It just might be the priest's fault.
Last evening I was at Mass and a kindly priest was filling in for the evening Mass. He's from the seminary - an excellent priest, no doubt. A family with young kids was sitting ahead of me. I've seen them before - they are a large family and rather devout. Two of the preteen boys were slumped over and or slouching during Mass. One kid held his head with both hands, not that he was ill, he was totally bored. I listened to the music, the readings, the homily. The kid was right - the entire thing was so banal, so boring. I normally don't pay any attention to how people act during Mass, I don't care.
I remain rather recollected at Mass so I never notice much, but these kids were right in front of me, I couldn't avoid seeing them. So I put myself in their place and tried to experience Mass as they did. The woman doing the readings flat-lined - which is fine. The responsorial was well sung - but it really isn't a spontaneous responsorial when it's a rehearsed and conducted performance by the new music director with a really great voice. (I know the place of the responsory, so I'm not suggesting it be spontaneous.) The Gospel obviously echoed the first reading and the priest preached about that - at length. Nice biblical commentary and very smart exegesis, with something about being judged in the end, but we should have no anxiety about it. In the meantime the boys were kicking one another without even cracking a smile. They knew what to do all through Mass, because they politely greeted me at the sign of peace, bowed at communion, and so on. So they went through the motions and couldn't wait to get out.
Please don't be angry with me - I'm neither trying to channel the pope or complain about priests. I'm just reflecting on what I observed in the light of all the controversy surrounding the pope(s), liturgy, priesthood, and vocations. I could feel the boys apathy, I could feel their boredom. It really isn't the priest's fault - but I'm not sure it was the boys fault either.
So why did the tenants of the vineyard not cooperate with the landowner?
The priest reminded me of the priests and seminarians the Pope complains about. Perfect decorum, devout Mass according to the rubrics, well prepared homily - perhaps a little too academic and a bit too long. Nothing engaging. Very safe - but no 'fires' started. (If it had been the Extraordinary Form of Mass the kids maybe would have been curious, but unless the priest was on fire himself, the kids could have slept through it.) Even when the priest is 'enthusiastic' and animated, very often it's more about popular catch phrases and chuckles than real life problems. Last evening I half expected to hear something about the social problems in the world, anxieties people have about war and peace, not to mention some kind of instruction regarding the confusion in the church and the world. Nothing there. It seemed so perfunctory.
The Holy Father is right. I am convinced that is why many priests don't like him. He's never departed from Catholic teaching or proposed heresy. People say he does, but it's a convenient criticism by those who don't like him in order to deflect his efforts at reform. Even lay seminary professors feel challenged and insulted, which says to me there really is something wrong in formation. Think about it. Piously repeating 'save the liturgy save the world' anthems doesn't make a priest fervent or holy.
What the Pope said yesterday ...
Drawing inspiration from the bible passage in which the Lord says to the prophet Jeremiah: "Get up and go down into the potter's shop", the Pope explained that “priestly formation depends first of all on God's action in our lives and not our activities, adding, it is a work that requires the courage to let oneself be molded by the Lord, for it transforms our heart and our lives.”
During his address the Pope stressed that if one does not let oneself be molded like clay by the Lord every day, he becomes a priest who is out of the office with inertia, without enthusiasm for the Gospel or passion for the People of God. Instead, Pope Francis said, the seminarian needs to be guided by the Lord, as the craftsman, being led to become more and more his daily disciples.
The Church, Pope Francis said, “needs priests capable of proclaiming the Gospel with enthusiasm and wisdom.”
Finally, the Holy Father left the group with a question, “What do I want to be? A "priest in the lounge", quiet and well-arranged, or a missionary disciple whose heart is burning for the Master and the People of God? - Pope Francis
Just a thought. I may be wrong. I'm not picking on priests. All the priests I know are on fire with the love of God and are above criticism and are living saints. What?
There is a reason why priests these days aren't rocking the boat. They are afraid of their heterodox bishops and their heterodox pope. Say something controversial and challenging, and soon you will be in the bishop's office being chastised. I know many priests that this happens to regularly. Also, the Ordinary form does nothing to nourish the priest spiritually. It's no wonder that priests aren't on fire when the Church has taken away the very things that are meant to nourish them. I blame the Pope. I blame the Bishops. The priests are just trying to survive in a Church that doesn't accept orthodoxy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that--the few priests I know are young, extremely orthodox (with a small 'o') and very devout. They're to a man more afraid of the little old lady in the first pew clicking her rosary beads and about ready to take his head off after mass because he mentioned something about Buddhism in a very tangential fashion during Wednesday's homily.
