Since I started wearing the mantilla at mass, I've become more aware of the different ways we can express (or fail to express) our reverence and faith in the Blessed Sacrament.
The unnecessary use of extraordinary ministers bothers me more than it used to. So too do the people who loudly chat after mass (as if Christ were not present) and the nonchalant posturing of teenagers too cool to care that they're at mass.
More importantly, though, I find that I make more of an effort to be reverent myself - in part because I'm aware of the need to avoid the hypocrisy of wearing a mantilla but not following through with my words and actions (I also pray for the grace not to be bothered by any lack of reverence around me and for the strength to refrain from judging).
My husband recently forwarded me this 2007 blog article from A Catholic Life titled 'Restore Eucharistic Reverence'. It discusses communion in the hand, extraordinary ministers and altar rails.
I'd love to hear from you about how you think we can be more reverent in mass. What are some of the things you think that we Catholics could do better?
I like to wear a covering to Mass (usually a scarf or shawl) because I think it's a pretty, elegant, and feminine way to express my belief. I spent a semester abroad in Egypt, so the concept of women covering their heads isn't odd to me at all. I don't cover all the time at church, but when I do, it's for two reasons: 1) it's a very pretty tradition, and certainly a preferable alternative to many of the ultra-casual and sometimes revealing outfits that other women wear; and 2)I like the symbolism of woman as image of the Church, covered by Christ's holiness. I think the easiest and most important thing Catholics (and other Christians, for that matter) can do to show reverence is to dress reverently at church.
ReplyDelete