All that I know is that, after many of years of attending the NO, I was led to attend the TLM. Even though I didn't know much of what was going on, I knew one thing when that TLM Mass was over, I had a love for Jesus that I had never experienced before and it has never left. Participation is first and foremost in the heart. The TLM(s) that I attend are booming!
My parish/diocese is booming. What our parish has ... strong emphasis on the real presence, with perpetual adoration, smells and bells, communion kneeling, on the tongue offered as a norm (some geriatrics still receive standing in the hand, but probably 75% of those under 60 receive on the tongue), alter BOYS ONLY in cassocks and surplices, liberal use of Latin, really good traditional choir music, and a big thing that we have is confession available during all Sunday Masses. We have very long confession lines whenever it is offered, which is probably 6-8 hours a week. We also have the Latin Mass along with the Novus Ordo.
Yeah at daily mass we usually chant 2 times, Ubi Caritas during the preparation of the Altar and a marian hymn after mass, it is a way more profound mass than the guitar masses in my city
My church is dieing right before my eyes. At 8am mass today there were 45 people. Average age is 60 plus with zero children attending . After Listening to this I took notice of the way the Mass was said. I saw that basically we were there to provide an audience for the Canter. She is a wonderful singer but it was clear she runs the show. She had more "air time" then the celebrant by 2/3.
You guys nailed it: The Novus Ordo CAN be great! One thing that I find makes most of the difference: A Priest who really believes that He is part of a miracle each time the transubstantiation takes place.. We have priests from India (in Berlin / Germany) and they are just full of love and reverence.. It radiates. Of course everybody else tries their absolute best, too, like music and altar servers. I go to Mass every day, and it is solemn and beautiful.
Church architecture is one start: - all altars back in their places, ad orientem - tabernacles dead centre, on the altar - communion rails (we're Catholic majority, but we can still have people kneel after a long queue) These three things can already teach a lot about what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass really means. More Latin for greetings and responses, since that is our liturgical language. It was painful to the soul and the ear that the choir in the basilica I went to on Maundy Thursday botched the Pange Lingua. A translation on screens can be provided. Also: no more hand-holding in the Lord's Prayer or orans in general; kneeling in the correct parts (the Credo and the entire Eucharistic Prayer); and cut down on the endless announcements.
You should have started with the elimination of communion in the hand. Most of your proposed modifications are cosmetic and not as critical when sacrilege and blasphemy occur regularly in the reception of the blessed sacrament by people who don't believe in the real presence or go to confession regularly. It goes without saying that extraordinary "ministers" of the eucharist should be eliminated and Permanent diaconate require the Deacon to live a celibate life and encourage his wife to separate and enter a monastery just like the early church.
My uncle was the founding pastor his church in the San Francisco Bay Area. He fought the parish council for years as they wanted (and did) make radical changes to his church. The worst was moving the altar to the center of the building. It now looks and feels awful, ugly and cheap as the church was designed to face one direction with lovely murals and artwork. I hope that in the future it will be changed back when the kumbuya generation doesn't run everything.
My eight year old knows Latin chant and learned it in Catholic school. If an eight year old can do it, we can all do it. ❤️ Bring back the sacred, bring back the "out of this world" setting of the Mass, and bring back reverence to the Eucharist.
This may be a bit debatable but I think celebrating ad orientum is the main thing that needs to change in the mass. The mass is first and foremost a sacrifice offers to God, and the prayers reflect this, as they are addressed to God. The priests posture needs to match this. Not to mention, no where in the missal, nor in the Vatican II docs does it say to face towards the people. In fact, the language of the missal presupposes that the priest is not facing the people. Everything you gents said is spot on and I 100% agree, but this i think is the main concern.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: "The altar should be built separate from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people."
This was a fantastic show. Between “ Mass for the Ages” and your show, so much is being revealed in lost tradition. Thank you for your time and truly your show is a calling. God Bless!
I appreciate the show. As a church musician, I had to laugh at the comment that anyone who plays piano can play the organ. That’s like saying anyone who can drive a car can drive a semi, a tank, or an airplane.
When I moved from Traditional Latin Masses in the Northeast to here in Las Vegas I was in absolute shock at what was happening to our Sacred Mass. I did eventually find a Latin Mass, but the other Churches were basically Calvinists. There was nothing Catholic about them. There was no Latin, no organ, and there were no bells, but don't worry they had a full band with drums and guitars.
Shouldn't it be the bishop's job to make sure the church stays the same, and doesn't look like a protestant churches?? All the bishop's have no backbones
One thing I would like to see discouraged and eliminated from the modern liturgy is the "hippie handshake" done at the "let us offer each other the sign of peace". This shouldn't include having peace signs flung at me from 50 feet away. Because of COVID restrictions on close contact, this has gotten worse.
Hm. I was so glad to not have to touch people any longer that the peace sign thing doesn't bother me at all. I'm just glad people are no longer insisting on shaking my hand after they've been coughing into it all of Mass.
To be honest I prefer no sign of peace at all. Because I travel for work I go tp Novus Ordo, Latin mass, and Eastern rites Catholic liturgies and I far prefer that the Latin Mass and Liturgy does not have this moment. I get the intention of it is good, but it's just an awkward thing to do before receiving the Eucharist.
I wish they’d eliminate the handshakes sign of peace because I don’t want to touch strangers hands that I’ve seen coughing into their hands a few minutes before. I feel awkward but I have to politely refuse and smile and nod.
The handshake is not required. I did not know this until I went to f funeral at a little church and saw this on a post in the vestibule of the church. Wonderful news. Maybe COVID made this disappear. More respectful is to bow to one another.
Speaking from my experience as a Catholic convert, I think you are downplaying these issues. Many of the NO masses I have attended used no Latin. Could they? Sure and to your point, it would be easy. But they don't. Which is what this problem so difficult to solve. There are so many variations (aka abuses) in what can be experienced among the NO masses, how can these actually be fixed? I am starting to believe that the easiest solution is to ban the NO. I know this is not going to happen any time soon, but given the abuses around the Eucharist, it should. The idea that we need to "reform the reform" just highlights how much we really didn't need the reform in the first place.
They were great! Really opened my eyes and made me realize that there’s no good reason we’re still using the Novus Ordo liturgy, seems like clergy is holding on tightly for selfish reasons. Let’s go back!
Thank you for doing this show about fixing the Novus Ordo Mass. I love the Latin Mass and was raised with it for over 25 years before the Vatican 2 - bring back the Altar rails for a reverence in received Our Lord in Communion instead of what is going on today.
I am an organist at a large parish in PA. We are very grateful that we have had several pastors who prioritize all these things you have discussed. Many guests of our parish have commented on the beauty of the Sunday Mass at Corpus Christi. Praise God! Thanks for the discussion.
One thing that seems to be forgotten is the role of the Altar Boys. That's where vocations come from. They assist in the Mass with proper training and in their responses to the Mass needs to maintain importance.
I think a lot of this has to do with Priests abusing of altar boys all around the world. It’s sad cause you are right, a lot of vocations come from boys being involved in the Mass.
I’ve attended both the TLM and the Novus ordo ad orientum with Latin prayers and chant… both very beautiful and uplifting and feeling in union with the saints closer to God… a very spiritual connection. Unfortunately, most parishes are not like that. There is something missing… I believe that in most churches tabernacles have been put back into the center ( where they belong) But the absence of altar rails and kneeling for communion… I wish it would come back. The lack of reverence for the Eucharist has increased… its so very sad.
The TLM was such a beautiful expensive we moved to an area that offers it. We need more of it. The world is ugly, bring back the most beautiful thing on the planet… fast
how to fix it? 1) get rid of it and go back to what worked (literally every business does this when a product fails) 2) restore beauty to parishes (from ugly as sin to eye popping awesomeness) we have killed the faith with the 'new things'
For me: 1. More Latin for certain prayers/responses 2. Male only altar servers and lectors in proper altar server garb 3. Clergy only distributing Holy Communion preferably on the tongue and at a communion rail or use of a kneeler 4. Modesty and appropriate dress for all ages and both genders for Mass 5. No more praise and worship music, organ or piano only, maybe some chant for both laity and clergy.
Modesty should be one of the main things. Girls with crop tops and guys with cargo shorts and sandals shouldn’t be the common theme. I’ve always thought that there should be a sign outside of the church and a reminder in the bulletins what the proper attire should be.
My small-town parish slowly implemented all of the things listed here after we got a new priest in 2011. Membership in the parish went down at first, because many preferred the "modern" ways of doing things. But we are experiencing growing pains now which is a good problem to have. Many young, large families.
When I converted to Catholicism about 20 years ago I thought I was going to be coming into the Latin Mass. I didn’t know things changed and I was so disappointed; BUT the Novus Ordo is valid. Though it’s definitely not as reverent or beautiful as the Tridentine Mass. Side Note: Can we PLEASE stop making new churches look like a Pizza Hut?
Such a frustrating problem seems to be that so often, holy and pious priests have no power to incorporate the Church’s traditions due to parishioners and parish councils stuck in the 1970s
You NAILED it. My parish is getting a new priest soon, replacing a super liberal old priest who is retiring with a younger traditional priest. Wish us luck…
I attend a Novus Ordo mass every week, but the more I learn of the mass before Vatican II I realize there is so much lacking in it. One of the biggest things it lacks is silence. It really lacks any opportnuity for mental prayer, which the latin mass offered. Heck the faithful don't even really know about mental prayer anymore. That was me for the longest time. So many saints testify to the absolute need for mental prayer, but the new mass with its seemingly rushed pace and non-stop exterior activity for the laity doesn't make it possible.
