Latin Mass attracting a younger generation of parishioners

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | Dec. 21, 2003 | STEVEN G. VEGH

[ArrogantBustard]

It also explains why I do not ... though I occasionally assist at the Melkite-Greek Divine Liturgy in Great Falls.

Re. your tagline, my Dad taught me to read before I was enrolled in school, and to love reading when the school made it boring. So I'll thank him, and get both of your points covered in one "thank you". :')

[COBOL2Java]

I interpret the Mass for the deaf not too far from Holy Transfiguration, at Christ the Redeemer in Sterling (2nd & 4th Sundays, 5:30pm).

Interesting thing I've noticed about the Diocese of Arlington: of the churches I've either interpreted at or attended, the most wonderful ones are those manned by religious communities, such as Christ the Redeemer (SA - Greyfriars) and St. Joseph's in Herndon (TOR Franciscans).

[ArrogantBustard]

Ever attended St. Timothy or St. Veronica?

[COBOL2Java]

Went to St. Veronica's before it was built - when Fr. Pollard was saying Mass at the Methodist Church. Have they completed the church yet?

[ArrogantBustard]

There was a long drawn-out legal fight with the county planning commission bozos ... construction began in August, 2003. So: Sunday Mass at the elementary school, daily Mass at one Methodist church, Saturday night Mass at another Methodist Church, and Holy Day Masses at an Episcopal church ...

[NYer]

Interesting ... Albany is another hotbed of Novus Ordo abuse.

Tell me about it! The Christmas Eve Mass at my parish was a prime example. Our pastor is gay but I don't hold it against him. He is quite the artist - uses the sanctuary like a stage, with a floor to ceiling blue banner sporting his own interpretation of the Star of Bethlehem. Uplighting highlights a contemporary 3 piece Nativity scene. Green boughs, along with red and white poinsettias are meticulously woven together like. The altar was set with a red drop cloth and two tapestries hanging down the front that color coordinated with his vestments. - YES - he wore red vestments! According to the GIRM, the proper color for Christmas is white. There is one codicil that allows a priest to switch colors on special occasions. He took full advantage.

The 'contemporary music group' performs at this mass. Yes - performs! During the consecration, the pianist and guitarist played 'background' music. I wanted to jump up and tell them to stop! The highlight came after communion when they played an upbeat, kumbaya piece. One little girl began dancing in the pew - the pastor smiled (he may even have glanced in my direction). It was a veritable show stopper. There was a rousing round of applause at the end of their performance. I refrained from joining in, bit my tongue and pleaded with our Lord to forgive the malice I felt in my heart in that moment. /sigh/

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

It's hard to say. Some of the Bishops I've observed have an attitude that they just want everyone to be happy and not complain, hence anything from Tridentine to dancing girls. One of the most liberal, AmChurchian dioceses (Oakland) had a Traditional parish in the midst of heresy under the previous Bishop. Mahony has several Indult Masses. Maybe some don't want a battle, other's do it because they don't care either way.

In contrast, I've found that certain conservative appearing bishops who you'd think would be friendly to traditionalists are anything but. Scratch below the surface and it's all an act. Some are little more than administrators while others are just plain mean. Levada in SF has refused for years to allow a Tridentine despite the Pope's ruling and parishoners' pleas.

Most people don't attend the Traditional Mass because of N.O. abuses. They do so because they prefer a more vertical level of worship. After having been raised in the N.O. and turning to traditionalism, I won't go back.

[southern_living]

The parishes in Richmond don't fare much better than those in Chesapeake. I attend St. Joseph's (mentioned above). We also started out as an independent chapel and our priest is a Benedictine.

[southern_living]

Fr. Chad Ripperger was at our parish recently and after his conference he was talking about the talks for the universal indult in Rome. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said that one of the Cardinals said that if any priest could say the Traditional Mass anytime and if the Mass was offered frequently, then in 10 years no one would attend the New Mass except the fruits and nuts. (Of course, the Cardinal was saying this in a negative sense).

[southern_living]

Justice Scalia's son, Father Paul, offered the Traditional Mass at my parish while our priest was on vacation.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Exactly! They know it!!

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Ping to #29.

[Land of the Irish]

Justice Scalia's son, Father Paul, offered the Traditional Mass at my parish while our priest was on vacation.

You just made my day. Thank-you.

[Pyro7480]

The Tridentine Mass will be celebrated tomorrow morning at Old Saint Mary's Church in Washington DC (9:00am).

I will also try to attend, since this is the parish I attend on Sundays. I attended my first Traditional Latin Mass there in June, and have been going there ever since. I am a member of the schola that does Gregorian chant on the third Sunday of the month at 9 am. I take the Metro up from the Huntington area south of Alexandria. It will be a low Mass most likely. I like the pastor. His name is Father David Conway. We are both natives of the state of Delaware.

[kstewskis]

Compared to the old rite, some younger members said, the contemporary Mass is too unpredictable and too much like Protestant services.

How true this is! More frequently than not recently, the parish I attend (as well as others in the diocese) cross this line all too often. It gets very frustrating for someone relatively "new" to the church who is seeking tradition that has held true and steadfast for centuries.

Hopefully our recently installed new bishop here in Phoenix will bring some of that tradition back to it's faithful followers, who have longed for the way our Lord and Apostles passed down to us.

Fr. Chad Ripperger was at our parish recently and after his conference he was talking about the talks for the universal indult in Rome. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said that one of the Cardinals said that if any priest could say the Traditional Mass anytime and if the Mass was offered frequently, then in 10 years no one would attend the New Mass except the fruits and nuts.

Fine. So put me with the meat and potatoes. That's where I want to be in 10 years.

[Land of the Irish]

His name is Father David Conway.

I have been to Father Conway's Masses. I think he is a very holy and pious priest.

[SuziQ]

“There’s no personal interpretation at all,’’ he said. “The meaning is definite.”

I'm sure that's why folks like it. They feel like it has more to do with GOD, and less to do with the personality of Father Whathisname.

[Maximilian]

Justice Scalia's son, Father Paul, offered the Traditional Mass at my parish while our priest was on vacation.

Really? What interesting news. I understood that he was a priest of the diocese of Arlington, and as this thread has confirmed, they are unable to get permission to offer the traditional Mass. I know the Arlington bishop has cracked down even on kneeling at Christendom College. I also heard recently that a priest at Christendom who was saying the Latin Mass privately and inviting select students was discovered and had his faculties revoked. Do you have any more information about Fr. Scalia's status?

[Maximilian]

Fr. Chad Ripperger was at our parish recently

I'd like to hear more about this. Fr. Ripperger has impressed me as one of the best minds in the Church today.

[lainde]

bttt