Dear Father Jim,
I am becoming a regular now with my questions. As I mentioned in an earlier query I have a friend who is in the process of becoming a Catholic. It is eye opening for me to have all the different questions that a person from outside of our church can ask and I(a cradle Catholic) cannot specifically answer. So we look to you again.
As a young Catholic 45 years ago much of what I learned was from the nuns who taught us or the parish priest who lectured us. We were taught how to act in church, what to wear, how to sit, when to kneel or genuflect, how to approach the altar, how to pray and further what to believe…without question. I see little of the staunch tradition still visible at mass or around the church. has the church let go of much of the tradition, is it a watering down of today’s Catholics or is a combination of things that make the church look so different today than it did then? From my perspective it is more comfortable and friendly, but I am not sure that is what I should be feeling.
My question arises from comments from my friend who watches some people genuflect on either knee..I was taught to genuflect on the right knee always. Further people perform the sign of the cross with both hands…again I was taught the “right” way. The church we attend has no kneelers so a few people will kneel on the hard floor but most do nothing and do not acknowledge in any way when the host and wine are raised by the priest….the priest does not even genuflect but merely bows.
How can I explain tradition in the church today?
Keith
Dear Keith –
Wow – that’s a very interesting question – and giving me a lot to think about. Not to make you feel a bit older, but I’m 35, so I really grew up in the Post-Vatican II Catholic Church. My earliest recollections were that the Church had a dividing wall with the auditorium which was open for mass, we sat on folding chairs (that had kneelers on it believe it or not!) and it was a guitar Mass. Very folksy – I remember the soft-cover Glory and Praise books (music that, honestly I cannot stand to listen to anymore!)
I guess my point is, it’s a unique time for us Catholics. Vatican II, from stories my parents tell me, was quite a culture shock for them. And I can sympathize that many were (and still are) how these reforms impacted our faith, our beliefs and our worship.
Right now, the US Bishops are working (and have been for over 10 years) on a new translation of the Mass, which, I fear, will be equally as jarring to congregations today as the changes to the Mass were after Vatican II.
Those thoughts came to mind in reflection to your question. If you were to get a copy of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) you would see every bow, every genuflection is pretty much spelled out there. Whether it’s being followed or not, I cannot answer that. I know that when I learned how to celebrate Mass, some things were “new” to me because I hadn’t witnessed priests doing those things when I went to Mass.
As to general “reverence” at Mass, which is sort of what you’re asking about – (our posture, our dress, etc) – I understand both sides of the issue: If we were meeting the Pope or a famous person, wouldn’t we put on our best clothes, look the best we could? that’s how my parent’s explained it to me.
Yet, working with College students and in the year 2009 – I don’t know. Our entire culture seems to have become “Casual” – More often than not I’ve seen casual attire at weddings and funerals (including shorts and a T shirt at a recent wedding I witnessed!) Students are WARNED not to dress like that for interviews (basically because some have made that mistake) So there’s a real shift in that attitude on appearance and what that means.
My point is, I’m not as distracted by that, perhaps because it’s so prevalent throughout society. And because I see and witness people’s humble, heartfelt worship in many different ways, I try to see that reverence comes in many different ways.
As a priest I try to “lead by example” – and genuflect, and bow, and pray sincerely – and hopefully you’re priests will do the same.
As for where the Church is on all this, again, I would mention the GIRM spells out what is expected for proper ways to participate at Mass. But that flip side of me thinks of Jesus walking in Jerusalem, healing on the Sabbath and breaking all types of social-convention. So while I love and respect and have deep reverence for the Sacred Liturgy, I try to always keep in mind “What would Jesus do”
Reading all these ramblings, I have my doubtst this has been helpful – but a VERY interesting discussion!
Fr Jim
