Thursday, August 20, 2009

To defend the old rite is not the same as being a worshiper of ancient times; it is to be eternal


To defend the old rite is not the same as being a worshiper of ancient times; it is to be eternal.

A quote. A quote Greg and I have read today, have liked, have discussed.

A quote from Mons. Domenico Bartolucci.

A quote in support of the "traditional" liturgy, what we now tend to call Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

I have written about liturgy before, some examples being here, and here.

Or, this post, or this and this.

Thus, reading the above interview gave me nuggets of hope, quotes to share, ideas to consider once again.

I told a friend, recently, about our praying at a Latin Mass on the Vigil of the Assumption. Her response was to say that she didn't like the Latin Mass ( she hasn't attended one! Ever!). Her reason? There would be no participation. ( What the #*#*?)

But there is participation. In the prayer. In the sacred music. In communion with Our Lord, with all the saints.

To quote from the interview ~ I know how participation in old times was like, both in Rome, in the (St. Peter’s) Basilica and outside it, for instance down here in Mugello, in this parish, in this beautiful countryside, which was then populated by people strong in faith and full of piety. During Sunday Vespers the priest could just start singing “Deus in adiutorium meum intende” and thereafter fall asleep on his seat to wake up only at the “chapter”, the peasants would have continued alone and the heads of the family would have intoned the antiphon!

But how does one understand the liturgy in Latin? There are missals to follow. Repeated attendance breeds familiarity with the rubrics, the prayers, the music. The liturgy tends to lift one's soul and mind. It is catechesis in action.

As the Msgr. says ~ Dearest friends, have you never read Saint Paul: “It is not important to know anything but what is necessary”, “it is necessary to love knowledge ad sobrietatem”

11 comments:

molly said...

YES!!!!!

Why do we all feel we need a job at Holy MAss? Is not prayers sufficient? Is not standing at the foot of thecross on cavlary enough? It is not hyped w/ emotion so therefore people tend to feel uncomfortable.
I heard it said that Latin is the language of teh Holy Spirit, you will learn it by attending and praying.
If the Mass was good enough to inspire great saints for centuires, I feel honored to attend one today.

Gabriella said...

The Latin Mass is indeed the most beautiful thing this side of heaven :)
We participate in the sacrifice, we adore, we listen and ... God speaks to us!

Anonymous said...

Hello Leonie,
I like Greg's quote and I hope to use it!
God bless -br louis

Leonie said...

I can see we are all in agreement...parying at mass in the "old rite" is indeed eternal, to be part of that ongoing prayer..Amd Br - what are you doing being up so early?? I was up then, too, tossing and turning...are you not sleeping as I am not sleeping?

Fr. Benedict M. said...

Hey Leonie, maybe you could follow this up with a note regarding what true active participation is and how it fits in so well with the Extraordinary form... the one criticism it always gets, yet one that isn't valid! Look forward to it!

Leonie said...

Thanks Fr - will have to find time after this weekend..Unless you want to be a guest blogger??

molly said...

looking forward to that post Leonie or Fr.Benedict.

Anonymous said...

Her response was to say that she didn't like the Latin Mass ( she hasn't attended one! Ever!). Her reason? There would be no participation. ( What the #*#*?)

LOL!

Yes, it's a sad thing, but many OF attendees are simply prejudiced against the EF.

:(

Anonymous said...

Oh, I attend the OF myself and have only been to the EF once or twice, but I can see why it has so much appeal. The EF is only available once a month in Tasmania.

:(

grace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
grace said...

I have an award waiting for you at my blog.
May the lord bless you and yours.
Grace