We now have an absurd situation, two primary forms of the Mass but only a small percentage of priests either able or willing to celebrate one of them.
The Bishops standpoint appears to be "You may have either form of the Mass provided it's the Ordinary Form" (apologies to Mr Ford). They need to observe the Holy Father's guidance on the issue and commence making plans to ensure that every parish that wants the Latin Mass may have it. And those that do not want it are educated into its origins so that, over a period of time it is introduced to them and becomes part of the norm.
It is totally unacceptable for a priest to say: "I don't/won't say it." It is rather like saying that they will no longer hear Confessions or catechise converts. The celebration of the Mass in all its forms should not be optional, it is part of our liturgical menu....no one can say "It's off today."
Let's face it, the carte du jour is a pretty limited one, here are the basic choices:-
The Bishops standpoint appears to be "You may have either form of the Mass provided it's the Ordinary Form" (apologies to Mr Ford). They need to observe the Holy Father's guidance on the issue and commence making plans to ensure that every parish that wants the Latin Mass may have it. And those that do not want it are educated into its origins so that, over a period of time it is introduced to them and becomes part of the norm.
It is totally unacceptable for a priest to say: "I don't/won't say it." It is rather like saying that they will no longer hear Confessions or catechise converts. The celebration of the Mass in all its forms should not be optional, it is part of our liturgical menu....no one can say "It's off today."
Let's face it, the carte du jour is a pretty limited one, here are the basic choices:-
St Blog’s Menu of the Day
ENTREES
Catechism Classes
Stations of the Cross
Benediction
Confession
Baptism
Matrimony
Sacrament of the Sick
MAIN COURSE
Mass – Ordinary Form
Mass – Extraordinary Form
DESSERTS
Vespers
40 Hours Devotion
Processions (when in season)
That's not too hard a programme to provide is it? And while you are about it Bishop, please do not let us have any more of that nonsense about the EF Mass only being available at 3.45pm on Wednesday afternoons.....that's not in the spirit of Pope Benedict's Summorum Pontificum is it? Be honest!
We would like a regular EF Mass every Sunday morning like what normal Catholics get!
It's at this stage that (in scenes enacted around the country) Bishops slump over their breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and have to be revived with smelling salts. As they come to they gasp the immortal words of John McEnroe but, yes Bishop, we ARE serious!
So please, as they say, stop sitting on your hands and begin to work out a programme to ensure that all of the above takes place. Not in five years time, not even in 2 years time, we want it to start six months from now.
"More smelling salts please Nurse!"
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