Mass appeal to Latin tradition [Poster has concerns about accuracy]

The Washington Times ^ | October 28, 2007 | Kristi Moore

[sitetest]

Roman Catholic churches nationwide are rushing to accommodate a surge in demand for the traditional Latin Mass, which is drawing a surprising new crowd: young people.

Since July, when a decree from Pope Benedict XVI lifted decades-old restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass, seven churches in the Washington metropolitan area have added the liturgy to their weekly Sunday schedules.

"I love the Latin Mass," said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. "It"s amazing to think that I"m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries."

In contrast to the New Order Mass, which has been in use since the Second Vatican Council in 1969 and is typically celebrated in vernacular languages such as English, the Tridentine Mass is "contemplative, mysterious, sacred, transcendent, and [younger people are] drawn to it," said the Rev. Franklyn McAfee, pastor of St. John the Beloved in McLean. "Gregorian chant is the opposite of rap, and I believe this is a refreshing change for them."

Susan Gibbs, the director of communications from the Archdiocese of Washington, said the attraction demonstrated by the young adults is "very interesting."

Besides the liturgy"s rich historical content and spiritual significance, the younger generations show an interest in the old becoming new again, said Louis Tofari of the Society of St. Pius X, an order of clergy that opposed the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

[ArrogantBustard]

And one of those parishes is in Front Royal, Virginia, which is, if I recall correctly, actually in the Diocese of Richmond.

Front Royal is in the Diocese of Arlington (a very different sort of place from the Diocese of Richmond).

[ArrogantBustard]

Gee, don’t the want more ‘Praise and Worship’ music and guitars?

Back in the day (1970s) that stuff was billed as being more "relevant" and "accessible to youth" and similar drivel. I hated it then. I hate it now. The twisting of Scripture in many of those "songs", and the frequently borderline Pelagian lyrics annoy me immensely.

All of which has NOTHING to do with the "Ordinary Form" of the Latin Rite per se.