I just finished reading through nearly 200 comments posted to this entry.
I am truly amazed by your responses. Some of the comments are fascinating!
I glossed some of them in red.
Thanks for the generous response to my query. I never expected such an outpouring of experiences and thoughts.
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
on Faith practice declining far and wide…. except…: “Yes, following the Attorney General of Maryland’s detailed report on the extensive sexual predation and cover-up by the Archdiocese, Bill…”
on 15 April 2019 – Notre-Dame de Paris: “@ Anita Moore, O.P.(lay): The Tour Montparnasse’s only redeeming quality is the view from its top, but wishing to trade…”
on Faith practice declining far and wide…. except…: “If the FSSP owns some of the churches that they staff, it may be wise to figure out a different…”
on Faith practice declining far and wide…. except…: “What I find most irksome is Catholics who see all this happening and then say, “it’s time of renewal”. No,…”
on Faith practice declining far and wide…. except…: “Is it simply a coincidence that church attendance began to decline just after the introduction of the Novus Ordo? It…”
on Card. Sarah: “Many Western prelates are tetanized… the dream of being loved by the world”: “Oh, yes. My hearty AMEN! We are very privileged to still have brave, vocal, devoted, and blessed shepherds such as…”
on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 2nd Sunday after Easter (N.O. 3rd of Easter) 2024: “I’ll note (in case people question) I had the Eucharist in one of the masses (not both as they were…” on Card. Sarah: “Many Western prelates are tetanized… the dream of being loved by the world”: “Spot on I’d say.”
on 15 April 2019 – Notre-Dame de Paris: “@Charles E Flynn If it was possible to die from sheer boredom, those pictures would need a warning label. I…”
on Card. Sarah: “Many Western prelates are tetanized… the dream of being loved by the world”: “I was once told at a retreat that, if you are getting along well with the world, you need to…”
on Card. Sarah: “Many Western prelates are tetanized… the dream of being loved by the world”: “My Nephew by marriage is the son of a former Priest and Nun. They served together at the same location…”
on 15 April 2019 – Notre-Dame de Paris: “@ Tom of John of God and Raphael OSB Obl. There are some photos here: Inside Notre-Dame: Guillaume Bardet’s furniture…”
on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 2nd Sunday after Easter (N.O. 3rd of Easter) 2024: “I have a particular love for this parable…and in fact, all the “sheep” parables. I spent thirty years raising a…”
on 15 April 2019 – Notre-Dame de Paris: “I’m almost more horrified over what the interior designers will have come up with for inside the cathedral, frankly. I’ve…”
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since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
Father,
Thousands of people will love the Mass of all Ages very soon. For they will be able to assist at it everywhere.
Deo Gratias
I hope it’s all right to post another comment regarding my love of the Extraordinary Rite. I have already moved once to be nearer to Mater Ecclesiae Mission in Berlin, NJ and I will be moving again next year (God willing) to be even closer (less than my now 30+ mile one-way trip.)
The NO may have its adherents and admirers but I doubt any of them would ever consider it worth moving for.
Also, I am glad in some ways the ER was “suppressed” as it were because now those who celebrate it are no longer under compulsion. What I mean by this is is those who are now devoted to the ER are willing to reach for perfection in its celebration (although they will always fall short this side of heaven.) Pre-Vatican II there must have been some very lax Masses because the priests and the faithful had no other choice.
I must admit, however, that I have had a few “bad” experiences with the ER, most notably the unnamed parish I recently visited because it is nearer my home. It was a not so beautifully rendered Low Mass with the server calling out the responses in a loud, staccato monotone that was more reminiscent of someone calling Bingo.
My greatest fantasy would be to win the Powerball or Megamillions Lottery and be able to build a magnificent full sized Church at Mater Ecclesiae. I feel that in the very near future they will outgrow their tiny chapel. I hope everyone can move there!
Dear Fr. Z.,
Thank YOU for requesting our responses. Reading them, as you said, has been edifying. I am most appreciative of the ground rules you laid out, as such a thread can easily become an “I’m right; you’re wrong” entry.
+JMJ+
Dear Fr. John that you for your many articles you write and for this blog site. We love the Latin Mass and are so very joyful that Our Holy Father released it for us faithful to again pray. It seems to be Providential for our times. God Bless you+
Let me get this straight. Fr. Z says that WE wore him out. Oy vey! If he only knew how many times I got worn out just by satisfying my addiction to read more here.
I just……..offer it up.
Heheheheheee
Fr. Z,
Many of the comments could be of great use. In particular, those comments that touched on criticisms of the older form of Mass could help to improve conditions under which it is celebrated. I noticed that a few people commented on the lack of community among those who attend the old Mass, clearly underscoring the need to intergrate the old Mass into normal parish life, and to establish personal parishes and oratories, staffed by priests who take an active role in those parish communities.
Some other comments noted problems with the celebration itself, such as those Masses where the priest rushes the Latin (thankfully I have been blessed with a Mass where the priest speaks at a pace where the beauty of the language can be fully appreciated). Others brought up issues of superiority and elitism among those who attend the older form of Mass- this must cease if any progress is to be made.
Thank you for allowing us to express our thoughts and opinions, and for taking the time to read them all. I’m sure you have created a caluable resource for all of us.
– Jonathan
“I got a gloss; YAY”
No, seriously, Father, I thought this might wear you out. I often follow blogs that I comment on via a special website, but this one was wearing me out! I really appreciate you going through all our comments.
I was leading a rehearsal for my cantors yesterday evening, and one of them, an older gentleman, commented that he had attended the TLM at St. Martha’s in Sarasota, FL the past Sunday. Although this Mass has been in existence for nearly 10 years now, it has recently been assigned to a new FSSP Priest who has been brought here by our Bishop, Frank Dewane. Th interesting comment he made was about the homily. He said that the Priest, Fr. Fryar (I know…no chuckling!) said during the homily that he believes strongly that not only will the latin language see a great resurgence in all Catholic liturgy, he also believes strongly that the “extraordinary form” will very quickly establish itself in the liturgical life of the church. This was very uplifting news coming from someone who is, in the truest sense, out there “in the trenches”.