I have just 'discovered' this holy priest who, I see has made several YT videos. This one is excellent. Why People Don’t Go to Church: The Biggest Obstacle | LITTLE BY LITTLE | Fr Columba Jordan CFR - YouTube
Simplicity of God and his Love! Very good clip, Steve,. It is an entry point par excellence. From Jeremiah: I have loved you with an everlasting love and am constant in my affection for you!
From 7mins in especially LOL! How wonderful, love it. And Jeremiah quote, yes we all need to hear this directed straight at us. Thanks
+ In the USA The term "Lapsed Catholics" - - came into existence - decades ago.. during the unofficial 'schism'/split occurring between 'conservative' and 'liberal' (a borrow from secular politics) Liberal represents the heterodox.. Conservative, the obedient. Liturgical, Theological and Sexual ABUSES exploded.. Vocations and numbers of priests and nuns = began plummeting.. . As has all postive Catholic Stats. Teachings of the 10 Commandments, etc. Vanished as did Piety and Decorum/Behaviors at (once quiet barring an occasional infant crying) Masses.. Faith in theologians, priests and bishops and nuns? Went from existing all across the board - to what followed. . _
I think the main reason why people don't go to Mass is that they don't pray. When we don't pray Faith dies. Without Faith the Mass appears an empty Ritual. Our Lady told me one time that, 'Prayer is the Bread of Faith'. I don't think the problem these Latter Days is in people Fearing God. The really big problem is that they don't fear Him enough. The Fear of the Lord being the beginning of Wisdom. The present attitude of many Catholics is, 'We've got it all coming to us'. Rather as if God owed us, rather than the other way around. Of viewing God as some kind of Vast Sugar Daddy. It is true that perfect love casts out fear. The fly in the ointment is an imperfect understanding of what true love is. A gift of self rather than an emotional attachment.
Agree. Its a creeping paralysis that takes over the more you don't pray and then the more you don't get to Mass and confession. It ceases to be important. So many excuses come up. I've seen this in live s of my loved ones as they have drifted away. A terrible sleep. More than once it reminds me of the Odyssey's Land of the Lotus Eaters. A kind of hideous somnolent sloth. Odysseus had to forcefully with some violence break them free and return them to the ship. I think in His Mercy Our Lord will be doing that for those we pray for. And I know I am not immune to this myself. Constant prayer: Jesus hang on to me. Don't let go. You know how I am.
This is very true. The joke in these parts comes from a rather high profile politician (who is now prez of the university here) ~ he once stated when a severance he was given seemed rather extravagant, that he was "entitled to his entitlements"..... I believe it all depends on the circumstances where one is living, the faith of the Mass going community. Are they truly praying and trying to draw souls closer to God, or are they "doing so much for Him" that they don't think to thank Him for what He has given them. This is where I think prayerful people may actually be driven away.
I have to say the lack of mystery and reverence in the Novus Ordo Mass in my parish is really startling - only that I know the rubrics and what really goes on I have to focus hard. I have to really concentrate from minute one to the end - We have definitely been sold short by Bugnini et al - what was he thinking? It has been stripped to the bear minimum a souless and turgid liturgy that feels protestant -- I have never been to a Latin Mass but know enough that the ancient liturgy has much more mystical and reverend The difference between the old and the new is simply startling - I really do understand why young people don't go. I am just being honest - not looking to start a liturgy war!
For a long time Churches were closed, yet Walmart and markets were opened Mass was not more important than food yet it is food for the soul. When I returned it was us all scattered in pews, masks, pews roped off. Masks had to be warned and my Paster spoke to us telling us not to socialize outside or talk to each other because if someone sees us Church will close. Wow in market you could talk to anyone. Why the difference?? I am still shocked by it and yes it's enough to drive people away because of scared y cat Priests not sticking up for God.
I find myself often comatose by the time we reach the Consecration and sadly the Words are sometimes said before I realise it. Mostly, that's own my weakness, but the mode of the NO doesn't help. I think the new Mass is best when spartan and simple.
I love to see the vestments at our traditional mass, they are hand done by traditional nuns at their convent in Ardee. The nuns came up for mass last Sunday and sung, wonderful to see them. I think you can see how important the Liturgy and all that goes with it from the Old Testament at the building of the Temple in Jerusalem and how the High Priests and Priests were dressed. They went to loads and loads of trouble and they did so for a reason. Things like beautiful chant, the smell of incense, nuns magnificently robed..it all helps, it really , really does. Our local Parish Church looks like an old People's Home the Congregation is so old. The Traditional Church looks like a Youth Club; so many young people. If it works, its works, The Traditional Liturgy works like crazy. I love it.
I would not run down the Novus Ordo Mass, it is great too. But the Traditional Liturgy is vastly Superior. It just simply is.
I love the Latin Mass. I love the NO the way my wonderful traditional minded priest says it. I wish the symbolism of Both Mass Styles were better understood by the attendees. They are beautiful.
