In the traditional Mass Catholics were normally left alone, to follow along with a missal or to be lost in private devotions as they pleased, so long as they were worshiping God. The new Mass never leaves you alone for long. The old Mass understood the value of silence, private prayer and awe. We have lost much and gained but little.
Well, you ought to focus on the Mass if you are present. It’s like talking in the phone while trying to watch your favorite TV or radio show. You do neither well!
Rob, no, it’s not as you say. While I believe that Marian devotions are best observed outside of Mass, I will not point a finger at those who pray it during the silent parts of the TLM.
During the TLM, Confessions are heard. You should see it at my parish. Confessions start before Mass and continue throughout and afterwards. We have two priests from the ICKSP. Sometimes visiting priests from the Pittsburgh Diocese come to hear Confessions (during Mass) as well.
On Holy Thursday, Confessions started at 6. There was a line before 6PM. No Confessions were heard during that Mass. It was the same on Good Friday…the line started 20 minutes before Confession was heard
I ramble. Sorry
Pius XII’s Mediator Dei paragraph 108 seems to contradict what this gentleman is saying:
I think there’s a not at all difficult distinction to make, which is that if you’re praying a Rosary (or whatever devotion or prayers) for the purpose of avoiding the texts or actions or prayers of the Mass, then yes, that would be inappropriate. But if you’re doing them as a means to enter into them or join with them because you cannot otherwise, then it’s not inappropriate.
That being said, I think one should probably at least make a good faith effort at some point to follow in a missal. It might be the case that one does so and it just is too distracting or whatever and then one can go from there. A priest at the TLM parish I attend often encourages everyone to follow the Propers of the mass in the missal if they can. I believe that God honors the sacrifices we make in this regard, even if (and probably especially if) we don’t feel ourselves getting anything out of them.
Chatting? Joking? Texting? Nope, lets gripe about … praying!
To paraphrase our Lord: The Holy sacrifice of the Mass was made for man, not man for the Mass.
I agree with Donald, the old Mass allowed for much more prayerful reflection. The new Mass seems to be geared toward our modern societal need for constant stimulation. There’s so little room for silence in the world anymore.
It always struck me as odd to engage in a private devotion like the rosary while participating in a public act of worship. Seems to be a disconnect there.That being said, it’s no one else’s right to lecture those who do. As long they aren’t doing anything wrong that’s interfering with anyone else, it’s no one else’s business.
Too many busy bodied ignorant Catholics playing self appointed Magisterium is one of the most annoying things in the world.
I pray the Rosary when I attend a Novus Ordo Mass and not so much at the TLM where I mostly follow the missal.
Meditating on the 5th.Sorrowful Mystery is joining in the representation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary – the Essence of the Mass..
We can find other parallels – the 1st. Glorious Mystery Mystery for example.
“The new Mass never leaves you alone for long.” So true. Some of us do not want to sing on the way up to the altar rail. After we receive the Eucharist we want to kneel in the pew and pray looking at the crucifix. One of our members is called The Walmart Greeter who bear hugs new members before the 9:00 Mass and is up on the altar singing a capella after Communion. Although the priest lets him pick the hymns he is not a cantor, an acolyte, an altar server, or the deacon. The 5:00 vigil Mass has a growing number of attendees. Daily Mass has thinned out because of him. Attendance is larger on Tuesday because he does not attend. It’s his golf morning.