I am borrowing another's (Mary's Anawim) blog today. Please view the link embedded in the title. You will see a Mass celebrated by a newly ordained priest in Montreal. While I don't much like the background music, it looks like a gorgeous Mass and procession in honour of The Assumption. Way to go, Fr. Greg!
The second...well...it is the stuff which could foster nightmares. Liturgical nightmares at the very leasts. I'm glad there did not seem to be any children in the congregation. They might have been scarred for life.
Showing posts with label Liturgical Abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liturgical Abuse. Show all posts
Friday, August 20, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Importance of the Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil can quite safely be called THE Mass of the Christian Liturgical year. It is the Vigil which is the main Mass of Easter. Easter Sunday Mass seems to be the one that most attend, particularly in places where the congregation has not been catechized as to the importance of the Vigil.
If people know anything about the Vigil, it is usually that it is a long Mass. If all the readings are proclaimed, there are seven Old Testament readings, seven psalms and seven corresponding prayers. Then, we have an Epistle reading and the Gospel reading. These readings trace out our salvation history, culminating in Jesus' resurrection. The liturgy of the Mass is not layed out willy-nilly. Each of those readings is there for a reason. Often though, the Vigil is shortened by eliminating some of the Old Testament readings.
At the Vigil Mass the water that will be used throughout the rest of the year is blessed to become Holy Water. Those who have been going through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults are received into the Church at this time. There may also be other baptisms and confirmations.
The Vigil can be three hours long.
What is three hours in the course of eternity? People will spend three hours shopping, at a hockey game, or even viewing a movie. A priest I know would tell people at the beginning of Mass to take off their watches. He would remind them that they were moving from chronos time to kairos time. They were taking a peek at eternity.
He had no problem with the long Mass.
Some will complain about the length. I think they need to be reminded of perspective. When I say this, I am assuming a healthy priest and a healthy congregation. Of course allowances must be made for infirmity. But if a person can sit at a hockey game for three hours? I think that blaming the length of the Mass for a small congregation is wrong-headed. We share the Mass with myriads of myriads each and every time we attend.
In a sense, the Vigil is a family reunion. At any Mass, we gather together with the Body of Christ, with Christ at the head. We join with Christians around the world, and throughout eternity. Those who have gone before us are there.
Removing readings (and the corresponding psalms and prayers) from the Vigil is like telling someone that we don't want to hear their family story. Sorry Uncle Isaiah, or Auntie Miriam, we don't want to hear from you this year.
And really, just how much time is saved by taking readings out?
Through this Mass, we are not spectators. There are Psalms and hymns to sing and prayers and a litany (assuming there is someone being baptized) to join in with, along with the responses common to any Mass. The Mass may actually start outdoors, so there is a procession into the church.
Hearing a Bishop complain about the length of the Vigil reminded me of two very enthusiastic members of the congregation one year; two small children aged 6 and about 4. They sang, they danced, they took turns 'directing' the choir, and had a lovely time. Their enthusiasm was quite an example. Over the years, I've seen many children at the Vigil. Rarely have they been disruptive or complaining.
All that said, I fully believe that people should be encouraged to be comfortable at what really is a long Mass. Dress nicely and modestly, but don't wear clothing that scratches or shoes that pinch. Bring a cushion or back support and a lap blanket if you think you'll need it (I know personally what a chill can do to arthritic knees and backs). Bring books or quiet toys for them, but expect children to fall asleep.
And a point of etiquette. When a parish has been assisting in an Easter Vigil Mass that uses all the readings provided, and has been doing so for several years, I would be very very cautious about suggesting change. While no one, not even the Bishop or the Pope 'owns' the Mass, people can become accustomed to practices. When these practices are in line with what the liturgy spells out, I believe that reducing the Mass is a poor choice.
God Bless
If people know anything about the Vigil, it is usually that it is a long Mass. If all the readings are proclaimed, there are seven Old Testament readings, seven psalms and seven corresponding prayers. Then, we have an Epistle reading and the Gospel reading. These readings trace out our salvation history, culminating in Jesus' resurrection. The liturgy of the Mass is not layed out willy-nilly. Each of those readings is there for a reason. Often though, the Vigil is shortened by eliminating some of the Old Testament readings.
At the Vigil Mass the water that will be used throughout the rest of the year is blessed to become Holy Water. Those who have been going through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults are received into the Church at this time. There may also be other baptisms and confirmations.
The Vigil can be three hours long.
What is three hours in the course of eternity? People will spend three hours shopping, at a hockey game, or even viewing a movie. A priest I know would tell people at the beginning of Mass to take off their watches. He would remind them that they were moving from chronos time to kairos time. They were taking a peek at eternity.
He had no problem with the long Mass.
Some will complain about the length. I think they need to be reminded of perspective. When I say this, I am assuming a healthy priest and a healthy congregation. Of course allowances must be made for infirmity. But if a person can sit at a hockey game for three hours? I think that blaming the length of the Mass for a small congregation is wrong-headed. We share the Mass with myriads of myriads each and every time we attend.