DeleteI know they don't want to provoke Archbishop either, but NOBODY is going to get in trouble with Archbishop (at least ours) for being faithful to the Magisterium. He'd more likely get in trouble for being unpastoral (telling the little old lady off from the pulpit, or something).
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DeleteDeleted that last because it was silly of me.
Delete"Also, the Ordinary form does nothing to nourish the priest spiritually."
ReplyDeleteExcuse me?? How would you know? Do the "many priests" that you claim to know discredit the dignity of their priesthood by telling you this kind of hogwash?
If the Ordinary Form of the Mass "does nothing to nourish the priest" who is celebrating the Mass spiritually, just what is he doing up there? Going through the motions? Just nourishing the faithful with empty bread and wine? Just waving his hands about reciting prayers with an empty heart, a dull mind? And what of the consecration? Is he just dead
to the miracle of the Risen Lord's presence, body,blood,soul and divinity? Should not the Lord himself suffice in being their spiritual food for the journey because of the great gift that the Holy Eucharist is no matter which form of the Mass he might be celebrating? Thanks be to God that through the power of the Holy Spirit, the priest's hands consecrate the bread and wine though he might be "lacking in nourishment because of the Mass he's celebrating. Thank God too, I don't have a gift such as you do to read hearts nor minds of priests to make such an outrageous assertion either.
Try making this outrageous assertion of yours to Saint JPII or Pope Benedict who both celebrated the Ordinary form of the Mass with devotion and reverence much like Pope Francis does.
Sad that the same folks who claim to be "the most devout of Catholics" should continuously slam the Ordinary form of the Mass.
Terry, feel free to delete this commentary of mine if it be deemed uncharitable but the Ordinary form of the Mass is beautiful too because truly the Lord is present and it deserves much respect and defense.
Viva Cristo Rey!
I wouldn't dream of deleting your comment - you are absolutely right on. You said it very well - "the Ordinary form of the Mass is beautiful too because truly the Lord is present and it deserves much respect and defense."
DeleteThanks Yaya. The fault is not with the Ordinary Form - at all. I really do know vibrant priests who celebrate devoutly and whose homilies are edifying and instructive - all good. One church I have been going to is not at all beautiful, the priest is older, although a bit younger than myself, and his homilies are 'full of grace and truth' and understandable and connected to real life. He is also one of the most humble priests I have ever met. He went through the kind of seminary that other priests complain about, yet he came through it all and is an excellent priest.
Never apologize Yaya or worry I would delete something you wrote. The Ordinary Form of Mass is the Mass of the Popes, as you point out, and I stand with the Pope. Every day I find more clarification in what Pope Francis says and does.
I came to save sinners. -Jesus
ReplyDeleteTerry ... I’m sorry but that Aloysius guy has some valid points about the hierarchy not supporting their bishops. As an added side note if the priest says inflammatory things the laypeople who don’t want to be nourished and do the lord’s word, write complaints to the bishops office in droves and if he doesn’t comply, a parish could go from black to red easily and/or the next (arch)diocesan fundraising campaign will be met with stubborn pockets.
ReplyDeleteI meant the bishops not supporting their priests.
DeleteI know bishops often do not support their priests. You actually get to the problem however - Laity "write complaints to the bishops office in droves and if he doesn’t comply, a parish could go from black to red easily and/or the next (arch)diocesan fundraising campaign will be met with stubborn pockets."
DeletePope Francis prefers a poor Church. I'm not sure why the Pope is considered the enemy by so many - when he is clearly on the side of a poor, humble priesthood.
A 'poor and humble priesthood' is completely different from a parish stewardship program--I know you know that, but I had to get it in there. I've been in parishes that spitefully withheld funds to punish a priest; talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
DeleteWe've got an Ordinary Form pastor who is a millennial and absolutely on fire for the Lord. He gives the BEST homilies I've ever heard, and I'm a cradle Catholic who was brought up in TLM. (My folks were SSPX'ers. I know from both sides of the argument here.) We have a rocking 11:00 a.m. choir that has those kicking 70s style Muppet Show sounds. We burst to the rafters on Sundays. We manage to hit our stewardship goals. However, we can't get people to volunteer to do nothin'. Nobody wants to show up except Sunday mornings. Nobody really wants to commit to anything and God forbid if they should show a little enthusiasm outside of church. Kids are still bored at mass--I think that's been the case since ever. You're blaming the priests (or Pope Francis is) for not being enough to catch these people's hearts; I don't know that they're wanting to be caught.
