At Mass two Sundays ago, our aged Associate Pastor (73 years old) chewed out the entire congregation. After Communion and a period of silent reflection, he said, "You'd think after 40 years, everyone would be on the same page! When you receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, you are to respond, 'Amen!' I don't think more than half the people who just received responded at all!" He then made us practice out loud at least 5 times, responding each time, "I can't hear you!" He sure got the point across and I had a smile from ear to ear. The voice level the following week was really an improvement. I should mention that only priests administer the Eucharist at our Church Masses and the Blood of Christ is not offered. Both priests attend to distribute Communion.
Finally, the majority of folks in my Church respond, "Amen" using the Latin pronunciation (Ahh'-men). Father told us a while back how "AYE-Men" crept into the Church after the movie "The Lilies of the Field" introduced that pronunciation. I thought about it and he is right. Back to Catholic pronunciations!
F
As for the "ahhh .... men", it is not unusual in our parish to hear the Aramaic pronunciation: "Ahhh - meen".
Wonderful story. And thanks for the information about pronouncing the Ahh--men.
He sounds like our Father.
He is very opinionated on such things.
Which I am glad.