Why I go the extraordinary form of the Mass

[floresco]

This morning, as I often do, I went to the extraordinary form of the Mass. As I was driving the extra half hour it takes me to get there I was asking myself why. I went past my local parish church where I like and admire the pastor and and many parishioners. If I had gone there I could have been with my spouse and children. Alone in the car I was wondering if it was really worth it.

And I decided it was. It is not that I have concerns about the OF being valid. And, even though I think the prayers lack the doctrinal clarity of the EF, that would not be enough of a reason for me by itself. The reason I do the extra drive is for the sense of quiet and reverence. And for the relief from all the little irritations that distract me during the OF.

AT the EF I am not distracted by hymns of questionable theology. I can receive Communion the way I prefer. There is no chattering in the Church before, after or during Mass. I don’t have to deal with the distraction of immodest clothing. I feel as if the dripping of a leaky faucet were finally stopped. The things that irritate and distract me are not intrinsic parts of the OF. It is theoretically possible for the Mass to be celebrated without these things. In practice, however, I have to drive even farther to get to an OF like that than I do to get to the EF.

Should I be able to overcome these distractions? Probably. I am not going to argue with anyone who says that this is due to some sort of character flaw on my part. But, even if is caused by my own weakness, I want to go to the Mass that I leave with a sense of peace, rather than one that I come away from feeling annoyed.

Does saying these things mean that I am denigrating the OF? Perhaps some people think so. However, that is not my intention. I am describing my experience

 

[Momofmyangels]

This morning, as I often do, I went to the extraordinary form of the Mass. As I was driving the extra half hour it takes me to get there I was asking myself why. I went past my local parish church where I like and admire the pastor and and many parishioners. If I had gone there I could have been with my spouse and children. Alone in the car I was wondering if it was really worth it.

And I decided it was. It is not that I have concerns about the OF being valid. And, even though I think the prayers lack the doctrinal clarity of the EF, that would not be enough of a reason for me by itself. The reason I do the extra drive is for the sense of quiet and reverence. And for the relief from all the little irritations that distract me during the OF.

AT the EF I am not distracted by hymns of questionable theology. I can receive Communion the way I prefer. There is no chattering in the Church before, after or during Mass. I don’t have to deal with the distraction of immodest clothing. I feel as if the dripping of a leaky faucet were finally stopped. The things that irritate and distract me are not intrinsic parts of the OF. It is theoretically possible for the Mass to be celebrated without these things. In practice, however, I have to drive even farther to get to an OF like that than I do to get to the EF.

Should I be able to overcome these distractions? Probably. I am not going to argue with anyone who says that this is due to some sort of character flaw on my part. But, even if is caused by my own weakness, I want to go to the Mass that I leave with a sense of peace, rather than one that I come away from feeling annoyed.

Does saying these things mean that I am denigrating the OF? Perhaps some people think so. However, that is not my intention. I am describing my experience

Yes floresco, for all these reasons and for me, the added fact that the EF is totally in line with what I am teaching my children about the Mass. Your words have echoed my thoughts, and I thank you for sharing.

 

[HCC]

Dear floresco,

Thank you for this post.

I have recently been attending the OF Mass because I’ve been trying to bring a friend back to the Church and that is the only mass I can get him to go to. You are right, there are so many distractions throughout the OF MASS. The priest changing little words here and there, adding emphasis on various phrases to drive home his theological views, the sentimental, overly emotional, show tune-y type songs.

Then came the sermon…the priest, nice enough guy, I have met him, danced and danced and danced around what he was trying to say. And that was, “There is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church.” That was what he was driving at, but first he paid tribute to all the great religions and faith traditions found here in New York City, then he dropped his voice and stuttered and stumbled and backed from the microphone and hemmed and hawed and came out with, (almost in a whisper), “but…we…as……Catholics…have…ummm…ummm…something…very…um…special too…” He was almost ashamed of his own Church.

And he went on to say, “Yes, some priests oppress women and our language reflects that, but the message remains holy, despite the messenger.” Then he went ahead and dropped the word “Father” from the Eucharistic Prayer.

I can’t wait to get back to the Gregorian (as Cardinal Hoyos calls it) Mass!

 

[damooster]

I agree, floresco. Well said.

I haven’t been to an OF Mass in a while, so I decided to take a day’s pilgrimage to the National Shrine in DC. The Mass was celebrated very reverently by the priest, but it was the other people that really took away from this Mass.

There were so many women dressed immodestly that I had to stare at the floor the whole time. There were some men dressed inappropriately too (wearing sports jerseys and muscle shirts). A young lady in front of me chewed gum the whole time and kept making it snap. She didn’t receive Holy Communion and I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt that she didn’t know any better, but I’m sure someone would have corrected her at the TLM. Another lady in front of me fell asleep and someone’s phone went off (a rap ring tone too).

