‘Traditionis’: a picture is worth a thousand words. Wherein Fr. Z is deeply moved.

[Michie]

This is one of the most beautiful expressions of “full, conscious and active” participation at Mass that I have ever seen.

It is another way, a silent but outward way, to express those amazing words:

“My Lord and my God.”

You may at some point have heard that the Traditional Latin Mass “reduces people to spectators”. You may have heard the canard that you are not “active” participants unless you are doing something outwardly. If you aren’t singing everything or saying everything or looking at the priest looking at you, then you aren’t participating. Critics of the older form of Mass claim that the congregation is forced to be “passive”.

That’s simply false.

Continued below.
'Traditionis': a picture is worth a thousand words. Wherein Fr. Z is deeply moved.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

"...we engage our will and minds to follow carefully the words and gestures of the sacred action."

And this can be done in any language, especially the vernacular that requires no translation.

"The Mass was celebrated in Latin for over 1,500 years. And, over time, fewer and fewer people fully understood this language. So a bell was rung to remind them what was happening. Additionally, the placement and design of the altar often partially obstructed what was happening in the sanctuary. Again a bell was rung to assist the faithful."

Why ring bells in the middle of Mass? | The Compass

 

[Michie]

"...we engage our will and minds to follow carefully the words and gestures of the sacred action."

And this can be done in any language, especially the vernacular that requires no translation.

The point is that those that glean more from the TLM are being denied under the false claim of division. It has been made clear that there is room enough for both. But Pope Francis does not seem to think so. Just this short period of time shows it has caused more division and hurt.

 

[BrAndreyu]

You may at some point have heard that the Traditional Latin Mass “reduces people to spectators”.

I didn't get that vibe from going today at all. The entire parish was actively engaged, except for me because I didn't know what to do and don't know any Latin so I wasn't even able to make the responses aside from "Amen".

I also feel kind of bad that I wasn't raised in that sort of a mass tradition, because there were a lot of young people there for how small the church was. Like way more young people that are ever at my parish, and that said something to me. But I didn't like the fact that the girl sitting next to me was looking over at me the whole time like I didn't belong there because I didn't know what was going on, what to say or do, it was like being in an Orthodox church for me except it was a Catholic church and I'm Catholic, so I feel guilty and kind of bad that I wasn't able to actively participate in the mass itself and I do wish that this had been the tradition that I was raised under when it comes to going to mass, because it really was beautiful and otherworldly, but I was nervous the whole time that I was ruining the cohesion of it for other people, that they were judging me because I don't know the specifics, etc.

I might go again at some point in the future and hopefully, will be able to get one of those red cover booklets to follow along because I feel like as a Catholic, that I have as much of a right to be there as any of those people do.

 

[Michie]

I didn't get that vibe from going today at all. The entire parish was actively engaged, except for me because I didn't know what to do and don't know any Latin so I wasn't even able to make the responses aside from "Amen".

I also feel kind of bad that I wasn't raised in that sort of a mass tradition, because there were a lot of young people there for how small the church was. Like way more young people that are ever at my parish, and that said something to me. But I didn't like the fact that the girl sitting next to me was looking over at me the whole time like I didn't belong there because I didn't know what was going on, what to say or do, it was like being in an Orthodox church for me except it was a Catholic church and I'm Catholic, so I feel guilty and kind of bad that I wasn't able to actively participate in the mass itself and I do wish that this had been the tradition that I was raised under when it comes to going to mass, because it really was beautiful and otherworldly, but I was nervous the whole time that I was ruining the cohesion of it for other people, that they were judging me because I don't know the specifics, etc.

I might go again at some point in the future and hopefully, will be able to get one of those red cover booklets to follow along because I feel like as a Catholic, that I have as much of a right to be there as any of those people do.

Of course you do. Nobody escorted you out.

 

[BrAndreyu]

Of course you do. Nobody escorted you out.

No but the girl sitting directly next to me kept looking over at me the entire mass, and that was unnerving because I already felt like I stuck out there.

 

[Michie]

No but the girl sitting directly next to me kept looking over at me the entire mass, and that was unnerving because I already felt like I stuck out there.

She probably sensed you were new and trying to learn. Look at it charitably.