What religion is this?

March 31, 2010 by  
Filed under Patrick's Blog

I don’t recognize it.


In any case, it’s worth watching this video all the way through, as unpleasant as it will be for most of you. It is a garish reminder of the enormous damage that has been inflicted on the faithful in Southern California over the past several decades.

When, O Lord? When?

(Courtesy of Father Z)
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47 Responses to “What religion is this?”
  1. Geremia says:

    Vestal virgins aren't Catholic.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I thought it was cool. I wish Mass were this interesting where I go…

  3. Grace says:

    I didn't expect to have as strong a reaction to this as I did. It made me feel very sick inside, and I cried. I feel speechless.

    Praise God that Bishop Gomez is being placed in Los Angeles!

  4. Anonymous says:

    'If they aren't against us than they are for us Catholics'

  5. Brian says:

    There are many parts of the Church and since they all belong to God, they are ALL GOOD. We need both the contemplative and the charismatic. If everyone was same exact clones of each another, that would not be the unique people that God created and life would be extremely boring. So someone does not look, act, or move like you? Does that make them weird? When there is a huge Mass with thousands of Catholics, there is going to be some special processions to mark the occasion. After all, Eucharist is a thanksgiving celebration. Los Angeles is made up of many cultures, and the Religious Education Congress is attended by priests, speakers and attendees from all over the world. All the Catholic song writers and singing groups are there to sing their songs, including this African group singing in the beginning of the video clip. Instead of having one priest swing the incensory after the entrance procession, they have a group of volunteers process in prior to the entrance procession to prepare the altar for Mass. A few years ago they laid different colored altar clothes on the large altar representing all the different cultures that make up our faith. Throughout the weekend there are many Masses of different music themes, such as Young Adult, Celtic, Contemplative, African, Hispanic, and Hawaiian. Why waste time and energy worrying about or being negative and critical about a Mass celebrated in a culture different than your own? Although I missed this year’s conference, I have attended RECongress before, and it has been an incredible experience filled with evidence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I wish every Mass would have as much planning, singing and celebration that these folks put into it. Does God deserve any less from us?

  6. Douglas Naaden says:

    It looks like a bunch of old people trying to be hip. SO WEIRD!

  7. Anonymous says:

    With Mary I contemplate the disposition of her heart while amidst the people of Egypt. I'm sure it was with love and charity, but I am also sure she was in constant prayer in reparation for the sins of the world. Eucharistic Adoration comes to mind…time spent before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for reparation for the sins of the world, for holy priests, and protection of Mother Church. Let's be proactive.

  8. rsandoz says:

    Do they sell Buddy Jesus bobbleheads at the door?

  9. rsandoz says:

    This reminds me of the closing scene on "Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure"

  10. Margaret says:

    Liturgical dance!

    I just can't get enough…

    Here is my favorite:

  11. Anonymous says:

    Dear Gary,

    This is not what the Mass is supposed to look like, PLEASE don't let this influence your search for Jesus' Real Presence, which is only found in the Mass. This is so sad and we pray for the conversion of those poor, lost souls. Many of whom do not know any better or any different. It would be most helpful for you to pray with us for them. Something beautiful to see, if you have one nearby, is a Mass offered by the FSSP. http://www.fssp.org I will add that I have a son who is studying to be a Novus Ordo priest for our Diocese and another who serves for the FSSP parish. We are not in CA, however. Thank God!

  12. Shalimar says:

    I was holding my breath waiting for the 'altar woman' to kiss the Bishop as she took off his hat.

    No Tabernacle, no crucifix, and a very well done Protestant service. We have a Protestant mega church here in Colorado Springs, and this is wha this video reminded me of. I think it is wonderful when our Protestant brothers and sisters gather and worship in the way they know. But when we Catholics try to bury the Pearl of Great Price and compromise our traditions and fullness of Truth, we are betraying our Lord, not being 'intolerant.'

  13. Johnnyjoe says:

    Performance Art ala Catholic Mass.

    Liturgy in the Land-of-the-ME!

    See how the "community" feels good about itself! See how the ALL the people get to be a part!

