I agree. While London's Brompton Oratory may be at the other extreme (consider this photo eye-wash) but this form of Catholicism, more or less, was available in every corner of the globe, from the humblest parish in the Bronx to the remotest depths of the Amazon. Now, not so much. We are poorer for it.
Thank you flaky, burnt-out priests and sisters of the 60s and 70s. If it weren't for your vocational crisis, I would never have known the simple joys of felt banners and Marty Haugens.
I’ve attended Mass at Brompton Abbey. It is vey beautiful. I grew up in NYC so all the churches of my youth were derived from European sources - all very grand, very dark and solemn. I’m not big on happy Masses.
The best place to attend Mass is Paris. There is often classical music played before and after by very devout-looking nuns. While I’ll admit the pews weren’t very full, the people who were there seemed very devout as well. I’ll never forget the kind young man who scurried to bring me a missal.