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Thursday 20 August 2009

Disoriented?

Heavens to betsy, all the whining and carping because one American Bishop has decided to "restore the venerable tradition" of facing the same direction as the people when he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

At Ignatius Insight's "Scoop" one overwrought commentator suggests that this is an "act of violence on those who've never known another liturgy and are pretty happy about it."

Yes, American Catholics are so "happy about" the Liturgy that 3 out of 4 of them don't attend.

What, the experience is so close to perfection that they feel no need to ever do it again?

2 comments:

Mr. C said...

G,
I'm not sure I'd call Carl Olson's sparse commentary that "overwrought" to not be useful. I've actually worked up his piece for a staff meeting into a two page handout as a way to illustrate that in terms of evangelizing and "conversion of heart" of our own PIPs, one doesn't have to "re-invent" the liturgical wheel. I doubt it will be well-received. (I'm also including AOZ/JT's 14 Ways to Improve the Liturgy, NLM.)
Hope to still have my job afterwards.

Scelata said...

I did not mean to imply that I found Olson's column "overwrought," the quote about "an act of violence" was from a poster named "Augustine," and on second reading, I still call it overwrought.(Not to mention inaccurate -- has the former Cdl Ratz ever stated that it is not sensible for the celebrant to change his orientation?
Card. Ratzinger stated that it's not sensible to change the priest's position anymore. Rather, he suggested a crucifix on the altar to Whom both the priest and the faithful look to at Consecration.

History apart, it's sad to see faithful people suggesting to do this act of violence on those who've never known another liturgy and are pretty happy about it when it's said reverently as it should always be.

In my case, it's not that I miss the priest's face, but rather the Lord's face on His Body and Blood.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)