The most awful thing about the Novus Ordo is the music during Communion. You get back and kneel after getting communion you have either an organ or guitar and singing and you just want to focus and pray and you can’t because of the music blaring!!! It makes me so angry!!! So hard to focus and pray! Also, can’t we do away with Eucharistic Ministers! Why can’t the other Priest’s come out and join the celebrant Priest to hand out Communion? They did when I was an Alter Boy!! Is that really too much to ask?
@@anthonypicano1670 there is such a lack of priests that they have to depend on ministers of communion. However, I’ve seen priests that never give communion to the people and leave that job to the ministers, and I’m like, that’s one of your main jobs.
My parish has started singing the Agnus Dei "Lamb of God you take a way the sins of the world, miserere nobis; Lamb of God you take a way the sins of the world, miserere nobis;amb of God you take a way the sins of the world, dona nobis pacem" Its a sweet kind of hybrid. And now that we are in lent, we sing the Sanctus in Latin also
For the prayers of the faithful, draw from the ancient church. The ancient Roman intercessory prayers asked for the conversion of pagans, heretics, schismatics, and Jews. They also prayed for good weather and harvest, for the King, and the clergy. Let’s emulate that.
@@bedrosnersesyan6975 In the ancient church they were once said every Sunday. By the time of Pope Gelasius they were reduced to just once a year on Good Friday.
I don’t think it can be said enough. END communion in the hand. Also teach the whole faith tradition etc. I have ran into to many catholic apostates that left because they don’t know everything the church offers. They leave because they missed so much and “feel” or believe they found it somewhere else. Especially when they don’t know or where never taught.
I prefer Communion on the tongue, but accept that during the recent pandemic, this was not possible and I accepted the Bishop's ruling that Communion was to be received in the hand during the emergency. I and many others have now reverted to receiving on the tongue.
Catechesis or lack of is the root of the demise of our church. I was taught by the nuns who were filled with love for God and the Church. Since today that is no longer the case and what they teach at church today is so watered down , it is no wonder many don’t know their faith. Over time they will leave or sink into mediocrity.
My parish does not do a good job of presenting the mass in a reverent way. The choir director makes it all about him. My son even calls it, “The Michael show”. At the Christmas vigil he even walked to the front of the church to sing, and then paused waiting for applause. Our Priest did nothing. People are walking around and talking loudly before mass instead of reflecting on what they are about to participate in. I am located in Eastern North Carolina and our options for Mass are limited. Its one step away from being Protestant
That’s so sad, Pride is a horrible sin indeed. feel like they want more people to attend Mass so they make Mass more similar to the Protestant celebrations. We need to pray more for both priests and parishioners members
Why should we reform the reform? Go back to tradition. It's that simple. I've been to both NO and TLM, and TLM is consistently beautiful, reverent, and incredible. Only sparingly can I say that about NO. It's not consistent at all, and the universal church should seek to be universal.
Recently our priest returned from a trip to Mexico; he brought back new vestments, altar cloth, and traditional robes for the altar servers. He trained them in the use of incense and candles, etc, and the NO now takes on a more reverent and serious tone it lacked previously. I know he wants to use Gregorian chant as well; baby steps for our congregation! I find both this NO and the TLM inspiring and thankful for any Mass that is traditional.
I like the old offertory prayers as well. I feel like I have time to really take in the reality of Jesus really come down from Heaven during the consecration. I think any "getting back to reverence" is good, but I really think it's simpler to return to our ancient patrimony.
Looking forward to a beautiful episode that will inspire the rejuvenation of the Church. I will take your advice because people need to sustain interest in worship.
I love this show it's very educational, I'm a Catholic not only that but I also work for the diocese of Venice. And I very much enjoy listening to you guys talk about my favorite religion. Thanks
Where we live we have multiple churches that ring church bells every hour from 8am-8pm all year long and we love it, everyone loves it. Most churches do not have real bells because of cost and maintenance. There are very few church bell makers anymore, sadly.
I find it very distracting when the cantor sings (often way to loud) during/after Communion when I’m trying to meditate and pray and take it in. A simple organ would suffice!!
I think a ‘reform of the reform’ needs to happen and two major things need to be implemented. 1. Ad orientem worship (the priest should be facing the tabernacle when offering the Mass) 2. The prayers of the old rite which were deleted after Vatican II (such as Psalm 42, Placeat Tibi et al.) should be inserted into the new Missal, and the old offertory prayers should be used instead of the new ones. If the above things were implanted, even if in the vernacular, the Novus Ordo would be much more like the Old Mass and would fulfill what Pope Benedict wanted for the liturgical reform.
The Baptist church across the street from my house has church bells that play every 15 minutes. It's a small town and you can hear them anywhere in town ... and always know what time it is. They play them from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. I don't think anyone has complained about them.
I agree with these suggestions. I left the Church some years ago for several reasons, partly due to the corruption of the sexual abuse and cover up and partly due to the Church becoming less reverent and more part of the modern culture. I’ve recently returned and am yearning for a more reverent and sacred Church, including myself. I agree with all these ideas. Let’s pray that each Parrish puts these into practice.
Welcome back! I have a similar story. I left but not because of the sex abuse scandals. That’s never deterred me. But not really knowing the faith, that did keep me away.
I have to agree with everything you gentlemen recommended (not that my approval means anything substantial). Espescially the Church bells, I hear so few speak of that. It is so iconic and ubiquitous in Church history, that the tolling of the bells were often how people knew what hour it was before clocks as we know them became common. Even then, the clocks chime in imitation of the Church bells that proceeded them. God is Creator of time as well as space and spirit, and the bells are a reminder of His absolute Divine Kingship and Kingdom.
@@beckyc.244 Well yes but invariably a factor necessarily involving us is that we are to the be the ones giving glory and worship to God. However anytime we are in grace we are giving Him glory and of course when we are praising Him. And any time we recognize that God is God especially devotionally and very specially when we are adoring Him, we are worshipping Him in a form. There is not necessarily a conflict between giving God glory and worship and doing do in a form we find conducive that goes hand in hand as far as our individual relationships with the Lord go. What makes the Mass difference is well many things. But first it is the highest form of public worship the Church offers to the Lord. Second, it is the calling down of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the Most Holy Eucharist thus this is more than just mere worship in the normal sense even public sense of the word, since we receive Christ in His Real Presence into ourselves. Third is that in the Holy Mass we are joining with God the Son offering Himself up to God the Father in the Holy Spirit, and so we are taking part in the inner loving dynamic of the Most Holy Trinity. This is why the Holy Mass is a foretaste of Heaven. So yes, it is about giving God devotion and worship, but importantly it is the highest possible form of these this side of Heaven we are participating in. I think this was of explaining it (or hopefully a less cobbled together version than mine). Makes it more clear, as there is not only a place but a necessity for personal devotion and we should not expect that to be uniform as the Holy Mass.
In my opinion, to add the the list of horrors, is mucking with the traditional church calendar. I remember when it happened exactly. All the Mary, Joseph, Christ Child statues came off the dashboards of the cars. The rosary and St Christopher medal hanging from the rear view mirror was replaced by fuzzy dice. All was lost by demoting St Christopher and saying he wasn't really real.
@@beckyc.244 That is actually a common misunderstanding, the Church has not explicitly said St.Christopher is not real but does not recognize him. That said, He is still considered a Saint, he hasa feast day on July 25th. And honestly the calendar has been changed in the past. More of more of the Bible us read in the new three year cycle than the old one year cycle and Biblical literacy among Catholics is higher than it has been in a long time and dedication to the Holy Family along with it. The decrease is mainly due to people simply becoming more worldly as the way the Faith was presented was dumbed down and people stayed at a child`s understanding of the Faith. So when the secular elements of society provided even a low-level attack against the Faith or waved immediate satisfaction in their face, many left or slowly let it get watered down. There is no easy switch here we can make. We in the Church simply were not evangelizing and we let the comfortable modern life overtake us and aquiesced because it was comfortable and shiny and most didn`t see the rot behind the pretty curtains.
@@LostArchivist#1) were you there to see the overnight sea change??? And why did my Saint get moved off his previous location and onto a new one??? So, St Gregory the Great is no longerv3/12 but moved to a new date. Those calendar days used to he loaded up with saints and now some days are empty. Changing the calendar changed the entire way that saints feasts are celebrated. Currently, the reading has very little to do with the saint. That down grades them and there accomplishments into randomness. St Christopher was taken off the calendar. So basically the same as being demoted. Who wants to pray to a second class saint? But eventually the church basically had to reinstate him and pretend they did not say he was real as devotion to him continued to this day.
From where I'm from. People don't even know What novus ordo means. I found out about it this month . I so badly want to learn and attend a traditional Latin mass. But it's just a dream for me.
1) Take the old mass and do a complete translation to the vernacular while keeping all genuflections, signs of the cross etc and make this the “ordinary form” 2) Get rid of the ordinary form all together and leave everything in Latin I think those are the only two options
There’s an app called “Square Note” that teaches you how to chant common hymns, prayers, and the ordinary parts that are chanted in the Mass. I have no musical background and it has been so helpful!
just buy a 1962 missal and follow the English translations that are typed next to the latin text. Easy. A small thing to do for Our Lord after he gave us his life.
i think the first thing that we need to do is stop talking in Church. Up until Mass starts and the moment it is ended, there is constant loud raucous talking and laughter. I am in a "House of Prayer" but it is impossible to pray. I am in the House of God, but they are all ignoring Him, because they are celebrating each other.
