Posted on 04/08/2006 3:24:20 PM PDT by NYer
The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments -- who was recently accused of "attack[ing] the Mass" by the excommunicated head of the Lefebvrist movement -- gave a talk in London last week....
OK, nice talk, very sound... but what of the overlay stole?During a talk in Westminster Cathedral April 1, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze called on priests to restore tabernacles to central positions in churches and for Catholics to rediscover the tradition of reverent genuflection in the presence of the Eucharist.
He also called for an end to adding details to and subtracting them from the approved rites of the Mass and for an end to soft background music during Mass and other times when people were trying to pray in church.
"This is doubtless well intentioned, but it is a mistake," said the cardinal. "People enter churches to pray, not to be entertained."
The cardinal told about 400 audience members that Mass was the "supreme act of adoration, praise and thanksgiving which humanity can offer God." ....
"A do-it-yourself mentality, an attitude of 'nobody will tell me what to do,' or a defiant sting of 'if you do not like my Mass you can go to another parish' is not only against sound theology and ecclesiology, but also offends against common sense," he said. "Unfortunately, sometimes common sense is not very common, when we see a priest ignoring liturgical rules and installing creativity -- in his case idiosyncrasy -- as the guide to the celebration of the Mass."
Amen to that! On Good Friday last year, some CINOs who now attend an Evangelical Church, decided to join us. While we all prayed in silence awaiting the priest's entrance, these two women carried on a conversation - a loud conversation. They had lost all sense of decorum. If they show up again this year, they'll get an earful from me - with Father's blessing.
I got "liturgical dancers" last Easter. I was out of town and picked the wrong church! I was not very happy.
I like what he said, but could give him a few fashion tips on his choice of mitre in that pic. Yikes.
Ok, I'll bite, what is an overlay stole?
I'll bet that was his mitre for a Pentacost mass.
"While we all prayed in silence"
It bothers me every Sunday, arrive at Mass attempt to pray, and I'm listening to people chattering all around like they are at a cocktail party! drives me batty!
I call it "interlude" music. A few years back the organist was playing interlude music before Mass. One of the hits of the day was "The Impossible Dream"!
Our organist never cuts loose with Louis Vierne until the postlude . . . although if he played him up front, nobody could talk before Mass because they couldn't hear themselves think (which would kind of make it pointless because they couldn't hear themselves pray, either.)
I also thought it was probably for Pentecost, but that it still looked gaudy and just a little too "70's hip" for a Prince of the Church to be wearing.
Oh, yeah, the Altar Nymphs.
Why do they have to fill the mass with noise? I do mean noise. I wouldn't call what we have music. "It's all about me Lord, it's all about me."
Speak with your pastor about this. Sometimes, all it takes is a gentle ..... 'ahem' ..... reminder from the pulpit and some well placed signs.
I would, but he's the one in the back of the church greeting them & telling them where to find the wine & chees!
OMG - flashback to a similar experience at my former RC parish. That occured at one of the Masses and, like you, I was stunned to see the Consecration, set to background music.
Have you ever fasted from music (and noise) the way you'd fast from food? Take a road trip with the radio off?
Lol ... two years ago, I gave up tv and radio (except for EWTN and some classical music) during Lent. Ridding my life of noise opened up more time for prayer and silent conversation with our Lord. It's now become permanent. I get my news off the Internet - AND - I can post my own opinions ;-)
Given the penchant of so many parishioners to indulge in idle chatter before liturgy, a quiet Bach fugue might actually serve to quiet them. Perhaps this desire to have background music is a reflection of a world now filled with inescapable noise. People are no longer accustomed to silence and immediately respond by filling it with music or conversation.
Man of LaMancha? I hate to break it to you, but that was a LOT more than a few years back :^D
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.