How NOT to do Eucharistic Adoration

050814The video below is, well, a very poor example of Eucharistic Adoration. I suppose the most charitable thing that we can say is that it’s good to see Catholics rejoicing and happy. However, as with most things, there is a proper time and place for the particular sort of rejoicing seen here, but this is not one of those times.

In Eucharistic Adoration, the fundamental focus is Jesus himself. The norms generally indicate

Exposition of the holy eucharist, either in a ciborium or in a monstrance, leads us to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament and invites us to the spiritual union with him that culminates in sacramental communion. Therefore it is a strong encouragement toward the worship owed to Christ in spirit and in truth.

In such exposition care must be taken that everything clearly brings out the meaning of eucharistic worship in its correlation with the Mass. There must be nothing about the appointments used for exposition that could in any way obscure Christ’s intention of instituting the eucharist above all to be near us to feed, to heal, and to comfort us (CDW. Eucharistiae Sacramentum, 82).

It is also interesting to note that the word “monstrance” (the large and usually golden sunburst in which the Host is placed in order to be seen) comes from the Latin verb monstrare,  meaning “to show.” Hence one of the main points is to see the Lord, to see the Sacred Host.

The word “adoration” also bespeaks a very personal, intimate relationship between the believer and the Lord. As Pope Benedict noted in the encyclical Deus Caritas Est, the word adoration bespeaks a sort of kiss (ad (to) + oro (the mouth). Etymologically then, adoration paints a picture of a kiss on the lips. It thus bespeaks intimacy.

So the key concepts in Eucharistic Adoration are visibility and intimacy.

Another interesting historical fact is that until recently, when preaching took place during Eucharistic Adoration (say during the Forty Hours’ Devotion), the Sacred Host was veiled while the preaching took place. The thought was that when Jesus was so visibly present in the Sacred Eucharist, it would be irreverent to turn our attention elsewhere, in this case toward a preacher. And while this practice is no longer required, it is still widely followed, and it emphasizes reverence and the kind of instinct that our focus should be wholly on the Lord when He is exposed for adoration.

Unfortunately, all these principles seem set aside in the video below. As our Lord is placed in the monstrance, dancers and waving, gesticulating clergy vie for attention. Meanwhile, seemingly no attention at all is upon the Sacred Host. The altar servers seem to have a hard time getting through to bring incense, and though they finally do, the celebrant seems to have no interest in reverencing the sacred host with the incense, as is properly done.

Whatever the focus is supposed to be in this rather chaotic scene, it is clearly not on Jesus.

I do not wish to speak uncharitably of anyone in this video (and ask that you do not either). It does not seem to me that anyone is being intentionally irreverent. But liturgical sensibilities are clearly poor, and the actions are inappropriate to the setting. None of what is taking place here fits the purpose, meaning, or focus of Eucharistic Adoration.

Charismatic forms of worship, while not preferred by everyone, do have a place in the Church. But even those who appreciate such forms of worship will surely admit that this is not the proper context for charismatic worship of this sort. Time and purpose are important governing principles for Liturgy.

None of this is to insist that there be tomb-like silence during the entirety of Eucharistic Adoration. Here too the norms generally state,

During adoration with a group present, there should be prayers, hymns and readings to focus the faithful on worshipping God. To further encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be readings from Scripture with a homily or brief exhortations to help develop a better understanding of the Eucharistic mystery. The Church also recom- mends periods of silence and the faithful’s singing in response to the Word of God (Eucharistiae Sacramentum, 95).

Thus there is some place for hymns, readings, and prayers to be spoken aloud. However, one will note that the purpose is “to focus the faithful on worshipping God.” This would seem to preclude chaotic activities that block the view of the faithful and vie for attention with the Sacred Host, Jesus, who is set forth to be seen and adored and is the specific focus of Eucharistic Adoration.

OK, please be careful  in the combox. Caritas suprema lex! Let us not exhibit hateful or ridiculing language even as we talk about the adoration of one Jesus! It’s OK to mention preferences and what seems suitable or not. But try to avoid hurtful denunciations and divisiveness (pre-VCII vs. Post-V II, EF vs OF). The norms from any era call for great reverence in the Adoration of the Eucharist; let’s also show a little reverence for one another, who are made in the image of God.

But let all things be done decently, and according to order (1 Cor 14:40).

88 Replies to “How NOT to do Eucharistic Adoration”

    1. That is to protect the identity of the priest responsible for performing the ceremony. Is there a prize for correctly answering your question or should I say three Hail Mary’s and two Our Fathers. On second thought, I will just say the prayers in hopes I never experience that at our church.