Bishop Snyder said it, and I agree 100% -- the three biggest things that need to change in the NO are 1. Never communion in the hand, and no lay extraordinary ministers 2. All masses celebrated ad orientum. That means the churches must be built with the altar and tabernacle facing East. There's too much at stake theologically. 3. People need to prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion with more regular confession. Once a year really isn't enough for most people who are receiving the Eucharist weekly.
I’ve always had trouble with that church commandment about Eucharist once a year. I’ve always felt that receiving communion should be held as important as witnessing the sacrifice that the priest offers to God at the altar. Confession should be available everyday at church as well as during Sunday Mass or before Mass.
In the parishes I attend, the altars face westward. In STM, the Tabernacle is off to the left of the altar and I find this odd. Should it not be front and center?
I just started my "hands-on" apprenticeship in our church's music ministry a month ago as a guitar player with a sincere intention of utilizing the talent bestowed upon me for the purpose of service to God and the community. After watching this episode, I started thinking about quitting and maybe serve in a different capacity.
The guitar was part of a folk mass to attract the young people participate in the Mass. A total Latin mass would not appeal to them unless they understood what was being said.
Please add the 7 Sorrows Rosary on your daily prayers. The 7 Sorrows Rosary dates back to the Middle Ages and the approved Marian apparition in Kibeho, Rwanda asked for the 7 Sorrows Rosary to be prayed. Like the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, there are promises attached to the 7 Sorrows Rosary.
Excellent!!! This is already happening in our Diocese. I am registered with the quasi-parish of the FSSP but I also attend N.O., especially during my lunch break when I am in the office (but I am sidelined now from Mass and Adoration because of a sprained ankle. Limited to live stream these days. Four to six weeks to recover.).
Please do a show on Sedevacantism, and please invite Brother Peter Dimond for a friendly interview so that he could explain his view that Francis is presently not holding office as Pope.
I love listening to your podcast. Thank you. As a senior I remember going to mass without eating breakfast. We had to fast for 3 hours. No food or drink allowed. Our family attended 11am on Sundays. I remember feeling like I would throw up every Sunday when they brought out the incense. Thanks for bringing to mind the importance of using incense.
Three Hours? I'm old, and the rule was to eat nothing after midnight. Mass was only on Sunday mornings, and only one of them was what we called the High Mass with all the bells, whistles, incense... These men are really only talking about the 'High Mass". I'm happy with the Mass said mostly in English that I attend.
We adhered to nothing after midnight! Parents dragged all 5 of us kids to the earliest Mass possible. We got Kleenex bobby pinned to our hair if the girls forgot their little chapel veils!! Dating myself here but I do remember the Mass in Latin. The only time we did High Mass was Christmas Eve. The main excitement there was to see all the mink stoles and count how many people fainted! The smell of incense fought with the smell of liquor!!
@@beckyc.244 I remember it well! We didn't wear chapel veils in the 40s but a tam, hat, or a kerchief would do OR it would be the kleenex with a bobby pin! I remember the Mass in Latin, but maybe different dioceses did things a little differently High Mass was just one Mass of the 3 on a Sunday. Christmas, Easter, and Holy Days of Obligation got even more royal treatment. Take care and have a great day!
You might be right about one High Mass on every Sunday but my parents believed it was enough peace just to get 5 kids to Mass and it better be short and to the point!!
The BIG issue with the New Mass is the "Offertory" which is completely and radically changed. As Bishop Schneider said, the Pope should mandate Ad Orientem and the old Offertory as a starting point.
There are electronic keyboards that can be swapped between piano, harpsichord & organ. Not as expensive as a REAL organ, and can be used for other purposes too.
There needs to be an altar rail. Even though I am 71 and have a very hard time kneeling, if we had that I would still choose to pray before Mass at the railing, and it is definitely more respectful to have communion kneeling for those that are still able.
I have to say, organs are great, but they are an entirely different animal than pianos. You'd think they are lateral instruments, but they aren't. I went to a week long study 30 years ago or so. There was a piano track, keyboard/synthesizer and organ track. The organ was a pipe organ with all the stops. When you have your hands playing keys, then pushing and pulling the stops, and THEN you wear special shoes to work the pedals...way different than a piano. This coming from a liturgical musician since age 15 (my confirmation project). And I'm 56 now...I understand your logic, but truly different. Even a synthesizer is different than a piano. And just because you can "play" the piano doesn't mean you can accompany a choir/cantor. Being a concert pianist or an adequate/good accompanist...again, 2 different things. Some people just can't accompany a choir or voices. They might be great soloists, but there is skill there. (Not upset, just trying to point out the differences.) And I agree, some guitarists are great, some people, it's about them. They don't understand the skill, the humility, etc., that is needed to play with an ensemble or even lead a choir. I strive, as a new director (I'm a slow learner!) that do music well. Not just me, but my cantors and tiny choir. There's a lot of listening to music, trying to pick the best choices for the congregation. It's tough. Especially since we still don't have hymnals because of covid. That, and working on a military base. Everything has to go through channels. We may not have hymnals until St. Swithens day in 2025. God bless all you do! I just recently discovered you guys, and you rock!!
I was told in a Confession by the priest (without my asking) that it's really very hard to be concentrated and prayerful during current liturgy, that it's an avalanche our brains are not really wired to be fully concentrated the whole time. He also told me priests are repeatedly urged to shorten homilies because of this, otherwise it'll be really too much. Maybe his opinion, but it's my feeling too for a long time (except I don't agree with the short homilies :)). I was always thinking when reading books, how the saints got to pray like they did during the Mass and then I realized, the Mass was very different back then. Hard to change that. To be honest, I was once on NO Mass with a priest that was really taking time to do everything, slowly and with maximum reverence, it was better but I still feel it could be more beautiful. (Unfortunately no good way to attend TLM).
Thank you for sharing some advice on improving St Colette Parish or any other center for worship. I absolutely agree with you that organs and communion rails would help aid us in our spiritually. I will recommend organs for parishes large enough to include them as auditory aids to worship and able to afford them and rails. My late grandmother had a piano which is at my current home since shortly after my sister began playing it. Should the Church borrow it at a parish until it upgrades with an organ?
In the Old Testament, God specified how He should be worshipped. Vestments were specifically very beautiful by God's very specific direction. All the vessels as well, and incense burned burned all the time before the tabernacle. God never ever specified that we should discontinue any of these things. By the way, in the Old Testament, God specified that in front of the Holy of Holies, they had to lay prostrate. Today many don't even genuflect!
1. Extraordinary ministers only in extra ordinary circumstances. 2. Voice organ (maybe piano organs can be expensive) only. Anything you want in praise and worship as long as the lyrics are theologically correct. 3. Priest treating the Euchsrist as It is. Ex it was painful during covid to see the priest us the sanitizer more coherently to avoid germs while touching the Eucharist and spreading crumbs everywhere by not keeping their fingers together or even bother washing them with the Chalice. (Makes me wonder what they believe in?) 4. Stop dressing like it is a dive bar (looking at you boomer dads). 5. Altar rails or kneelers enforce what Vatican II says about communion on tongue vs hand. Bonus: Encourage ad orientem, Greek for the Kyrie Latin for the Gloria ect ect, and no more Disney sounding Liturgical music maybe it is the inner organist in me, but some of these Mass parts sound like Disney rip offs. A.M.D.G.
There’s a couple cantors at my church and the thing that pops in my head when I see them is oh no!!!! Not the Disney princess again!!! Most keep it low key and moderate with just the organ backing them. But sometimes it gets too cringy for my tastes
@@RamManNo1 I know the feeling, I was recently at the beautiful Sacred Heart in Galveston Texas and they did Mass parts with a piano a violist that was out of tune and what seemed like Disney hymns very antithetical to the beautiful Church.
Hands down, "Ad Orientum" is far better, far more beautiful, far more sacred. I served "Tridentine" Masses as a boy from fifth through twelfth grades. All in Latin. I served weekday masses, Sunday masses, low masses, high masses, solemn high masses, wedding masses, funeral masses and at baptisms, grave side, and at novena's, benediction, expositions, stations of the cross. Everything! I used to have a St. Joseph missed. All the pages on the left were in Latin and the pages on the right (opposite) were in English. Very easy to use. We had an organist who played at every single service. He was the organist and choir master. He was very full time. There is nothing more beautiful than our ancient, Latin, Roman Catholic traditions.
I think what Vatican II had in mind was all the Ordinary (prayers that are the same at every Mass all year) prayed or sung in Latin and the Propers, those prayers specifically for a given Mass or Feast day prayed in the vernacular. Where did Vatican II say that the celebrant must celebrate the Holy Sacrifice facing the congregation and not the crucifix? Sad to say that my pastor despises what he calls “the Church of 1950.” (Latin, pipe organ, chant, altar rails, etc). I am a sacristan there every other week. Our previous pastor always veiled the chalice. Our current pastor did away with them. I’ve looked for them but can’t find them. He stopped the tradition of praying to St Michael before leaving the sanctuary after Mass, saying it is for private prayer only. He stopped praying the special prayers to St Joseph halfway through the Year of St Joseph. He refused to hold a consecration to St Joseph while many parishes in the same area of town did, saying, go to one of those. Anything that is optional, he won’t do. I cannot wait until he retires.
