Comments on: As long as we’re talking about dueling liturgies

By: A

Wed, 19 May 2004 16:03:49 +0000

Do I have it right that one has to pay to read the Times article cited above? Best wishes, A

[The "Old Fogeys" article has been pointed to a different URL. Thanks for the heads-up. -Ed.]

By: Aristotle A. Esguerra

Aristotle A. Esguerra — Fri, 23 May 2003 01:41:50 +0000

Hi Jane,

I think that a sense of true (dare I say “classical?”) reverence might contribute to the children’s behavior described in the article. It’d be interesting to compare the children’s behavior at a novus Ordo Mass comparable in “packaging” to the Tridentine they attend (architecture, art, music and posture) such as St. Agnes in Minnesota, Brompton Oratory in London or even Fr. Fessio’s Masses at Ave Maria U. in Florida.

True reverence in this case is defined by an ardent desire by all those present to worship God as well as possibly out of charity, not obligation.

Or, a musical analog: we play the right note or improvise not merely for the sake of playing a right note or improvisation, but because we believe that playing well pleases God and will help others experience God, whether or not it’s in a liturgical setting.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 22 May 2003 00:39:40 +0000

Another thought on Mrs. Altham’s article; is she claiming that children were less likely to misbehave in a Tridentine Mass? Because I think my grandparents would disagree.

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 20 May 2003 05:51:55 +0000

My family is experiencing a bit of what Mrs. Altham described as her experience at the Novus Ordo Mass. We are not in the habit of attening Tridentine Masses, but our parish has become progressively more liberal in the past two years. I’m more conservative than my parents. But coming back after a year of college and seeing how things have deteriorated at our church and observing my parents at Mass, they visibly stiffen at some of the things that occur.

Quite the opposite of distracting to me, though; it warms my heart that they are becoming more like me.

By: John B

John B — Tue, 20 May 2003 02:18:55 +0000

B, somtimes the truth hurts. While the Novus Ordo missal is not inherently bad, as proven by such parish such as St Agnes in St Paul MINN, the way it is celebrated most of the times does little to pass on the faith.