Okay, well here goes, now you will really know how clueless I really am. Since I am a Catholic convert, there are times when I run into issues that I really have no clue about, and feel really sort of embarrassed that I don't know what people are talking about. It isn't any way that they make me feel or anything that they have done or said wrong, it is just my own insecurity for not understanding. And really I am so thankful that God places these moments in my life, so that I can go home and do some research myself and He (God) is ALWAYS there when I search, and the answers that come from our Holy Mother Church are amazing. I feel a Jeremy Camp song coming on... Every time I'm on my knees, searching for Your Strength, I will find You there, find You there.
Anyway, I digress (at least with song and music!). Lately I have been reading/hearing a lot about mass translation changes, different mass forms, the 3rd anniversary of Summorum Pontificum, and so finally I decided to go and sort out what the terms Novus Ordo, Extraordinary Form, Ordinary Form, Tridentine, etc.... really mean. Just to give you a little idea on where I am coming from on this matter, Scott Hahn's book The Lamb's Supper is one of my favorite books, and it opened wide for me what Mass really is. Ever since He removed the scales from my eyes, when I go to Mass, it is all about Him and not me. Honestly, if I could, I would be at Mass every possible moment I'm awake. Or in Eucharistic Adoration, or in Eucharistic Procession. Where You lead me, I will follow... Because He is there in the Eucharist, He comes to us, He Loves us, He gives Himself completely to us, how could we not want to be there?
After doing some research, I am a little more educated about all these different terms about Mass Forms, but I still feel a bit confused about the technical side of things. I am thankful for priests who do understand these technical (and really spiritual) matters and who bring God's Love to us through their reverent regard for Our Lord and Savior in the Eucharist. What I am not confused about is that even though I do not know what it was like before Vatican II, or what the ins and outs of different forms are, there is a BIG difference in my heart when I am more reverent at Mass. God has moved my heart to great love for Him through more traditional practices such as receiving on the tongue and Gregorian chant among other things, and I truly look forward to any changes in the Mass that will foster more reverence for Our Lord and Savior in the Eucharist. I am so thankful for Pope Benedict XVI's movement in this area, and know deep in my being that the Holy Spirit will continue to teach all of us about His Love for us in the Mass. In our homeschool plan this year, we are going to be learning more Gregorian Chants in our music study! I think sometimes I am learning just as much as the kids are, if not more, during our homeschool time. And being a student at heart, I am thankful that God has given us this opportunity to grow closer to Him.
Some day I will write a post about His story in my life on how the Eucharist has transformed me. He works in such marvelous and mysterious ways. Oh God, please do not ever stop stirring my heart for love of You. I love you. I am Yours and You are mine. Amen.
I dont have a ton of time, as I am reading this at work, but there is a website that I like at my blog that is GREAT to learn about the Extraordinary Form (aka Tridentine Mass aka Latin Mass aka Mass in the usus antiquior.)
ReplyDeleteCheck it out: http://sanctamissa.org
It is a order: the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. They are aligned with Rome, so they aren't some dissident SSPX group.
They have a TON of learning resources. It WILL be overwhelming at first, but still good.
Thank you so much Joe, I appreciate it! I look forward to learning more and it helps me to know that the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius are aligned with Rome.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog too. So glad that God led me to it. Peace and prayers to you.
I am a cradle Catholic, but am married to a southern baptist. He hasn't converted yet, but I will never ask him to. It's between him and God. Sometimes I can tell he's overwhelmed by the history and technical side of our faith, but he still supports me and us raising our children in this way. Sometimes I take for granted what has always been at my fingertips, and I have been blessed with a very solid and knowledgeable Catholic family. This is a good reminder of how foreign it all is to my husband every weekend and everything in between. I'm glad that the Holy Spirit has led you this far...he's always leading each one of us!
ReplyDeleteYour love for the faith always brings such joy to my heart. I love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a huge fan of Gregorian chant. I have it on my computer and listen to it while I am at work. Also, my mom had picked up Scott Hahn's book , The Lambs Supper, for me. I just haven't read it yet. Thanks for recommending it here.
Take care and God bless!