Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"They "Served" My Lord... Like An Appetizer:" Liturgical Abuse at Villanova U.
myself | 6/2/2005 | Pyro7480

Posted on 06/02/2005 11:17:53 AM PDT by Pyro7480

On 21 May 2005, I attended the bacculareate Mass at Villanova University in southeastern Pennsylvania. My sister was graduating from this school, which was founded by Augustinian priests in the mid-19th century.

The Mass took place in the early evening at the university's stadium, and other than a brief shower, the liturgy started well. A choir sang Palestrina's Tu es Petrus prior to the beginning of the Mass. I was delighted to hear that particular piece of music. However, I should have a heeded a warning of sorts that was right in front of my eyes. There was a table close to the stage were the Mass was going to be offered, and sitting on top of the table were glass chalices, which obviously were going to be used during the Mass.

The atmosphere of the Mass shifted quickly as the processional hymn began. The line-up of the ministers began in a normal fashion. At the very beginning of the procession was a graduate in academic garb carrying a censor. However, not far behind were other graduates carrying multi-colored banners. They were the oddest things I had ever seen processed in during a Mass. It wasn't clear at all what their point was. The colors used weren't Villanova's colors. In fact, they used bright pastel colors. But they didn't have much to do with the Mass itself, so it was a forgiveable error.

The banners, however, was just the beginning of events that could be described as the results of lapses in judgement. The music during the Mass itself belonged to typical post-1970's composing, so that wasn't exactly unexpected either. But when the time for the offertory came, my heart began to sink. The hosts that were to be consecrated were brought in to the stage where the altar was in large wicker baskets. It wasn't immediately clear at that point but inside the larger wicker baskets were smaller wicker baskets, lined with white cloths of some sort, which actually contained the hosts. The wine that was going to be consecrated were brought in large glass/crystal containers.

Both the hosts and the wine were left in their containers during the entire Eucharistic prayer. When time came for communion, baskets containing consecrated hosts were brought to each side of the field. The smaller wicker baskets containing the hosts were taken out of the larger baskets, and most of the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament was taken care of by lay people, most of whom were college students.

When one of them came with the basket, the rest of my family went for Communion, but I decided not to go. I prefer to receive Our Lord's Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, from the hands of a priest or deacon. Anyway, at that point, I was feeling rather offended by the manner Communion was being distributed. They were treating Our Lord as if He were an appetizer that was being served at a restaurant. When my dad sat back down next to me after receiving Communion, I told him what was wrong about what was taking place.

As the distribution was winding-down, I noticed that some of the students who were distributing Communion were committing more abuses. I saw one of them self-communicate. Some of them stacked the baskets on top of each other, and it was probably the case that on top of the clothes, there still rested small fragments of the consecrated hosts.

After the Mass concluded, my family went to a nice Italian restaurant nearby. I brought up the issue of the Mass. My mom seemed to understand why I was feeling offended. My sister on the other hand, said in response to my complaint (in a rather sarcastic manner), "I'm sorry my liturgy offended you." She couldn't understand why it was wrong to serve the Blessed Sacrament in that manner.

My final thought on this issue: If it is possible for papal Masses to accomodate hundreds of thousands of people during Communion, and do it properly, then an American institute of higher learning which has Catholic roots can afford to do take the proper steps to accomodate a few thousand during a bacculareate Mass.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; General Discusssion; Moral Issues; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; liturgicalabuse; liturgy; mass; villanova; villanovau
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 301-312 next last
To: sinkspur

The Novus Ordo was a new creation in the 1960s. You may want to claim some similarity (reconstructed through texts), but there is NO lineage of practice which connects the Novus to apostolic times. It was a wholesale break with tradition.


141 posted on 06/02/2005 8:10:16 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah
The Tridentine Mass was the official liturgy of the Roman Rite,

Correction: that should read "is the official liturgy." There is no document which officially suppressed the Tridentine and replaced it with the N.O.

142 posted on 06/02/2005 8:12:42 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: csbyrnes84
I checked out the "Campus Ministry" web page and that was all I needed to see:

Sacrament of Reconciliation

By Appointment Only

Please call 610-519-4080 for appointments

143 posted on 06/02/2005 8:24:18 PM PDT by Fast Ed97
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah
Thank you. I found the webpage for Our Lady Help of Christians in Garden Grove, CA. Quick question (and please take this only as ignorance from a person born long after VII), do I have to cover my head? Is there a dress code of sorts? Skirts only? I'm sort of frightened I'll do something wrong and cause an outrage (on threads like this!).
144 posted on 06/02/2005 8:29:15 PM PDT by GipperGal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: cyborg; Pyro7480; onyx

Oh, the wicker basket. Oh, Pyro, this is awful. I thought the pyrex bowls and glasses were bad enough. Especially when stacked like dinnerware after a meal. And that you sister buys into it as the norm, as well. It just shows how that can wear one down, dumbing down of everything. At my son's recent pre-graduation (HS) Mass, the glass bowls and glasses were stacked by a junior who isn't an EEM (only seniors have that privelege). She stacked all of them, 8 or 10 bowls and 8 or 10 glasses (I tried to count), and tucked them under her chin to balance, laughing and talking the whole time. Then started up the aisle out of the auditorium, pausing to talk to people along the way. I've seen dinner dishes cleared with more reverence.