By the time you reform the Novus Ordo to how Latin Rite catholics should be worshipping, you'll essentially have the TLM. The Novus Ordo currently has a deficient lectionary as over forty key biblical verses were removed. The Novus Ordo also has a watered down Eucharistic Prayer (#2), Kyrie, Confiteor, and Offeratory. It may be hard to return to the TLM, but it is possible and it is necessary.
The biggest problem with the Novus Ordo is that it has a modular or gelatinous character. The New Rite of Paul VI allows in many places too many options for the priest to choose from. This why the celebration of the NO is more on a spectrum - progressive to conservative/traditional. And both are equally legitimate. It reduces Mass going to cliques and mere preference. Whereas the Roman Rite ("TLM") has a generally universal character and objectivity to it. Those who pay attention KNOW when it is done poorly (rare). It's character is fixed and doesn't allow the personal preferences, innovations, options of the celebrating priest to mold it to his liking or that of the community. It is more like a carved monument made out of granite. Solid, fixed, foreboding!
@@CanadianMonarchist they certainly can be. They have been relegated to their ghettos because they don't play along with all the novelties and inventions since Vatican II. They need to be treated as full members of the Mystical Body of Christ. If anything towards the front as they are carrying the burden of fidelity now.
So I actually only knew of the NO. I often heard people mention "Latin," but I believed it solely referred to the language. To my surprise, I discovered that it encompasses something entirely distinct. So should this be part of the catechesis?
It is always good to know what to do and how to do it. The Novus Ordo in itself is flawed and hence cannot be remedied. The solution is one: 'a return to the Tridentine Catholicism. Otherwise we keep rigmaroling/going round ourselves.
I love everything you guys mentioned here...I've tried for years to get these traditional elements brought back into the liturgy in my Parish. Unfortunately, these things are not wanted in my parish (like most across the country) and there is always push back from the liberals when these things are suggested. The OCP influence is too strong and our Priests always side with the modernists even if they agree with me. Musicians have too much power in our Church and very few understand how the Church intends for the Mass to be said. Altar Rails! Love it, but it would never fly in my Parish. It would be viewed as an obstacle for all the flowers which are placed in the sanctuary. I'm so sad our Church is so slow to return to reverence and get rid of the 70's influence on the Mass. The OCP Mass cannot compete with the world around us.
If those 5 simple practices make the Novus Ordo Mass more reverent and holy, then the argument that the TLM is structurally more reverent and holy automatically follows because it contains in its structure what makes a Mass more reverent and holy that which is not permitted in the Novus Ordo.
Ironically Father says “The celebration of Mass” at the beginning. Thus, I’ll pass on this episode. Love what you are doing in general though. Here is how to make the Novus Ordo better: 1. Eliminate it
So the idea that all the piano players in the congregation can play the organ: this needs correction - the only thing an organ has in common with the piano is the white and black key layout design of a keyboard. The instruments are otherwise as different as a saxophone and a trumpet. Piano keyboards are 88 keys, they are weighted, and there's only one. Organ keyboards are at 2 to 3 different heights, are 61 keys, and have different tones and volumes - the pedale, Grand Orgue, Recit, and Echo - that are controlled by stops on the console. How to make use of this takes a lot of new knowledge for a piano player. The keyboard heights won't twig your muscle memory, they aren't at a typical piano height. And then there's the pedal, which no pianist is trained to use - it takes years to master that.
What's your view on the Orens Posture? To me, it makes it appear that the Mass is being offered for the benefit of those who missed their Tai Chi classes last week.
Go to almost any Byzantine-rite Divine Liturgy (yes, there are Eastern-rite Catholic parishes, you can receive Communion from their priest), and you will be treated to incense without end. I know, the one issue may be people who have asthma or other respiratory issues, but I'd thoroughly enjoyed their incense.
The lamb of God chant (melody) is different in Spanish (but the translation is the same). As you all mentioned it, I started singing it just like in mass. I’ve attended mass in Spanish since I was a baby and some of these songs are 🔥😁 Furthermore, it is critical that everyone understands the celebration. Keep in mind that in the United States, most of us are able to read and write. In other countries, there are many that are illiterate and don’t have the privilege to interpret Latin. My father didn’t grow up with the opportunity of attending school. However, mass was in Spanish and he understood the word of God. This is why it’s critical that we have mass in the language of the people. Our Church will touch many more people this way.
This is nothing about the language, it is about reverence toward the Lord. TLM base on the holy liturgies 1000 years old, all the steps has liturgical reason. 1960s Archbishop Lefebvre worked as a missionary in Africa for many years. Even more Africans illiterate but still they can diligently participate TLM. It means nothing about language. It is about liturgical spirit.
@@hiuszenoom809 The language of the people is not by default irreverent. People should be able to understand completely what they are participating in. The use of Latin isn't more reverent. It just puts attendees into a different headspace because it's not something we hear all the time. Also because it's given a special status. Replace it with another foreign language and you'd be able to get the same effect.
I’m white and don’t speak Spanish. Been fulfilling my obligation at the Spanish Mass because it feels more traditional and authentic. Not cringe like a typical English Novus Ordo.
I would like to see if you can create a video explaining how to explain the different parts of the Mass to non-Catholics. I would like to invite others to Mass but given our different traditions in the Celebration of the Liturgy, I don’t want to overwhelm others with our “rules”, while also sharing the beauty of the Catholic Church. Help?
End communion in the hand.Use Latin during the Sanctus,Gloria and Agnus Dei.Use more Latin hymns.Use beautiful vestments and vessels.Use Sanctus bells.Have High Mass at at least one Sunday Mass with incense etc.
I really would like to see communion rails come back, and everyone kneel and receive on the tongue, with communion distributed by clergy only. My parish has really gotten into having extraordinary ministers that it's not extraordinary but rather the norm.
Agreed, no church needs Eucharistic ministers. I've been to churches where the priest distributes Communion in a timely manner using a Communion rail. Even if we receive Communion on the earlier side we don't mind waiting for the rest of the congregation to receive. More time for mental prayer back in the pew!
Just a thought (I'm a parish musician), all of this sounds lovely however it must be accompanied by good liturgical catechesis to be successful when implemented. Too often these changes just seem superfluous to the congregation I adequate formation is not done before, during, and after the changes occur.
I’m a recent convert looking for a home Parrish and the one I went to today (in central Florida) was so absurd o left early. There was zero reverence for the Eucharist. They didn’t use a monstrance or sanctuary lamps. They played sang amazing grace with a guitar when bringing the Eucharist to the altar it was just terrible
I feel this big time. I am an Anglican discerning Roman Catholicism and I have NOT been impressed with the Catholic Parishes I have visited. I had no clue how contemporary the average Catholic church is. I was in both the Episcopal Church and the ACNA and the liturgies were heavenly. I guess I took them for granted at the time but I think the Catholic church could learn a thing or two about reverence from us Anglicans.
Find a traditional latin mass. Fssp or sspx will be fine as well. This is the true Catholic religion for 1700 years. Novus Ordo isn't even Catholic but specifically made for protestants.
I love the fragrance of incense- unfortunately it’s a voice killer for choirs. My parish is small and so is our church. The incense starts, the ceiling fans get going and all of a sudden, I have no voice to cantor. I wish we weren’t affected by it the way we are😞
All that I know is that, after many of years of attending the NO, I was led to attend the TLM. Even though I didn't know much of what was going on, I knew one thing when that TLM Mass was over, I had a love for Jesus that I had never experienced before and it has never left.
Participation is first and foremost in the heart. The TLM(s) that I attend are booming!
So we'll said
Well said!
Lex orendi, lex credendi.
My parish/diocese is booming. What our parish has ... strong emphasis on the real presence, with perpetual adoration, smells and bells, communion kneeling, on the tongue offered as a norm (some geriatrics still receive standing in the hand, but probably 75% of those under 60 receive on the tongue), alter BOYS ONLY in cassocks and surplices, liberal use of Latin, really good traditional choir music, and a big thing that we have is confession available during all Sunday Masses. We have very long confession lines whenever it is offered, which is probably 6-8 hours a week. We also have the Latin Mass along with the Novus Ordo.
Geriatrics? Man, I feel old!
You are blessed to belong to such a Parrish
@@Elizabeth-rh1hl It has been a great blessing, but unfortunately we are moving to another state for work.
@@youngbloodk I pray you will find yourself in a vibrant Parrish in your new State. God Bless!
Sounds like a parish I know of in Denver.🙏
Honestly, no music > bad music
And bad singing 😭
Yeah at daily mass we usually chant 2 times, Ubi Caritas during the preparation of the Altar and a marian hymn after mass, it is a way more profound mass than the guitar masses in my city
My church is dieing right before my eyes. At 8am mass today there were 45 people. Average age is 60 plus with zero children attending .
After Listening to this I took notice of the way the Mass was said. I saw that basically we were there to provide an audience for the
Canter. She is a wonderful singer but it was clear she runs the show. She had more "air time" then the celebrant by 2/3.
The Novus Ordo was designed to kill faith. Run to the traditional Catholic parish. U will be glad you did
You guys nailed it: The Novus Ordo CAN be great! One thing that I find makes most of the difference: A Priest who really believes that He is part of a miracle each time the transubstantiation takes place.. We have priests from India (in Berlin / Germany) and they are just full of love and reverence.. It radiates. Of course everybody else tries their absolute best, too, like music and altar servers. I go to Mass every day, and it is solemn and beautiful.
Church architecture is one start:
- all altars back in their places, ad orientem
- tabernacles dead centre, on the altar
- communion rails (we're Catholic majority, but we can still have people kneel after a long queue)
These three things can already teach a lot about what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass really means.
