fairly recent past, a song called “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” to the tune of “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen was sung during Mass. Some people even did the “Walk Like an Egyptian” movements with it. There was a full band with drums, etc. My husband and I packed our kids up and LEFT. We were shocked. I can’t remember when it exactly it was - it might have been the children’s choir performing that Mass. I haven’t thought much about it since, but another post regarding the appropriateness of music got me thinking. Were we right to walk out in protest? That song is not appropriate for Mass - right?? Most of the rest of the congregation was really into the song!

Here’s sort of what it was like:
youtube.com/watch?v=MRbOo1nVYvs

The only difference is that after the congregation sang “…let my people go” they went “Huh!” with a fist pump. I am not kidding.

 

[waterbrook]

Have you ever considered that these things are part of the reason for the declining church attendance? If we would simply celebrate the Mass well, according to the rubrics, including the ones concerning chant and other liturgical Music, the attendance may go down for a while, but eventually, it will be better than before. It would be better to have a congregation of 100 faithful people than 1000 people who are simply there for the pop music.

The church is not a business, and we should not be making our decisions on how to get the most people in the door. We should be making our decisions based on what the church says, and if this song isn’t secular music I don’t know what is. It has no place in the Mass.

It is an assumption that these things are part of the reason for the decline in church attendance. What does the term secular music refer to? What is sacred music? is it possible to restrict sacred music to certain styles? I do not like the song in question but that is personal preference. As Christians we have a responsibility to evangelise and I would have thought that the Mass is the perfect expression of Christian faith and should be accessible to all. Jesus was both human and divine and I think there is a reponsiblity to communicate this through all aspects of the Mass and I think the ‘acid test’ of music choice is that it both demonstrates Gods trancendance but also his imminance and concern for our world and culture. In the mass both heaven and earth meet. If Mass is too unconnected to the ordinary in which God is also to be found, we run the risk of our religion becoming escapism. I agree that what is needed is to celebrate Mass well.

 

[elgar]

Have you ever considered that these things are part of the reason for the declining church attendance? If we would simply celebrate the Mass well, according to the rubrics, including the ones concerning chant and other liturgical Music, the attendance may go down for a while, but eventually, it will be better than before. It would be better to have a congregation of 100 faithful people than 1000 people who are simply there for the pop music.

The church is not a business, and we should not be making our decisions on how to get the most people in the door. We should be making our decisions based on what the church says, and if this song isn’t secular music I don’t know what is. It has no place in the Mass.

But, we were told being “hip” would only attract youth. The Christian faith is not about numbers. Present the unadulterated truth and worship God in dignity and reverence and forget about somebody’s formula on how to grow in numbers. The mega churches have tried this for decades and are having a difficult time with retention.

 

[TheMc]

It is an assumption that these things are part of the reason for the decline in church attendance. What does the term secular music refer to? What is sacred music? is it possible to restrict sacred music to certain styles? I do not like the song in question but that is personal preference. As Christians we have a responsibility to evangelise and I would have thought that the Mass is the perfect expression of Christian faith and should be accessible to all. Jesus was both human and divine and I think there is a reponsiblity to communicate this through all aspects of the Mass and I think the ‘acid test’ of music choice is that it both demonstrates Gods trancendance but also his imminance and concern for our world and culture. In the mass both heaven and earth meet. If Mass is too unconnected to the ordinary in which God is also to be found, we run the risk of our religion becoming escapism. I agree that what is needed is to celebrate Mass well.

This is for another discussion, but in short, yes, it is possible to restrict sacred music to certain styles. Not every piece of music is suitable for Mass. It is much more than personal preference. The Mass should always be accessible to all, but that doesn’t mean we can use whatever kind of music we want.

In many people’s minds, the purpose of the Mass is forgotten: The Mass is about worshipping God, in the way he wishes. It is completely not about us, and completely about God. Yes, we receive graces, and participate in the Mass, but we do it for God, not for us. Our personal preferences should not be part of the Mass.

When you look at it with a correct perspective, you must remember: this music is not for us, it is for God. And we know God does care what we play, because the church, God’s voice on earth, cares about what we play.

We seriously need to regain our Catholic musical traditions, most of which were trashed in the 70s.

 

[TheMc]

But, we were told being “hip” would only attract youth. The Christian faith is not about numbers.

Told by whom?

Present the unadulterated truth and worship God in dignity and reverence and forget about somebody’s formula on how to grow in numbers. The mega churches have tried this for decades and are having a difficult time with retention.

Exactly my point.