Replies

The notion of Mass as a SACRIFICE is obscured by replacing altars with tables. Sure, they may still be called altars, and they may even be marble (although they're usually not), but they do indeed look much more like tables to children rather than something different and set apart -- like a Tridentine altar.

Attentive children will hear the words "may the Lord accept the SACRIFICE at your hands..." during Mass, plus the references to offerings during the eucharistic canon.

The fact that the priest faces the congregation throughout the New Mass makes it appear much more like the priest is talking to the congregation, rather than to God. Children see this.

If your children can not distinguish to whom the priest is praying, when most prayers start "Father..." or "Lord..." then I would be as concerned as you are. I intend to teach my children to listen during Mass and to know the texts that are used.

Then I won't worry so much that the furniture or how the priest stands will destroy my children's faith.

Attentive children will hear the words "may the Lord accept the SACRIFICE at your hands..." during Mass, plus the references to offerings during the eucharistic canon.

That's the problem. Attentive children will hear and see a lot more than "may the Lord accept the SACRIFICE at your hands..." . Attentive children will see priests who don't genuflect. Attentive children will see a slew of lay people on the altar handling the Real Presence as if they are poker chips. Attentive children will hear the horrible, banal music that, by itself, could drive people from the Church. Attentive children will see imodestly dressed people who talk, chew gum and hold hands during the Mass.

The danger with the Novus Ordo is that children may pay attention and have their souls corrupted.

I intend to teach my children to listen during Mass and to know the texts that are used. Then I won't worry so much that the furniture or how the priest stands will destroy my children's faith.

If so, then you will be committing the sin of presumption. If you say to yourself, "I can see millions upon millions of the faithful dropping away, but I know that I and my family are immune," then you do not show proper humility, distrust of self, and fear of sin.

It's clear that the vast majority of Catholics don't even attend Mass on Sunday anymore. And that's just the bare minimum. How many are following the Church's teaching on birth control (a mortal sin that leads to damnation)? Statistics indicate less than 5%. Belief in the real presence has plummetted. What makes you think that you are unique? Do you think that none of these people knew the words of the New Mass?

Of course, as you say, knowing "the texts that are used" is always a good idea. Why not start by learning the text that was always used for over a thousand years? And then comparing it to the text that is used today? You will find that not one single prayer remains unchanged. Here is a website where you can see the New Mass side-by-side with a translation of the Latin Mass:
Missals Comparison

Then I won't worry so much that the furniture or how the priest stands will destroy my children's faith.

Well, I am still fretting over how much the Mass I grew up with has been replaced by an orgy of casual regard, bordering on disrespect, for the Blessed Sacrament. Many of us are sick of being told to get with it.

In answer to your post #2--have you considered: that when many priests do the consecration, when it comes time to lift the host, they do so with ONE HAND (ditto the Wine). For all the world it looks to be that he is sharing bread with the congregation (most priests don't raise the host very high and they twirl around to get the far corners of the congregation). The consecration of the wine looks like a TOAST.

Furthermore, the mystery of faith is "Christ has died, Christ is risen..." as opposed to "My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink."

Also, the consecration of the Wine has a wrong translation for Jesus' words. Look it up if you don't believe me.