Rorate Caeli offers a motivational example of an Italian diocesan priest who celebrates the EF exclusively, whereupon Fr. Z. rants a lot [both on 9/8/2011], addressing in particular situations in which priests may be obliged for the good of the flock to sacrifice personal preferences [an observation, which, by the way, cuts more than one way].
Citing St. Paul's distinction between milk and solid food and our Lord's words, "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now," Fr. Z. writes:
Long-time readers here will recall that I liken addressing these problems to the feeding of children and the feeding of adults....Readers are advised that Fr. Z's post (like Rorate Caeli's) is very long, and that he anticipates a number of significant objections.
Shepherds, modeling their work after that the Savior who is our Chief Shepherd and High Priest, and His Vicar, must give the flock what they can bear and then change what they give as the capacity of the flock changes.
Parents do not give their toothless babes the T-Bone and Cabernet Sauvignon which they prefer for themselves. They give their children whatever goo they need until they can bear more.
I am interested in knowing how our readers may respond. It's an interesting question. As I've often said before, it's much more than a question of preferences [among other things, it's also a theological question]; but what is reasonable, good and right for a parish priest in an ethos shaped by the McDonaldization of faith and life?
3 comments:
My response is a solid "Yes...and no." Taking a page out of the strategy book used by the 19th Century Oxford-movement Anglo-catholics when they wanted to re-introduce weekly communion into parishes that were used to only Quarterly communion, I would recommend (with proper preparation of course) either adding an "early" Extraordinary Form Mass (if possible) or changing one of the existing Masses to the Extraordinary form. If changing, usually the best one to pick is the least well-attended (often it is the earliest Mass of the day). And just be consistent, week in, week out, month in, month out, year in, year out. Over time, it will succeed - because it is simply better.
I fear for Fr Z. He has been taking too many hits on the bong. The gregorian mass is hardly out of the catacombs and he is worrying lest the few remaining NO sheep not be served sufficiently with the benevolent negligence that distinguishes American diocese in America and throughout most of the world.
Somebody get this priest a cup of strong coffee.
You can't eat goo for ever.
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