Today, I’d like to treat my readers and listeners to a delightful passage from a nowadays seldom-read work of French literature (in translation, of course).
Into Zola's poor, run down country church enters the Lord Jesus Christ; His wonder and humility for even the most lowly Priest and common man to witness. Attend the Traditional Latin Mass.
Why would I want to attend a show with Fr. Loosey-Goosey when I could assist at the terrible beauty described here? I suppressed a chuckle when listening to the attention to the candles, as it reminded me of the "candle drama" on display at Russian and Greek Orthodox churches with elderly ladies giving their utmost to keep the offering candles in proper order.
"Why would I want to attend a show with Fr. Loosey-Goosey when I could assist at the terrible beauty described here?"
Just my thoughts. I kept feeling for the poor Novus Ordo attendee who, when reading this, would be unable to picture the absolute beauty and truth of the author's words.
The best thing of all is that I can picture the author's words occurring in my parish (in fact, I had a hard time picturing the scene anywhere else than at the church I attend because the priest's actions were the same). What I mean is, with the New Mass, chances are you don't know what you are going to get, but with the TLM, it is the same everywhere. While my TLM parish stands more than an hour away from me, I got the feeling I had attended Mass today by reading the author's wonderful description of the wonderful Rite of the Mass. Thank you for this passage, Dr. Kwasniewski! Merry Christmas to you!
Exactly. He wrote this in 1875, so, almost 150 years ago, and yet nothing has changed in the rite. That is exactly as it should be. Traditional Catholics have more in common with Catholics in 1875, 1675, or 1475 than we do with Novus Ordo Catholics today.
If I hadn't known about the author from your comments, I would've assumed it was a pious faithful soul! Quite a "disconnect" for one to know so well the motions and meanings of the Mass, and yet to not believe!?...fascinating...
Into Zola's poor, run down country church enters the Lord Jesus Christ; His wonder and humility for even the most lowly Priest and common man to witness. Attend the Traditional Latin Mass.
Why would I want to attend a show with Fr. Loosey-Goosey when I could assist at the terrible beauty described here? I suppressed a chuckle when listening to the attention to the candles, as it reminded me of the "candle drama" on display at Russian and Greek Orthodox churches with elderly ladies giving their utmost to keep the offering candles in proper order.
"Why would I want to attend a show with Fr. Loosey-Goosey when I could assist at the terrible beauty described here?"
Just my thoughts. I kept feeling for the poor Novus Ordo attendee who, when reading this, would be unable to picture the absolute beauty and truth of the author's words.
The best thing of all is that I can picture the author's words occurring in my parish (in fact, I had a hard time picturing the scene anywhere else than at the church I attend because the priest's actions were the same). What I mean is, with the New Mass, chances are you don't know what you are going to get, but with the TLM, it is the same everywhere. While my TLM parish stands more than an hour away from me, I got the feeling I had attended Mass today by reading the author's wonderful description of the wonderful Rite of the Mass. Thank you for this passage, Dr. Kwasniewski! Merry Christmas to you!
Exactly. He wrote this in 1875, so, almost 150 years ago, and yet nothing has changed in the rite. That is exactly as it should be. Traditional Catholics have more in common with Catholics in 1875, 1675, or 1475 than we do with Novus Ordo Catholics today.
Dr. K, this was lovely. Thank you. Such a beautiful portrait surely must have been the product of Love.
If I hadn't known about the author from your comments, I would've assumed it was a pious faithful soul! Quite a "disconnect" for one to know so well the motions and meanings of the Mass, and yet to not believe!?...fascinating...
WOW. Great to read this. Thank you!
Magnificent! It reminds me of “The Mass of Brother Michael.”