I know, I know: someone’s going to come along and tell me that if I had paid more attention to the Mass, I would not have been so distracted. I tried my hardest to concentrate, but it’s really difficult when you hear Lil’ John and the East Side Boyz blasting from someone’s phone while the woman next to you has to repeatedly pull her shirt up because it’s cut too low and her breasts are about to pop out.

So, floresco, I attend the TLM for the same reasons you do: so I won’t be distracted by my fellow laity.

 

[kamaan]

God bless you, floresco! You are able to articulate my thoughts I too have a long drive to the nearest TLM and it is definitely worth it

 

[FirstCalled]

Thanks for sharing Floresco.
I love the TLM. I am very thankful that I live only 10-15 minutes away from one. I feel a little guilty I don’t go to the one across the street or the one I volunteer as a catechist, but since my first time, I haven’t in the slightest wanted to attend the ordinary form, for many of the reasons that you listed, but the major one’s for me being the actually theology behind the words used, and that it really feels like a sacrifice at the EF, I was never taught that the mass was offered for adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and petition till I read it in the missal, and it made sense then.
The overall sense of reverence, and use of candles, incense, army of altar servers, it all speaks to my senses which in turn makes my spirit truly feel so much closer to God and appreciation of being a** Roman** Catholic.

 

[Stylites]

There are hermitages for people who need the solitude to be with God, but they are not the kind of people who are so easily distracted and let their minds wander around to what other people are doing or wearing.

If the distraction isn’t what other people are doing that is wrong, is it then the distraction of how right your actions are and how everyone else appreciates your attentiveness?

If we allow a crying baby or a cell phone to separate us from Christ, then what will happen when real misfortune befalls us?

Just wondering.

 

[corsair]

I really think that Floresco has hit it on the “head”. Its sometimes hard to describe exactly how we feel about the EF. I feel like I’ve been in the wilderness for the last forty years.

I got another taste of the “wilderness” today when I went to my local OF today. Last weekend it was a Pontifical Solemn High Mass (1962). Now that was beautiful.

Sorry, Stylites, that you don’t seem to comprehend what real beauty is like. But I’ll say a few prayers for you.

Cheers

 

[Victorious]

There are hermitages for people who need the solitude to be with God, but they are not the kind of people who are so easily distracted and let their minds wander around to what other people are doing or wearing.

How can you be sure? Maybe the people who flee to hermitages do so precisely because they are so easily distracted.

I agree with Floresco. I love the TLM, and I travel 50 miles to attend one.

To me, the difference between the TLM and the Novus Ordo is like the difference between looking through a clear pane of glass, and peering through one that is all fogged up; or like listening to a symphony in a concert hall where the audience is perfectly silent, and trying to listen in one where everyone is yakking and laughing and carrying on. Dietrich von Hildebrand said in the early '40s that the liturgy (i.e., the Extraordinary Form, which was all there was in the Latin Rite in those days) is faith accomplished and lived. Now that I have experienced the TLM, I understand what he’s talking about.

 

[amsjj]

Thank you for your words, floresco. I’ve gone to the OF all my life, but when I saw the EF; the reverence, the care, the focus – it simply stunned me. I never imagined Mass so beautiful.

take care,
amsjj

+++

Jesus, God and man,
imprisoned by love in Thy most holy Sacrament,
have mercy upon us.
– Venerable John Henry Newman, December 22, 1851
(LD, XIV, 511).

 

[amsjj]

Thank you for your words, floresco. I’ve gone to the OF all my life, but once I saw the EF, the reverence simply stunned me. I never imagined Mass so beautiful.

take care,
amsjj

+++

Jesus, God and man,
imprisoned by love in Thy most holy Sacrament,
have mercy upon us.
– Venerable John Henry Newman, December 22, 1851
(LD, XIV, 511).

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

The main reason I attend TLM is that I want to worship the way Catholics did for centuries before innovations were introduced. It makes me connected to our beautiful tradition. It nourishes me spiritually.

The 2nd reason is because it is more beautiful.

And yes, because it is reverent and there are no distractions outlined by the OP.

I’ve been attending it for a full year now and going to NO unfortunatelyy feels like penance

 

[floresco]

There are hermitages for people who need the solitude to be with God, but they are not the kind of people who are so easily distracted and let their minds wander around to what other people are doing or wearing.

I have no problem with you believing that my preference (I might even say my need) for the EF is due to my personal inadequacies. You very well may be right. I am easily distracted. I am weak and sinful. I don’t go to the EF because I think it proves I am a better Catholic. It is because that is what I need to do to give God the best worship I can.

 

[maurin]

Lex orandi, lex credendi.

Good presentation floresco.

 

[crazzeto]

For me, it is simply because this is how the Mass was always celebrated for so many hundred years. Durring my first experience, I couldn’t help but marvel at this… I felt a sense of the ancient weight behind the Mass, almost as if this was the true way to worship (though I fully and completely accept OF Mass, and look forward to the new missal with great anticipation). Honestly all month I look forward to the 1st Sunday, when I can go back to the Cathedral and worship in this way, even though like you I love my parish, and her priests, and her members.

