A Priest Who Speaks With Authority
Non-Catholics: Check Your Feelings at the Door
I attended a funeral Mass recently. Because the deceased was in law enforcement, a large number of people attended, and, as you might imagine, it included a good percentage of non-Catholics.
Although it was a “New Mass,” the young priest (I’d guess 30-something) did a reverent job without any personal innovations or GIRM violations. The program said he is Father Anthony Saroki.
It was the first time I had attended Mass at this parish and didn’t know how “modernist” it might be. I’m aware that many of the most liberal now believe it is unnecessary to kneel before their Lord and Savior and elect to stand throughout the Eucharistic prayer (or in Mahoney-land, where it’s the rule.) Well, the first thing that really impressed me was after the Sanctus (unfortunately, sung in English), the priest said to the congregation, “Please kneel.” The tone of his voice made it sound more like a command. Believe it or not, everyone knelt. (When in Rome, or a Roman Catholic churh, do as the Romans do.) God bless you, Father.
It is often said the young priests will be the ones to get the Church get back on course. (These days, however, the barque of Peter is more like the Titanic trying to turn before it hit the iceberg. It’s difficult to correct course after being on the wrong heading for 40 years. But, on the other hand – and switching metaphors – Moses did finally get to the Promised Land after four decades in the desert.) This priest, though, might be such a leader.
Things got better at Communion. Loyal to the teaching of the Church, and unlike too many priests who are afraid they may “offend” someone, the priest invited “any Catholic who is ready to receive Communion” to come forward. He invited everyone else to sit and pray for the day when all might be in communion (surely he meant they day everyone returns to the One True Church!) In any case, this was also said in a tone of voice that rang with authority.
Even though the Mass lacked the awe, majesty, and vertical dimension of the traditional Latin Mass, it was done as well, and as correctly, as one can expect with the Novus Ordo, and by a reverent young priest who wasn’t afraid to lead his temporary flock. Pray for Father Saroki and those like him.
Non-Catholics: Check Your Feelings at the Door
I attended a funeral Mass recently. Because the deceased was in law enforcement, a large number of people attended, and, as you might imagine, it included a good percentage of non-Catholics.
Although it was a “New Mass,” the young priest (I’d guess 30-something) did a reverent job without any personal innovations or GIRM violations. The program said he is Father Anthony Saroki.
It was the first time I had attended Mass at this parish and didn’t know how “modernist” it might be. I’m aware that many of the most liberal now believe it is unnecessary to kneel before their Lord and Savior and elect to stand throughout the Eucharistic prayer (or in Mahoney-land, where it’s the rule.) Well, the first thing that really impressed me was after the Sanctus (unfortunately, sung in English), the priest said to the congregation, “Please kneel.” The tone of his voice made it sound more like a command. Believe it or not, everyone knelt. (When in Rome, or a Roman Catholic churh, do as the Romans do.) God bless you, Father.
It is often said the young priests will be the ones to get the Church get back on course. (These days, however, the barque of Peter is more like the Titanic trying to turn before it hit the iceberg. It’s difficult to correct course after being on the wrong heading for 40 years. But, on the other hand – and switching metaphors – Moses did finally get to the Promised Land after four decades in the desert.) This priest, though, might be such a leader.
Things got better at Communion. Loyal to the teaching of the Church, and unlike too many priests who are afraid they may “offend” someone, the priest invited “any Catholic who is ready to receive Communion” to come forward. He invited everyone else to sit and pray for the day when all might be in communion (surely he meant they day everyone returns to the One True Church!) In any case, this was also said in a tone of voice that rang with authority.
Even though the Mass lacked the awe, majesty, and vertical dimension of the traditional Latin Mass, it was done as well, and as correctly, as one can expect with the Novus Ordo, and by a reverent young priest who wasn’t afraid to lead his temporary flock. Pray for Father Saroki and those like him.
posted by Anonymous at
12:06 AM
1 Comments:
I feel very fortunate to attend Mass in a Parish which has a Priest of a similar nature. Bring it on....!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home