Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Reintroducing Logic and Reason to the Age of Sentimentalism

Mass

All of the posts under the "Mass" category.

What Do You Believe? Novus Ordo vs. Traditional Latin Mass Catholics

For those of you who frequent my blog, you know that I often compare the differences between the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass. You know that I have a strong preference for the Traditional Latin Mass and believe that it is not only better but far superior to the Novus Ordo. But is there any way to show some substantive evidence that the TLM is, in fact, better than the NO? At least, can we demonstrate that those who attend the TLM believe more of what the Church teaches and adhere to her doctrines?

The other day, my mother-in-law told me that she would love to see a statistical comparison between Novus Ordo Catholics and Traditional Catholics to see the differences between what percent of each group actually believes in the Church’s teachings and practices. Ironically enough, I saw that on Facebook somebody shared this information.

Now to be academically and intellectually honest, I’m unsure where the statistics came from for the TLM Catholics polled. However, the sample size is rather large (considering there are statistically far less TLM Catholics than Catholics at large) and so I believe it is at least worth looking at and commenting on. It is also worth mentioning that the “Catholics” category includes all types of Catholics from TLM Catholics to NO Catholics to heretical Catholics.

According to a 2016 Pew Research poll, only 13% of Catholics believe that contraception is not permissible. Of the 841 TLM Catholics who responded, 98% believe that contraception is not permissible.

With the same poll, 53% of Catholics believe abortion is not permissible, compared to 98% of the 833 TLM Catholics who responded.

A 2017 CARA poll shows that 23% of Catholics attend Mass, compared to 99% of 824 TLM Catholics.

The same poll shows that 33% of Catholics believe marriage is between a man and a woman, compared to 99% of 826 TLM Catholics.

A 2013 Catholic Philly poll shows that Catholics only give 1.2% in the collection, as opposed to TLM Catholics who give 6.2%. I take this one with a grain of salt as the Catholic Philly is out of Philadelphia, and this could potentially be an outlier.

A 2015 Pew Research poll shows that only 43% of Catholics go to confession once a year as well as weekly Mass, as opposed to 99% of TLM Catholics (only 81 samples though).

The same poll shows that Catholics have an average of 2.3 children, whereas TLM Catholics have an average of 3.7 children (with 494 responses).

Overall, the numbers are revealing a disturbing trend in that NO Catholics appear not to know their faith and quite possibly, may not believe it too.

And yes, this is just one poll whose origins are unknown to us at this time, but it certainly lends to the idea that traditional Catholicism, or Catholicism as I like to call it, is indeed better for souls than what the majority of prelates are peddling as Catholic. If I can track down where this poll came from, I will certainly let you know.

The very fact that the attitude within the Church is that the people who believe in her teachings are somehow detrimental to those who oppose her teachings is complete nonsense. Solemn non-sense even.

Jeff May 30, 2018 1 Comment Permalink

Novus Ordo Logic: The Latin Mass is Eh, the Novus Ordo is Great!

In this first of a new series, I’d like to explore a particular phenomenon that you may witness in many Catholic parishes these days which I’d like to dub “Novus Ordo Logic.”

Novus Ordo Logic is how modern Catholics apply illogical conclusions to post-conciliar and pre-conciliar Catholicism or the excuses they make for the inconsistencies between the two.

Tridentine Mass

One common difference comes when comparing those who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass to the Novus Ordo Mass. Whenever a Catholic who prefers the Novus Ordo talks about how they don’t like the Traditional Latin Mass and try to avoid it at all costs, they receive words of consolation confirming them that they are okay for having this opinion.

In contrast, whenever a Catholic who prefers only the Traditional Latin Mass expresses his preference and unwillingness to go to the Novus Ordo, they are reproached for being “schismatic,” “holier than thou,” “pharisaical,” or some other offense from the litany of insults.

Novus Ordo Vs Traditional Latin Mass

It is interesting to see the complete difference in attitudes. Both the Novus Ordo preferring Catholic and the Latin Mass preferring Catholic have the same stance, yet one is received with generosity and love, the other with hostility and hate. Even more intriguing, the one who prefers the Mass which many of our Catholic Saints had celebrated during their time here on Earth and is about 17 centuries old, is the one who receives attacks.

Novus Ordo Catholicism doesn’t like traditional Catholicism, as Novus Ordoism perceives tradition as old, stale, difficult, and the Truth. The anger, hatred, and eagerness to discredit the Traditional Latin Mass and those who attend it is a concerning trend within the Church today. According to Novus Ordo Logic, you can dislike the TLM and discuss how great the NO is, but when you dislike the NO and discuss how great the TLM is, you are treated worse than an actual enemy of the Church.

