I'm not 30 yet, so it is truly far too early for me to start reminiscing about the good old days, but as I was in Mass this weekend, I found myself (an Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion) wishing that the priests would come out to distribute communion-like they used to do here until a few years ago. I began to think this as I realized that there were 5 laypeople serving as EMCs for that Mass. We have 4 priests living in our rectory. Where are they? I thought.
While I was at it, I began to miss the communion rail. I miss kneeling to receive Our Lord. At least our tabernacle is in the center of the church, behind the altar, where it ought to be. And we've got a real crucifix hanging above it.
I'm posting this because I read Dr. Blosser's page today where there is a good discussion about the Liturgy. He also had a link to Fr. Joseph Fessio's article about the Liturgy called "The Mass of Vatican II", which I found to be extrememly edifying. After reading it, I'm not sure I should go back to singing with the guitar group for 7:00 Saturday night Mass anymore.
2 comments:
If you're under 30, how can you miss the Communion rail?! I'm over 30 and I never experienced kneeling for communion in my lifetime. Interesting.
I guess what constitutes "olden days" depends on where and in what parish you grew up!
Now I haven't read Fr. Fessio's article, but what would you stop you from offering praise to God in song?
Praying for your new R.C. baby,
Mark
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia where
I grew up was among the last to change anything. I was a little too young to get it then, but I think all of the changes happened near the end of John Cardinal Krol's tenure or after he died. There weren't altar girls until I was in high school and we knelt at the rail until 1988.
Fr. Fessio's article doesn't look favorably on the guitar Mass, but i was thinking of joining the regular choir anyway. It's all a little complicated. And it isn't all to do with the article. I think i'm feeling a little nostalgic.
Thank for your prayers, Mark. You're in mine as well.
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