If we suffer from anything in this country (USA), it's affluenza. There are so many other idols to occupy our attention and our hearts, we don't see Jesus when he's right in front of us--and that's whether you have a bland, beige vanilla pastor or one who could give St. Philip Neri a run for his money.
They don't know Christ and they don't want to know Christ. I think that's always been the case, only there's more people now than their were.
Golly, did not mean to write a novel here.
And sorry Terry, I see you were not blaming priests. I think what is happening here is nobody cares--I live in a bubble (I work in a parish, I go almost daily to mass, so Jesus is always in front of me) and I realize the faith is not anywhere on anyone else's radar these days, unless it's to disparage or show discourtesy. I'd rather be disrespected than straight up ignored, though. The apathy out there--the people who just seriously don't care--is enormous.
DeleteAnyway, I've bugged your blog enough today :)
In my neck of the woods, there's a vibrant parish that celebrates eight Masses every Sunday and two daily, every day of the week. Confessions are two days a week, for two hours at a time with lines a little too long but always gratifying to see. Folks are always visiting our Lord Jesus Christ in the Adoration Chapel, night and day. When Father asks for help, the volunteers are there, not perfect - but cordial, respectful and generous in service of their Lord and His people. I know, because I see it. When I retire, I pray and hope to be among them since my current work schedule prevents me from being there now.
DeleteNo English is spoken there except once a week when Father celebrates the Sunday vigil Mass at 5pm on Saturdays. I have been to that Mass and find it to be very moving since many retired Veterans attend and with reverence too.
All Masses are in Spanish, celebrated with reverence in the OF only.
Not once have I heard any chismes from the three priests who serve at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish about lacking "nourishment" because they celebrate the OF ... not once. If they have, that's between them and the Lord because in my opinion, to give the impression they have one preference of the Mass over the other, is to do a great diservice to God's people by being sowers of confusion. "Father, so does that mean Jesus is not truly present on the altar unless you, yourself "feel" he is and only because of your personal preferences in the way you celebrate Mass. I thought Jesus comes first?"
This is a question my people would ask if this type of stuff were to happen in the parish I grew up in since childhood. I have known priests from Cuba, South America, Central America, Mexico, and especially Spain, who devoted their lives to Christ and to us by serving as examples in service to our Lord and his Madrecita, La Virgencita de Guadalupe. Some served there for over 10 years. One particular priest from Spain, Padre N, I loved and have never forgotten, preached fire and brimstone. He was old, fragile, silver-haired and passionate about Jesus and our Lady. His sermons many times rallied us all when he would end with "Viva Cristo Rey! Viva la Virgencita de Guadalupe!" Those battle cries moved me to tears many times and with a swelling in my heart that left me speechless.
After more than 40 years, I still remember Padre N's voice, fire filled and joyful, proclaiming Christ and all while celebrating the OF of the Mass.
Truly, the glory of the Lord is present in His sanctuary!
So, after all is said and done, Papa Francis is right. Being on fire with the love of Christ is truly what matters. St. Paul comes to mind as do many other Saints especially those who were priests. Even if they moved one heart with their fire, their joy must have moved mountains ... especially across time.
That's what God's people remember and not whether "Father preferred the EF over the OF." At least for me anyway ...
Thanks Terry for giving us all the soapbox 😊
Now, I intend to enjoy my days off.
May our hearts burn for love of Christ in faith, hope, and charity!
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DeleteBah! I hit reply too fast. Dumb phone. I think I would like to visit this parish!!
DeleteM. Lynn Johnson - thanks for the good comments. Yes - the apathy is killing us - literally. I say that because it is my contention this is how and why Stephen Paddock got away with mass murder. He had no concern for politics, religion, humanity/human life. He killed for sport. I think this is what baffles the authorities and the public. People want him to be an ideologue or fit some profile, or even to be mentally ill or demon possessed - I think not.
DeleteAs always Yaya you sum up the debate with practical realism. What would I do without your thoughts to ponder? Gracias amigo.
DeleteI want to add something for your consideration from the Pope's Angeles address today:
ReplyDelete"And the only thing that can impede the “tenacious and tender” will of God, he said, is “arrogance and presumption, which at times even become violence!”
Faced with these attitudes, rather than going back on his promise, God “retains all his power to rebuke and admonish,” telling the arrogant and presumptuous that “the Kingdom of God will be taken from you, and it will be given to a people that will bear fruit.”