    Jesus was THERE, man, really THERE ….. well, later at that bread thing too….

  14. Gary says:

    Ugh! I am seriously exploring the Catholic Church, with one of the main attractions for me being the authority and dignity of 2000 years of standing firm for the faith, as against the ever changing fads of the evangelical world. This video looks like the World Council of Churches at its tackiest. Yuck! Maybe I should stay where I am rather than jump from the frying pan into the fire!

  15. Anonymous says:

    Is this an April Fools joke? I wish it were. Yet another intention for my Holy Week.

  16. tom says:

    that was quite a procession, i'd be intersested in seeing the Liturgy of the Eucharist and how that was done. i didn't like it, especially the "dance of the Book of Gospels", i thought some reverence should have been shown instead of the ??? whatever it was.
    also what was the intention of the mass? the something for the deacon's wives or what?

  17. Anonymous says:

    Illicit? Yes. Valid? Yes.

  18. Anonymous says:

    I don't think that was a crucifix. It looked like a giant "plus" symbol to me, because clearly they were adding things that don't belong in the Mass.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Any prayer that brings us closer to God should be acceptable! Dasncing is an acceptable form of prayer.

  20. Theology Student says:

    As Jim said, liturgical dance is not allowed in the U.S., so this involves disobedience at the very least (not to mention bad taste). It’s more reminiscent of orgiastic paganism or a rock concert than a sacred liturgy. Did Christ say, “Do this in memory of me?” or was it “party on, Dudes!” The Church rightly takes what is good from all cultures as rightly belonging to her, but all cultures are not equal. Also, all cultural traditions are not appropriate to all people at all times. African Americans singing gospel music can be beautiful- Caucasians singing gospel music is often grotesque…

  21. Anonymous says:

    God, deliver us from evil!

  22. Anonymous says:

    This made me so sad, I wanted to cry. Especially upsetting was seeing the complete lack of reverence in the deacon dancing up the aisle while holding the Word of God! As for a difference in culture, the Mass is still supposed to be recognizable even with cultural differences. This wasn't really recognizable as being Catholic, much less the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Anyone ever see or experience the Opening Mass at World Youth Day 2008? Was the multi-cultural procession of dancers, etc. a reflection of our Church? I hope so!

  24. Anonymous says:

    Anyone ever see and experience the Opening Mass at World Youth Day?

  25. Anonymous says:

    I didn't know they had those types of portable microphones in 1982. This still doesn't beat the infamous West Coast Call to Action Giant Puppets.

  26. Micaela says:

    First of all, I cannot believe that some Catholics can be so cut off from tradition. The Holy Mass is NOT a show. This has absolutely nothing to do with this idea that so many of these commenters excuse as "culture". Forget culture. The Church was established not to gather people in a "culture ritual" so to say.
    The celebration of the Holy Mass "is" the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Would you have gone up to him as he lie nailed to the cross at Calvary and twirl around, clapping, banging drums, swaying in dance, making it a big show? Is that what you accept as "culture" for the way Our Lord suffered on the cross….as a celebration of the Holy Mass?
    NO. You worship the Lord in reverence, not complete ignorance of what the true mass is all about. Im sick and tired of liberal Catholics who keep ignoring the truth of who Christ is and who excuse this kind of animal behavior….seriously

  27. The Grumpy Cleric says:

    … I don't know, I like the big cups of Mocha that the 2 girls are carrying at the beginning of the clip.

    (They are so big they could even sober up Amy Winehouse.)

  28. Mary says:

    I am a fervent Catholic and a theologian.

    The style in the video is not my culture.
    But the Holy Mass is not the singing, whether that is Gregorian chant or traditional African or modern American; not whether the incense is swung from a thurible or waved in a dish; it is not the bowing, genuflecting or dancing; not the vestments or the clapping.
    It is clear that a huge amount of preparation and thought had gone into this liturgical celebration, and I don't know of any evidence that proves it was done as entertainment rather than worship. I suspect it was carefully prepared with prayer and much community involvement. There were thousands of people there, enthusiastic and involved. It has to be better that people have been involved through their own choice of liturgical style rather than left bored, indifferent and apathetic, doesn't it?

