"If the priest is a saint, the people will be fervent; if
the priest is fervent, the people will be pious; if the priest is pious, the
people will at least be decent. But if the priest is only decent, the people
will be godless."
Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard from "The Soul of the Apostolate,"
Reverence can be described. Reverence can be advocated but I believe it is only by imitation that Reverence can be taught. It is the reverence of the priest as he says the Traditional Mass that makes reverence substantially real. The actions of the priest as he bows, professes the Faith, prays for forgiveness of sins, offers himself as a representative of the people and an Alter Cristus conveys a deep humility, respect and adoration of God in His real True Presence on the altar.
A priest offers himself to God on behalf of the people for their eternal salvation. It is by virtue of the priest’s actions and commitment, that the Sacraments are available to his people. If a priest fails or abdicates his role, the eternal salvation of the people is at stake. The Bible says, “Fear not that which can harm to body, only that which can destroy the soul.”.
When the priest says the Mass reverently, every member of the parish becomes his student in the lesson on reverence. Reverence is the acknowledgement of the Real Presence. If the Mass were about “the community”, or a “banquet” reverence would not be required. That is why the Traditional Mass is a natural lesson in reverence. At the time of the Consecration, the priest has his attention and focus not on the “audience” but upon God. When the priest acts like Our Lord is really and truly present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity the demeanor of the people reflect it as well.
Let's remember to pray for our priests and show them the same reverence they demonstrate for Our Lord in the living out of their vocations. And let's show gratitude for their service to us.
When the priest says the Mass reverently, every member of the parish becomes his student in the lesson on reverence. Reverence is the acknowledgement of the Real Presence. If the Mass were about “the community”, or a “banquet” reverence would not be required. That is why the Traditional Mass is a natural lesson in reverence. At the time of the Consecration, the priest has his attention and focus not on the “audience” but upon God. When the priest acts like Our Lord is really and truly present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity the demeanor of the people reflect it as well.
Let's remember to pray for our priests and show them the same reverence they demonstrate for Our Lord in the living out of their vocations. And let's show gratitude for their service to us.
Hello, can anyone provide information about the author of this extract?.
Thanks,
Pablo.
Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.S.C.O. was born March 12, 1858. He was a Cistercian abbot who loved his life of labor and sacrifice for his Order and for souls. He had a deep interior life marked by a simplicity of faith and discernment of God’s will in all things. His spirituality could be summarized in just two words: God Alone. He was called to eternal life in 1935.