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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!