145 posted on 06/02/2005 8:44:31 PM PDT by fortunecookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 132 | View Replies]

To: eastsider; Pyro7480; Romulus

My bishop leans way left, I guess this will be one of his next changes. Self-communicate from wicker baskets? I thought I'd heard it all.


146 posted on 06/02/2005 8:46:50 PM PDT by fortunecookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: GipperGal
I'm sort of frightened I'll do something wrong and cause an outrage (on threads like this!).

lol, don't worry :-) I live in fear of putting a mantilla on backwards :-D Most of us have done stupid things in our transition to Tradition. Remember, you don't say "Amen" after receiving the Eucharist in the Traditional Mass. I kept doing this at the Indult because I didn't know any better. I could never figure out why the priest kept looking at me funny. I also didn't wear a veil (almost no one did), and this one guy always looked at me like I was the Whore of Babylon when I walked in and sat down. You're going to make mistakes. We all do. You'll look back and laugh.

I would guess the Indult Traditional Masses are a little more lenient in expectations since that is often the first stop for people transitioning over. A skirt or a dress is expected for women, and once you are at Mass you'll see the whole atmosphere creates a more formal, respectful environment. It makes sense. You should wear a veil, but I don't think anyone will kick you out if you don't. Worst case (or best case) scenario, is someone will come over and help you out. Some chapels have veils for temporary use by visitors. I wouldn't wear anything sleeveless, see through, plunging neckline or too far above the knee. Everyone dresses modestly. No denim either.

You will probably feel lost at first because of the Latin and the new atmosphere. That fades in time as you get used to it. The graces and sense of holiness more than make up for the initial disorientation. You'll also see a completely different theology of the Mass which will make our Trad vs NO battle on FR more clear.

147 posted on 06/02/2005 8:51:57 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 144 | View Replies]

To: GipperGal
Can you recommend where I might purchase a good missal of the Tridentine Mass with a translation in English?

I bought a few when I first started assisting at the TLM. This one has become my favorite, it has very detailed explanations of every action of the priest and the theological significance of each, Catholic doctrine, prayers, hymns etc. It's a treasure trove of information.

Roman Catholic Daily Missal

148 posted on 06/02/2005 8:53:19 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 131 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah; ninenot
The 1969 Constitution Missale Romanum, by derogation. See the end of the SSPX book on the Problem of the Liturgical Reform, where they mention a recent letter of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship that says precisely this.
149 posted on 06/02/2005 8:59:56 PM PDT by gbcdoj (Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 133 | View Replies]

To: gbcdoj

That's funny because a commission of nine cardinals created by Pope John Paul II in the 90s studied the issue and found the Tridentine Mass had never been abrogated. I believe Benedict/Ratzinger was on the commission.

You must know something they don't.


150 posted on 06/02/2005 9:06:34 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: Pyro7480
My final thought on this issue: If it is possible for papal Masses to accomodate hundreds of thousands of people during Communion, and do it properly, then an American institute of higher learning which has Catholic roots can afford to do take the proper steps to accomodate a few thousand during a bacculareate Mass.

Exactly! I have said this, too. Even just a few hundred. And also, why, in my diocese, is NOT kneeling after the Eucharistic Prayer through the entire Holy Communion period a sign of 'unity' but not our reception of the Eucharist itself? We are urged to be obedient and not kneel. We can stand or sit, but not kneel. Why can the late Pope John Paul actually kneel for these parts (until he was unable) and our new Holy Father, Benedict, as well, and everyone else at a Papal Mass as a sign of reverence, but that same sign be soooo wrong for my diocese? Then there's the new 'enlightenment' of the 'Oran's' hand position...

151 posted on 06/02/2005 9:10:58 PM PDT by fortunecookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GipperGal

Well here is what I know about the dress code at Traditional Latin mass chapels. I've learned this from attending the Latin Mass weekly for the past couple of years.

