You might have missed it. Pope Francis announced a “feast of grandparents” to occur on the last Sunday of July. It came amidst his Wednesday audiences which, since the end of February, consist of catechesis on old age. These take up themes from his earlier reflections on the elderly in Amoris Laetitia (paragraphs 191-193).
The Holy Father links his concern for old age with two major themes of his pontificate. The first is his critique of “throwaway” culture, which is his version of Pope St. John Paul II’s “culture of death.” The second is his desire to foster what Pope Benedict XVI called “intergenerational solidarity,” that is, solidarity not just with one’s contemporaries but with people throughout history.
We see the first theme at the very beginning of the first catechesis from the audience of February 23rd. There, Francis warns that “in this throwaway culture, the elderly are like throwaway material.”
Our consumeristic obsession with technology and the “new” has led to a cultural idolization of youth, for youth represents the closest approximation to technology. “The dominant culture,” observes the Holy Father, “has as its sole model the young adult, that is, a self-made individual who always remains young.” Consequently, old age has come to represent unproductivity, loss, and burden. It simply does not fit in the frame of contemporary society and so it is cut out and relegated to the margins, rather like how old products or unfashionable clothing are tossed into landfills.
The second theme is found in the second catechesis on old age from March 2nd. Francis first laments the “cult of haste” and productivity which he says “pulverizes life.” The compulsion to pack as many experiences and tasks into each day is inhospitable and inhumane. It leaves no time for genuine personal encounter. It forces us to treat our fellow human being as a machine which we press into our service. Words are no longer the fabric of friendship but just buttons we push to manipulate the other into completing our objective.
In response, the Holy Father exhorts us to slow down and “waste time” in conversation with the elderly. “Dialogue between the generations is necessary,” he says. It is necessary because it allows human friendship and communion to fully flower. “We ask ourselves: is there friendship, is there cooperation between the different stages of life, or do separation and being discarded prevail?” True conversation and cooperation are ultimately about communion and love. While they may not be “lucrative” or “productive” in today’s economy, they are foundational to the economy of God in which the highest good is charity, not wealth.
His helpful and timely concern for the value of old age and need for intergenerational solidarity has me wondering afresh why he issued Traditionis Custodes which restricted the use of the Old Mass with the apparent goal of hastening its death.
If what we need to remedy today’s ageism is intergenerational solidarity, why not promote the Old Mass which would link us with the past and which is increasingly the Mass preferred by many of the young?
If our problem today is that we too quickly “throw away” what is old and outmoded on account of our idolization of the “new,” why does he call for the Old Mass to be discarded in favor of the Novus Ordo (New Order of the Mass)?
If our problem today is that we marginalize the elderly, why does he wish to mute the voices of our ancestors as they come to us in the Old Mass?
If we are prone to ignore the elderly because we see them as tedious or burdensome or a threat to our way of life, why does he entertain the notion that the Old Mass is a threat to the New Mass and burden to the Church? Why does he not at least see the value of retaining the Old Mass in all its tedious repetitiveness. After all, just as elderly people often repeat themselves in conversation, so the Old Mass is quite repetitive.
If we consistently fail to receive the wisdom of the past because we are obsessed with new knowledge and the present moment, why does he suppress a Mass that would communicate the theological insights and values of our spiritual grandparents?
If we are too much in a rush today, why restrict us to a version of the Roman Rite that is on average half the length of the Old Mass and seems much more busied and rushed? Why not promote the Old Mass which goes against the grain of our impatience and allows for longer conversation and communion with God?
Ultimately, if the problem of today’s society is that we have substituted consumerism for love such that we are incapable of having genuine personal encounter and communion, why not promote the Old Mass which in its deliberate theocentrism fosters the love of God without which love of neighbor is impossible?
As far as I can see, Pope Francis’ teachings on the value of old age and communion with the past are in conflict with what he calls for in Traditionis Custodes and specifies in the response to questions. I wish Pope Francis would explain how marginalizing Old Mass communities and suppressing the Old Mass is not akin to the marginalization of the elderly in society and family life that he rightly decries.
I wish he would see that dialogue across generations and intergenerational solidarity in the Church are fostered by preserving the Old Mass. And I hope and pray he will see that one of the greatest antidotes to the consumeristic lovelessness of today’s society is the Mass of the Ages.
