The changes are universally recognized as minor and maybe add a few seconds to the mass. The official word from the Church explaining the need for change is to give a "less awkward translation" of the customs and traditions of the Mass. I wonder why the congregation's responses didn't fit the translations but the scriptures, readings and gospels have translation that needs no changes or tweakings.
I have heard from a few priests. They all seem to be toeing the company line. Statements of, "This is a good thing," and, "Try it. You'll learn to like it and get used to it," are among the most common statements made by the cloth.
These changes are bad.
It is my opinion that thses changes are made to make the Mass more formal. Some examples:
Priest: "The Lord be with you."
Congregation; "And with your spirit."
Excuse me? Are we not told the body houses your soul? Is the human body not sacred? Now the Lord is not with us but the spirit?
Part of the mass before the distribution of communion is sung in Latin. I believe this pushes the congregation further away. This is not the time for the Catholic Church to push people away from the flock. The church should be doing everything it can to retain its numbers and add to them.
The Creed, also known as the Profession of faith also changes "One in being with the Father" to "Consubstantial with the father." Again, do not complicate things for old and new members of the congregation. Keep it simple enough for all to understand and follow.
My biggest fear with all thses changes is that Catholics all over the country will appeal to their respective archdiocese and even the Vatican to revert to the old form and the authorities will only wave them off. I fear authorities will tell them what is good for them and that they should learn to embrace the changes. This is a bad thing to do and one of the worse times to tell the faithful what they need and what is good for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment