Not all change is for the worse

My son and I attended a Tridentine Mass today. The Mass, said almost entirely in Latin (the Epistle from St. Paul, the Gospel were both repeated in English and the homily was given in English), wasn’t as stirring as some adherents to the old Mass might claim.

Perhaps its because I didn’t grow up Catholic (I converted less than a year ago), but it didn’t make me feel anything more – and perhaps quite a bit less – than the Vatican II approved rite makes me feel. Having to follow along with an English-Latin dictionary didn’t foster any closer relationship with God. Nor did having half the Mass said by the priest with his back to me make me feel that he was more of an intermediary with the Lord.

I guess that for some people, the thought of having to read, or just listen, to Scripture frightens them. For me, I like hearing the Readings. I like being able to match my own interpretation against the priest’s. I like hearing the prayers. More importantly, I like saying the prayers. I like reciting the Lord’s Prayer with my family. Perhaps, that’s why I don’t like the Tridentine – it makes one too alone.