In a sense, the Vigil is a family reunion. At any Mass, we gather together with the Body of Christ, with Christ at the head. We join with Christians around the world, and throughout eternity. Those who have gone before us are there.
Removing readings (and the corresponding psalms and prayers) from the Vigil is like telling someone that we don't want to hear their family story. Sorry Uncle Isaiah, or Auntie Miriam, we don't want to hear from you this year.
And really, just how much time is saved by taking readings out?
Through this Mass, we are not spectators. There are Psalms and hymns to sing and prayers and a litany (assuming there is someone being baptized) to join in with, along with the responses common to any Mass. The Mass may actually start outdoors, so there is a procession into the church.
Hearing a Bishop complain about the length of the Vigil reminded me of two very enthusiastic members of the congregation one year; two small children aged 6 and about 4. They sang, they danced, they took turns 'directing' the choir, and had a lovely time. Their enthusiasm was quite an example. Over the years, I've seen many children at the Vigil. Rarely have they been disruptive or complaining.
All that said, I fully believe that people should be encouraged to be comfortable at what really is a long Mass. Dress nicely and modestly, but don't wear clothing that scratches or shoes that pinch. Bring a cushion or back support and a lap blanket if you think you'll need it (I know personally what a chill can do to arthritic knees and backs). Bring books or quiet toys for them, but expect children to fall asleep.
And a point of etiquette. When a parish has been assisting in an Easter Vigil Mass that uses all the readings provided, and has been doing so for several years, I would be very very cautious about suggesting change. While no one, not even the Bishop or the Pope 'owns' the Mass, people can become accustomed to practices. When these practices are in line with what the liturgy spells out, I believe that reducing the Mass is a poor choice.
God Bless
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Let Him be Anathema!
Well, it's happened.
I suppose it had to, given my propensity for speaking out against abuse in the Catholic Church. What is interesting is that this reaction was not due to something I said, but something my husband said.
Or rather, something he requested. This is something I have requested in the past myself.
My husband has been "suggested" to leave the church. The word 'church' was written with a small 'c', so I suppose this may have meant parish. For it to be otherwise is absolutely ludicrous!
I can say that we certainly have no plans to leave the church or the Church. Our quirky little chapel in our quirky diocese has been our spiritual home for nearly a dozen years. Our work in the diocese itself goes back much farther.
We have outlasted one bishop, several chancellors, and almost innumerable priests and PAs. The number of volunteer hours we have clocked is also innumerable. This is nothing in which to boast, but shows our commitment to doing our best to make the chapels work as well as we can.
We do not try to extend our own agenda. We both try hard to to make 'our' agenda that which the Church itself seeks. As we have learned things over the years, we have become more confident in expressing the Church's teaching, especially where we believe we see it being misstated.
So, what got us 'suggested' to leave? My husband merely pressed the point, with the appropriate official, that no documentation supporting a particular liturgical anomaly perpetrated by our diocese was forthcoming when we asked to see it. We have been told that permission has been given, but nothing in writing has followed. According to the document "Redemptionis Sacramentum" we have a right to ask for and receive such information.
Why we question the statement is that Rome has stated and restated that this practice is not licit. While it does not invalidate the Mass, it is a practice which is not to be done. By our estimation, Rome has covered all the loopholes.
We aren't sure right now if this latest brush fire will be taken to a higher 'court'. It could be interesting!
God Bless and Happy Advent.
Jaye
I suppose it had to, given my propensity for speaking out against abuse in the Catholic Church. What is interesting is that this reaction was not due to something I said, but something my husband said.
Or rather, something he requested. This is something I have requested in the past myself.
My husband has been "suggested" to leave the church. The word 'church' was written with a small 'c', so I suppose this may have meant parish. For it to be otherwise is absolutely ludicrous!
I can say that we certainly have no plans to leave the church or the Church. Our quirky little chapel in our quirky diocese has been our spiritual home for nearly a dozen years. Our work in the diocese itself goes back much farther.
We have outlasted one bishop, several chancellors, and almost innumerable priests and PAs. The number of volunteer hours we have clocked is also innumerable. This is nothing in which to boast, but shows our commitment to doing our best to make the chapels work as well as we can.
We do not try to extend our own agenda. We both try hard to to make 'our' agenda that which the Church itself seeks. As we have learned things over the years, we have become more confident in expressing the Church's teaching, especially where we believe we see it being misstated.
So, what got us 'suggested' to leave? My husband merely pressed the point, with the appropriate official, that no documentation supporting a particular liturgical anomaly perpetrated by our diocese was forthcoming when we asked to see it. We have been told that permission has been given, but nothing in writing has followed. According to the document "Redemptionis Sacramentum" we have a right to ask for and receive such information.
Why we question the statement is that Rome has stated and restated that this practice is not licit. While it does not invalidate the Mass, it is a practice which is not to be done. By our estimation, Rome has covered all the loopholes.
We aren't sure right now if this latest brush fire will be taken to a higher 'court'. It could be interesting!
God Bless and Happy Advent.
Jaye
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