I am back to my Fall/Winter/Spring Mass schedule and rejoicing in the fact that I have the opportunity to attend daily Mass again. During the week I attend Mass in the next town over and this parish has a new Pastor. During every Mass, I cannot help but notice his extreme reverence during the consecration. In all my years I have only seen one other priest intonate the Eucharistic Prayer in such a reverential manner. If it wasn't for the fact that we are all kneeling and have pews in front of us I'm wondering if we would not all end up prostrate on the ground.
Many homeschooling mothers bring their children to this Mass. We recite the Angelus for vocations before Mass begins and one little tot behind me not only prayed the Angelus but the entire Mass with great fervor. She was still in diapers. Another little girl beside me prayed the Mass so beautifully that I
complimented her afterward.
Who says children don't belong at Mass? Likely, the prayers of these little children obtain far more graces for the world than any of us could ever imagine. I couldn't help but think that the toddler behind
was well on her way to sainthood and that most adults could take lessons in piety from her.
Have you ever heard one of these little ones chant the Sanctus? Latin from the mouth of babes...is there a sweeter sound than this? I tried to embed a video of a preschooler chanting the Gloria but it wouldn't allow me to. You can find it here, though. And how about this 3-year-old's rendition of the Pater Noster?
I loved the little girl's "Pater Noster". Children are capable of learning far more than some give them credit for. I am 100% against children's Masses and 100% for them attending Mass as soon as possible. I can't tell you how much Scripture is embedded in my brain from growing up with the Mass. Latin chant, too, because I was raised in the Latin Mass and started singing in the choir in the first grade at age 5. Whenever I see a child like this I think of what a great future we have.
ReplyDeleteIsn't she sweet? Children pick up things very quickly when they are exposed to them on a regular basis. What is a children's Mass, Barb? Do you mean like "Life Teen" type Masses?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have an excellent priest. And it does my heart good to hear that the children at your parish already have such a good grasp of the mass. I pray they will continue to love the mass throughout their lives!
ReplyDeleteEvan
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI love the Angelus too! As for Latin, I still have a lot to learn. It helps that our former pastor was a Latin teacher before he became a priest. I think we were the only parish in the city to have the TLM and my mother sings in the choir. The Latin Mass has been suspended since our pastor died earlier this summer though.
I took Michaela to Mass since birth too. It wasn't always easy but it was worth it. God bless you, too!
Evan,
ReplyDeleteDuring the week I go to a different church because their Mass lines up perfectly with my schedule. I can't get over how well the younger children know the Mass!
That pastor sounds great. It reminds me of an elderly gentleman in our parish that is so reverent when he receives the Eucharist. The first time I saw him it changed the way I approached the entire Sacrament. I imagine that pastor has the same affect ...
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you
Michael,
ReplyDeleteThe new pastor is wonderful. He has a beautiful voice too. I think it does make a difference when you see such reverence for the Eucharist :)