Holier than thou…
Policing the pews.
Nothing turns off non-religious (and in some cases, religious) people more than when they run into the “holier-than-thou” types who are always focused upon correcting other people. You know, the “Church lady” types who are not just members of the liturgy police, but keep their eyes on the faithful at Mass as well. They tend to be authorities on just about everything Catholic - because they have read and studied every single Vatican document that was ever issued on the subject. Many of us - yes me - have fallen into this spiritual pride that seeks to “instruct” the ignorant. It is after all, a work of mercy. (Maybe a ’severe mercy’ at times.)
Recently bloggers have posted about proper attire for Mass, I stepped in to call attention to the fact that people have to first understand what the Mass is - it is more than an obligation - as well as insisting the Mass should be celebrated devoutly, reasoning people would be more inclined to dress appropriately if they understood what was happening. Few people seem to realize however, that despite how one is dressed, it may be a big deal they are even at Mass in the first place. One never knows at what stage a person is at in their spiritual life.
Skipping Mass on Sunday.
Another issue has raised its ugly, self-righteous, little head however. I had heard it expressed in the past, by uber-Catholics I once worked with, and that is: attending the anticipatory Mass for Sunday on Saturday evening!!! It is so evil!!! (Can you hear that cresendo?) OH! MY! GOSH! Some Catholics have the audacity to consistently attend Mass on Saturday evening. And as the “holy of holies“ have it - it is merely a matter of convenience that they do so. On one blog, a commentator has even stated that in such a case these scoundrels do not fulfill their Sunday obligation. Tell the daily-Mass-attendee Grams and Gramps that - since it is often the elderly who attend the vigil Mass in my parish. (Do I know if they attend Mass the next day? It’s no one’s flipping business!)
One more thing for many to feel guilty about. Ladies and gentleman, you are never going to measure up - face it - you are going to hell. You walk into Church for the vigil Mass wearing shorts - it is a damnable slippery slope.
It is licit!
I have never heard a priest or a bishop say that attending the vigil Mass on Saturday was illicit. For whatever reason the concession was permitted, it has never been suggested that a person fails to fulfill his Sunday obligation by attending the vigil Mass - no matter what the reason.
Few people understand that liturgically, whether it be a major feast day, or a Sunday, the liturgy of the day commences with Vespers the evening before. Hence, the vigil Mass is celebrated within the liturgical event - which is Sunday, or the proper solemnity of the following day.
People can speculate their butts off as to the motivation or the devotion of those who attend vigil Masses - nevertheless it is permitted to them to do so. If the local bishop or the USCCB permits it, it is licit.
Watch your self-righteous step.
Some of these people may claim to be more Catholic than the Pope, but no one can claim to be more holy than the Church.
I once worked next door - the next cubicle - to a traditional Catholic woman, and she insisted she was more Catholic than the Pope. She felt it her duty to set everyone straight about all the rubrics and Papal teachings as well as the Vatican documents. In addition, she never batted an eye when she had to tell someone they were a bad Catholic or that they were going to hell. She has now returned to her former ways however - she went back to Wicca.
John of the Cross speaks to this issue in his wonderful instructions to beginners in the spiritual life, when he writes:
“Sometimes they seek to instruct rather than being instructed; in their hearts (he might say, on their blogs) they condemn others who do not seem to have the devotion they would like them to have, and sometimes give expression to this criticism like the pharisee who despised the publican while he boasted and praised God for the good deeds he himself accomplished.” - Dark Night, 2:1
Isn’t that special!
June 4th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
The purpose of the concession for Saturday Vigil Masses was pastoral in nature, intended to meet the needs of the faithful who were unable to attend Mass on Sunday for a serious reason, not so one can sleep late on Sunday or stay home and watch “the game” [or any other recreational reason]. This does not, however imply judgment or “policing the pews.” I don’t think anyone attending a vigil Mass is thinking, “I bet that bloke is staying home to watch football tomorrow.” It really is none of our business, and it is between them and God.
We ought to do everything in our power to assist at Mass on Sunday; failing that, the Church in her wisdom has seen to it that the faithful may fulfill the Sunday obligation by attending a vigil Mass the evening prior.
So, the reasons for the concession to an anticipatory Mass for Sunday are pastoral; they are not a means of catering to our laziness or love of sports and recreation, which in themselves can become an occasion of sin, when we put them ahead of God and his Church. This is perfectly reasonable.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
What a thoughtful and well written post Terry. Thank you.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
James, thank you for your comment. You stated;
“I don’t think anyone attending a vigil Mass is thinking, “I bet that bloke is staying home to watch football tomorrow.” It really is none of our business, and it is between them and God.”
This was really the point of the post. I know the concession was pastoral, and it has become the accepted practice, I’m simply against others who seek to tell people how to practice their faith when it comes to the Sunday obligation. If the Bishops Conference does not make a distinction, the faithful act in good conscience when they attend. And you are correct - it is no one’s business what our neighbors do in this regard.
And yes, there are many people who seem to police the pews - you must read other blogs?
June 4th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I actually stumbled on the postings on Crescat before I came here. I didn’t even know there was an issue with the anticipated Mass until a few years ago when a priest mentioned it from the pulpit (being not proper to make a habit of it, it is to be an exception). However, like you said, many elderly go to the anticipated Mass. My aunt attends daily Mass, adoration, says a daily rosary and has always gone to the anticipated Mass. I think she is further along in her “spiritual journey” than me, and I attend on Sunday ;}
What about churches that have a Sunday evening Mass…isn’t that, too, not the preferred method? My mother always said that growing up she had to fast from dinner Saturday night to Mass on Sunday morning. You went to Mass early on Sunday because your stomach was growling. If you were to wait until Sunday night, you might just be weak from hunger ;}
June 5th, 2007 at 2:37 am
OFF topic. Sorry Terry but you have once again been ‘memed’. Peek at my blog for the rules lol. But only if you have the time.
