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"I think this would clean it up and might help people to refocus on worship of God as being the purpose of the Mass, rather than "fellowship," feeling good, or any of the other horrible things that have crept in. I'm not sure it's the ultimate solution though, because the NO is about the flattest and least liturgical of all the liturgies found in the liturgical churches (such as the Orthodox Church)."

I agree with you,though I would still prefer the "old Mass". I made my first communion in 1963. We still used Latin, though the priest read the readings in English. My mom used her missal (which she still has) The choir sang in Latin, and the atmosphere of reverence was so beautiful. That is all gone now. This Sunday, in church, before the priest came in, (he's new to our church), we were all told to stand up and greet each other. It was like an "I'm ok, you're ok" session! It sounded like an auditorium. I wanted to walk out. I've never liked the 'sign of peace' in the mass in the first place - and now this!

I have always believed, in my heart, that we would see a growth in numbers of men entering the priesthood if the Mass was restored to what it should be. Why bother becoming a priest if you can already 'concelebrate' the mass, in a sense, from the 'stands'. The emphasis on the Eucharist - shoved off in a corner somewhere - is gone. Our church is locked so that you can't even visit and spend time with the Lord. I have so much more to rant on, but I get upset as I type and try to put it into words. I know that it would be difficult to bring back the old mass, but I would love to see at least one mass a month in the Latin, in each parish. Or, insert more and more Latin into the mass, and bring the mass back to where it was intended to be. Also, a sincere emphasis MUST be placed on the Eucharist. so many don't believe in the Real Presence! No wonder the church sounds like an auditorium before a school assembly! No one genuflects. The 'altar' is nothing more than a stone slab (artfully arranged, mind you).

Enough. I have already whined enough.

God bless Pope Benedict. May God guide him and give him wisdom.

I have always believed, in my heart, that we would see a growth in numbers of men entering the priesthood if the Mass was restored to what it should be.

Interestingly, this was one of the points made by Fr. Robinson. He says there's no reason for men to bother entering the priesthood now. Since it has lost its liturgical function, to a great extent, the priesthood is viewed as just another semi-therapeutic "helping profession," and there are certainly other places one can do that, without having to put up with bishops, Eucharistic ministers, etc.