More Latin for greetings and responses, since that is our liturgical language. It was painful to the soul and the ear that the choir in the basilica I went to on Maundy Thursday botched the Pange Lingua. A translation on screens can be provided.
Also: no more hand-holding in the Lord's Prayer or orans in general; kneeling in the correct parts (the Credo and the entire Eucharistic Prayer); and cut down on the endless announcements.
Fantastic idea.
Well a Freestanding Altar can remain as they are a genuine part of tradition, afaik Priest need to incense them properly
You should have started with the elimination of communion in the hand. Most of your proposed modifications are cosmetic and not as critical when sacrilege and blasphemy occur regularly in the reception of the blessed sacrament by people who don't believe in the real presence or go to confession regularly. It goes without saying that extraordinary "ministers" of the eucharist should be eliminated and Permanent diaconate require the Deacon to live a celibate life and encourage his wife to separate and enter a monastery just like the early church.
My uncle was the founding pastor his church in the San Francisco Bay Area. He fought the parish council for years as they wanted (and did) make radical changes to his church. The worst was moving the altar to the center of the building. It now looks and feels awful, ugly and cheap as the church was designed to face one direction with lovely murals and artwork. I hope that in the future it will be changed back when the kumbuya generation doesn't run everything.
+Communion on the tongue and kneeling ONLY, and prayers at the foot of the altar and the Leonine Prayers.
My eight year old knows Latin chant and learned it in Catholic school. If an eight year old can do it, we can all do it. ❤️ Bring back the sacred, bring back the "out of this world" setting of the Mass, and bring back reverence to the Eucharist.
And what will we do when the Pope continues to make latin illegal? Ask a cancelled Holy Priest for saying the Latin Mass. They’re all around you.
That is when I learned it. The nuns taught 3rd graders the Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Tantum Ergo etc.
Eighth graders were taught Shakespeare, Greek, Latin, in the 19th century.
Amen.
You are simply wonderful. Keep it up.
This may be a bit debatable but I think celebrating ad orientum is the main thing that needs to change in the mass. The mass is first and foremost a sacrifice offers to God, and the prayers reflect this, as they are addressed to God. The priests posture needs to match this. Not to mention, no where in the missal, nor in the Vatican II docs does it say to face towards the people. In fact, the language of the missal presupposes that the priest is not facing the people. Everything you gents said is spot on and I 100% agree, but this i think is the main concern.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: "The altar should be built separate from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people."
This was a fantastic show. Between “ Mass for the Ages” and your show, so much is being revealed in lost tradition. Thank you for your time and truly your show is a calling. God Bless!
I appreciate the show. As a church musician, I had to laugh at the comment that anyone who plays piano can play the organ. That’s like saying anyone who can drive a car can drive a semi, a tank, or an airplane.
When I moved from Traditional Latin Masses in the Northeast to here in Las Vegas I was in absolute shock at what was happening to our Sacred Mass. I did eventually find a Latin Mass, but the other Churches were basically Calvinists. There was nothing Catholic about them. There was no Latin, no organ, and there were no bells, but don't worry they had a full band with drums and guitars.
Shouldn't it be the bishop's job to make sure the church stays the same, and doesn't look like a protestant churches?? All the bishop's have no backbones
Sounds like absolute hell. I’d do anything to get out of the southwest to go to the beauty of the northeast Churches.
The solution is simple: traditional Catholicism. Run to a TLM parish and you will heave a sigh of relief.
There is a SSPX chapel in Las Vegas at Our Lady of Victory. The TLM is so reverend
One thing I would like to see discouraged and eliminated from the modern liturgy is the "hippie handshake" done at the "let us offer each other the sign of peace". This shouldn't include having peace signs flung at me from 50 feet away. Because of COVID restrictions on close contact, this has gotten worse.
Hm. I was so glad to not have to touch people any longer that the peace sign thing doesn't bother me at all. I'm just glad people are no longer insisting on shaking my hand after they've been coughing into it all of Mass.
To be honest I prefer no sign of peace at all. Because I travel for work I go tp Novus Ordo, Latin mass, and Eastern rites Catholic liturgies and I far prefer that the Latin Mass and Liturgy does not have this moment. I get the intention of it is good, but it's just an awkward thing to do before receiving the Eucharist.
I wish they’d eliminate the handshakes sign of peace because I don’t want to touch strangers hands that I’ve seen coughing into their hands a few minutes before. I feel awkward but I have to politely refuse and smile and nod.
The handshake is not required. I did not know this until I went to f funeral at a little church and saw this on a post in the vestibule of the church. Wonderful news. Maybe COVID made this disappear. More respectful is to bow to one another.
Yes, the Mass is not about us. We have the rest of the week's hours to be about us. It is about worshipping God, period.
Speaking from my experience as a Catholic convert, I think you are downplaying these issues. Many of the NO masses I have attended used no Latin. Could they? Sure and to your point, it would be easy. But they don't. Which is what this problem so difficult to solve. There are so many variations (aka abuses) in what can be experienced among the NO masses, how can these actually be fixed? I am starting to believe that the easiest solution is to ban the NO. I know this is not going to happen any time soon, but given the abuses around the Eucharist, it should. The idea that we need to "reform the reform" just highlights how much we really didn't need the reform in the first place.
I went to the premiere of episode 2 of Mass of the ages in DC last week. And I think it’s available here on TH-cam now too. Who else has seen it?
I have, makes me wish I had been going to the TLM alot sooner than I have been.
Watched it, loved it
I have seen it! Very eye opening both episodes 1 and 2!
They were great! Really opened my eyes and made me realize that there’s no good reason we’re still using the Novus Ordo liturgy, seems like clergy is holding on tightly for selfish reasons. Let’s go back!
I have
Thank you for doing this show about fixing the Novus Ordo Mass. I love the Latin Mass and was raised with it for over 25 years before the Vatican 2 - bring back the Altar rails for a reverence in received Our Lord in Communion instead of what is going on today.
The Novus Ordo Mass is different from the Traditional Latin Mass.
I am an organist at a large parish in PA. We are very grateful that we have had several pastors who prioritize all these things you have discussed. Many guests of our parish have commented on the beauty of the Sunday Mass at Corpus Christi. Praise God! Thanks for the discussion.
One thing that seems to be forgotten is the role of the Altar Boys. That's where vocations come from. They assist in the Mass with proper training and in their responses to the Mass needs to maintain importance.
Women have no place on the altar. And this is coming from a woman.
I think a lot of this has to do with Priests abusing of altar boys all around the world. It’s sad cause you are right, a lot of vocations come from boys being involved in the Mass.
This is true!
this is why altar girls is such a wrong thing.
I’ve attended both the TLM and the Novus ordo ad orientum with Latin prayers and chant… both very beautiful and uplifting and feeling in union with the saints closer to God… a very spiritual connection. Unfortunately, most parishes are not like that. There is something missing…
I believe that in most churches tabernacles have been put back into the center ( where they belong)
But the absence of altar rails and kneeling for communion… I wish it would come back.
The lack of reverence for the Eucharist has increased… its so very sad.
The TLM was such a beautiful expensive we moved to an area that offers it. We need more of it. The world is ugly, bring back the most beautiful thing on the planet… fast
how to fix it?
1) get rid of it and go back to what worked (literally every business does this when a product fails)
2) restore beauty to parishes (from ugly as sin to eye popping awesomeness)
we have killed the faith with the 'new things'
Amen
For me: 1. More Latin for certain prayers/responses 2. Male only altar servers and lectors in proper altar server garb 3. Clergy only distributing Holy Communion preferably on the tongue and at a communion rail or use of a kneeler 4. Modesty and appropriate dress for all ages and both genders for Mass 5. No more praise and worship music, organ or piano only, maybe some chant for both laity and clergy.
No harp?
Modesty should be one of the main things. Girls with crop tops and guys with cargo shorts and sandals shouldn’t be the common theme. I’ve always thought that there should be a sign outside of the church and a reminder in the bulletins what the proper attire should be.
Yes incense should be used, where I live, the priest is alone with 2-3 lay person, usually woman that read
My small-town parish slowly implemented all of the things listed here after we got a new priest in 2011. Membership in the parish went down at first, because many preferred the "modern" ways of doing things. But we are experiencing growing pains now which is a good problem to have. Many young, large families.
When I converted to Catholicism about 20 years ago I thought I was going to be coming into the Latin Mass. I didn’t know things changed and I was so disappointed; BUT the Novus Ordo is valid. Though it’s definitely not as reverent or beautiful as the Tridentine Mass.
Side Note: Can we PLEASE stop making new churches look like a Pizza Hut?
You converted without knowing?
Such a frustrating problem seems to be that so often, holy and pious priests have no power to incorporate the Church’s traditions due to parishioners and parish councils stuck in the 1970s
You NAILED it. My parish is getting a new priest soon, replacing a super liberal old priest who is retiring with a younger traditional priest. Wish us luck…
I attend a Novus Ordo mass every week, but the more I learn of the mass before Vatican II I realize there is so much lacking in it. One of the biggest things it lacks is silence. It really lacks any opportnuity for mental prayer, which the latin mass offered. Heck the faithful don't even really know about mental prayer anymore. That was me for the longest time. So many saints testify to the absolute need for mental prayer, but the new mass with its seemingly rushed pace and non-stop exterior activity for the laity doesn't make it possible.
I agree, it’s too short.
