Abbey-Roads2

Since the snow started in earnest this afternoon, and the roads were getting treacherous, I went to the vigil Mass tonight.  Good thing, as it promises to be worse tomorrow.  I also got my grocery shopping done and went to the drugstore.

I went to my local parish.  I haven’t been to a low-Catholic church for Sunday Mass for several years, I normally attend on Sundays at a high-Catholic church.  (I think these may become the terms of distinction after the Motu Proprio is propagated.  Although I believe this is what the opponents may fear.)

It is so not easy to be recollected in the Church I attended.  There was music, a bit more sentimental and schmaltzy for Lent - kind of like a ballad - I guess music is now permitted in Lent.  Before Mass, the pastor announced we were going to greet one another with the sign of peace beforehand, to preserve the more penitential aspect of the celebration.  He kind of did a Letterman style warm up - well, maybe more Regis - asking who was new to the parish, or visiting, etc. - I should have stood up.

Despite his saying we wouldn’t be greeting one another at the sign of peace, we did.  I participated - when people turned to greet me I responded, “You like me!  You really, really like me!”  Then I hugged them.  (Okay!  I just wanted to be hugged!)

Kidding aside, I think it is rather nice to greet each other, especially for the elderly or those who are alone.  Maybe not in the middle of the most solemn part of the Mass however.  I witnessed one woman nearly jumping over pews to greet others.  I was entertained by her enthusiasm.

Father began the prayers of the faithful referring to “God our Mother.”  Otherwise the prayers were kind of normal - the musical responses added drama.  During the Eucharistic prayer and Consecration, there was the tinkling of the piano as background music - it was sort of like a movie.  Glass was used for the Precious Blood - that always worries me.  Some people stood, while others knelt throughout the Eucharistic prayer - it must be optional.

I took Communion in the hand from a lay-person - ‘when in Rome’ - it is so awesome to touch the Lord!  I checked for particles, there were none.  When I arrived home I blessed my kitties with the fingers that actually held Our Lord.

As I entered the Church, I was grateful to see there was no sand in the holy water fonts - maybe it was because the fonts were removed, although the Paschal candle was in full view.  (That is called liturgical confusion.)  The obligatory barren fence-post cross was in place with a purple drape.  I thought they may have moved beyond that by now, it has become so cliche - that and banners.  It always strikes me as rather Lutheran - high-Church of course.

After Mass, I thought a riot had broken out, but people were just talking.  It was kind of hard to be recollected enough to make my thanksgiving, and I was afraid someone may come over to make sure I hadn’t died or something.  So I left, making my thanksgiving while I brushed snow from my car.

All in all, it was a good experience.  The priest was fully vested, his homily was excellent and very spiritual, and it was good to see families and elderly there, braving the blizzard conditions to gather for worship.  I was edified to see teenagers there with Christian t-shirts, genuinely participating in the celebration of Mass as they know it.

I realized we are indeed One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  It is so good to step out of our paradigm on occasion, recollected or not.