Originally published at crisis magazine
It happened again a while ago. The Mass was honoring a former member of the parish who had just professed final vows. Visiting clergy were present. After the procession, when all were assembled on the altar, the pastor made the sign of the cross, looked at the packed house, gave a big smile, and said, “Yep, just another ordinary Mass at St. ‘X’.” A laughter of good will broke out. He introduced the visiting priests; and each, in turn, received a round of applause.
Whatever solemnity there may have been received a huge blow.
This is not another rant of how priests are deforming the Mass by their impromptu remarks. Rather, I am raising the question of whether the Mass, specifically the Novus Ordo Mass by its nature, may be deforming our priests. This is true even when it is celebrated reverently and on special occasions. In fact, it seems the more special the occasion, the more egregious the transgression.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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I don’t impute any fault to those involved. There needs to be knowledge of a transgression for that to be imputed, and the point of this piece is that