The most awful thing about the Novus Ordo is the music during Communion. You get back and kneel after getting communion you have either an organ or guitar and singing and you just want to focus and pray and you can’t because of the music blaring!!! It makes me so angry!!! So hard to focus and pray! Also, can’t we do away with Eucharistic Ministers! Why can’t the other Priest’s come out and join the celebrant Priest to hand out Communion? They did when I was an Alter Boy!! Is that really too much to ask?
We only have one priest and that's the case with most parishes in our dioxese
@@anthonypicano1670 there is such a lack of priests that they have to depend on ministers of communion. However, I’ve seen priests that never give communion to the people and leave that job to the ministers, and I’m like, that’s one of your main jobs.
@@anthonypicano1670 Did you speak to your priest? Not all churches have Eucharistic Ministers for example.
My parish has started singing the Agnus Dei "Lamb of God you take a way the sins of the world, miserere nobis; Lamb of God you take a way the sins of the world, miserere nobis;amb of God you take a way the sins of the world, dona nobis pacem" Its a sweet kind of hybrid. And now that we are in lent, we sing the Sanctus in Latin also
For the prayers of the faithful, draw from the ancient church. The ancient Roman intercessory prayers asked for the conversion of pagans, heretics, schismatics, and Jews. They also prayed for good weather and harvest, for the King, and the clergy. Let’s emulate that.
Did it used to be universal like the readings? When I hear the bidding prayers from my New 🌎 Order priest, it leaves me sad. Inappropriate..
@@bedrosnersesyan6975 In the ancient church they were once said every Sunday. By the time of Pope Gelasius they were reduced to just once a year on Good Friday.
I don’t think it can be said enough. END communion in the hand. Also teach the whole faith tradition etc. I have ran into to many catholic apostates that left because they don’t know everything the church offers. They leave because they missed so much and “feel” or believe they found it somewhere else. Especially when they don’t know or where never taught.
Amen
I prefer Communion on the tongue, but accept that during the recent pandemic, this was not possible and I accepted the Bishop's ruling that Communion was to be received in the hand during the emergency. I and many others have now reverted to receiving on the tongue.
Catechesis or lack of is the root of the demise of our church. I was taught by the nuns who were filled with love for God and the Church. Since today that is no longer the case and what they teach at church today is so watered down , it is no wonder many don’t know their faith. Over time they will leave or sink into mediocrity.
Forgot AD orientum worship. This is the most important and would completely change the view of the mass
My parish does not do a good job of presenting the mass in a reverent way. The choir director makes it all about him. My son even calls it, “The Michael show”. At the Christmas vigil he even walked to the front of the church to sing, and then paused waiting for applause. Our Priest did nothing. People are walking around and talking loudly before mass instead of reflecting on what they are about to participate in. I am located in Eastern North Carolina and our options for Mass are limited. Its one step away from being Protestant
That’s so sad, Pride is a horrible sin indeed. feel like they want more people to attend Mass so they make Mass more similar to the Protestant celebrations. We need to pray more for both priests and parishioners members
Why should we reform the reform? Go back to tradition. It's that simple. I've been to both NO and TLM, and TLM is consistently beautiful, reverent, and incredible. Only sparingly can I say that about NO. It's not consistent at all, and the universal church should seek to be universal.
Recently our priest returned from a trip to Mexico; he brought back new vestments, altar cloth, and traditional robes for the altar servers. He trained them in the use of incense and candles, etc, and the NO now takes on a more reverent and serious tone it lacked previously. I know he wants to use Gregorian chant as well; baby steps for our congregation! I find both this NO and the TLM inspiring and thankful for any Mass that is traditional.
I like the old offertory prayers as well. I feel like I have time to really take in the reality of Jesus really come down from Heaven during the consecration. I think any "getting back to reverence" is good, but I really think it's simpler to return to our ancient patrimony.
My dad was approached as a teenager to play the organ at his parish and remained a church organist the rest of his life.
Looking forward to a beautiful episode that will inspire the rejuvenation of the Church. I will take your advice because people need to sustain interest in worship.
I attend a traditional parish for the TLM. But I’ll say they celebrate the NO the way V2 intended. It’s a beautiful NO.
I love this show it's very educational, I'm a Catholic not only that but I also work for the diocese of Venice. And I very much enjoy listening to you guys talk about my favorite religion. Thanks
Where we live we have multiple churches that ring church bells every hour from 8am-8pm all year long and we love it, everyone loves it. Most churches do not have real bells because of cost and maintenance. There are very few church bell makers anymore, sadly.
I find it very distracting when the cantor sings (often way to loud) during/after Communion when I’m trying to meditate and pray and take it in. A simple organ would suffice!!
I think a ‘reform of the reform’ needs to happen and two major things need to be implemented.
1. Ad orientem worship (the priest should be facing the tabernacle when offering the Mass)
2. The prayers of the old rite which were deleted after Vatican II (such as Psalm 42, Placeat Tibi et al.) should be inserted into the new Missal, and the old offertory prayers should be used instead of the new ones.
If the above things were implanted, even if in the vernacular, the Novus Ordo would be much more like the Old Mass and would fulfill what Pope Benedict wanted for the liturgical reform.
The Baptist church across the street from my house has church bells that play every 15 minutes. It's a small town and you can hear them anywhere in town ... and always know what time it is. They play them from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. I don't think anyone has complained about them.
I agree with these suggestions. I left the Church some years ago for several reasons, partly due to the corruption of the sexual abuse and cover up and partly due to the Church becoming less reverent and more part of the modern culture.
I’ve recently returned and am yearning for a more reverent and sacred Church, including myself.
I agree with all these ideas. Let’s pray that each Parrish puts these into practice.
Welcome back home ❤️
@@Mrs_Homemaker Thank you. It’s good to be back
God is so good! Welcome home, Elizabeth!
@@bethmedina9200 Thank you
Welcome back! I have a similar story. I left but not because of the sex abuse scandals. That’s never deterred me. But not really knowing the faith, that did keep me away.
I have to agree with everything you gentlemen recommended (not that my approval means anything substantial). Espescially the Church bells, I hear so few speak of that. It is so iconic and ubiquitous in Church history, that the tolling of the bells were often how people knew what hour it was before clocks as we know them became common. Even then, the clocks chime in imitation of the Church bells that proceeded them. God is Creator of time as well as space and spirit, and the bells are a reminder of His absolute Divine Kingship and Kingdom.
You can't be more right!! The Mass is not about us. It is to give glory and worship to GOD!!
@@beckyc.244 Well yes but invariably a factor necessarily involving us is that we are to the be the ones giving glory and worship to God. However anytime we are in grace we are giving Him glory and of course when we are praising Him. And any time we recognize that God is God especially devotionally and very specially when we are adoring Him, we are worshipping Him in a form. There is not necessarily a conflict between giving God glory and worship and doing do in a form we find conducive that goes hand in hand as far as our individual relationships with the Lord go.
What makes the Mass difference is well many things. But first it is the highest form of public worship the Church offers to the Lord. Second, it is the calling down of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the Most Holy Eucharist thus this is more than just mere worship in the normal sense even public sense of the word, since we receive Christ in His Real Presence into ourselves. Third is that in the Holy Mass we are joining with God the Son offering Himself up to God the Father in the Holy Spirit, and so we are taking part in the inner loving dynamic of the Most Holy Trinity. This is why the Holy Mass is a foretaste of Heaven.
So yes, it is about giving God devotion and worship, but importantly it is the highest possible form of these this side of Heaven we are participating in. I think this was of explaining it (or hopefully a less cobbled together version than mine). Makes it more clear, as there is not only a place but a necessity for personal devotion and we should not expect that to be uniform as the Holy Mass.
In my opinion, to add the the list of horrors, is mucking with the traditional church calendar. I remember when it happened exactly. All the Mary, Joseph, Christ Child statues came off the dashboards of the cars. The rosary and St Christopher medal hanging from the rear view mirror was replaced by fuzzy dice. All was lost by demoting St Christopher and saying he wasn't really real.
@@beckyc.244 That is actually a common misunderstanding, the Church has not explicitly said St.Christopher is not real but does not recognize him. That said, He is still considered a Saint, he hasa feast day on July 25th. And honestly the calendar has been changed in the past. More of more of the Bible us read in the new three year cycle than the old one year cycle and Biblical literacy among Catholics is higher than it has been in a long time and dedication to the Holy Family along with it. The decrease is mainly due to people simply becoming more worldly as the way the Faith was presented was dumbed down and people stayed at a child`s understanding of the Faith. So when the secular elements of society provided even a low-level attack against the Faith or waved immediate satisfaction in their face, many left or slowly let it get watered down.
There is no easy switch here we can make. We in the Church simply were not evangelizing and we let the comfortable modern life overtake us and aquiesced because it was comfortable and shiny and most didn`t see the rot behind the pretty curtains.
@@LostArchivist#1) were you there to see the overnight sea change??? And why did my Saint get moved off his previous location and onto a new one??? So, St Gregory the Great is no longerv3/12 but moved to a new date. Those calendar days used to he loaded up with saints and now some days are empty. Changing the calendar changed the entire way that saints feasts are celebrated. Currently, the reading has very little to do with the saint. That down grades them and there accomplishments into randomness. St Christopher was taken off the calendar. So basically the same as being demoted. Who wants to pray to a second class saint? But eventually the church basically had to reinstate him and pretend they did not say he was real as devotion to him continued to this day.
Love that moment of brotherhood 5:10
I really like this priest. He seems cool, down to earth, thoughtful but relatable.
What’s up!!!!!!! Love your show!
From where I'm from. People don't even know What novus ordo means. I found out about it this month . I so badly want to learn and attend a traditional Latin mass. But it's just a dream for me.
