Tradition Draws Catholic Youth
News: Commentary
Youth are "looking for something with depth, something that challenges them, and something that has stood the test of time"
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Across North America and Europe, the leadership of the Catholic Church has been attempting to minister to young people as if they were from the 1970s. That generation is no longer "young," yet the leadership of the Church continues to minister as if they were. It's as if they think the youth of 2014 is the same as the youth of 1970. As a result, youth ministries at many Catholic parishes are becoming irrelevant. Young Catholics are falling away from the sacraments, the Faith, and finally the Church herself. As the Catholic Church seeks to imitate the music and worship styles of many popular Evangelical churches, it isn't long before many young Catholics simply dispense with the imitation and flock toward the original. Evangelical worship style may have its place, sparingly used here and there, but when it becomes a staple of the weekly Catholic Mass, it leads many Catholic youth to Evangelicalism, where the music is better and the preaching is livelier. However, the majority of Catholic youth who turn away from the Church do not move toward any particular religion at all. Rather, they become non-religious ex-Catholics. Some of them may still identify as 'Catholic' on a purely cultural level, the same way one might identify as 'Irish' or 'Italian,' but that's it.
As we scan the panorama of Catholic youth we really see only two kinds of Catholic young people; those who are falling away, and those who are drawing nearer to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, the former is much greater than the latter. This is not to say that one type of worship style produces one result, while a different worship style produces another. It is likely a bit more complex than that, but it would be foolish to assume there is no connection at all. There is probably room for both contemporary and traditional worship styles in the life of the Catholic Church, but throughout the Church, one of those worship styles has been neglected for 40 years now, and this is likely one culprit behind the loss of Catholic youth.
Catholic youth today are simply more sophisticated than they were 30 years ago, and a lot of them are turning back to the tradition of their ancestors. As I've said on many occasions, there is nothing more "dated" than a contemporary Mass, and such is the case in many parishes today. No sooner than the praise band learns all the songs in the latest praise book, the congregation is ready to move on to something more new and fresh. As I've written elsewhere on this blog, when a Catholic parish pursues Evangelical-style worship exclusively, it should be no surprise that the Catholic youth eventually lose their faith for a more Evangelical cafeteria-style of religion. As a former Evangelical I can attest that the two go hand-in-hand. Clearly, what is lacking in the Church today is a more traditional option for Catholic youth, to explore the depth of Catholicism that stretches centuries into the past. This is something the Catholic Church can give to youth that no other Church can, and in doing so she affirms her solid belief in the sacraments and moral teachings of the Church in a way unique only to Catholicism. When youth have this option available to them, something amazing happens.
With this in mind, let us turn our attention to a rural missionary diocese in the center of the United States. The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau spans the entire southern half of the State of Missouri. The Catholic population is so sparse here that the bishop requires two cathedrals, one on the west side of the state (Springfield) and the other 270 miles away on the east side (Cape Girardeau), in order to minister to them all. In an attempt to restore an element of tradition to the diocese, His Excellency Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. has placed a traditional Catholic priest in his Springfield cathedral (St. Agnes). There, The Rev. Jeffery Fasching offers the Traditional Latin Mass, according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, no less than five days a week, with a High Mass on Sundays, and a Low Mass on weekdays. The sacrament of confession is also offered five days a week as well, just before Mass. The Latin Mass schedule for St. Agnes Cathedral can be viewed here. The schedule has been offered since 2008, with Fr. Jeffery Fasching taking over in 2010.
Over the last six years something amazing has happened to St. Agnes Cathedral. Young people are returning to the Catholic Church, and those raised in this Latin Mass are maintaining an interest in the Faith. Priests and bishops need to listen to these young people, because the future of the Catholic Church is contained in their words. Over the course of a few Sundays, some of these young people were interviewed by associates of this blogger. The following is their account for why they attend the raditional Latin Mass, and what it means to them:
"I'm going to share with you some of the blessings that I received at Latin Mass. I feel that for a shepherd to know how his sheep are doing is to communicate with them, especially when they fall. I feel that Father plays this role in confessions before Mass. What people need in this world is direction, and I feel like Fr. Fasching is a big light for the community. The experience of the Latin Mass is extraordinary. I like how traditional it is. I love the respect and the fear of the Lord the Church has. You can see the respect in the kids. One of my favourite parts is receiving Communion on my knees. I really feel like I found myself a place with a group of people that I can express the love I have for the Lord. Those are only a few of the blessings I have received at Latin Mass." -Mauro E., age 24
"It is the most fitting way to re-present the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the climax of all human history. Everything from the elegant composition of the prayers, the Sacred Music, the incense, the numerous images of Saints, the Sacred language, and the vertical orientation of all prayer helps to lift one's soul to a more intimate state of communion with God. It is truly the Mass of the Saints, and has been virtually unchanged since the third century. While protestant churches are based solely on Sacred Scripture, the Catholic Church is anchored on both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The mass exodus from Sacred Tradition after the Second Vatican Council was extremely contrary to Catholicism and a most protestant act indeed." -Spencer C., age 21