Jeff May 9, 2017 1 Comment Permalink

Pope Francis Denies the Catholic Faith and Precepts of the Church…Again

Three years ago I publicly blogged that Pope Francis was a heretic. The reason being that he stated, “if you do not feel you are in need of God’s mercy, then you better not go to Mass.” While we might initially react that this is sound advice, we must remember that Catholics are morally obligated to attend Mass every single Sunday. What we are not morally obligated to do is to receive the Holy Eucharist. We are only required to receive only once a year, and it is preferable to do so around Easter.

Pope Francis Staring

Being that this was still early in his papacy, not even completing his first year, I faced much criticism. I ended up taking the original post down and republishing it on the two-year anniversary of the original publish date. Interestingly enough, Pope Francis has again said something similar.

Speaking to the youth of the parish of Santa Maria in the city of Guidonia, Pope Francis said:

If I say I am Catholic and go to Mass, but then don’t speak with my parents, help my grandparents or the poor, go and see those who are sick, this does not prove my faith, there’s no point. So it is none other than parrot Christians, words, words, words, I wonder if you remember that song. Christian witness you do with three things: the word, the heart, the hands.

While these acts fall under both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, they are not required, nor are they morally obligated to stay in a state of grace. What is necessary is going to Mass each and every week, whether you want to or not.

It is good to perform the works of mercy, as there is great grace that God bestows to those who perform them faithfully. But to say that one who does not perform these works makes Mass pointless, and then to call the individual a “parrot Christian,” is not only insulting to the Catholic who does fulfill his weekly Mass attendance, but to Christ and His Church who gave us the commandment.

Time and time again, we have witnessed the Holy Father insult the Catholic faith and those who make a conscious effort to follow Jesus faithfully. For those who have been paying attention these last four years, especially this past year, you have realized that we have a Pope who very likely doesn’t believe the Catholic faith, as he is constantly rushing to change pastoral practice at every turn.

There are still those out there who believe that Pope Francis is a holy man and is in the mold of his predecessors. Can you imagine Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI insulting Catholics who faithfully practice their faith by calling them “parrot Christians” for their shortcomings? Can you imagine either of these Popes being offended that a particular group prayed so many Rosaries for them? Can you imagine either of these Popes changing the rubrics of the Mass simply so that they can break them after they go into effect?

I can’t.

Simply put, upon the election of Pope Francis, it was very evident that there was a clear break from previous Popes. When faithful Cardinals who were very close to Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were ostracized, and unfaithful Cardinals who were clear enemies by the previous two pontiffs become best friends with Pope Francis, you know that we have a problem. And you are silly for thinking that everything is just fine.

Jeff January 17, 2017 2 Comments Permalink

Pope Francis Snubs 2,000 Years of Church Teaching…Again…

Two years ago to the day, I wrote my first post in which I was highly critical of Pope Francis. I received a lot of backlash from many close friends in which they accused me of starting to go off the rails and questioned if I was really on team Catholic. By the end of the night, I had received so many complaints from such close friends and even family that I ended up pulling the article and apologizing. It was the first time I had ever retracted a post and it has haunted me ever since.

None of the thoughts I had in the article have gone away. If anything, they have become stronger since my original article was published and have been validated by some of the antics performed by Pope Francis.

Seeing as this is the second anniversary of publishing and pulling the article, I have decided to republish it. What you will read below is the original article with only minor edits made for grammar and to clarify any points that I feel need further explanation. This article was the first time in which I felt that calling Pope Francis a heretic was not only warranted, but justified based on the teachings that Christ and His Church has given us. We see further evidence of Pope Francis’ disdain for Christ and His Church only recently when the Bishop of Rome while meeting with Lutherans, informed them that if they could receive the Holy Eucharist during Communion if they discussed it with God and felt called.

It is even more important that we revisit this article as it is the Year of Mercy and we must understand that the mercy that Pope Francis speaks of is not the same mercy that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speaks of throughout the Gospels.

Originally posted on February 13, 2014:

Today, during his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis said:

“If you do not feel in need of God’s mercy, if you do not feel you are a sinner, then it’s better not go to Mass, because we go to Mass because we are sinners and we want to receive the forgiveness of Jesus, to participate in His redemption, His forgiveness.”

This statement is contrary to 2,000 years of Catholic teaching.

pope-francis

I understand some of you want to defend him, as he is the Pope after all, but this error cannot stand. This statement is a blatant disregard for church teaching, and can not be defended as a “well if you look deeper” moment.

His statement isn’t a “well what he’s trying to say is that you should want to go to Mass. Otherwise, you shouldn’t go” moment either. Obviously, the soul who, in his humility and full understanding of the Mass and Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and His sacrifice on Calvary, would desire to go to Mass. This statement says nothing of that.

Let’s use another analogy. What would happen if I was to say to your child “if you do not feel that you are in need of your parent’s mercy, or feel that your room is dirty, it is better that you do not clean your room”? You would tell me how crazy I am and inform me that your child would not clean his room. Ever.