Yours in Christ,
Marieeee
June 5th, 2007 at 3:41 am
Right on, Terry!
Personally, I dislike Saturday evening Mass for all the reasons stated here. However, I teach Faith Formation, and most of the kids in my class were not going to Mass AT ALL. (Don’t ask why they were coming to Faith Formation - I have no idea!) The excuse was usually sports on Sundays or something equally lame.
I have not been above encouraging my kids to at least go to Mass on Sat. nights so that they fulfill their Sunday obligation. I have also not been above taking other people’s kids to Mass when they were dressed inappropriately. IMO, you’ve got to get them in the door, and THEN you can work with them (charitably) on dressing right and giving Jesus higher priority than soccer!
Of course, if all they get at Mass are a lot of dirty looks, then they aren’t likely to come back.
Lest anyone question my orthodoxy, I am a daily-Mass (including Sundays)-attending, long-skirt and veil-wearing traditional Catholic.
June 5th, 2007 at 4:51 am
Bravo, bravo, bravo! Keep spouting off. We need to hear it.
Never did understand how anyone could be arrogant enough to consider themselves “more Catholic than the Pope”.
June 5th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Well, now that you brought it up, Terry, I can no longer keep my silence on the matter.
I have raised the issue with a canon lawyer (who did not give me the courtesy of a reply).
No before you think I have gone off the deep end on this issue hear me out.
I have no problem with the Saturday (and Holy Day) vigil Masses. I’ve got other things to worry about.
But, being a constitutional conservative and legal literalist, there is a problem with the argument used to justify the vigil Masses.
Reverting to the pre-wristwatch days of the Old and New Testament, the canon lawyers have determined that the “day” lasts from Sundown to Sundown and accordingly, “Saturday at Sundown” is legally “Sunday.”
I won’t quibble about the 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. vigil Masses that take place long before Sundown, especially in the Summer months under Daylight Savings Time.
What I do wonder about are all those 5:00, 6:00, 6:30, 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. (in the Twin Cities) Masses that take place on Sunday Evenings.
Especially in the winter months here, aren’t those times legally “Monday?”
It seems to me that a strict interpretation of the Saturday Vigil Mass rule would declare that all of those who attend Sunday Evening Masses have missed their Sunday Mass Obligation.
What do you think?
June 5th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Ray - That is a good question, I don’t know. But I am cetain if the local ordinary gives the permission for late Sunday evening Masses, the person who attends is fullfilling the Sunday obligation.
I’m pretty sure the sunrise-sunset rule is a Jewish tradition encompassing the rules of fasting, Islam has the same tradition. The Catholic practice observes the rule of fasting from midnight to midnight.
It is my opinion that the matters discussed, if approved by the bishops, are perfectly licit. Since the practice has been around for nearly 40 years, it seems to me it has become part of acceptable Catholic practice. People do not need to become scrupulous over these issues. What is important is devout assistance at a Mass that is devoutly and licitly celebrated. Whether they attend Saturday night, or Sunday night - it is better than no Mass at all.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:54 am
“It seems to me that a strict interpretation of the Saturday Vigil Mass rule would declare that all of those who attend Sunday Evening Masses have missed their Sunday Mass Obligation.”
Forgot that part - the only time that is going to happen is when Christmas day falls on Monday, and the bishops rule accordingly - it just happened a year or two ago. (Most other Solemnities that fall on Monday in this country, are either transferred or declared non-obligatory. - Like it or not - the bishops decide.)
June 5th, 2007 at 9:17 am
“Like it or not - the bishops decide.”
Thank God for that! If bloggers decided the Church would fall apart in a year.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Terry- I don’t think that Simon was being holier then thou, especially since the post was related to his specific comments and he was addressing a specific question that I posed to him. He makes a very interesting point, one that I had never considered or knew much about.
I find the letter of the law to be highly interesting and the point debated to be very instructive to the nature of our worship, not at all policing.
The purpose of my post was to discuss the law and how it is currently being applied. I was not wishing to make an example out of specific person, I am sorry if anyone felt that way. That was not my intent.
Moving on, my thoughts are with James on this. No one knows the intent of a person going to mass Saturday evening, we can not judge. By the next question we must ask ourselves is , what do we do with this knowledge? Do we make an attempt to do everything in our power to go to mass on Sunday regardless of how inconvenient it might be? I admit, I have been guilty of this myself.
Ray also posed the questions that was going to be next comment on my blog. Sundown is BY LAW the beginning on the next day, Vigil. However; to your comment about Vigil following Vespers, Vespers is still @ 5:30 Pm regardless of season with mass to follow at a local Abbey.
Again we are stuck in the lagalities.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Terry, in regards to the attire portion of your post, I a;ways make sure I bring appropriate clothing for Mass when I am traveling. This weekend I was in Edmonton to see my brother who was in the hospital. He goes to the SSPX church, and they have a very strict dress code. Head coverings, dresses past the knee, and sleeves. I wanted to take my brother to Mass on a hospital pass, and his priest was there visiting him. I told the priest my daughter did not have the proper attire with her to attend Mass at the SSPX church, and he said, “Come anyway. It matters more that you are there. It’s not your fault that she won’t be able to follow the dress code. Just make her as beautiful for God as she manage.”
Was I surprised! I know how strict the SSPX is about these things. It was a beautiful Mass, and no one questioned her or gave her dirty looks for wearing dress pants and not having her head covered.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
You think the vespers to vespers rule is difficult on Sundays? Try sorting out the Triduum!
June 6th, 2007 at 7:42 am
who the hell do you think you and your sycophants are you pompous ass? LOL.