We too are invited to become part of God’s vineyard and to bear good fruit, Francis said, but stressed that in order to do so, we must be open.
“A vine that is closed can become wild and produce wild grapes,” he said. “We are called to go out of the vineyard and put ourselves at the service of our brothers who are not with us, to shake up and encourage each other, to remind each other that we must be the vine of the Lord in every environment, even the most distant and uncomfortable.”
The pope closed his address asking for Mary’s intercession in helping each of us “to be everywhere, especially on the peripheries of society, the vine that the Lord has planted for the good of all.” - Crux
To shake up and yet encourage one another. Who cares if the parish isn't financially successful? These concerns are the concerns of institutions, corporations, businesses, and the like. I honestly do not understand why Catholics don't get that. I speaking to a woman from my parish - and all she could talk about is how successful the parish has been in fundraising. She used to complain her kids were not getting much in the way of catechetics and prayer at the parish school, but she loves all the events which "bring in a lot of money". She's a woman in her forties and her kids just started high school - she volunteers at the parish and is really gung-ho about selling tickets to this or that function. Nothing wrong with that - but ...
I think the comment above on priests "not being on fire because times are hard, etc., etc." misses the point.
ReplyDeleteBeing on fire when things are good is a trivial task. (Ask almost any newlywed couple.) ^_^
It's being on fire when times are hard (regardless on whether you short-sightedly blame a "heterodox Pope", or take the long view and accept that the unravelling began 500 years ago) that is the real challenge. A wise little girl once commented: "Adversity tries people". Well, the current adversity in the Church is trying all of us, and it's showing us who is staying faithful and keeping their heads up, who has fallen into full-blown irrationality, and who is content to hide behind his blog, his echo chamber, and his "minor Internet celebrity" lifestyle. (Note: these words apply to all, whether "liberal" or "conservative", whether "traditional" or not. They are not directed at any individual priest or layman.)
I agree. It seems to me being on fire is especially needed when times are tough. I suppose my analysis is unfair and shortsighted based upon an isolated incident, so I probably should have not made a big deal here. I went to visit the relics of St. Sharbel yesterday - he is a great saint to ignite devotion in the heart.
DeleteThe priests may not be on fire but the Bay Area sure is! DOOM!
DeleteSure is ... Napa Valley, a beautiful place but well, Temecula is up and coming as the place to be in SoCal for wine that is said to eventually give Napa a run for its money. I spent my birthday in Temecula and it was lovely ... reminded of the Mediterranean.
DeletePrayers for the lives lost in the fires and for those who had to flee their homes. May all the fire fighters and first responders be kept safe too.
As a mom of five and grandmother of 25 I think using the kids level of boredom as a measure of the Mass is not a good yardstick. Children are bored by: having to memorize math facts, doing chores, sitting still, and a host of other things. It's a particular problem today with TV, video games, the internet, etc. with flashing lights and continuous movement. There is almost no silence or stillness in their lives (or adults either for that matter). The priest can't compete with Captain America and shouldn't try. He is not an entertainer. Children learn what they live. If they see their parents being still on their knees worshiping God, they will eventually learn. St. Jean Vianney did not have a reputation for great preaching, just great holiness. Let's pray for our young people and for our priests. They both have a real challenge because of the culture we live in. Maybe more people should imitate Steve Jobs who wouldn't let his children have ipads. https://nextshark.com/why-steve-jobs-didnt-let-his-kids-use-ipads-and-why-you-shouldnt-either/
ReplyDeleteThanks - very good point. I mean exactly the opposite of the priest attempting to compete with pop culture, trend, and sports-like enthusiasm. The fire I'm talking about is more at Vianney holiness. The priest I alluded to in my comment to Yaya is very much like St. John Vianney - his holiness and devotion illuminates his homilies and the way he says Mass - Ordinary Form - and his humility. You are right kids aren't a good yardstick - I think they mirrored my thoughts in the particular situation. Normally no one except old people is seated in front of me, which helps me with recollection.
