Once upon a time there was an ordinary parish. It was Catholic, but used Assembly of God librettos for their Christmas plays, and they had an active liturgical dance group. They used pianos and guitars for their Sunday Masses, and occasionally we would find hosts stuck to the pages of a hymnal in the back of church. Suddenly, they had a new pastor who talked to them about the texts of the hymns they were singing. There was a new music director who was an accomplished organist, and a new hymnal, and slowly but surely, we began singing the Propers. There were a few who complained: “we’re moving too fast,” “no one else is doing it.” But the majority appreciated the effort. “Thank you for giving us our church back.” Slowly but surely the changes were offered, statues were restored, an altar rail was built and installed, Adoration was introduced, and the parish became a magnet. Many people enjoyed its fruits. But the liberals were still not happy, so they complained and complained. Well, the provincial got tired of it, and he and the bishop threw the pastor away; tossed him aside. Some were unhappy about it, but the parish had said a profound “No” to all the changes and went back to Egypt.
There was a period of exile and wandering in the desert. There was discerning and searching and then he landed in a diocese among the vineyards. It was an ordinary parish, a little farther along in the reform. Chant and polyphony lived alongside some of the modern aberrations. They were installing an altar rail along with a new Baldacchino, and they had an Extraordinary Form Missa Cantata every Sunday. There were a few heterodox crying in the distance, but by and large, the parishioners were happy, and open for more. And then came Advent 2017. With a “Rorate” Mass celebrated by Candlelight, a sung vespers presided over happily by the Bishop, and then a week spent learning the intricacies of a Solemn High Mass, men who had little experience with Latin or chant suddenly celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on the feast of the doubter, St. Thomas. Here was a parish that said a profound “Yes.” And the people displayed very broad smiles as they inched toward the mysterium tremendum of Christmas.
There was a period of exile and wandering in the desert. There was discerning and searching and then he landed in a diocese among the vineyards. It was an ordinary parish, a little farther along in the reform. Chant and polyphony lived alongside some of the modern aberrations. They were installing an altar rail along with a new Baldacchino, and they had an Extraordinary Form Missa Cantata every Sunday. There were a few heterodox crying in the distance, but by and large, the parishioners were happy, and open for more. And then came Advent 2017. With a “Rorate” Mass celebrated by Candlelight, a sung vespers presided over happily by the Bishop, and then a week spent learning the intricacies of a Solemn High Mass, men who had little experience with Latin or chant suddenly celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on the feast of the doubter, St. Thomas. Here was a parish that said a profound “Yes.” And the people displayed very broad smiles as they inched toward the mysterium tremendum of Christmas.
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