The way EWTN celebrates the mass should be an example for parishes.
Absolutely. Why isn’t it though? I don’t understand the disconnect and this HUGE divide in the Church.
1) Take the old mass and do a complete translation to the vernacular while keeping all genuflections, signs of the cross etc and make this the “ordinary form”
2) Get rid of the ordinary form all together and leave everything in Latin
I think those are the only two options
excellent.
Honest question: Can anyone recommend an app that will help me learn those Latin prayers in the Mass?
There’s an app called “Square Note” that teaches you how to chant common hymns, prayers, and the ordinary parts that are chanted in the Mass. I have no musical background and it has been so helpful!
I just googled it and was able to learn it
just buy a 1962 missal and follow the English translations that are typed next to the latin text. Easy. A small thing to do for Our Lord after he gave us his life.
i think the first thing that we need to do is stop talking in Church. Up until Mass starts and the moment it is ended, there is constant loud raucous talking and laughter. I am in a "House of Prayer" but it is impossible to pray. I am in the House of God, but they are all ignoring Him, because they are celebrating each other.
Bishop Snyder said it, and I agree 100% -- the three biggest things that need to change in the NO are
1. Never communion in the hand, and no lay extraordinary ministers
2. All masses celebrated ad orientum. That means the churches must be built with the altar and tabernacle facing East. There's too much at stake theologically.
3. People need to prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion with more regular confession. Once a year really isn't enough for most people who are receiving the Eucharist weekly.
I’ve always had trouble with that church commandment about Eucharist once a year. I’ve always felt that receiving communion should be held as important as witnessing the sacrifice that the priest offers to God at the altar. Confession should be available everyday at church as well as during Sunday Mass or before Mass.
In the parishes I attend, the altars face westward. In STM, the Tabernacle is off to the left of the altar and I find this odd. Should it not be front and center?
Not here in NZ. We are toast. It's the TLM for me ... all the way.. I'll never go back. Dancing up near the altar etc. Yuk.
I just started my "hands-on" apprenticeship in our church's music ministry a month ago as a guitar player with a sincere intention of utilizing the talent bestowed upon me for the purpose of service to God and the community. After watching this episode, I started thinking about quitting and maybe serve in a different capacity.
The guitar was part of a folk mass to attract the young people participate in the Mass. A total Latin mass would not appeal to them unless they understood what was being said.
Please add the 7 Sorrows Rosary on your daily prayers. The 7 Sorrows Rosary dates back to the Middle Ages and the approved Marian apparition in Kibeho, Rwanda asked for the 7 Sorrows Rosary to be prayed. Like the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, there are promises attached to the 7 Sorrows Rosary.
Love you all. Thanks always!
Excellent!!! This is already happening in our Diocese. I am registered with the quasi-parish of the FSSP but I also attend N.O., especially during my lunch break when I am in the office (but I am sidelined now from Mass and Adoration because of a sprained ankle. Limited to live stream these days. Four to six weeks to recover.).
Get well soon!
Please do a show on Sedevacantism, and please invite Brother Peter Dimond for a friendly interview so that he could explain his view that Francis is presently not holding office as Pope.
I love listening to your podcast. Thank you. As a senior I remember going to mass without eating breakfast. We had to fast for 3 hours. No food or drink allowed. Our family attended 11am on Sundays. I remember feeling like I would throw up every Sunday when they brought out the incense. Thanks for bringing to mind the importance of using incense.
Three Hours? I'm old, and the rule was to eat nothing after midnight. Mass was only on Sunday mornings, and only one of them was what we called the High Mass with all the bells, whistles, incense... These men are really only talking about the 'High Mass". I'm happy with the Mass said mostly in English that I attend.
We adhered to nothing after midnight! Parents dragged all 5 of us kids to the earliest Mass possible. We got Kleenex bobby pinned to our hair if the girls forgot their little chapel veils!! Dating myself here but I do remember the Mass in Latin. The only time we did High Mass was Christmas Eve. The main excitement there was to see all the mink stoles and count how many people fainted! The smell of incense fought with the smell of liquor!!
@@beckyc.244 I remember it well! We didn't wear chapel veils in the 40s but a tam, hat, or a kerchief would do OR it would be the kleenex with a bobby pin! I remember the Mass in Latin, but maybe different dioceses did things a little differently High Mass was just one Mass of the 3 on a Sunday. Christmas, Easter, and Holy Days of Obligation got even more royal treatment. Take care and have a great day!
Yes. I always wonder at the women in my age group who wear shorts and a 👕 to Mass...
You might be right about one High Mass on every Sunday but my parents believed it was enough peace just to get 5 kids to Mass and it better be short and to the point!!
I love the bells🔔🔔
Omit the congregations’ Sign of Peace.
The BIG issue with the New Mass is the "Offertory" which is completely and radically changed. As Bishop Schneider said, the Pope should mandate Ad Orientem and the old Offertory as a starting point.
There are electronic keyboards that can be swapped between piano, harpsichord & organ. Not as expensive as a REAL organ, and can be used for other purposes too.
THE MORE NOVUS O BECOMES LIKE THE OLD MASS THE MORE IT BECOMES CATHOLIC
There needs to be an altar rail. Even though I am 71 and have a very hard time kneeling, if we had that I would still choose to pray before Mass at the railing, and it is definitely more respectful to have communion kneeling for those that are still able.
I have to say, organs are great, but they are an entirely different animal than pianos. You'd think they are lateral instruments, but they aren't. I went to a week long study 30 years ago or so. There was a piano track, keyboard/synthesizer and organ track. The organ was a pipe organ with all the stops. When you have your hands playing keys, then pushing and pulling the stops, and THEN you wear special shoes to work the pedals...way different than a piano. This coming from a liturgical musician since age 15 (my confirmation project). And I'm 56 now...I understand your logic, but truly different. Even a synthesizer is different than a piano. And just because you can "play" the piano doesn't mean you can accompany a choir/cantor. Being a concert pianist or an adequate/good accompanist...again, 2 different things. Some people just can't accompany a choir or voices. They might be great soloists, but there is skill there. (Not upset, just trying to point out the differences.) And I agree, some guitarists are great, some people, it's about them. They don't understand the skill, the humility, etc., that is needed to play with an ensemble or even lead a choir. I strive, as a new director (I'm a slow learner!) that do music well. Not just me, but my cantors and tiny choir. There's a lot of listening to music, trying to pick the best choices for the congregation. It's tough. Especially since we still don't have hymnals because of covid. That, and working on a military base. Everything has to go through channels. We may not have hymnals until St. Swithens day in 2025.
God bless all you do! I just recently discovered you guys, and you rock!!
Here’s one way to fix the Novus Ordo: Abolish It. :)
I was told in a Confession by the priest (without my asking) that it's really very hard to be concentrated and prayerful during current liturgy, that it's an avalanche our brains are not really wired to be fully concentrated the whole time. He also told me priests are repeatedly urged to shorten homilies because of this, otherwise it'll be really too much. Maybe his opinion, but it's my feeling too for a long time (except I don't agree with the short homilies :)). I was always thinking when reading books, how the saints got to pray like they did during the Mass and then I realized, the Mass was very different back then. Hard to change that.
To be honest, I was once on NO Mass with a priest that was really taking time to do everything, slowly and with maximum reverence, it was better but I still feel it could be more beautiful. (Unfortunately no good way to attend TLM).
Thank you for sharing some advice on improving St Colette Parish or any other center for worship. I absolutely agree with you that organs and communion rails would help aid us in our spiritually. I will recommend organs for parishes large enough to include them as auditory aids to worship and able to afford them and rails.
My late grandmother had a piano which is at my current home since shortly after my sister began playing it. Should the Church borrow it at a parish until it upgrades with an organ?
In the Old Testament, God specified how He should be worshipped. Vestments were specifically very beautiful by God's very specific direction. All the vessels as well, and incense burned burned all the time before the tabernacle. God never ever specified that we should discontinue any of these things. By the way, in the Old Testament, God specified that in front of the Holy of Holies, they had to lay prostrate. Today many don't even genuflect!
1. Extraordinary ministers only in extra ordinary circumstances.
2. Voice organ (maybe piano organs can be expensive) only. Anything you want in praise and worship as long as the lyrics are theologically correct.
3. Priest treating the Euchsrist as It is. Ex it was painful during covid to see the priest us the sanitizer more coherently to avoid germs while touching the Eucharist and spreading crumbs everywhere by not keeping their fingers together or even bother washing them with the Chalice. (Makes me wonder what they believe in?)
4. Stop dressing like it is a dive bar (looking at you boomer dads).
5. Altar rails or kneelers enforce what Vatican II says about communion on tongue vs hand.
Bonus: Encourage ad orientem, Greek for the Kyrie Latin for the Gloria ect ect, and no more Disney sounding Liturgical music maybe it is the inner organist in me, but some of these Mass parts sound like Disney rip offs.
A.M.D.G.
There’s a couple cantors at my church and the thing that pops in my head when I see them is oh no!!!! Not the Disney princess again!!! Most keep it low key and moderate with just the organ backing them. But sometimes it gets too cringy for my tastes
@@RamManNo1 I know the feeling, I was recently at the beautiful Sacred Heart in Galveston Texas and they did Mass parts with a piano a violist that was out of tune and what seemed like Disney hymns very antithetical to the beautiful Church.
Keep praying for more reverence for the Eucharist!