The strictness of what you can and can not wear usually depends upon what mass you go to. As a general rule of thumb, chapels run by the SSPX and FSSP usually encourage women to wear chapel veils and skirts (the farther below the knee, the better). There are usually chapel veiils avaiable at the door of most of these chapels, and if not you can most likely buy one at the book store. Men are usually required to wear pants (No shorts) and are usually heavily encouraged to wear some type of collared shirt, whether it is polo or button down, instead of a T-shirt.

Now things usually get murkier when you go to an indult mass, diocesan run chapel, or an independent chapel. I have been to many such masses where next to no dress code seemed to be followed. At these masses usually half the women wear head veils and the other half don't. I also noticed that at these types of masses most of the women wear the small circular veil, whereas at the FSSP and SSPX women tend to wear larger veils.


152 posted on 06/02/2005 9:13:31 PM PDT by csbyrnes84
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 144 | View Replies]

To: Bigg Red; Pyro7480

This is something brand new in my area and only a few priests urge us to do it, mostly the ones at the local Catholic schools, which means the kids will think it's normal and do it as adults even if us parents complain now... But I don't get it. It feels awkward. We aren't all 'priests' merely be being Catholic. And then it blurs the line in favor of women as priests as well.


153 posted on 06/02/2005 9:13:50 PM PDT by fortunecookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: fortunecookie; Pyro7480

Actually from what I understand, for Papal Masses pre-Novus Ordo at St. Peters, communion was never distributed. Only the Pope would receive communion and that was it. The Pope actually even used a "liturgical straw" to drink the precious blood as was a custom from the early part of the church.


154 posted on 06/02/2005 9:18:46 PM PDT by csbyrnes84
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 151 | View Replies]

To: csbyrnes84; Canticle_of_Deborah
Many more embarrassing (but necessary) questions...

What exactly is a "veil"? Is it a scarf that you put on your head? Why is this done? Why don't they say "Amen" at Communion? Does everyone kneel at the Communion rail?

155 posted on 06/02/2005 9:30:19 PM PDT by GipperGal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: kstewskis; GipperGal
... snip ... The New Roman Missal from Fr. LaSance (Christian Book Club of America, PO Box 900566 Palmdale, CA 93590) ... snip ... The 1962 Roman Missal (Latin-English) is also an excellent version, and the one most TLM Indult masses go by.

List of Christian Book Publishers The ones marked with a "V" carry Catholic materials. Most of these have links. For the one you mentioned in Palmdale, I've found several references to it but from the link above, here's a direct link that gets you into their Bookstore.

Then there's this one: 1962 ROMAN CATHOLIC DAILY MISSAL

Hope this helps a bit ...

156 posted on 06/02/2005 9:32:12 PM PDT by Boomer Geezer (Sgt. Wanda Dabbs, 22, of the 230th, called out, "That's my president, hooah!" and there were cheers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: csbyrnes84; Pyro7480
Papal Masses pre-Novus Ordo at St. Peters, communion was never distributed. Only the Pope would receive communion and that was it.

How things and sensibilities have changed (fallen?).

157 posted on 06/02/2005 9:42:33 PM PDT by fortunecookie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: murphE

re: Missal ... Ah, I see you beat me to it! I should have done a "refresh" before cluttering up the thread with my post ... apologies.


158 posted on 06/02/2005 9:44:20 PM PDT by Boomer Geezer (Sgt. Wanda Dabbs, 22, of the 230th, called out, "That's my president, hooah!" and there were cheers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: Boomer Geezer

no apologies necessary...isn't that a great missal?


159 posted on 06/02/2005 9:47:53 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: GipperGal

Well here's the scoop, I'm surprised no one more qualified to answer these questions is doing so (i.e. a women), but I'll try my best.

A veil is a mantilla. Its a head covering that Catholic women traditionally wear. Here is a web page showing the 2 most common types of veils. The one on the left is more modern 1950s/1960s style while the one on the right is more traditional. You'll usually see a mix of the two styles at traditional chapels.

http://www.ocdsrose.com/chapel_caps.htm

Women can also just wear a hat instead of the veil, but many just prefer the veil I guess.

Why isn't Amen said? Its because the Priest when he distributes communion says the Amen for you. "Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen" "May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen." So there is no need for you to say Amen. All of the Eastern Rite masses I've ever attendend (Ukranian, Armenian, Melkite, Syro-Malankar) similarly don't require you to say Amen either. Its only Novus Ordo where people say Amen for commmunion.

Everyone kneels for communion and receives on the tongue. Every once in a while you'll see somebody standing for commmunion and thats because they have bad knees. So unless you have a medical problem which prevents you from kneeling you have to kneel at the altar rail to receive communion.


160 posted on 06/02/2005 9:55:03 PM PDT by csbyrnes84
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 301-312 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson