What Can We Do To Make The EF More Simple!

[Warloff]

I was looking at some wonderful tweets from His Excellency Cardinal Roger Mahoney:

Mass with Pope Francis: moving from HIGH Church to LOW and humble Church! What a blessing that we are encountering Jesus without trappings!

SIMPLE is IN, extravagant is out!! Pope Francis is doing more for proclaiming Jesus Christ than thousands of “professionals”–praise God!

So long, Papal ermine and fancy lace! Welcome, simple cassock, and hopefully, ordinary black shoes! St. Francis must be overjoyed!!

What else can we do in the EF to capture the spirit of Saint Francis that Cardinal Mahoney knows so well, to make things simpler and less confusing other than getting rid of lace and fancy vestments?

Let us encounter the mass “without trappings” as Cardinal Mahoney says!

 

[robwar]

I’m not so sure with the number of threads I’ve seen here that you are going to get much support but simple isn’t just in what one does wear but an attitude. Simple would be to realize that both EF and NO Masses are approved by the the Church. Both offer Jesus in the Eucharist and both have their place and meaning. Simple is realizing that one is not better than another and that both are equal. Simple would be to not feel superior to others if one attends or prefers one Mass rite over the other. Simple would be to focus not on the rubics or rite but how Jesus in the Eucharist help to to be a better person and Catholic. If that is truly your purpose and focus no matter what rite of Mass you attend then you are on your way to be simple.

 

[ringil]

I’m not so sure with the number of threads I’ve seen here that you are going to get much support but simple isn’t just in what one does wear but an attitude. Simple would be to realize that both EF and NO Masses are approved by the the Church. Both offer Jesus in the Eucharist and both have their place and meaning. Simple is realizing that one is not better than another and that both are equal. Simple would be to not feel superior to others if one attends or prefers one Mass rite over the other. Simple would be to focus not on the rubics or rite but how Jesus in the Eucharist help to to be a better person and Catholic. If that is truly your purpose and focus no matter what rite of Mass you attend then you are on your way to be simple.

This is a great post!! +1

 

[Melchior_1]

There’s having a love for austere liturgy while still showing respect to the more “high liturgy” type settings (and also showing respect to austere liturgies while having a love for high liturgies). On the flip side, there’s using austerity as a means to slam High Masses and the like (and using High Masses to slam austere Liturgies).

It’s not up to me to decide what group the Cardinal belongs to. But if he’s in the latter, he’s making those of us in the former look bad.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I’m not so sure with the number of threads I’ve seen here that you are going to get much support but simple isn’t just in what one does wear but an attitude. Simple would be to realize that both EF and NO Masses are approved by the the Church. Both offer Jesus in the Eucharist and both have their place and meaning. Simple is realizing that one is not better than another and that both are equal. Simple would be to not feel superior to others if one attends or prefers one Mass rite over the other. Simple would be to focus not on the rubics or rite but how Jesus in the Eucharist help to to be a better person and Catholic. If that is truly your purpose and focus no matter what rite of Mass you attend then you are on your way to be simple.

It’s true. As Catholics we should find things about both Masses that help us better worship God. They are both the same Holy Sacrifice, they are both Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, but the different ways they are done gives focus to different needs in our spiritual lives. I love the solemnity and reverence that are almost effortlessly embodied in the EF. OTOH, I love the simplicity and the ease of using our native tongue in the NO. The danger of the EF is not feeling connected with it because of the language barrier. The danger of the NO is becoming too casual about it because of its simplicity and familiarity of language. The role of the laity is to pour themselves into either forms of the Mass, focusing their hearts and souls on what is transpiring, and remembering always that hosts of unseen angels surround the altar of either Mass. The Mass is a fantastic gift of God and we need to cherish it in both forms.

 

[Servus_Tuus]

Well, to perhaps turn this around on His Eminence, the EF is actually the simplest form of Mass. The rubrics are so detailed that there are no options whatsoever. Every mass is the same. The OF with its “or other suitable hymn” 4 hymn sandwich, penitential rite ABC, 3 and 2 cycle readings, “short form” readings, multiple Eucharistic Prayers, choice of Mysterium Fidei, choice of languages… it’s a lot to take in! Not simple at all!

But seriously, I think most people here know what sort of liturgy His Eminence prefers. Even if it’s not your style, he is still giving us the Body and Blood of Our Lord.

 

[fincatholic]

Thank you for making me aware of his Twitter account - there are some interesting tweets there.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Well, to perhaps turn this around on His Eminence, the EF is actually the simplest form of Mass. The rubrics are so detailed that there are no options whatsoever. Every mass is the same. The OF with its “or other suitable hymn” 4 hymn sandwich, penitential rite ABC, 3 and 2 cycle readings, “short form” readings, multiple Eucharistic Prayers, choice of Mysterium Fidei, choice of languages… it’s a lot to take in! Not simple at all!

But seriously, I think most people here know what sort of liturgy His Eminence prefers. Even if it’s not your style, he is still giving us the Body and Blood of Our Lord.

Whatever form is fine with me, just don’t give me people lined up to receive the Holy Eucharist like they were waiting in line for a flu shot or to buy a movie theater ticket. Reverence!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Let us encounter the mass “without trappings” as Cardinal Mahoney says!

He wants a mass without the “trappings” of transubstantiation and a Church without priests.

No, thanks.

 

[Francoist]

Would we be leaving off these trappings in a 250 million dollar Deconstructivist cathedral where the bishop’s chair itself was budgeted for 1 million dollars (that must be a cool chair…)?

Maybe a diocese could afford to have more “trappings” if it wasn’t gutted by legal settlements.

I’ll just stick with the Mass the way it was prayed among the saints and handed down by the Council fathers. I don’t need advice off of Twitter to know how the Mass should be.

On a positive note, I love the Holy Father’s coat of arms! Have you seen it? Jesus, Mary and Joseph. A perfect summation.

 

[Thomas_Casey]

ATTENTION

Any form of disrespect toward a clergyman or religious will be penalized.