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It has been many years since I – an old coot of 78 summers – took seriously anything that Pope Francis has said.
And I STILL go to the Latin Mass in Lewiston as often as I can.
Terence – I cannot disagree with you. I travel 2 hrs. each way for TLM in Jacksonville, FL whenever possible and am always awestruck and inspired at the varying ages of the worshippers and their sincerity. It is inspirational…as for the Holy Father – forgive me but I bypass him and largely disregard him as he is misguided and will never be described as inspirational by myself and many others. God knows my heart so I don’t fear criticism by the mainstream Church leaders for this point of view.
You wrote: “If what we need to remedy today’s ageism is intergenerational solidarity, why not promote the Old Mass which would link us with the past and which is increasingly the Mass preferred by many of the young?”
I don’t know why Catholic World Report publishes such non sequiturs. The credibility of this online journal is compromised with articles like these. The fact is the Ordinary Form of the Mass already links us with the past, namely the Sacrifice of Calvary. It links us to every Mass celebrated throughout history.
And I don’t know what world you are living in, but “increasingly the preferred by many of the young”? That is such anecdotal nonsense.
Let’s try to carefully screen out articles so that we don’t move in the direction of the “all-knowing” Crisis magazine.
Thank you for writing what I was thinking.
Vatican two changed everything we know and were taught I miss the pomp and ceremony of the old mass.
I am 82 years young and at the suggestion of a Jesuit priest am youngering. My license plate has the word REPENT and I actively evangelize, especially former Roman Catholics. I do not see that it is the aged who want the return of the Latin Mass. Yes, more reverence would be wonderful….some prayers in Latin would be fantastic and nostalgic. Most have not looked at the second part of T.C. It calls for a good look at what exactly the people want….???? are they looking back because they do not believe in the value of Vatican II, not its spirit? Our bishops seem to be doing a thorough job of looking into this. Allow them a little time. A.M.D.G. In His love
Cotton Candy is insufficient. When does Romper Room Katholicism evaporate and we return to the worship of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Our Lord Jesus Christ graced us with?
The flaw in Dr. Merrick’s premise is that there is any link between Bergoglio and either 1) clarity of thought, or 2) consistency of message.
I would suggest that descriptives like mercurial, unpredictable and haphazard — among other, less charitable ones that I will not mention — are the hallmarks of this papacy.
In fact I am pretty sure that the only consistency that the Bergoglio imbroglio will ever exhibit will be his dogged, resolute, intrepid — and utterly predictable — inconsistency.
What an irreverent and arrogant comment this is. He is the Holy Father. I would be worried had I said something like this.
All of us can join with heaven and The Church as well as our brethren all over , in thanking God for the gift of our Holy Father , on this Anniv. of his being elected to lead The Church deeper into the Father’s Heart , ever taking in His goodness and love and mercy as the infilling of the Holy Spirit that renews everything , as the new drops of sunlight that speaks to us of His Love ..
https://wherepeteris.com/is-pope-francis-really-confusing/ – ‘ is Pope Francis confusing ‘ – article from another good priest , a good surprise too , having not heard of him before , a surprise in goodness , as in the words of blessing of the Holy Father telling us that God desires such in all our lives ; the above being one article along with many such that helps to bring more good will in an areas that needs much good will , as reparation too – for the ‘rigidity ‘, its hardness of hearts – as the shocking preview of what the fallen angels fell for , that we see unleashed in front us ..
Peace as a fruit of things being in order – Holy Father blessing the FSSP in what they are to handle ..to help avoid much that could have led to deeper divides and its effects , as is well portrayed in the shock of events around us ..
Let us hope and pray that on this 13th of March with its special double blessings – being a 13th , in honoring the role of Bl.Mother and in honor to upcoming Feast of St.Joseph , many other Sts honored this day , that the blessing and the honor that is due to the ‘First ‘ among equals be observed in good will and deed ,to also help bring an end to the war , such honor and gratitude to make reparations on behalf of many to help bring forth its good fruits …
“Pope Francis’ teachings on the value of old age and communion with the past are in conflict with what he calls for in Traditionis Custodes.”
I don’t see this. The concession was quietly given to older clergy in the 70s, and many younger Catholics from then to the present day have taken the TLM as a banner to bully and insult Catholics who prefer the modern Roman Rite. And sometimes worse: call into question the essence of church leadership and the validity of a council.
