On Charity
Traditionalists are known for many things. Hopefully they are known for their piety, their reverence, their commitment to the beautiful traditions of the Church and commitment to the prolife cause. But are they known for their charity? It is unfortunate that many who would be Traditionalists are put off by imperfections in the lives of Catholics who attend the Traditional Mass. Sometimes these criticisms are exaggerated and sometimes they are justified.
Since July 7th when the Holy Father gave the gift of the Summorum Pontificum and affirmed the rightful aspirations of Traditionalists there has been a sense of…and now what? How will we make the best possible use of this acknowledgement? What gift can we give in return to the Church and the Holy Father?
I propose that we make a special commitment to charity. The early Christian communities were marked by the purest charity. Even the pagan philosophers noted it and some were converted by their example.
St. John wrote:
“Dearly beloved, let us love one another, for charity is of God. And everyone that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7
Comments (6)
Who's the lout accusing us of being uncharitable? Let me at him.
Honestly, though, we're a strange admixture of misanthropes, conspiracy wackos, and normals. (I'm of the latter type.) By choosing the old Mass, we accused the new order of deficiency. The motu proprio is indeed a good opportunity for us to be seen in a new light. Even so, charitable traditionalists is a lot to ask for, don't you think?
Posted by Cyprian | September 29, 2007 8:49 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:49
Really? I had you firmly classified as a conspiracy wacko? Just kidding!
Posted by Mary | September 29, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:54
Ow! No love lost on this blog. LOL
I forgot another type: misogynist. But that's all Catholic men, right? I'm still working on your type.
Posted by Cyprian | September 29, 2007 6:51 PM
Posted on September 29, 2007 18:51
I think you made a good suggestion that we should show more charity. In my travels, I visit various Traditional Mass sites and often find the people rather distant after Mass. It’s as if you’re under suspicion. You know, like “What’s this guy up to?” Once you break the ice though maybe after the third or fourth visit it feels more like home.
Posted by Thomas McDonough | September 29, 2007 9:08 PM
Posted on September 29, 2007 21:08
Like Thomas, I've seen this as well. I've also come upon those who say hi and proceed with a line of questions, as if they're checking you out. Oh well, people are people.
It's important to greet newcomers while avoiding checking out their trad credentials. Those new to the Latin Mass will feel out of place no matter what you do. Pray to the Guardian Angels, and be yourself (unless you're a conspiracy wacko type like me).
Posted by Cyprian | September 30, 2007 2:05 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 14:05
You're normal? Every traddie is, in some degree, an oddball, and certainly no traddie is in a position to self-diagnose himself as normal.
...except me, of course.
Curmudgeon.
Posted by Anonymous | October 4, 2007 11:18 PM
Posted on October 4, 2007 23:18