Very Touching Indonesian Mass Celebrations

Note: I would like to share with you a reaction to a post in the e-group apologia. I hope that this will give us some points to ponder upon especially the way we celebrate our Mass in the Philippines.


Twice I have been to Indonesia, especially in Bandung. The majority of the people in Bandung are Moslems, yet the Catholic Church is influential especially in the field of Education. They operate excellent universities and primary schools. In fact some of my Muslim friends have attended Catholic Schools. Upon learning that I am Catholic they try to win my confidence by demonstrating their little knowledge of Catholicsm. They talked about " Maria" and about "Missa". I inquired from them why they prefer to study in Catholic Schools when in fact there's a number of Moslem schools around, they replied by saying that they were impressed with Catholic education, and they go for quality.

When I was in Bandung I tried attending a Sunday Mass and a weekday mass as well. One thing I notice is that in the Cathedral of Bandung, they have excellent Liturgy. The Music used in the Mass was very reverent, unlike here in the Philippines. Here we use lots of loud music, and there are clapping of hands. But in Bandung they have a very reverent Novus Ordo Mass. Some of the common parts are sung in classical music by the Choir like the Sanctus, Pater Noster and Agnus Dei. Even the modern hymns were rendered in slow paced singing to give the reverent mode effect. I have attended two Sunday Masses. On the first time after I attended, I lingered on for the next mass to see if the next mass will still be the same, to my amazement it was the same! The next Sunday I observed that it was still the same. I guess that this reverent way the Novus Ordo Mass is said is the norm. During communion time they have ushers that led the faithful. Those who intend to receive communion must move row by row, pushing is avoided and no crowding. During the consecration the faithful were very reverent. I was impressed. After this experience, I felt so embarrassed. Look we pride ourself of being a Catholic Country, but here in a Muslim dominated country, a Catholic Church celebrates mass so dutifully, beautiful and so reverent.

I do not know why many Masses in the Philippines are like these. Is this a cultural thing, or is this the influence of the Charismatic movement or just plain trying to immitate the techniques of the "Born-again" groups. I am entertaining this thought that some of our Catholic friends here are so impressed by the spontaneity of the Charismatic Prayer Meetings that they seem to believe that if that style is brought into the Mass it would produce the same effect.

I would opine that some of us need to be taught about the importance of the Mass and to realize that we cannot equate the Mass with the prayer meetings of the Charismaics and the services in a Protestant Church. In some Protestant and Evangelical denominations there is the predominance of preaching. And sometimes the entire worship service revolves around community prayers and preachings. But Catholic Liturgical worhsip is different. It is centered on the Eucharist as a Sacrifice, a propitiation. Although it takes the form of a meal, It is not a meal. [Please correct me if I am wrong]. St. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for treating the eucharistic meetings as a meal. Thats why Paul told them to eat at home before going to the meetings. That they should not take the eucharist as an opportunity to have a meal and get drunk. Rather they should examine themselves well and that they must recognize that it is the Body and Blood of Christ.

Sincerely,

Dr. herbert