A book that I read at least once a year is ‘This is the Mass’, described by Henri Daniel-Rops and celebrated by Fulton J. Sheen. The book was published in 1958 and describes in a most beautiful and holy way, each part of the Liturgy, what it means, what the priest is doing and at times, feeling. The book was handed down to me by my mother, who inherited it from her mother, my grandmother.
If you were Catholic, and growing up in the 1950-1960’s decades, you watched “Life is Worth Living”, hosted by the Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen. It was televised on Sunday nights, and we watched on the black and white 13 inch tv. My grandmother, Mary Aube, had a friendship with Fulton J. Sheen and the two of them corresponded through letters, of which I still have a few. Most of the time, my grandmother was asking him to pray for her family, especially her children who had left the Church.
It was after my most recent reading of this book that I realized there were things I missed at Mass.
The Communion Rail
I will never forget when as a 7 year-old I made my first Communion and how nervous I was to kneel properly at the rail, waiting for the priest to say those words: “Corpus Christi”. Yes, I was nervous and I still am today! The rail had a significance where you had time to kneel in reverence, pray your prayer before communion and be prepared to receive the Body of Christ. I have been in some Catholic churches where the parish has installed a kneeler at the altar for those who wish to kneel while receiving Christ.
I miss the Communion rail. And if I could kneel and get up by myself, I would kneel.
The Paten
Why isn’t a paten used anymore, especially with people taking the host in the hand? I have seen so many times when even the priest or EM drops the body of Christ on the floor. Before it was accepted in the US to have communicants receive in the hand, the paten was used all of the time. The altar boy held it under the host from the time the priest took it from the chalice until it was on the tongue. I so appreciate a priest who holds the chalice under my chin when I receive.
Please bring the paten back during Communion so that the Body of Christ is not disrespected.
The Bells
It seems the only time we hear bells at Mass anymore is at the Easter Vigil when the Gloria is sung the first time since Lent. But really, the bells were supposed to be rung during the Consecration – a tribute to the Holy Presence. Those bells were a signal – Jesus Christ is here, present in Body and Blood right now! And what now might you hear? A cell phone ringing. Ushers talking in the narthex.
Sacred Silence
I can remember being chastised by my mother for whispering in the sanctuary while waiting for Mass to begin – or anytime the Blessed Sacrament was present.
Is there a Catholic Church anywhere that does not sound like people are waiting for a sporting event or performance to begin? I am sure there is but I have not found one in Florida. I’m not talking about children or babies making noise or talking. These are adults – older adults who greet each other in the Sanctuary as if they were in the shopping mall or grocery store.
I wish people would not find it so difficult to stop conversation once entering the Sanctuary.
Modesty
Skirts to the knee, no sleeveless blouses or dresses. No slacks. Cover your head. This was the unspoken rule when I was growing up. At least today, slacks on women are not seen as ‘improper’.
But women and girls, I have to tell you – no one is coming to Mass to see your buff body. No one cares about seeing your skin showing or worse, your private parts when you wear those very short denim shorts, tank tops, tube tops, strapless dresses. I’m not saying that you have to wear a sackcloth, but have some care about who’s house you are going to! Would you think about going to a wedding dressed this way? A nice restaurant? Guys, you are not excluded. Please get rid of the baseball caps, the T-shirts and the sandals with socks.
I miss seeing those at Mass dressed for the occasion – to go into the house of Our Lord. To receive his Body and Blood.
What do you miss?
Finding my Voice 