One note, at least for me… I find that praying as a family is the primary concern. So perhaps for me EF Masses will continue to be the rare treat. I just can’t go to one mass while my wife (and eventually childern) go to another. Of course I hope that eventually more and more people come to love the ancient mass as much as I do affording me more oppertunities to go

Anyway, I have to say truely… I am praying the new Missal will spark a revolution of reverence. I would be very satisfied if OF mass actually started including more traditional Latin Hymns/Chants, less inappropriate attire and far fewer liturgical abuses. My particular parish is very good at the above (except when it comes to Latin), but I realize not every parish is so blessed.

 

[OraLabora]

This morning, as I often do, I went to the extraordinary form of the Mass. As I was driving the extra half hour it takes me to get there I was asking myself why. I went past my local parish church where I like and admire the pastor and and many parishioners. If I had gone there I could have been with my spouse and children. Alone in the car I was wondering if it was really worth it.

And I decided it was. It is not that I have concerns about the OF being valid. And, even though I think the prayers lack the doctrinal clarity of the EF, that would not be enough of a reason for me by itself. The reason I do the extra drive is for the sense of quiet and reverence. And for the relief from all the little irritations that distract me during the OF.

AT the EF I am not distracted by hymns of questionable theology. I can receive Communion the way I prefer. There is no chattering in the Church before, after or during Mass. I don’t have to deal with the distraction of immodest clothing. I feel as if the dripping of a leaky faucet were finally stopped. The things that irritate and distract me are not intrinsic parts of the OF. It is theoretically possible for the Mass to be celebrated without these things. In practice, however, I have to drive even farther to get to an OF like that than I do to get to the EF.

Should I be able to overcome these distractions? Probably. I am not going to argue with anyone who says that this is due to some sort of character flaw on my part. But, even if is caused by my own weakness, I want to go to the Mass that I leave with a sense of peace, rather than one that I come away from feeling annoyed.

Does saying these things mean that I am denigrating the OF? Perhaps some people think so. However, that is not my intention. I am describing my experience

I can get all of this at an OF Mass in a Benedictine abbey nearby (which is in Gregorian chant BTW). Moreover in the surrounding parishes (all OF), there are some that are noisy and irreverent, some where it is very quiet in the half-hour before Mass.

These are all issues of discipline, not the form of the Mass. At the local abbey, the “serious” Catholics turn out, not caring that the extra reverence adds a half hour to the Mass. I’m willing to bet that the reason that the EF Mass in your area has fewer distractions, it’s that this is where the “serious” Catholics turn out. If they had a reverent OF Mass in Gregorian chant instead of an EF Mass, you’d probably see the same thing.

Does this mean I am denigrating the EF? Far from it, it fulfills a real need. But to put all the blame for irreverence on the form of the Mass, rather than the discipline in executing the form, is not seeing the forest for the trees. A disciplined pastor, not shy to set standards, is all it would take to make a local OF more reverent.

 

[floresco]

But to put all the blame for irreverence on the form of the Mass, rather than the discipline in executing the form, is not seeing the forest for the trees. A disciplined pastor, not shy to set standards, is all it would take to make a local OF more reverent.

This seems a strange response to a post in which I said:The things that irritate and distract me are not intrinsic parts of the OF. It is theoretically possible for the Mass to be celebrated without these things. In practice, however, I have to drive even farther to get to an OF like that than I do to get to the EF.

Or perhaps you are agreeing with me and I have misunderstood.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

But to put all the blame for irreverence on the form of the Mass, rather than the discipline in executing the form, is not seeing the forest for the trees. A disciplined pastor, not shy to set standards, is all it would take to make a local OF more reverent.

I don’t know, not sure about this. The EF has more prayers, is focused on God and the priests tend to be orthodox. With the OF, it is focused on people more than on God (the style of worship) and its theology is quite horisontal. You hear all sorts of questionable things. Reverent OF still doesn’t do it for me. Something is always missing. (perhaps that tabernacle, tucked away in a corner, while the priest has the altar to himself). It is quite banal in comparison to the EF.

 

[floresco]

The EF has more prayers, is focused on God and the priests tend to be orthodox. With the OF, it is focused on people more than on God (the style of worship) and its theology is quite horisontal. You hear all sorts of questionable things. Reverent OF still doesn’t do it for me. Something is always missing. (perhaps that tabernacle, tucked away in a corner, while the priest has the altar to himself). It is quite banal in comparison to the EF.

There is nothing seriously wrong with the theology of the OF. Some important concepts are not expressed as clearly as they might be and there are a few points where I think the emphasis is problematic. I can see these issues when I am thinking in terms of analysis of the prayers. But when I am praying them, rather than analyzing them, this is not a big problem for me. And the priest at my local parish is completely orthodox, so I personally I am not dealing with avoiding incorrect doctrine.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I have come to the conclusion there is no way any broaching of this EF/OF topic will not result in a food fight. My reasons for returning to the EF are very personal but similar to floresco’s, I have expressed them on other threads but no more, it’s not worth the aggravation.