    2. In other longer videos of this group’s liturgies, it can be seen that the smaller monstrance is used by Fr. Galliano when he moves around the congregation giving individual blessings. As distasteful as this clip is, it is at least only foolishness. The irregularities in the treatment of the Body of Our Lord is what is truly disturbing: the hosts for exposition are left lying loose on the altar from the Consecration on until their placement in the monstrance; the use of two monstrances, with the “extra” monstrance with the Host laid face down on the altar while the other monstrance is being used; the cavalier way in which He is handled during the ablutions and at reposition (just placed loose in the tabernacle).

  1. It looked to me like a gathering of those with special needs. Some can sing, some sign, arm movements for praise. It was not the usual adoration, but I thought it a beautiful event. They were all happy, in praise, adoration in the way they could. The smaller monstrance might have been a gift?

    1. Actually that’s pretty much what it looks like to me too. This may be someone’s well-intentioned attempt to be extra inclusive to a group of the “least of these” and make it an extra special occasion for them. And I suspect that the “chicken dance” moves actually involve a few words or phrases in some variety of sign language.

      I still think it is appallingly inappropriate for the occasion. Surely there were plenty of better options

      I also think that having the ridiculously crowded sanctuary with the musicians in behind facing AWAY from the altar is even more inappropriate. It’s one thing to have a special group up in the front to lead the singing and actions, or whatever the idea behind it was, and who likely returned to their places after the singing was done. But the placement of the guitar band is completely bizarre because there is no way for them to turn around towards the Lord.

  2. Words fail me. May God forgive the Pastor of this Church. These people literally do not know what they do. Forgive them Father….Jesus said. He is being crucified all over again, not just by the awful music, dancing, but with the irreverence being shown him all around.

  3. Undoubtedly a well-meaning and probably very devout group, but sadly misdirected and poorly educated in the theology of the Eucharist.

  4. The Chicken Dance during Adoration? Really? It doesn’t look like anything holy is going on here. Rather it looks like a Saturday Night Live skit, like mockery.

    1. I have to say, at first I thought your description uncharitable. But the moves look familiar! Perhaps, I say sadly, this WAS an adaptation of the Chicken dance. So sad…. One can only hope they know not what they imitate, since they are from another country.

  5. I almost recognize this. They have the opening right, but the middle is wrong, the clapping at the end is correct but the rythm is off. Otherwise I’d say that what we have here is a liturgical form of the Chicken Dance.

  6. The Lord’s Mercy is taken for granted… Does “They know not what they do”, apply here?

    1. Unfortunately, my connection is not good ,and after every 2 or 3 seconds the video pauses. It is very difficult to hear all the words clearly. it is being sung in Italian: Here is what I hear preghi ti, priegha ti, Dio. Metti le veste piu belle, offri ??? e alzati, alzati, ??? In English “pray to God, put on you more beautiful clothes, offer ??? and stand up! stand up and ???”

      1. And this is why I prefer not to travel outside of the United States.

      2. Thanks, Bob. Finally found the lyrics, here.
        Rit: svegliati, svegliati o Sion, metti le vesti più belle
        La7 Re Sol Re La7 Re La7
        scuoti la polvere ed alzati, santa Gerusalemme.
        Si- Sol La Fa#- Si-
        – Ecco ti tolgo di mano il calice della vertigine
        Re Sol La Sol Si-La7
        la coppa della mia ira tu non berrai più. rit.

        – Sciogli dal collo i legami e leva al cielo i tuoi occhi
        schiava, figlia di Sion io ti libererò. rit.

        – Come sono belli sui monti i piedi del messaggero
        colui che annunzia la pace è messaggero di bene. rit.

        – Regna il tuo Dio in Sion, senti le tue sentinelle
        alzano in coro la voce gridano insieme di gioia. rit.

        – Gridate canti di gioia, rovine di Gerusalemme
        perché egli ha consolato, ha riscattato il suo popolo. rit.

        Re Sol La Re MiLa
        Looks to be a popular, Italian praise song about returning to Jerusalem from the exile. Based on Isaiah 52:8

  7. The whole thing is problematic isn’t it. There is certainly a place for prayer and praise as an extra liturgical activity. But here two things are being confused, as Father has said. Prayer and praise is about the worship of God. So is adoration. But the physical guest urges of the first are not in keeping with the point of the second. The unfortunate consequence, it seems to me, is that by trying to put together two very different forms of worship we end up with an impression that what is going on seems to be me-centred, not God-centred. And that is the opposite of which each, considered separatetly, is trying to achieve.

