Editor’s Note: Join me in welcoming Peter Serzo to the New Evangelizers blog.
Recently I attended a service at a non-denominational church and I sat next to a former Catholic (her words, not mine). A warm welcoming lady, she was lamenting about the Catholic faith, in particular the rituals. She hated them and felt confined by how wasteful she felt they were in the Catholic Faith and Mass. Her current church, the one we were at together, didn’t have rituals and she felt free. I choose not to argue with her positions and instead listened with an open mind, reflected, and prayed.
After giving much thought to her positions, ones I have heard before from current and past Catholics, I steadfastly believe rituals are critical and necessary to our Faith and Celebration of the Mass. There are three points which are the foundation of my belief.
My first point has to do with rituals themselves. They are everywhere and in everything we do. Rituals are not to be confused with rote routines.
Let’s take Thanksgiving which just passed. Many families get together, have a particular meal (turkey), eat at a particular time, maybe even do something special such as verbalize what they are thankful for before eating. This ritual makes us feel closer, brings us comfort, and all look forward to it.
In the context of church, rituals accomplish the same things along with one key benefit: they bring us closer to our God. For me, Catholic rituals bring me peace and comfort. The very reason I blog (www.dotirome.com) about different churches I visit is that no matter where I go to church, I am at home!
A bonus for me is that I am performing these rituals with hundreds of thousands other Catholics.
Think about this: You go to 11am mass. At the very same time, thousands of other folks are going to 11am mass. Taking one part of the mass, The Lord’s Prayer, said or sung around 11:40ish, thousands of other people are saying this with you. All these different voices in harmony praying or singing these powerful words, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
That is a powerful celebration.
One other point about rituals has to do with the power to heal. Many years ago, just after high school, I was angry with God and punished myself by not going to Church for several years. Then I met two wonderful twin sisters in college who attended the college Catholic church. I went with them and the words of the Mass came to me immediately. I knew the meaning, I knew what to do and for most of it, why I was doing it. I was home again with these new friends who were sharing this experience with me. I felt special.
Let’s be honest, I attended because I wanted to be friends with these young ladies. However, they turned out to be God’s messengers to bring me back and remind me of what is important.
My second point is understanding. After much thought, it is apparent to me that it was not the ritual that she loathed, it was her understanding of it. It is very easy to dismiss what we don’t understand and reject it because our parents forced us to go to church and therefore brainwashed us. That may sound a bit extreme but I have heard this on numerous occasions.
To make a point on understanding, I am going to pick on golf. Have you ever watched golf?
What a boring game! I can hardly think of worse ways to torture my eyes and brain. There is even a channel dedicated to just golf. I’m yawning writing about it. Heck, I would rather watch bowling where they are smashing pins with a heavy ball.
I bet some of you reading this are screaming heresy! You love golf, the nuances, the details, the thousands of iterations of holes, the clubs and when to choose the right one, the fairways, the weather, and the clothes. The very first argument you would make with me is that I don’t understand golf and that is why I do not like it.
You are exactly right.
When we don’t understand something, we tend to not like it. This is our ignorance talking and it shapes our thoughts. Attending Mass, performing the rituals, repeating words, sitting – standing up – sitting – kneeling – standing up, this is all very confusing and “stupid” if you have no understanding or context of why you are doing this. No different than golf.
When you educate yourself on the Mass, how we celebrate, it comes alive. The mass has reason and every action in it has reason. For instance, just before the Gospel is read we make a sign of the cross on our forehead, our lips, and our heart. We our professing our faith in all that we think, say, and do. This is a simplification but one I clearly remember from grade school! Once I heard this I have never forgotten the power of these actions and look forward to the Word.
My third point has to do with the word confining. Catholics are perceived as reserved. I will admit that we have a certain way of celebrating the Mass and there is a process. However, depending on where I attend Mass, it has been anything but confining and reserved.
As a young child growing up, the Church my family belonged to had a 15-20 person band. Including electric guitars, trumpets, drums, and more. My memory of those masses were that they rocked. Everyone sang. I have attended Mass where people shout Amen and were very vocal. From my experience, how we celebrate the Mass is based on culture. If your Mass is too reserved (aka boring) keep looking. There is bound to be a fit for you.
In a few weeks we are going to celebrate Christmas. I know for a fact that the non-denominational church I attended celebrates the birth of our Lord with a rousing reenactment, including Christmas music. I sure hope that lady enjoys this ritual. I know I will.
Copyright 2015, Peter Serzo
Peter Serzo
Peter Serzo, observer, listener, author, speaker, and blogger. Visit him at Dotirome.com where he shares practical stories on being Catholic and listen to his popular Priest Podcast. The Priest Podcast is an environment where we have an enlightening conversation with those that lead (Not a theology conversation but a conversation on being a Priest/Leader/Human). Peter travels visiting different Catholic Churches satiating his curiosity and desire to spread each parish's uniqueness though his blog and presentations.
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