Mixed blessings
I forgot to mention that on Sunday at the Tridentine Mass, there were a fair number of women with uncovered heads. Bad for the rite, but good in general. Why? Well, there were so many people that I think they ran out of loaner veils!
The indult parish is part of a group of three parishes (the Tridentine community is “non-territorial,” but the other two are regular urban parishes) together under one pastor, due to the dwindling number of practicing Catholics in the city, and the priest shortage. A wonderful priest in his eighties who is otherwise retired celebrates the Tridentine Mass, but the pastor has done it in the past.
For Sunday Masses, the indult Mass’s attendance is about 120, which is delightfully high for a service around here. People travel from three different states.
I love the aesthetic of it. Attending the cathedral’s long, solemn Novus Ordo Mass occasionally was a big step, and the catalyst of my reversion. It reminds me of what is special about being Catholic, as opposed to most mainstream parishes where the only glaring difference between that and Protestant services I’ve attended is that you don’t hear any female voices reading the Gospel.
Man, I’ve gone all rad-trad lately. I promise that I’ll be back to normal soon. I just finally absorbed how wonderful the old Mass is.
Bonaventure said,
June 20, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the traditional Mass. I enjoy it as well and I wish I could attend it more. I don’t know if you have every been to a Byzantine Liturgy, but they are beautiful too.
Rae said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:48 am
Actually, I never mind seeing a mix of covered and uncovered heads–since I think that newcomers might feel intimidated by a sea of chapel veils (accentuates that liminal, I-just-don’t-belong-here feeling)! And while I myself wear a veil, I would never pressure an uncovered woman to “borrow” one… Return visitors catch on quickly to the etiquette, and in the meantime should be allowed to observe and absorb, without being singled out for correction. In my opinion, this is all good for the Rite!