Pope Francis was crystal clear that he sees his duty as unity. Older people will still be able to pray in the TLM, but there will be a final transition period based on what individual bishops discern as the best way forward. In some dioceses this will be years, possibly a decade or more. I suppose it will depend in part on the perception of resistance and insult rendered to Church leadership, especially where ill will make Traditionis Custodes a self-fulfilling prophecy of the worst of the criticism of some of the loudest of Catholics.
As for a more reverent/moving/beautiful celebration of Mass, we already have the tools to make it so. Some pastors, alas, don’t hire competent musicians, or invest much in the budget, or choose to build a school rather than a church. There are no easy answers. Good art, music, preaching, and all can’t be demanded of people unwilling or unable to provide them. It can’t be turned on like a water spigot. It has to be inspired. Frankly, some of us lack inspiration–and that’s not dependent on which Missal we use.
Wonderful response. Well said, and brilliant.
Todd Flowerday wrote:
“…many younger Catholics from then to the present day have taken the TLM as a banner to bully and insult Catholics who prefer the modern Roman Rite. And sometimes worse: call into question the essence of church leadership and the validity of a council.”
I don’t see this. At all.
I prefer the vernacular Mass, and I have the utmost regard for Vatican II. In fact, Vatican II saved my faith.
And yet, in my many dealings with those many friends who frequent TLM, I have *never* felt bullied or insulted in the slightest.
I hate to say this, but I fear Mr. Flowerday may be pre-judging people whose opinions differ from his.
For the record, I’m so old I actually remember when TLM was TOM (the only Mass). And yet, yes, I have always gravitated to the vernacular Mass.
Which just goes to show, we should try to avoid judging individuals based on generalizations.
I do read TLM liturgy sites like Rorate Caeli, and sadly, yes, they do trumpet the 1570/1962 Mass as a badge of orthodoxy while criticizing and questioning those who celebrate in the modern Roman Rite. Questioning even their morality and religiosity.
I also know traditional-leaning Catholics in real life, and I have counted them among my friends. I have referred them to good parishes in Chicago or other cities where I’ve lived where I know they will experience good liturgy.
I think the concern for Pope Francis and the bishops who have talked to him are partly the websites. They put retirement countdown tickers on bishops. And that’s the mild stuff. I take the Holy Father at his word when he says he’s not bothered when people criticize him. He’s been a bishop longer than he’s been pope, so he knows it happens. I think he’s much more bothered by the unjust criticism of his brother bishops. I also knew a very fine priest who declined to participate in the diocese’s Chrism Mass. Good bishops take the unity of their priests very very seriously. They cherish the togetherness of their clergy during Holy Week. For a priest to excuse himself on liturgical grounds is a grave breach of the brotherhood.
Traditionis Custodes makes clear the concern for closing the curtain on the TLM is not the liturgy as much as the Church and its unity and the persistent attitude of the loudest critics of Vatican II.
Now, I’m not going to name names of people I’ve encountered online or in my emails who want to discredit Vatican II, the modern Roman Rite, and/or Pope Francis. I know what I read on public websites and from the Vatican. I think the move against the TLM is clear, reasoned, and obvious.
Latin Mass, is the true Roman Catholic Church. Admit that Vatican 11 is the New World Order. Therefore it should be separated as all others did. Lutheran, Anglican,etc.and quit giving credit where it doesn’t belong.My Holy Father is our true God thru Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Let no other false Gods come before him.
The universal language, culture and depth of prayer, as we had it for 1500 years, is a profound reflection of our Faith. I am 93 years old. I knew the Mass when it focused consciously on God rather than ourselves. This article makes sense.
As I am 83 I can remember the Old Rite very clearly. I do not understand “on average half the length of the Old Mass”, in those days our Sunday Masses were mostly Low, taking about 23 minutes, every half hour with just enough time for refilling the church. Even the Conventual Solemn Mass had to be clear within 75 minutes to allow the standing room only last Mass to start at noon. Weekday Masses, which I served until 1963, were sometimes barely 15 minutes.
My current experience is of NO weekdays around 27-30 minutes, and Sundays over 50 minutes, sometimes over 60 minutes. And this in a much smaller church, about quarter the size, perhaps less, and much less full (alas).
Since Vatican II, I have always attended the Novus Ordo. The music ministry is just appalling, in most parishes today; in fact, it is downright insulting !