DeleteLet me rejoin the fray here. When I said that the novus ordo Mass doesn't nourish priests, I meant it to be solely in relation to the Extraordinary Form. When you compare the two side by side, one is definitely more nourishing than the other. Not that the novus ordo doesn't provide ANY nourishment, it's that compared to the Extraordinary Form, it's not AS nourishing. It's like the difference between 10 grain bread and wonder bread. You still get nourishment from wonder bread, but you get more from the 10 grain bread. I am friends with many, many priests, and this is their experience. They offer the NO and are nourished, but when they get the chance to offer the EF, they jump at it because it is more substantial, it is a balm to their spirituality. The more important piece of my post however, is the way that priests are treated by those above them these days. The priests I know - and they are many - feel beat down and unsupported. They have watched their brethren get persecuted by their bishops for simply preaching the truth and celebrating the Mass reverently and according to the rubrics. The prevalent attitude among priests these days is keep your head down, don't rock the boat, wait it out. "It" being the pontificate of Francis. Francis and his liberal ravings have cause liberal bishops to do what they wouldn't dare do under the last two popes. But now they can do what they want to traditional and holy priests. We need to pray for our priests. They are hurting. They are wounded. One of them described that being a priest in the Church right now is like living in a family with an alcoholic father - and he would know, he had an alcoholic father. With an alcoholic father you never know what your going to get - the kind loving father, or the raging angry father. You don't dare offend the father, lest the angry father come out and you receive a beating. Fear reigns among priests these days. We must pray, and we must support our holy priest.
ReplyDeleteI respect your point - I know priests who feel the same as you say. I also know those who feel nourished in celebrating the EF - so I don't disagree as much as you might think. I grew up with alcoholic parents - so I also get that analogy. Truth be told, the Church has always resembled a dysfunctional family - the Church is fine - the family members are dysfunctional. If a priest grew up in a dysfunctional family it would be a disappointment to discover the human element in the Church is just as dysfuntional. I often think of the young priest who charitably reprimand me telling me priests will always disappoint you - because they are human and prone to faults as well. It was a bit of a self-defense reply - yet I'm sure he would feel let down by some bishops or even the pope. Yet we all struggle with our corrections and being ignored - you see the irony in that? And yet 'they' will call out others as snowflakes or the church-of-nice liberal Catholics, while claiming persecution. I hope they grow old in the Church, I hope they experience what it real abuse is. It's interesting that a couple priests who went through the Nienstedt scandals left ministry - one particularly talented guy went back to his professional career - another remains a priest but went back to his secular profession. Mature, talented men - left when the going got rough. What did they expect the priesthood to be? Nice? Banquets and academic honors and promotions and recognition and Knights of Malta galas?
DeleteBefore this pontificate, and before Vatican II I think it was as bad, if not worse, because it was all about denial and cover up - or sweeping problems under the rug - and clericalism was indeed about honors and regalia.
The priest I mention in my comment to Yaya was always passed over, always considered very pious - but pretty much ignored. He never had ambitions like the guys I mentioned - he only desires holiness and the salvation of souls. I'm not exaggerating - I wish I could say more. There are priests like him, humble, self-effacing, who labor in the vineyard quietly - content to follow Jesus. This priest reaches out to all - to the peripheries even - without calling attention to himself, without endeavoring to curry favor with the bishop, seeking God alone. He is a faithful priest.
Thank you for your reply. The priest you mention is the kind of priest we need more of.
DeletePlenty of distractions at the Latin Mass! Rad Trads have turned the chapels into day care centers! I'm not joking. Go ahead and try to focus when you have crying babies screaming kids and parents smacking the kids. That's A distraction!
ReplyDeleteThe excuse given why the Rad Trad brings all their toddlers to Mass - is to teach them how to behave! Yea a two-year old is gonna learn in the pew!
There is no peace at the EF the Rad Trad Families with 25 kids have ruined it!
Again I'm not joking
St Therese of Lisieux was not taken to Mass until she was 3. When I pointed this out to a surly "trad", he first asked me for chapter and verse - then deleted his post when I actually provided a page number from the TAN Books edition. =)
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DeleteI had forgotten about that with St. Therese - thanks for the reminder.
DeleteGosh, I go occasionally to the TLM at St. John the Baptist in Front Royal. Lots of big families and I am very seldom distracted. Of course I sit up front so I see almost nothing behind me and as long as children aren't hollering I don't even notice their little noises. They remind me of a tropical island with bird noises. But having said that I spent years helping to coordinate a church nursery so we could leave the youngest downstairs playing while we attended Mass.
ReplyDeleteI must live in a different world. Kids nearly always behave. The ones who don't are usually visitors. Their parents work with them, quietly redirect attention, point yhings out, etc.I
ReplyDeleteOne well behaved toddler went off like a siren one day at Mass. His dad swooped him up and out. Last week the distraught child was brought out and back several times. Bishop said that it's goid to hear children's noisr in church.