Similarly, the poor soul who thinks that they do not need God’s mercy because really, we are all good people, and when we die we go to Heaven no matter what (another heresy), will think that they do not need to go to Mass.

No matter how you look at it, if you replace it with any scenario it comes out wrong, especially the fact that we are required as Catholics to attend Mass every single week.

I’m tired of hearing the nonsense that comes out of Pope Francis’ mouth. (And how much more nonsense has he spewed in the last two years?)

Unfortunately, there is nothing charitable to be said about what he said today; it is just wrong no matter how you spin it, or how you look at it. Yes, we should want to go to Mass as that is the desirable attitude we should strive for continually.

However, giving an ambiguous statement like this is irresponsible, reckless and, unfortunately, is a condemnation of these poor souls to go to Hell. It permits anyone who is Catholic in name only, and doesn’t feel like going to Mass can now say “well, Pope Francis said I don’t have to go to Mass unless I want to”

Missing Mass on Sundays without a serious reason (and by serious I mean something that will prevent you from going such as dangerous weather, No Mass within a reasonable distance of going, or for health reasons) is a mortal sin. If we die with unconfessed mortal sin, we will go to Hell. That is 2,000 years worth of Church teaching. That is dogma.

Frankly, I cannot wait for the heresies of this papacy to end. Pope Francis has made a mockery of the pontificate; he’s made a mockery of the papacy, and he has made a mockery of the Catholic Church.

These mockeries would not stand in any age of the Church, but only in the post-conciliar age where anything goes, as long as it feels good and makes you happy.

Pray for Pope Francis and pray that God will not let this travesty continue however He sees fit. May Our Lord’s Holy Will be done and may you stay in a state of grace.

Jeff February 13, 2016 11 Comments Permalink

Pope Francis Proves the Novus Ordo Doesn’t Care About Rules

Pope Francis has changed the rules and is now allowing women to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday Mass. Granted Pope Francis has done this every single Holy Thursday since he’s been Pope; he has now codified it. If the Pope can make drastic changes to the Liturgy based on his personal preference and the Liturgy allows for it, then you know you do not have a God-given Mass, but a man-made Mass.

Careful Consideration

During the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, we saw the renewal of the traditions that make the Catholic Mass Catholic. We saw the return of Ad Orientem, Latin, and of course, the Tridentine Mass. The faithful credited the Holy Spirit for this renewal of the Liturgical rubrics. Since March 13, 2013, we have seen many rubrics thrown to the wayside for novelties and the personal whims of the reigning Pontiff. And yet, the faithful credit the Holy Spirit for this breath of fresh air.

So the question must be asked; does the Holy Spirit have multiple personalities? The answer is no. The Holy Spirit, who IS GOD, can not contradict Himself, as God is unchanging throughout all time. He is the same yesterday as He is today as He will be tomorrow. To say that the changes made under both of these pontificates are what God wants would be incorrect; it must either be one or the other and since God is unchanging, it is safe to say that tradition will uphold over novelties.

But maybe we are looking at this from the wrong perspective. Maybe the Novus Ordo doesn’t have the clear rubrics as we once thought and proclaimed? For the longest time, faithful Catholics who desired a reverent Novus Ordo would cite the rubrics to demonstrate what should and shouldn’t be done at the Mass. But as mentioned above, if the Pope can change these rubrics at any given moment, why does it matter?

The thing is, Pope Francis has been abusing the Holy Thursday foot washing rite for a very long time. During his time as an archbishop and Cardinal, he would abuse the liturgical rubrics and allow women have their feet washed, despite clear wording in the laws of the rite that state otherwise. Now that he is the Pope, he has struck out the rule so that he will no longer be breaking said rule. It reminds me of

Cardinal Bergoglio Washes Womans Feet

And this is the funny thing about the creation of the Novus Ordo Mass. The entirety of the Mass, except several parts that have been lifted from the Tridentine Mass, were all abuses that had crept their way into the Mass in one way or the other. Reception of Communion in the hand, bringing up the gifts, versus populum, unworthy music, Mass in the vernacular, receiving the Precious Blood, holding hands during the Our Father, the Sign of Peace, altar girls, etc, were all abuses that have now been deemed “permissible” by the Church. If a Rite doesn’t care about rules and ends up throwing them away when it becomes inconvenient, then why have any rules in the first place? And if it doesn’t have any rules, can we trust that it is truly pleasing to God, the giver of Divine Law?

The fact is the Novus Ordo doesn’t care about the rubrics. If it did, it wouldn’t be subject to so many drastic changes from day to day. Much like a teenage girl who can’t figure out what she wants to wear on her first day of school, the Novus Ordo can’t figure out what rules she should keep or throw away.

Jeff January 25, 2016 3 Comments Permalink

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