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Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Failing to keep my young parishioners under control

In the CNS video of the Traditional Pilgrimage to Rome I am disturbed to see one of my younger Blackfen parishioners focussed intently on a Tridentine Pontifical High Mass at the Altar of the Chair at St Peter's:


A few weeks back, on a Latin Mass Society Pilgrimage to Aylesford, his father had to try to capture him to prevent him from running around the Shrine singing the Salve Regina at the top of his voice. But I suppose the roof of St Peters was perhaps less likely to cause distraction to others at their prayers and I understand that you can't keep three-year-olds on the leash all the time. I blame myself ...



I don't know what I am going to do with these children. Only the other week I turned my back for a moment and got emails from Rome showing another two serving Mass for a priest of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei at the Altar of the Transfiguration at St Peter's:


And somehow they turned up at Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini serving High Mass celebrated by Fr Kramer of the FSSP. Who taught them to do that?


I'm going to have my work cut out persuading these children that all this old traddie stuff puts them off the faith. I mean - look at this girl (another parishioner): she's supposed to be oppressed by the whole elderly Cardinal, Patriarchal Basilica, dead language, facing the wall thing, not gazing in rapture at it. Clearly I need to run a course on Active Participation.



12 comments:

Matthew Roth said...

May God continue to bless them, and you as well dear Father!

lms rep said...

You ought to be be ashamed of yourself!

EFpastor emeritus said...

Those young children could be marked for life!
You should be reported to The Tablet!

Marilyn said...

The lovely face of that little girl brought tears to my eyes. Bless you Father.

Emerald said...

Thanks, Father. This literally made me "laugh out loud." I needed a laugh post the re-election (this side of the pond) of the Prince of the Culture of Death.

I attend Latin Mass here in South Florida, whenever I can (the parish is quite far so it is not always possible). What an incredible experience it is. I can relate to that little girl, a lot. Her face captures how I feel about the EF Holy Mass.

I'm trying to work up the courage to ask my pastor to celebrate a Mass in the EF on Sundays. It is a huge parish...there must be others that would like it. Pray for me.

Pax Christi!

Flambeaux said...

If only we had a pastor like you, Father.

Thank you for this post.

johnf said...

I love it!

As Marilyn said, brought tears to my eyes as well.

This is the innocence that evil is trying to corrupt "because the example of good and innocent lives is an ongoing witness against it. So it always has been. So it always will be" - Archbishop Charles Chaput

Joe Potillor said...

LOL!, Great post Father!

Teresa Janke said...

This truly touched my heart and made my day. How my heart rejoices to see such young ones so deeply in love with their Creator and Savior!

Blessed be God!

John said...

Gol darn it! Who taught that kid to sing the Salve Regina?? At age THREE????
And the young lady is wearing a VEIL! AAAaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhh!!!!!!


LOL!

Long-Skirts said...

That little boy singing the Salve Regina is prieceless. God bless his parents and your Parish,Father.

FIVE SONS

Today five sons
Served on the altar
Determined boys
Who would not falter.

Boys at home
Who fight and shove
But on the altar
Assist with love.

At home shouting
From top of lung
On the altar
Latin’s sung.

At home running
Can’t sit still
On the altar
Disciplined will.

At home throwing
Cereal, toast
On the altar
Adoring Host.

At home bedrooms
Scattered scene
On the altar
Order, serene.

I proud mother
Faithful to Rome
Five sons on the altar
Five men at home.

Angelo Cardinal Fratelli said...

LOVED THIS!!!

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