That old time Tradition

Thinking about anonymous tipster tonight. I can't really fault what he/she said.. but it kindof ties into what went wrong after the Second Vatican Council.

Notice I did not say what is wrong with it. I happen to like the council - otherwise I wouldn't have become a Catholic.

See, if the Holy Church has not changed.. then why arn't we still watching the backs of Priests. Why is there stadium seating at some churches, and alter rails at others?

It's tradition! Time to think about Fiddler on the Roof here. Remember, each of his daughters broke the tradition. Quite offended old Dad.

Turns out, if you ask someone about their religion.. the thing that sinks in the deepest and which we identify the most with is tradition. They think Easter flowers, processions, and all kinds of little acts that we perform in reverence.

Along came this Second Vatican Council. Now we've got this in the Catechism:

Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed. In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church's Magisterium. (Catechism 83)

Pretty easy to spot what happened here. People suddenly realized that their idea of "local tradition" didn't quite line up with what everyone else thought of. Suddenly there was this giant revolution where everyone suddenly thought the church had changed.

Not so, only the window dressing so to speak.

But don't confuse tradition with essential elements of the Mass, and Tenents of the Church. Don't tell the first communion kids that group confession is valid, or that reverence is just pride. If you're not going to believe in the transubstantiaion - then follow your heart and go Protestant or something. If you want to be a married priest, then go Eastern Rite man!!

To me it seems very clear what is necessary to have a valid Mass. Why even go to church if it's not valid, anyway? Why, if you don't believe in the true Tenants of the Church - do you still call yourself Catholic? As if it's like being a New Yorker or something?

Funny, eh? Ohh well, maybe it's just me. Just let me keep our old-timey mass. You can do the liturgical dance and I'd like to kneel. Isn't that all ok?

In the famous words of a friend of ours: "Isn't it great that the Church is so diverse?" We'd just told her we were going to a Latin Mass.. at the time I thought she was being sarcastic. May be, but her words do ring true. The church is diverse, and that's a Good Thing.