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| Adults should never simulate Mass
Source: www.sanctepater.com
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Last year we had American nuns feebly trying to act as priests and offer "Masses" and, last week we had reports of the Austrian couple who were excommunicated for "simulating" a Mass, pretending to be a priest, in other words.
But, before we rush to condemn let us remember those simulated Masses that have done so much good over the years.
I am talking, of course, of the Masses simulated by five year olds, when a dining chair becomes an altar, a tea towel performs the duty of altar linen and Dad's 1966 village squash tournament trophy is transformed into a golden chalice.
I don't know if young children still 'play at being priests' as they did when the Latin Mass was globally celebrated; there is not so much mystery about the Novus Ordo to inspire a child to attempt an imitation.
But, if it is an excommunicable offence, then I hold my hand up as must thousands of others who, between the ages of five and seven, would have pleased Our Lord greatly by their efforts to join in His great sacrifice by holding pretend Masses.
Indeed, I know of one young man who is now in a seminary and whose favourite occupation as a small boy, was to play the priest at Mass.
I was fortunate in having a wooden chalice shaped ex tobacco jar to employ for the purpose.
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| Grandfather's tobacco jar - perfect for pretend Masses but never to be used at real ones! |
Not a gift that should be used other than at a simulated Mass!
You write:
ReplyDelete"I don't know if young children still 'play at being priests' as they did when the Latin Mass was globally celebrated; there is not so much mystery about the Novus Ordo to inspire a child to attempt an imitation."
You are right. The poetry of the Tridentine Mass is almost completely suppressed, and the banal, lame English of the modern version is hardly inspiring.
Yes, Chris. I think the opening words: "I will go in unto the altar of God, unto God who giveth joy to my youth" are the most poetic I've come across.
DeleteInnocent playing is far removed from adults pretending they can do what they can't and shouldn't! (I also noted the gift of a wooden chalice and paten.)
ReplyDeleteRichard, you are right - "simulating priests celebrating Mass" does indeed encourage little boys to become priests! My uncle was one of these. My father told us that his younger brother realised his vocation very young, and he was always doing playing at being a priest.... Mind you this was all before the Novus Ordo appeared on the scene, after he was ordained.
ReplyDelete(He remained a holy priest though he had much suffering in life due to those difficult years in the aftermath of VII; sadly he died when he was only in his sixties.)
Kathleen (Catholicism Pure & Simple)
Thank you Kathleen, I will remember your brother in my prayers.
DeleteIt was my uncle, not my brother... ;-)
DeleteBut thanks Richard, that's very kind of you to pray for him.
Kathleen
Silly of me, sorry Kathleen.
DeleteMy mother made beautiful vestments, in all liturgical colours, for my elder brother to "play Mass".He became a priest.
ReplyDeleteI heard of one man who played Mass-in the days when the TLM was the only Roman Mass- and became a priest.
ReplyDelete"I don't know if young children still 'play at being priests' as they did when the Latin Mass was globally celebrated; there is not so much mystery about the Novus Ordo to inspire a child to attempt an imitation."
ReplyDeleteI think you are on to something here. The new rite lacks the visual coherence of the old mass- where every movement, every gesture, had an almost balletic inevitability and resonance. One could, as it were, "read" the mass without a book.
Patricius, yes, you are right and I think that it was Mgr Ronnie Knox who described the Mass as a dance in slow motion.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think we sound a little like Puddleglum the Marshwiggle -- but, you know, like Puddlegrum, we have been entrusted with the truth.
ReplyDeleteWell, I certainly like whiskey, Mack (and fishing). God bless.
ReplyDeleteRichard that is such a good point. Now I come to think of it, my brother E.F. era, used to always 'play' at being a priest and he did venture into the religious life but married in the end. Meanwhile, my three sons, N.O. era, never 'played' at being a priest. Now my daughter in Reading goes to the FSSP and her son aged six has never know anything else but E.F. He has 'played' priest from age three.Two weeks ago, she sent a photo of a Trad priest ( what he thought he was looking like) and a photo oh what he really looked like ( in his woolly hat and dressing gown ) Hilarious! Your blog on this topic is spot on.
ReplyDelete