Old vs. New???
Dear Mr. Jacob Slavek,
QUESTION from Joseph on November 3, 2003
Over the past year I have truly started to try and serve God. I was baptised and confirmed Catholic although I never really took it seriously until recently. Over the past year I have sincerely tried to do God's will. The whole time the devil has been right with me trying to confuse me. About six months ago I began attending the Tridentine Latin Mass. I loved it. I thought it was the greatest thing and I quickly began to become a real hard core traditionalist person. I began to dislike the New Mass believing it to be another religion. I began to read many very traditionalist webpages on the internet. For a while my heart was very much hardened to the New Mass and everything that went with it. I was especially distasteful of the clapping, rock music, and all that. I couldn't possibly abandon the New Mass altogether because I liked to go to daily Mass when possible. I also continued to search for a New Mass that I might like because there was no way I was going to be able to make it in to the city for the Tridentine Mass every sunday. Eventually I came upon a youth mass nearby that I really drew a liking to. It was very untraditional although I thought the Priest's sermon was fantastic. The music was very good although the woman did use a guitar. Nevertheless I felt something different there that was unlike the others. I have grown to love both masses although they are completely different. My friend now plays drums in this church which always seemed wierd to me but the kids seem to love it. I read that the guitar and drums are not allowed because they are considered secular instruments although i can't deny the fact that this Mass is great and does have the best music I have ever heard for a New Mass. I don't really know what to believe. As much as I love the Old Tridentine Mass, this New music with drums and guitars is doing wonders for the young people. I do believe it can go too far although i have talked to alot of these kids that have undergone conversions to Jesus Christ through this new evangelization that is happening through Steubenville. There is this other Mass in my area that is called Life Teen. At this Mass it is pretty much rock music and the kids literally dance and what not. The kids there are truly excited about God although I don't know where to draw the line. Obviously we need to find ways to excite kids about God but is rock music the answer?????
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on November 8, 2003
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Dear Joseph, First of all you said that you don't like the "new mass" because of the rock and clapping and drums and what-have-you. These things are NOT part of Holy Mass; rather they are abuses of the Mass. When Mass is celebrated in the style it is NOT the kind of Mass that the church wants for the faithful. With that being said, though, I can then say that there is nothing wrong with drums, guitars and Christian rock music. It just doesn't belong at Mass. It could be very appropriate to have youth oriented prayer services (in addition to and outside of Mass) for the purpose of evangelization or whatever. I am sure that many solid conversions have come through this process, but usually a solid liturgical life is also needed, including frequent confession and solid grounding in Catholic Teaching. I hope you can find a parish that has Mass celebrated properly and reverently, and near to where you live. Mr. Slavek |