Archbishop Dolan: Is it Time for a Renewal of the External Markers of Our Faith? Comments
Friday abstinence from meat ... seriousness about Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; fasting on the Ember Days; saints names for children; confession at least annually; loyal membership in the local parish; fasting for three hours before Holy Communion, just to name a few. Continue Reading
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This is quite interesting - and I'm all for it - but I must confess as an uncatechized revert I've never heard of "Ember Days", I do wear my Miraculous Medal always, and am under the impression that Fridays abstaining from meat was relaxed cause it wasn't much of a sacrifice when we all go out to fish fries!! (It IS a sacrifice for me but if I do eat meat I give up sweets instead - which is tough with a sweet tooth!) My point is it's been so long since Vatican 2 that I'm sure I'm not the only one who's never seen some of the external markers and more importantly unaware of the reasons & history behind them!! (And I'm over 50!!)
Unfortunately, too many Catholics (clergy included) look at Vatican II with an eye towards the "path of least resistance" to their faith. Here in Toronto Ontario, there have even been several documented cases where priests have refused to provide the Eucharist in the traditional form, that is kneeling and placed on the tongue.
We all need to examine not just the tenets of our faith, but the forms in which it is expressed from time to time. I know that I am ignorant in many aspects of our faith, but have been fortunate to have several priests, family members and friends who have made me aware of things that one would not be exposed to if simply going to Church the odd Sunday. I would argue that in order to affect real change, it should begin at a parish level, so that this bishops and archbishops can see that there is a will and even a need to encourage several of the suggestions like those of Archbishop Dolan.
I personally do not like special days like the Assumption, Ascension, etc celebrated on Sunday. It takes away from the uniqueness of that day. Why make it easier for people who only go to Mass because they have to for fear of mortal sin. What's the point of even being at Mass if you HAVE to be there. When you go to Mass because you want to not because you have to, I believe, gives more glory to God. Have you all thought about going to Mass on the first Friday of every month in honor of the Sacred Heart? That would be another external marker. There are wonderful promises from Jesus for going to Mass & communion on 9 consecutive Fridays. Also, devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help each week is another external marker. Praying to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is really needed considering the chaos our country/world is in.
I'm all for it! In fact, I'll carry it a step further, and encourage all and sundry to wear their Miraculous Medal and Crucifix prominently about their necks, their KofC or Sodality or Holy Name or Altar Rosary pin upon their lapel at work, and to keep their Rosary in their pocket. Use their favorite Holy Card as bookmark in a worthwhile novel (Check out CatholiCity.com for three great free ones to get started...)and to practice modesty in dress. If challenged (School people, take note!) just remind folks that if our Muslim sisters and brothers can wear their distinctive dress, and our Sikh friends and neighbors can, and so can our Jewish brethren, why, WE have that right, also!
I am much in agreement w/Archbishop Dolan, my formative years in the faith were pre Vatican 2. I did Not think at the 1967 change THAT it was GOOD in that it removed alot of these outward signs of the faith that distinguished US from other faiths. IN fact my parents were very much hurt as they felt there was this great outward expression of our faith being LOST. Thus they returned to the Byzantine Rite, which my mother was raised in, as it retained all of the old ways as to fast, etc.
I do think the laity will balk as they are now accustomed to the more lax ways and will find this an infrigement...SADLY to SAY!
it seems there are a lot of different opinions. as always. i, for one, am a little tired of everytime there's a problem of some sort-people want to blame the catholic church--when we as individuals & adults do have a God-given "choice". not eating meat on fri. was a "choice" given to us by Pope Paul VI.
also (i wish i could remember the exact verse) but didn't Jesus (nor can i recall His exact words--maybe someone can help me out here) :say "don't wear your religion on your shirtsleeve-like those who pretend they are holier than thou."
father dolans reference to "the essence of faith is the interior" !! wow--that
is ,i find, very difficult and a lot of work. it's not like we are children anymore. i'm sure there are many people who still fast on fridays--just like there were many people who ate meat on fri. before vatican II.
working on the "essence" or "the inside of my soul" ,for me, requires a lot
more work, diligence, patience, and prayer than whether or not i eat meat on fri.
may our dear Lord help us.
".... no longer obligatory, but voluntary, while highly encouraged, on Fridays...." that's the part you never hear about. If you're a vegetarian like me, pick something you enjoy every day and give that up for the honor and glory of God instead. I love bread, treats and desserts so they're verboten on Fridays. Try it out, it's good for you and the rest of the Church, after all we're all one body.
Ninov
Talk with the local Bishop if you can. God Bless your reverance to Christ. I dont think He minds your kneeling.
Sounds like a plan. One hour before Communion is not even a problem. Swill down some breakfast, dress ,drive to church, park, get a pew, and an hour has passed by the time for Communion. Meatless Fridays? No problem. Growing up in Lawrence, MA, there were probably a dozen places that fried fish only on Fridays. It was kind of a ritual, not to mention a treat in an age when eating take out was not so common. Also, I'm not the only Catholic who doesn't go to Communion when I shouldn't, but there aren't many of us! Two or three at any given Mass,,,that's it. Mortal sin doesn't exist any more? We aren't at Mass to be entertained; we're there to worship, So suck it up and tolerate the lousy sermons. You want good sermons, download the daily readings complete with sermons from EWTN. Some of them are real keepers. Also, God calls men to be priestsl It's why it's called a "vocation." Please, please don't try to push someone into being a priest or you're liable to push them right down the middle aisle, out the door and across the street to some generic church. Let God handle recruiting.
I love this EXCEPT membership in the local parish. We drive 50 minutes to go to mass because we have a wonderful mass, good homilies, altar rail, etc. We get yelled at by other priests in churches that are closer for kneeling and the homilies are less than spectacular. So much for feed my sheep. I realize that we still get to partake in Jesus and that others have one priest for 70,000 people in Africa, but I'm not in Africa and I have 4 boys under 12 that I'm trying to make priests out of . They need to serve mass with a reverant and holy priest and hear and be excited about the mass. yes, I show them my joy and excitement but they also have to experience it for themselves. I believe it use to be that to go to mass outside of our local parish, you had to get persmission. Thisi would be a problem for me as we also go the Extraordinary form occasionally.