    I actually don't like the style.
    But frankly neither do I like some of the criticism.
    If watching this could be described as "a near occasion of sin" might that be because we are tempted to a judgemental attitude of others, an intolerance, a "more faithful/holy/rule keeping/ Catholic than thou" attitude which tears our church apart?
    I suspect that if the critics of this style of liturgy prayed as we would like those involved to have prayed while producing this liturgy, then this has been a great occasion for the glory of God in the contemporary world!

  29. Jim says:

    Yeah, I was there back when I was too young to know better. I was taught that it was correct and appropriate. [Sigh] Notice that the announcer said they're coming together to "remember" Our Lord — not make Him present!

    Since liturgical dancing is prohibited, in America, I guess those people were doing "rhythmic movement" instead.

  30. UIOGD says:

    Think of it as just another Saturday Night Live show.

  31. pamelanak says:

    The beginning looks like ancient pagan temple worship . As for the deacon dancing down the aisle, I think those moves were last popular in 1974. How embarrasing can it get? No wonder young people are RUNNING in the other direction. If only bishops were as worried about fidelity to the Faith rather than keeping up with their notions of Pop Culture.

  32. smc_henderson says:

    I guess this is what the call performance art.

    I wrote the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and asked what Protestant denomination the video represented.

  33. Emmy Cecilia says:

    THIS is why I have never gone to one, though a majority of my Catholic friends went. I may live only an hour from where this took place but there is no way I'd be able to sit through it. Well, maybe if I did something really bad and it was my act of penance.

  34. Anonymous says:

    This looks more like the closing ceremony for the Olympics than a Holy Mass.

  35. Tomnibus says:

    I noticed the dancing with the Gospels, I didn't think that was appropriate. I also noticed that there was not one altar boy, only girls. And the cross had no crucifix.

    I enjoy a mass with lively music, even though it sounded more like a pop concert than the opening of Mass, it was terrible. I think the other stuff was what made my eyes bleed; the dancing, the worship with incense was a bit paganistic and the processing deacon's wives.

  36. Anonymous says:

    I am from another culture where music and some liturgical dance does take place in special Masses. But this still disturbed me big time.

    This to me felt like a show to be watched not a time to enter prayerfully into the Sacrament of Holy Mass.

    My two cents.

  37. Patty Bonds says:

    Where was the druid section?

  38. Anonymous says:

    With bishops like this one, no wonder our country is in trouble.

  39. Stephen says:

    To be honest, this kinda freaked me out

  40. Anonymous says:

    I'm all for positive Entertainment…Just not during Mass. Jesus did not die on the cross for us to be entertained during the Mass..Sad, sad, sad…

  41. Sarah Harkins says:

    Come on, you people…that was not that bad! I am not a fan of liturgical dancing and the sort, but that is also because it's not my culture- and obvi not yours. You may also be scandalized by how they say Mass in other parts of the world where dancing and shouting and singing LOUDLY with big drums is also part of there culture and consequently part of their Mass. I do not recall any where in the Catechism where the faithful are required to stand as still as poles and give no expression to their song or voice louder than the unenthusiased person next to them.

    What scandalizes me are the doctrines of Faith that are mocked by some of these people- not their posture in the liturgy.

    But how about those Deacon wives?? Did I miss the ordination of Deacon wives in So Cal?

  42. Stay At Home Mom at Work says:

    Reactions: Interesting? Cool? Funny?
    Hummmm…..Can we add a 'disturbing' box to check?

  43. Shannon says:

    is this for real? please say it isn't so!

  44. Susan L says:

    This was too painful for me. How is it that Rome doesn't stop it? I don't understand. Doesn't this break all kinds of rules?

  45. Catholic says:

    Watching this is a near occasion of sin for me.

  46. Theology Student says:

    Madness! How sad to see so many bishops participating in this travesty. Speaking as a Californian, I’m not surprised to see this out of Southern California. I’d be surprised if it were reverent and traditional!

  47. Anonymous says:

    Arghgh! Please make it stop!

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