What does it mean to be a Traditional Catholic?

[JakeWI]

This comes up in parish life quite a bit.
I don’t think video screens should be used at Mass, or that praise and worship music should be used at Mass. And so people categorize me as a traditionalist and wonder why I’m “against” this and that. My official response is, I’m not a traditionalist or any kind of “ist”, I’m simply Catholic.

I’m not “against” anything the Church does, if something the Church does bothers me, it’s most likely me that must change. OK no problem.
I’m not against having young people at Mass, and I’m not adverse to change, not against ongoing conversion (duh). Labeling people into categories is the sure sign of a bankrupt agenda that can’t adequately put forth positive reasons for it’s own point of view.

For example…I believe the Church calls for the Gospel to be proclaimed by a person, not telecast on a screen. I can trace that belief right to the incarnation of Jesus Christ and I can express those reasons. People look at me like I have two heads. People who want video screens go on about being modern for the young people. That’s the whole depth of their point of view. All they can do is accuse others of being stodgy.

This is why Catholics do themselves a disservice by self identifying as Traditionalists. Just call yourselves Catholic and talk about the things that are important to you. If your point of view has merit, it may win the day.

Catholicism is a unique thing, in that draws towards unity, not towards factions.

I am thinking I am towards this, as well. I have yet to attend a Tridentine Mass, but want to just to experience. Though, I have found that the Ordinary Mass can be just as reverent if done right. Our music director likes to inject a bit of Latin music into our Masses, but she doesn’t want to go 100% that way either. She talks about taking the best of what the entire Church has to offer… and does it that way… whether it is classical or contemporary sacred music.

Some may call me more “traditional” in that terms of the music I find most appropriate and the reverence of the Mass, the tabernacle being in the front behind the altar, the choir up in the loft, etc., but even so… I guess I am not 100% traditional either. I do appreciate certain traditions, but also appreciate anything that keeps the Mass reverent, sacred, and about God. Which, I guess, would be purely “Catholic”.

 

[Michael_Francis]

Closed pending review by moderator Thomas Casey.