Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Fr Kerper's discovery of the Extraordinary Form

This article from America is well worth a read... The priest's openness to the needs of the people shows a true liberality that is consonant with Pope Benedict's plea: "Let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith itself allows."

Hopefully, more young priests will follow his example and discover the richness of the older form, and in doing so, receive new insight into the mystery of their priesthood and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which they offer in the name of God's Holy Church. For example:

I actually felt liberated from a persistent need to perform, to engage, to be forever a friendly celebrant. When I saw a photo of the old Latin Mass in our local newspaper, I suddenly recognized the rite’s ingenious ability to shrink the priest. Shot from the choir loft, I was a mere speck of green, dwarfed by the high altar. The focal point was not the priest but the gathering of the people. And isn’t that a valid image of the church, the people of God?

Fr Z. has also opened up some discussion on this article here.

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