Hands down, "Ad Orientum" is far better, far more beautiful, far more sacred. I served "Tridentine" Masses as a boy from fifth through twelfth grades. All in Latin. I served weekday masses, Sunday masses, low masses, high masses, solemn high masses, wedding masses, funeral masses and at baptisms, grave side, and at novena's, benediction, expositions, stations of the cross. Everything! I used to have a St. Joseph missed. All the pages on the left were in Latin and the pages on the right (opposite) were in English. Very easy to use. We had an organist who played at every single service. He was the organist and choir master. He was very full time. There is nothing more beautiful than our ancient, Latin, Roman Catholic traditions.
I think what Vatican II had in mind was all the Ordinary (prayers that are the same at every Mass all year) prayed or sung in Latin and the Propers, those prayers specifically for a given Mass or Feast day prayed in the vernacular.
Where did Vatican II say that the celebrant must celebrate the Holy Sacrifice facing the congregation and not the crucifix?
Sad to say that my pastor despises what he calls “the Church of 1950.” (Latin, pipe organ, chant, altar rails, etc). I am a sacristan there every other week. Our previous pastor always veiled the chalice. Our current pastor did away with them. I’ve looked for them but can’t find them. He stopped the tradition of praying to St Michael before leaving the sanctuary after Mass, saying it is for private prayer only. He stopped praying the special prayers to St Joseph halfway through the Year of St Joseph. He refused to hold a consecration to St Joseph while many parishes in the same area of town did, saying, go to one of those. Anything that is optional, he won’t do. I cannot wait until he retires.
By the time you reform the Novus Ordo to how Latin Rite catholics should be worshipping, you'll essentially have the TLM. The Novus Ordo currently has a deficient lectionary as over forty key biblical verses were removed. The Novus Ordo also has a watered down Eucharistic Prayer (#2), Kyrie, Confiteor, and Offeratory. It may be hard to return to the TLM, but it is possible and it is necessary.
The biggest problem with the Novus Ordo is that it has a modular or gelatinous character. The New Rite of Paul VI allows in many places too many options for the priest to choose from. This why the celebration of the NO is more on a spectrum - progressive to conservative/traditional. And both are equally legitimate. It reduces Mass going to cliques and mere preference. Whereas the Roman Rite ("TLM") has a generally universal character and objectivity to it. Those who pay attention KNOW when it is done poorly (rare). It's character is fixed and doesn't allow the personal preferences, innovations, options of the celebrating priest to mold it to his liking or that of the community. It is more like a carved monument made out of granite. Solid, fixed, foreboding!
Aren’t people who go to the TLM somewhat cliquish?
@@CanadianMonarchist they certainly can be. They have been relegated to their ghettos because they don't play along with all the novelties and inventions since Vatican II. They need to be treated as full members of the Mystical Body of Christ. If anything towards the front as they are carrying the burden of fidelity now.
So I actually only knew of the NO. I often heard people mention "Latin," but I believed it solely referred to the language. To my surprise, I discovered that it encompasses something entirely distinct.
So should this be part of the catechesis?
I hope you could make a video about saints who lived in the time of Novus Ordo
There is Carlos who did a school project on Eucharistic miracles.....
It is always good to know what to do and how to do it. The Novus Ordo in itself is flawed and hence cannot be remedied. The solution is one: 'a return to the Tridentine Catholicism. Otherwise we keep rigmaroling/going round ourselves.
I love everything you guys mentioned here...I've tried for years to get these traditional elements brought back into the liturgy in my Parish. Unfortunately, these things are not wanted in my parish (like most across the country) and there is always push back from the liberals when these things are suggested. The OCP influence is too strong and our Priests always side with the modernists even if they agree with me. Musicians have too much power in our Church and very few understand how the Church intends for the Mass to be said. Altar Rails! Love it, but it would never fly in my Parish. It would be viewed as an obstacle for all the flowers which are placed in the sanctuary. I'm so sad our Church is so slow to return to reverence and get rid of the 70's influence on the Mass. The OCP Mass cannot compete with the world around us.
Watching from Ireland
If those 5 simple practices make the Novus Ordo Mass more reverent and holy, then the argument that the TLM is structurally more reverent and holy automatically follows because it contains in its structure what makes a Mass more reverent and holy that which is not permitted in the Novus Ordo.
Yall are describing the Mass I attend at our cathedral. We do have altar rails although unfortunately we do not kneel at the rail for Communion.
Ironically Father says “The celebration of Mass” at the beginning. Thus, I’ll pass on this episode. Love what you are doing in general though. Here is how to make the Novus Ordo better:
1. Eliminate it
In Brisbane there's a man who teaches bell ringing for churches.
So the idea that all the piano players in the congregation can play the organ: this needs correction - the only thing an organ has in common with the piano is the white and black key layout design of a keyboard. The instruments are otherwise as different as a saxophone and a trumpet.
Piano keyboards are 88 keys, they are weighted, and there's only one. Organ keyboards are at 2 to 3 different heights, are 61 keys, and have different tones and volumes - the pedale, Grand Orgue, Recit, and Echo - that are controlled by stops on the console. How to make use of this takes a lot of new knowledge for a piano player. The keyboard heights won't twig your muscle memory, they aren't at a typical piano height. And then there's the pedal, which no pianist is trained to use - it takes years to master that.
What's your view on the Orens Posture? To me, it makes it appear that the Mass is being offered for the benefit of those who missed their Tai Chi classes last week.
1. Find a TLM
If you can't:
2. Find an Eastern rites Catholic church
Go to almost any Byzantine-rite Divine Liturgy (yes, there are Eastern-rite Catholic parishes, you can receive Communion from their priest), and you will be treated to incense without end. I know, the one issue may be people who have asthma or other respiratory issues, but I'd thoroughly enjoyed their incense.
The lamb of God chant (melody) is different in Spanish (but the translation is the same). As you all mentioned it, I started singing it just like in mass. I’ve attended mass in Spanish since I was a baby and some of these songs are 🔥😁 Furthermore, it is critical that everyone understands the celebration. Keep in mind that in the United States, most of us are able to read and write. In other countries, there are many that are illiterate and don’t have the privilege to interpret Latin. My father didn’t grow up with the opportunity of attending school. However, mass was in Spanish and he understood the word of God. This is why it’s critical that we have mass in the language of the people. Our Church will touch many more people this way.
This is nothing about the language, it is about reverence toward the Lord. TLM base on the holy liturgies 1000 years old, all the steps has liturgical reason. 1960s Archbishop Lefebvre worked as a missionary in Africa for many years. Even more Africans illiterate but still they can diligently participate TLM. It means nothing about language. It is about liturgical spirit.
@@hiuszenoom809 The language of the people is not by default irreverent. People should be able to understand completely what they are participating in. The use of Latin isn't more reverent. It just puts attendees into a different headspace because it's not something we hear all the time. Also because it's given a special status. Replace it with another foreign language and you'd be able to get the same effect.
I’m white and don’t speak Spanish. Been fulfilling my obligation at the Spanish Mass because it feels more traditional and authentic. Not cringe like a typical English Novus Ordo.
I would like to see if you can create a video explaining how to explain the different parts of the Mass to non-Catholics. I would like to invite others to Mass but given our different traditions in the Celebration of the Liturgy, I don’t want to overwhelm others with our “rules”, while also sharing the beauty of the Catholic Church. Help?
End communion in the hand.Use Latin during the Sanctus,Gloria and Agnus Dei.Use more Latin hymns.Use beautiful vestments and vessels.Use Sanctus bells.Have High Mass at at least one Sunday Mass with incense etc.
I really would like to see communion rails come back, and everyone kneel and receive on the tongue, with communion distributed by clergy only. My parish has really gotten into having extraordinary ministers that it's not extraordinary but rather the norm.
Agreed, no church needs Eucharistic ministers. I've been to churches where the priest distributes Communion in a timely manner using a Communion rail. Even if we receive Communion on the earlier side we don't mind waiting for the rest of the congregation to receive. More time for mental prayer back in the pew!
Add the prayer to St. Michael & a Hail Mary prayer which the NO mass has omitted!
Grazie Padre bunjorno 🙏✝️
Just a thought (I'm a parish musician), all of this sounds lovely however it must be accompanied by good liturgical catechesis to be successful when implemented. Too often these changes just seem superfluous to the congregation I adequate formation is not done before, during, and after the changes occur.
It sounds like you prefer the old Mass. I wish they would bring back the Leonine prayers at the end of Mass.
This was such an encouraging and hope filled episode.
Amen
I’m a recent convert looking for a home Parrish and the one I went to today (in central Florida) was so absurd o left early. There was zero reverence for the Eucharist. They didn’t use a monstrance or sanctuary lamps. They played sang amazing grace with a guitar when bringing the Eucharist to the altar it was just terrible
I feel this big time. I am an Anglican discerning Roman Catholicism and I have NOT been impressed with the Catholic Parishes I have visited. I had no clue how contemporary the average Catholic church is. I was in both the Episcopal Church and the ACNA and the liturgies were heavenly. I guess I took them for granted at the time but I think the Catholic church could learn a thing or two about reverence from us Anglicans.
Find a traditional latin mass. Fssp or sspx will be fine as well. This is the true Catholic religion for 1700 years. Novus Ordo isn't even Catholic but specifically made for protestants.
I love the fragrance of incense- unfortunately it’s a voice killer for choirs. My parish is small and so is our church. The incense starts, the ceiling fans get going and all of a sudden, I have no voice to cantor. I wish we weren’t affected by it the way we are😞
Improve the Novus Ordo- replace it with the TLM.