Wondering Wednesdays (Vol. II)

Here is this week's installment:

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Why do "modernist" Catholics resist traditional aspects of the faith so rigidly? Are they worried that these things will be thrust upon them against their will? Or is it some product of ignorance, whereby they don't know the theological underpinnings of the traditional practice, and therefore are confused as to its true nature? What I mean, is some sort of modernist-Utopian ideal. I ask this in all sincerity, and do not ask it rhetorically or sarcastically, I really don't get the ferocity with which some people fight against the rekindling and resurgence of certain traditional beliefs. For example, I was doing some research regarding the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in Alaska, and found these letters to the editor, in the Catholic Anchor. They were written just after Archbishop Schwietz, OMI, published an article discussing the Motu Proprio: Summorum Pontificum, in 2008:

I was disappointed with the Feb. 22 column by Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz about re-establishing celebrations of the 1962 Latin Mass. I am old enough to remember when women were only allowed on the altar to replace the altar linens, which they of course had washed and pressed. And I’m not sure why a mother cannot be present at her baby’s baptism since she is the one who goes through the labor.


I love my church and I love the sacramental life of the church, but it saddens me to see my church go backwards instead of forward.


I am proud to be a woman in America because many countries forbid women from holding roles in their churches and societies. It seems like that is where the Catholic Church is heading. I hope not.


Edithanne Gabriel, Soldotna

I was raised with the old Latin Mass, but my six children were brought up with the more relevant English Mass. The thought of returning to those "400 rubrics required" to celebrate the 1962 Rite is both disturbing and questionable. I would ask Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz to seriously consider the question posed on modern Christian T-shirts: What would Jesus do? I wholeheartedly believe he would want us to spend our time, money and resources doing his work and spreading his love in our communities by practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, not rebuilding our church sanctuaries, teaching our priests Latin and sending our female servers, our lectors and our Eucharistic ministers back to their pews.


Lind O’Brien, Soldotna

Now I know there are some "errors" in understanding in these letters, but I think they tell the tale of how modernists view the more traditional aspects of our faith. Even though, these aspects as JUST AS VALID and important as the Novus Ordo, the English language, and lay participants in the Mass. It is puzzling, because the emotion in them, is the same that many have when they see puppet Masses, liturgical dance, and liturgical abuse. The only difference is that the former are valid and licit practices of the faith, while the latter are abuses and often heterodoxy. So again, honestly, why do modernists fear and fight these practices? Are they too lazy to try to understand the meaning and purpose behind these traditional aspects of the faith or is there some philosophical or theological impediment that they cannot get around on an intellectual level? Please, let us be charitable and academic about this question in the comment box.

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Should Catholic universities make money off of "projects" that may have certain aspects contrary to the Faith? Case in point: The University of Detroit Mercy has entered talks with a movie production company to possibly have them film certain scenes from an upcoming moving on their campus. No doubt this will bring in money and some notoriety to the UDM campus, but just looking at the actresses involved, and the limited amount of info online about the original film, it isn't an unfair assumption to say that there more than likely will be some rather questionable material and content in the film. The Detroit News reports that it will star Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore, two ladies that don't exactly have squeaky clean rap sheets when it comes to the types of "productions" they are a part of. So I wonder, should UDM make money off of this, as a Catholic university? I don't think so. Sure the movie will be made, and sure the money might be used for "good"; but isn't that the "ends justifying the means?" If someone can give me a good argument, based on the limited info that exists about this situation.... I'll change my mind, but for now, I think this is another example of a Jesuit institution, failing to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.

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Does anyone NOT celebrate birthdays, but instead celebrate feastdays, baptism days, and other religious days, in lieu of birthdays? My wife and I have talked about this, and just aren't sure how to implement it across the board. We also don't want to come off as "holier than thou" parents to our family. It isn't that we think birthdays are WRONG, we just want to place greater importance on God and achievement, not the circumstance of birth. We have come to the general consensus for now, that we will celebrate birthdays in a toned down fashion, but will celebrate feast days (of namesake) and religious anniversaries as well, and in different ways. (Going to a pool, waterpark, etc... for Baptism; Going to a namesake Church for 1st Communion anniversary; etc...) So I wonder if any families have a more CATHOLIC way of celebrating the "Years" - let me know.


Please leave me your thoughts and ideas in the comment box... look forward to hearing your opinions.