Did tambourine waving dancers like these happened before in the Catholic Church?
If our liturgists are so open to these Protestant innovations, then, why I pray tell (no not that dissident site)are our bishops and even liturgists, especially the so called imminent Filipino liturgist so afraid of the Traditional Latin Mass or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass?
Afraid of the sacred?
Ha!
Afraid of the sacred, sir? Afraid of the profound silence of the TLM, language and formality of the rite? It's too ancient, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteLiturgical dances definitely have no place in the Mass. It's just out of place, no matter how good it may be. Jesus Christ, not the people, is the center of the Mass. That's why we come to Mass, to praise, worship and adore him and to receive Him in our lives as well through Holy Communion.
Perhaps there are some people afraid of Latin because they think that they cannot understand it. They cannot follow.
But the missals come with English translations of the Mass propers and the responses as well, so there is no excuse for not following. Why don't they allow the grace of God to intervene in them so they can follow during the events of the Mass? They can use this silent times for their own silent prayers, reflections, adoration and praise to God.
I find it ironic that there are many who can follow through the events of their favorite Koreanovelas in DVD even if the performers speak Korean and the subtitles are in Chinese.
They even sing and memorize the lyrics of their favorite anime and Korean songs. They can even dance to the tune of Nobody and 2NE1 despite them not understanding and knowing what they are dancing to.
As stipulated by nomenclature codes, scientific names need to be in Latin (or may have Greek derivatives). Scientists also need to give Latin descriptions to their newly-discovered species. Otherwise, the name will not be validly published and will be given the status of "nomen nudum" or naked name. Being a biology major, I encounter many Latin names for different parts of tissues and organs. Many also have Latin derivatives.
Musical terms are mostly in Italian but musicians never complain. Despite them having their own interpretations of a piece of music, they need to strictly play the notes the way they should be played and to follow all the articulations and phrasing that come along with it.
If we have a prayerful disposition during Mass, then we can easily follow through the events and spend a few hours with the Lord. We just need to let Him do his action during the Mass. Our participation in the Mass is not through dances, but by responding and singing in pertinent parts. It is also through our silent prayers and worship....
Just as nomenclatural codes make name-giving of living things more systematic and universal to all species, so do liturgical rubrics that significantly help in preserving the sacredness of the Mass, the centerpoint of our Catholic life.
If we destroy the Mass, we are contributing to the destruction of our Catholic faith. I pray that someday, many of our confused brethren will wake up to the problems in our faith and begin to live it out in spirit and truth, especially in Mass. I pray that many will rediscover the beauty of the Latin Mass - the product of many years of history and development.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteOf course, I am also not favor of pushing with the so-called "liturgical dances". However, there was a series of Q and A with Francis Cardinal Arinze when he was the prefect of the Cong. for Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, posted in Youtube. One such topic is on liturgical dance. The cardinal said that there are really cultures which espouse dances as part of tradition and customs, and which also define their identity. That is true daw for Africa and Asia, which he said are continents wherein dances in the mass are permissible. However, he gave a NO when it comes to dances in such places as the United States.
As with the TLM, if these dances emphasize the message of the liturgy and help people in prayer, then so be it. However, caution and prudence must be exercised. As you said, Christ is the center of the Mass, not the dancers; the message, and not the dance.
the so called imminent Filipino liturgist [Is non other than the liberal Anscar Chupungco]
ReplyDeleteI really hate to see liturgical dancers during the Mass, Or what they call Entertain- Mass. Sad to say we still have "pagan minded" members of our Church. Let us pray that the Holy See would put an action banning dances or stage play (sometimes i call it, "Sanctuary Play") during homilies and at the whole Liturgical celebration.
ReplyDelete