An Historian Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 A wise man I knew, who has now gone to his eternal reward, once said that after the Second Vatican Council, "trads" got all the doctrine, theology and orthodoxy, and the "Novus Ordo" got the charity. Generally I once believed that. But today I'm wondering... just where is the charity? My fiancée and I are due to be married in four months. We are both very devoted to the Latin Mass. She has never known anything else (and no, she's not involved with the SSPX nor grew up with it) and received all of the Sacraments for the first time in the Extraordinary Form. When I returned to the Church, I came back through the traditional liturgy. My first Mass in years was a High Mass for Corpus Christi celebrated by a lovely old monsignor of the archdiocese (who has also gone to his eternal reward, pray for him!). We believe in the Real Presence, the sanctity of marriage, will not have recourse to artificial birth control, and generally try to live pretty normal Catholic lives. My fiancée's local parish has its own Extraordinary Form of the Mass celebrated every Sunday by Monsignor. Now, Monsignor doesn't like the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. He celebrates it solely because there is a want for it. Fair enough! Even that much is a very wonderful thing to do. But, thinking that he at least wasn't antagonistic towards the traditional liturgy, we approached him about our wedding. We are long distance, she comes from a large family. It made more sense to get married at her home parish. Monsignor was very reluctant to agree to the marriage. First off, he did not like the idea of it being in the Extraordinary Form. He graciously consented to celebrate the nuptial Mass in the Extraordinary Form, hopefully a Missa Cantata if we can get a schola together for it. But refused to celebrate the marriage rite from the 1962 Ritual. Okay, we can't force him to do that. We won't like it, at all, but he's meeting us half way, the least we can do is meet him there to. Now, my fiancée is not confirmed. Monsignor decides that she has to be confirmed or he won't marry us. Sigh. Really? Okay. I get it. "Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage, if this can be done without grave inconvenience." It's not absolutely necessary, but it is preferable. We're getting married on the vigil of Pentecost, it's not exactly the best time for both a confirmation and a marriage. But we can make it work. He also states that she has to attend RCIA classes at his parish. A simple discussion with her would have sufficed to establish that she understands the Catholic faith. But no. So what does she do? She goes to RCIA. There she is subject to outright heresy, she witnesses the Church ridiculed and mocked, and s grudgingly informed that "Holy Ghost" is valid for emergency baptisms. Barely. But she's sticking it out. She contacts a sister from the community she grew up with. They're having the bishop celebrate confirmations in the Extraordinary Form. My fiancée would like to be included (her brother was confirmed by the same bishop just the year before). Of course she can! Sister makes the arrangement. She even arranges things a month earlier just to include my fiiancée (this was before the final date had been set, but it was arranged specifically for her as the initial proposed date between the bishop and the community was the wedding date). So a lot of people have gone out of their way for us, blessed be God. But not for Monsignor. No. My fancée [b]has[/b] to be confirmed at her home parish, she [b]has[/b] to be confirmed in the Ordinary Form or else he won't be marrying us. This has completely thrown a spanner in the works. It looks like we're going to have to get new invites because we just can't work with this priest (and I will not let my fiancée miss an incredible opportunity in being Confirmed in the Extraordinary Form amongst the family and friends she grew up with). Luckily I know four priests off the top of my head here that celebrate the traditional liturgy regularly and I believe would be willing to assist us. But tonight I'm just left shaking my head... Where's the charity? Where Frank's vision for the Church? Sure, we'll baptise your baby even though you won't raise him/her Catholic. Oh, you've been cohabiting for 20 years? Come on down, I'll marry ya personally! You wanted to be Confirmed in a valid, licit ritual by a bishop of a Roman Catholic diocese? DIE HERETIC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veritasluxmea Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) I'm sorry. I don't really have any answers or help, but just know I'm shaking my head along with you. I'll say a hail mary for your situation and upcoming marriage. (congratulations!) Maybe I'll even say it in Latin. ;) Edited January 20, 2015 by veritasluxmea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I believe you that this is the situation, it is just mind boggling that the priest is being so obstinate. I'd like to think there's more to this story, so I don't have to think so poorly of this priest. But wrote wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 All around a really stressful situation. I'm so sorry this is happening. Many prayers for you and your fiancee and this priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I don't get why he's being so obnoxious about this - the only reasons I can come up with aren't exactly the most charitable. You and your fiancee are in my prayers. Hopefully things will work out well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An Historian Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 This same priest also tried to get the four middle children into RCIA for their First Communions (age ranges 13-18). An 11 year old girl in an RCIA class for First Communion... the four oldest, including my fiancée, have made their First Communion. The parents would say so themselves that they dropped the ball as the others were growing up for a variety of reasons. But with the three youngest at the apprioriate age, they approached Mosnignor about rectifying the situation. Since the three boys were so young, and after a brief discussion with them, he included them in First Communion. But he tries to jackhammer the four teenagers into adult RCIA. For the two oldest boys, I can understand that. But it's ridiculous for the younger ones. They have a perfect understanding of the faith. But an interview isn't sufficient for them. Thankfully their mother has gotten him to agree to a home-RCIA thing instead. It's just ridiculous to insist a 13 year old girl join an adult class for converts. Why s he doing these things? Charity would suggest he's both a) concerned about assuring a proper understanding of the sacraments and b) worry that because the family is "traditional" that also equates with schismatic and or SSPX. Assuring the unity of the faithful and the proper education of children is certainly laudable. But why, why must it be done in this frustrating manner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Very unfortunate. I'll be praying for everyone in the situation so that a peaceful and convenient situation may arise out of this. I hear that it's a great idea to offer up your frustrations in the wedding planning process for your future marriage, so that's something you can consider doing in the midst of this as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Hello, Thank you for bringing this to my attention. As Pope Francis I take all such incidents very seriously. I will have this Monsignor summoned to Rome to be burned at the stake. Your business is very important to us and I hope that this course of action adequately resolves your query. All my best, Hasan aka Pope Francis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oremus Pro Invicem Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I believe you that this is the situation, it is just mind boggling that the priest is being so obstinate. I'd like to think there's more to this story, so I don't have to think so poorly of this priest. But wrote wow. Sorry, I think I posted this without really completing my thought (plus a stupid typo thanks to my inability to figure out my new phone). The last line is pretty incoherent as is, I was in large part expressing incredulity at this priest's actions. Like others have said, I'll pray for you, your fiancée, and the priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now