Hey, did anyone hear? The Holy Father is in town, and He held a Huge Mass in the ordinary form in Washington D.C. today. I have been watching the Pontiffs trip very closely and was impressed with the Solemn Vespers last night but was left wanting after todays Mass.
I have had the privilege to be in the presence of Pope John Paul II during world youth day's 1993 and 2000 and in 1999 when he came to St. Louis. I would like to offer my readers my feelings of participating in an overpopulated open air Mass that resembles what we saw today.
Right away I would like to point out that just watching the Mass today it seemed MUCH more respectful and a bit more reverent than the Mass' I participated at. In an open air mass the sense of reverence and sacred are lacking, partially due to the fact that we are in a stadium, that we are surrounded by thousands upon thousands - or in the case of Rome in 2000 MILLIONS of people. It is unavoidable to be distracted and the situation has turned into somewhat of a novelty, kneeling can be impaired and weather has played a factor as well.
Sight lines, distance, and noise impedes my concetration on the word and of the sacrifice. Also as pointed out today the music for the liturgy today as in most massive liturgies are not usually considered "Sacred Music".
I think large liturgical celebrations can be done respectfully and reverently but they are far and few between, the larger the crowd the worse it gets, perhaps there could be a limit set on these in the future - of course when Rome calls to ask me my opinion, you will know where I stand.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Pope is in town - My thoughts on the Mass today
Friday, August 17, 2007
30 Things From Me to You
Rae Over at Quo Vadis Has Tagged me for the 30 Things you may not know about me-
So here gos Nothing-
1- The Boy Pictured on the upper right hand is ME! on my First Communion with Father Eugene Grabner
2-I constantly Carry with Me a Copy of the Baltimore Catechism and the 1983 Code of Cannon law in PDF format on my Cell phone/PDA -1st Peter 3:15
3-I hate to go shopping for anything
4-I sometimes forget to control the volume of my voice- I get mighty loud pretty quick sometimes
5- Green is my favorite Color
6- I enjoy Swing Music from both old and new Bands
7- I have a Heavy Foot when I drive sometimes, as Ive gotten older I have learned to control it somewhat
8-Dark Beer is my Preference
9- I been to both Jordan and Syria but neither Trip had anything to do with the Military
10- I have been in the audience of JPII 3 Times- WYD 1993, 2000 STL-1999
11-I feel called to be a Catholic Deacon- but cannot go further with this calling until age 35
12- My Wife Is my Support system -I truly feel God made us for Each other
13- Anger for the most part is something very foreign to Me
14-I have 2 Sisters.. One Age 21 the other Age 7
15-I as well...Met my wife Online
16- We Usually Drive at least 20min to Attend Mass on any given Sunday.
17- Ghostbusters- My Favorite Movie of all Time!
18-I'm a Computer Geek- Ive tried professionally but prefer to keep it a hobby
19-Yard work is not my Forte
20- When I cry my Brown Eyes turn Green
(Wow this is harder than I thought)
21-During JPII's 1999 visit to St. Louis, I was privileged and honored to sit with the congregation of Bishops during his Pepsi Center Speech
22- I have been with my wife since we were 16 (feels like 10 min....underwater)
23-I am a HUGE Chiefs Fan...
24-I take NO prescription Medication
25-Tearjerker movies can really take a toll on me...
26- I came very close to getting my Black Belt in Karate and Tae Kwon Do
27- I am starting to learn how to Serve the extraordinary mass
28- I cant Get enough of Fr. Corapi or Archbishop Fulton Sheen
29- My two boys teach me more about myself each day
30- I am not going to ask to be tagged for one of these things again as it was way harder than I thought.....but will pass it on to anyone who asks
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
World Youth Day
Ah, World Youth Day....
The first WYD I attended was in 1993 Denver CO As a Supple 10 Year old boy, in the crowd with all those people, it was interesting to say the least, but I had a great time with my Family and knowing that I was in the presence of the John Paul the Great was awesome.
Some Stand Out Memory's:
- The last night at Mile High Stadium When the pope flew In, I was as close as anyone could get without a Press/Security Badge, Front row Center pressed against the fence. It was cool for a 10 yr old.
- On my way back to find my parents/family after using the restroom I some how got lost in all the people, Next thing I knew a "Police" Man Grabbed me by my shoulder and started trying to lead me back to my parents- I do think I had the stub in my hand so it wasn't so hard for him- looking more closely at his badge/uniform I noticed that he was USA SECRET SERVICE. Scared the crap out of me.
This was awesome, Mostly because of the fact that it was in the eternal city. Oddly enough I did not want to go at first and I can't honestly recall what I thought were good reasons why at this time.Memory's
- Since I was a bit older now, I remember having conversations with everyone everywhere, about faith, the Church, history, family.. you name it we talked about it but you truly felt the Holy Ghost come upon the whole city.
- The Vatican, The other Basilicas/Cathedral's of Rome, Walking through the Holy Door's of Each.
- The Heat- On the final walk to Tor Vergata The heat soared if i recall it was around 119 Degrees (F), Firetrucks spraying water on everyone.. just Unlimited free bottled water, and ambulances taking someone every 20 Min.
- The Holy Father Speaking to us that night at Tor Vergata, People giving their hearts to their faith (Mostly)
Respect is a big thing for me, and the Lack of it that I find at most Novus ordo mass' today is appalling. Thats something for another Post.
Any Input is Most Graciously accepted.
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
