Mumbling Priest, Part Two

[DojoGrant]

I'm from Arkansas, although being a convert, I consider my home parish to be in Mississippi. However, when I visit home, there is only one Catholic Church in the relative vicinity, so I attend there.

However, like in the aforementioned post, I can hardly ever understand him. You have already answered the question related to that, but that's really not all. He completely rushes through the Mass. Before the congregation has finished a response, he's already on the next prayer (literally). There also seems to be extreme irreverance at times during the Eucharistic prayer: quickly pouring the wine, almost tossing things about on the alter, and again, rushing through the prayers like he has somewhere to be.

He is very old (he's been there since my mom was a child), and was even recently made a Monsignor.

Perhaps this is my own hardened heart, but while I know that Jesus Christ is still present in the Eucharist there, and I strive to focus on that, its just so very hard when the one acting in the person of Christ seems to just want to hurry it up. I don't know motives, so I try not to assume any, but it really discourages me when I think that the other people around me get the same thing every single Mass.

Is there anything one can do in this situation?

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='DojoGrant' date='Apr 1 2004, 10:54 AM'] I'm from Arkansas, although being a convert, I consider my home parish to be in Mississippi.  However, when I visit home, there is only one Catholic Church in the relative vicinity, so I attend there.

However, like in the aforementioned post, I can hardly ever understand him.  You have already answered the question related to that, but that's really not all.  He completely rushes through the Mass.  Before the congregation has finished a response, he's already on the next prayer (literally).  There also seems to be extreme irreverance at times during the Eucharistic prayer:  quickly pouring the wine, almost tossing things about on the alter, and again, rushing through the prayers like he has somewhere to be.

He is very old (he's been there since my mom was a child), and was even recently made a Monsignor.

Perhaps this is my own hardened heart, but while I know that Jesus Christ is still present in the Eucharist there, and I strive to focus on that, its just so very hard when the one acting in the person of Christ seems to just want to hurry it up.  I don't know motives, so I try not to assume any, but it really discourages me when I think that the other people around me get the same thing every single Mass.

Is there anything one can do in this situation? [/quote]
If it is true that he approaches the Mass with irreverence and rushes through it, it may be possible that he has forgotten the value of what it means to be a priest. Perhaps, moreso, he has forgotten that he is an Alter Christos and therefore not only does he offer the sacrifice but he is the sacrifice (priest and victim). Unfortunately, however, this is not an uncommon thing to happen especially to older priests.

It is definitely very sad to see, but really the only thing you can do for him is to pray for him. I don't mean offer a few prayers after receiving, but doing your part as one of those partaking in the priesthood of the faithful, ie: offering spiritual sacrifices on his behalf. Sometimes a heart can be hardened and even binded by routine, predictability, and a repetition that can seem tediuos. He needs your prayers and to have someone offer themselves for him.

You need not tell him you are doing these things, but if a priest has lost his love of the Mass and he does not want to do anything about it, or perhaps does not notice it himself, it is best to offer him to Christ, and while so doing, maybe mention (even in passing) (and in a charitable manner) that it would be nice if he slowed down during Mass (don't tell him it seems irreverent unless you are close enough to him and he can accept that honesty)

Just my suggestion. Perhaps those that are priests can offer further insights.

God Bless