The Rev. Michael Wiener says a woman comes to Mass once a month by taxi from Modesto. Chronicle photo, 2007, by Katy Raddatz
Posted on 03/21/2008 8:04:24 AM PDT by SmithL
Under the vaulted ceilings of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Oakland, a revered tradition once forsaken has gained new life.
About 300 Roman Catholics go there every Sunday to celebrate the traditional Latin Mass, a rite rich in symbolism that has been on the margins of Catholic life for more than four decades.
But over the past year, decrees by Pope Benedict XVI have given the traditional Latin Mass greater official standing in the Catholic Church, opening the door for some churches to go back to it.
Now, at St. Margaret Mary's, grandparents practice the rituals of their childhood. Young couples are being married under a tradition they encountered only recently. People drive from all over the Bay Area - and beyond - to worship there. The priest says an elderly Modesto woman comes from Stanislaus County once a month by taxi.
But the revitalized tradition is drawing controversy. Some question whether the traditional rite is too outdated for a church grappling with the needs of a diverse membership and facing unprecedented challenges, such as an increasingly interreligious world.
Those challenges are underscored this week, which is Holy Week. Today's Good Friday service has been criticized by many Jewish groups, for example, because the Latin liturgy includes a prayer for God to "enlighten" Jews so they will "acknowledge Jesus Christ, the savior of all men."
The Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism released a resolution saying it was "disturbed and dismayed" by the prayer and that it undermined decades of productive Jewish-Catholic relations.
The Rev. Michael Wiener, who presides over the St. Margaret Mary's service, said it would deny the core of his faith if he didn't say the prayer.
"Is it appropriate today to pray for the Jews? Of course," he said. "It can't harm anybody to pray...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I agree. how is praying for anyone to come to be saved by Christ, going to harm them in anyway?
Perhaps because they didn't ask to be prayed for. It's like a slap in the face by holier than thou Christians. They believe in God and don't go around wearing bombs on their belts so leave them alone.
Catholic ping!
How is a prayer that threatening to someone?
“...church grappling with the needs of a diverse membership...”
What do they want, a *latino* mass instead?
Even the ones who do wear bombs around their belts get prayed for on Good Friday, by the way; it’s not only Jews who get prayers. What’s wrong with being prayed for?
Ahhh, the dreaded journalistic "some" who always criticize, question, or doubt anything good and decent.
A Pox on "some".
But were they "deeply saddened"?
No, he doesn't. He offeres the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
It's always a safe bet that "some" is a direct translation of "I" for journalists who think they're being clever when giving their opinion.
LATIN MASS MAKING COMEBACK
then, below, a column wide subtitle:
Some ask whether the traditional ritual is right for the times
As to the latter, that fear has basis in historical fact. As to the former, ..what?
this looks like “cartoon protests” to me,
I don’t see how are you going to stop anyone from praying for you, I don’t mind if anyone does it for me, just keep ‘em coming :)
I see no big harm anyway, how many people really understand latin mass?
They may piss of some people who really like latin mass.
I am not sure how hard it would be to change it and drop that line or “add others” ?
One group prays to destroy you, the others prays to save you ... no peace ...
Pax on some.
You sound upset. I'm going to pray for you.
Wonderful photo.
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