We don’t need to be entertained by the piety, lack thereof, or facial antics of the priest-celebrant at Mass.
Sure, if the priest gets the gift of tears at Mass, then by all means cry your eyes out, but not in front the congregation, ad orientem solves that problem marvelously!
We don’t need to look at a priest at the consecration looking like he’s in ecstacy of some kind, real or acted. WE DON’T NEED THAT!
We don’t need to even know who the priest is while celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Ad orientem, it might be any priest in the world , the bishop or even the pope—who cares! I know, spirit of Vatican II Catholics can’t get enough of the cult of the priest and his looks, piety and personality, not to mention, popularity, they eat it up—they love it. UGH!
16 comments:
Priest was chaplain for Chesterton Academy; it's very likely that he, too, shares your ad orientem views. No matter the reasons, the event was unsettling.
As an "alter Christus," the full humanity of the priest, whether he is at the altar or visiting the nursing home or teaching in a school, should not be set aside or discounted. Nor should it be seen as some kind of impediment to the experience of the Mystery that is Jesus Christ present under the forms of bread and wine in the mass.
At his ordination, the priest does not give up his identity as an individual made in the image and likeness of God. His individuality is not subsumed by the person of Christ. In fact, it is through him as complete human, an individual with strengths and weaknesses, with virtues and vices, with gifts and talents, that God works His mysterious ways.
You and I might be discomforted by Fr. Haverstock's "moment of grace," but it could also have a profound impact on others who could be, possibly for the first time, made aware of the awesome mystery being made present. As I watched the video, I thought at first he was unwell, but there came a realization that this was, thankfully, not the case.
We priests don't need to assume anonymity in order to carry out the work entrusted to us.
No problem being human, priest crying at the consecration or enraptured visible ecstasy, all best done in a secluded way, like a fart which is truly human too, or a burb, sneeze or cough, or blowing one’s nose.
As indeed, Father, there are those who eschew 'anonymity' in order to publicise their 'personality' to all and sundry.
The moment is in no way comparable to a burp, sneeze, runny nose, let alone a fart as you so indelicately put it. Priests are human - fully human.
To deny any part of the priest's humanity, including his identity - "We don’t need to even know who the priest is while celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist" - is to reject the full mystery of the Incarnation. The Word became human in every way, save for sin.
If we find this priest's experience "unsettling," but do not have a similar reaction ourselves when we hear, "Woe to you who are rich!" or "“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” or “…When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” or "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." then there is something wrong of our sense of why we should be disturbed.
After reading this how fortunate for the Church that our generation is dying out although dementia may rule the roost before then. Just sayin
And, given your admittedly poor theological formation, a response that avoids theological questions as pertains to the analogy of faith, that is "the coherence of the truths of faith among themselves and within the whole plan of Revelation" is not unexpected.
I see K is engaging in classic projection - he's gotten so boring
Methinks, a proper 'theological formation' would not involve a personal attack.
Father Evans,
K is a “liberal” ergo the epitome of “ de classe”
David - Methinks you have not seen the multiple references Good Father McDonald has made himself about the poor liturgical and theological formation he received at St. Mary's seminary in Baltimore. As I merely point out, it shows.
And, David, how chivalrous of you to defend a poster here from what you think are inappropriate accusations. Would that your bile would rise when any poster here is victimized by such abuse. Alas, your bile seems to be, well, selective.
A gentleman would not have made reference, even if the 'owner' had pointed it out. Chivalrous - no! But Fr. McDonald is the host - good manners so requires! Something taught by one's mother, not a Seminary.
David - To point out sloppy theology is not discourteous. Should the orthodox bishops at the first council of Nicea not have pointed out Arias' error lest they be thought ungentlemanly?
Your mother must be so proud
Shall we discuss YOUR mother next?
Thank you for appreciating how we point out your liturgical and other errors.
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