I attended last Thursdays traditional latin mass which was a first for me. I must admit I had thought I wouldn't really enjoy it,as it seemed a strange and exclusive concept with the priest having his back to the congregation. I couldn't have been more wrong. It was wonderful and very surprisingly I found my concentration and spiritual contribution was far more intense than the normal mass, where at times my imagination takes me away from the celebration, despite my resolution that it will not. I think that because the mass is in latin and because there is far less 'activity', the atmosphere is such that distractions are very minimal.
Many thanks for introducing me to this tradition.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
First experience of the Classical Rite
I thought I would pass on to you (with permission) this comment I received the other day by email from a parishioner:
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12 comments:
what a lucky person. I used to go almost daily to the old rite and then my PP got us banned from going under 'health and safety' reasons.He was worried a 'rival' parish was being set up. I just hope the moto proprio happens soon.
Dominie
my PP got us banned from going under 'health and safety' reasons
What the ...?
Dominie I would be very interested if you could expand a little. Is it that the Mass is still being celebrated near you and you are "banned" from going? Who did the "banning"? And what were the "health and safety" reasons alleged?
The Old Rite is said daily by Fr Thwaites at his nursing home - it is part of my parish. We were told by the head chaplain that under new health and safety measures, that we could be bringing in germs into the nursing home and therefore not safe to enter the chapel with the elderly patients!!!!
Does that mean visitors can't visit the sick???!!
anyway - I was later told the 'real' reason, by insider staff.
Our parish priest thought we were disloyal parishioners by attending a Latin Mass when we should have been going to our official parish church. I stopped going to my parish a long time ago because I was sacked as catechist for mentioning hell and mortal sin to the 1st Holy Communion children. I felt thoroughly outraged by it all. I met Fr Thwaites by accident and he invited me to the Old Rite which is nearby. I was going there for a few years until this banning.
The banning notice was also in the parish newsletter.
We had a sermon recently where the gospel mentions fornication (the week before last) and we were told that this does not mean what we think it means - all it means is that they mustn't mix with 'bad' people!!!! I couldn't believe my ears.
Dominie
Thank you, Dominie. That is sad indeed. Fr Thwaites is a good and holy priest. I have known him since I was a teenager and regard it as a privilege to be considered a friend of his.
Dear Fr Thwaites will be 90 on 17th July. Born in the same year that Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the 3 little seers.
Dominie
I simply cannot believe I'm reading this!!!! What the *&%$!!!
I also know Fr Hugh Thwaites - a holier priest you will be very lucky indeed to find. I was priviledged to be at his 85th Birthday Party!
'Health & Safety' indeed. As Dominie says - does that prevent us from visiting the sick????
From the other 'horrors' Dominie describes I personally think that the PP in question has some serious soul searching to do as he is definitely leading his flock astray! Fornication = mixing with bad people, oh for pity's sake!!!
PS - I would recommend Fr Thwaites' book, 'Our Glorious Faith and how to lose it'!
Whilst at University (1973-76) I was blessed to be able to attend a Latin Mass every lunch time. My lectures finished at 12.oo and with a short run I would make it for mass. It was wonderful, I wish more parishes would have a Latin Mass mid day. My studies went a lot better with a spiritual help.
Dear Dominie, the PP who said all those things to you ought to be reported for such distortions of the Catholic Faith. It sounds outragious that this PP should get away with these actions towards you and for the greater good of the community.
Dominie - you'll have your reward in Heaven. Pray for your parish priest and head chaplain - because it doesn't look they're going there with you.
Does the parish priest actually have the authority to ban people from going? Of course, since this account describes this ban as having been enacted under false pretenses, it would probably be difficult to get to the bottom of it anyway.
Dear Father Finigan,
I would like to bring these excellent articles to your attention. It has clearly opened my eyes. I also encourage everyone to read these, they are spiritually very enlightening about the Classical Rite Mass.
http://www.institute-christ-king.org/documents/GatewaytoEternity.pdf
http://www.institute-christ-king.org/ResourcesHome/documents/CRRandRenewalLit.pdf
When I was 'sacked' for mentioning Hell and mortal sin, I wrote to my bishop (Conry) and told him that the text book I was 'forced' to use for teaching the children was heretical. Interestingly enough he wrote back and asked for a critique of the Holy Communion text book. I sent a 4 page hand written letter about the errors. I didn't hear anything more.
Dominie
ps - when my 5 month old is ready for 1st H Communion, he will make it with the LMS as I don't trust our parish books
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