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!