"When my family first started going to the Latin Mass, I didn't like it. It was longer than most Masses, it had a lot of kneeling, and it was in a different language. But as I continued to go (I was only 12, I didn't have much choice in what Mass our family went to), the reverence in the Mass really drew me in. As I got older, I began to better understand the beauty in the prayers of the Mass. (However, I don't think anyone fully understands the beauty of the prayers.) The whole Mass is a form of worship, and in the Latin Mass, it is very apparent that God is the center of our worship. That is why I love the Latin Mass." -Lauren K., age 17
"Initially, it was some close friends who drew me to the Latin Mass. I hadn't heard much about it, but I thought that it sounded cool because all my friends were going to it. But when I finally went, I fell in love with it immediately, and I've loved it ever since. I've been going for a few years now and it's really strengthened my love for the Mass. What I love most, though, is how reverent and how beautiful it is. Everyone and everything is so focused on God that there's no time to become distracted, because you're always focused on what's going on at the altar. -Katie F., age 16
"We love the Traditional Latin Mass for the beauty of the liturgy, the discipline and the great reverence and respect it helps us show for Our Lord." -The V. girls (oldest age 18)
"I love the Latin Mass because it is so much more traditional, simple, and less distracting than the Novus Ordo. I always know what Mass is going to be like when I go to the extraordinary form of the Mass. Nothing ever changes, and I do not feel stressed. My dad and my brothers drew me to the Latin Mass." -Greg K., age 15
"I have seen that the Traditional Latin Mass is the most reverent and prayerful form of worship that Catholics can show towards God. Having grown up attending the Latin Mass with my parents and family, I have had the privilege of serving as an altar boy for the past 10 years. The beautiful liturgy and reverence shown by both the priest and faithful towards this form of worship continues to be truly inspiring. The opportunity of going to the Latin Mass is awesome each and every time I go!" -Charles B.. age 18
"I appreciate the Latin Mass because the extreme reverence and respect shown to God through meditation silence and rich traditions of the liturgy draws me closer to my faith and helps me strengthen my relationship with Christ." -Susan J., age 19
"I was initially drawn to the Latin Mass by my family and a few friends who decided to attend when the Mass first came to Springfield. The Mass is one of the highest forms of prayer, and praying in Latin is extremely important for many reasons. Latin unifies all Catholics around the world in prayer, and having that unity also promotes consistency within the Church. One can travel anywhere in the world and attend a Latin Mass and know exactly what is going on and be able to pray efficaciously. Latin cannot be misinterpreted and helps one to focus and concentrate during prayer; not to mention, the devil hates Latin! The Latin Mass therefore is the highest and most efficacious form of prayer, and I have learned to love it over the years. The sacred music, the incense, the prayers, the movements and interactions of the priest and servers all direct ones attention to the altar and to God, and away from ourselves and our worldly cares." -Tanya D., age 22
"I like the Latin Mass because it is very reverent and the prayers are beautiful." -Valerie D., age 14
This is just a small sampling of the youth at St. Agnes Cathedral Latin Mass Society. However, from this we should be able to get a snapshot of what is drawing the youth back into the Church and keeping them interested. As I said above, priests and bishops would be foolish to ignore these young people. This is the future of the Church, and if we don't listen to them, we risk losing them. The hardest part for many of our priests and bishops to accept is that the youth have indeed changed. This is not 1970 anymore. Nor is it 1980, for that matter. This is [2016] and youth today have access to more than the previous generations could have ever imagined. Contemporary Masses do not excite them like they used to. Watered-down sermons that are designed to not offend are a bore to them. They're looking for something with depth, something that challenges them, and something that has stood the test of time. Tradition is the answer, and this is what's bringing the youth back home. Imagine this small example at St. Agnes Cathedral multiplied in every parish across America. What would happen then?
Granted, many priests are not trained in the Traditional Latin Mass, but one doesn't need to be trained in it to implement its lessons for today. Many of the elements of the Extraordinary Form can be reinserted into the regular Ordinary Form of the Mass. With a little training, the choir can be schooled in Gregorian chant or Old Roman chant. Both are beautiful in their own way. With little effort, a parish priest can reinstitute kneeling for Communion as the norm. With a little courage and explanation to the congregation, virtually any priest can turn toward the Lord in the ad orientem posture. At minimal cost, an altar rail can be reinstalled, or at least a couple kneelers placed at the front when it's time for Communion. With a little practice, the entire Novus Ordo liturgy can be renovated to look and sound like a Traditional Latin Mass — minus the abundance of Latin, of course. All of this costs virtually nothing in financial terms, yet the potential reward is so great. I would challenge any parish to implement such reforms for just one year and only one year. Then re-evaluate to see if more youth haven't been drawn in. I guarantee more will come.
Beyond that, however, nothing will ever substitute the Traditional Latin Mass, and some young people will settle for no less. This is where the local bishop comes in, because according to "Summorum Pontificum," the bishop must supply a Traditional Latin Mass to a stable group when it is requested. Some bishops have been hesitant to implement this provision of canon law, and their dioceses have suffered because of it. When the time comes, bishops should be generous and liberal in making the Traditional Latin Mass available, and in doing so, they can in time expect to see similar results to what is now happening in Springfield, Missouri.
Originally published at Catholic in the Ozarks.
Watch the panel discuss Catholic outreach to the young in "The Download—The Youth's Loss of Faith."
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