      1. I concur. I am unable to express a coherent thought that would make it through the moderator’s delete key.

  8. Another question,’What were they singing?’ Am sorry to see this video. Their actions seems to focus not on JESUS/Eucharist but on their activity. I did not see anyone take even a glance towards the Monstrance during the activity. I am sorry, I consider this irreverence but I still give the priest and the participants the benefit of the doubt. I pray, please forgive us for our irreverence and may we see YOU, LORD, YOUR Presence in the Bread YOU gave us. Tantrum ergo, SACRAMENTUM. Veneremur cernui.

  9. Why are there two monstrances? (it looks like mini-me Eucharist) This looks like practice for a muppet skit… maybe for Muppet Christ Superstar? http://youtu.be/lTofJSEdKCs

    Thank you for bringing forth the truth, beauty, and goodness of how we should practice Eucharistic Adoration of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

  10. I thought there should be no clapping in church? Why would they turn their back to the monstrance,?? where is the adoration, it looks wild, for me it’s unacceptable and I would be so upset I would leave the church.
    My humble opinion

  11. The video reminds me of the direction that youth Eucharistic Adoration (and sometimes Mass) has gone. I think it is wonderful that our Catholic High Schools have gotten back to Catholic devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration (as well as our Catholic Elementary Schools) but I think in trying to appeal to the youth, they, whoever “they” may be, tend to think that in order for the youth to find meaning in devotion or to find that which captures their hearts, the devotion must always contain music which promotes lots of clapping and be almost danceable and which takes their emotions to a level where they are almost high. I always felt that this kind of “worship” will always leave them wanting, expecting this “high” feeling when they come into prayer only to be let down when it is no longer reachable and they do not know how to be in worship, Eucharistic Adoration or prayer where they receive no feeling at all, and too, to remember and truly understand that it is Jesus who is the focus and that they are there for the “giving” even though through any form of worship, in the end, it is us who receives. How many would continue in the faith if their form of worship would change to exclude emotionalism and be less centered on lifting them up?
    I once went to a conference where the speaker was a well known, dynamic and highly sought after priest. They opened up with Expostion and then he went on to speak. At first I didn’t think anything of it until the people started to stand up and clap excitedly at what he was saying. I felt the same way about what he was speaking on, as I had heard many of his talks before but at that point in time they were excited about him, they were clapping for him, they were giving a standing ovation for him, and there was Jesus, exposed on the altar and all the attention was on the priest. Did the people remember that Jesus was still there in front of us? Why should He be there at this time if our attention was not on Him? I felt sad for Him because it seemed like He was being ignored, forgotten. I later expressed my thoughts on the conference in general to the organization that made all the arrangements, including Liturgical arrangements, but also explained that I didn’t think Jesus should’ve been exposed during the talk and why. Eventually future talks were handled differently where Eucharistic Adoration was concerned.
    A BIG monstrance and a little one?……innovation…post Vatican II bizarreness ….more is better…..a mystery…the Mystery of the Incarnation and Resurrection was not Mystery enough for them……wish I could hear their answer!

  12. Is that in Colorado? I don’t think that is the standard Catholic incense.

  13. Do we know what the country is where this is taking place? Perhaps it is a cultural thing.

    1. If it were a cultural thing would that make it ok? Do I smell relativism here? Is that what reverence is now? Just a cultural thing?

  14. This is not the type of worship that befits the Most Blessed Sacrament.

  15. I understand everyone’s reaction to the video. It took me a few attempts to get beyond the first few seconds.

    But let me try to be charitable here. Imagine Jesus preaching to a group of somber adults two thousand years ago; or Pope Francis preaching in a formal setting two days ago – and in each case a group of children disturb the reverential mood with some joyful but poorly-coordinated and out of place singing and dancing. My suspicion is that both Jesus and Pope Francis would choose to see and acknowledge the love on display. Don’t get me wrong – Eucharistic Adoration should be done with utter reverence – but let’s try to focus on the intent of the people involved as much as their actions.

    1. OK y’all but lets not get into a “Pope Francis debate” here. I am afraid that many, including you here Jamie use Pope Francis as a paradigm (i.e. he’s just reduced to the quintessential “nice guy” whose only role is “acknowledge the love”) and often ignore what the real Pope Francis says and does. e.g. here: http://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/PA-16693861-440×319.jpg And the same is true for Jesus. Jesus should not be reduced to a “nice guy” either. He had a few things to say about the chaos in the temple precincts.

      Thus your examples (which are not Eucharistic Adoration settings) could be countered by others. I acknowledge the place for charismatic worship in the Church. It’s just that this is not the place for this sort of expression. There are limits

      1. Well, I wasn’t reducing Pope France from anything to anything else – not quite sure how you deduced that from my sentence – I was making a comment about intentions. I tried to make the point that, if their intentions were good then we should not unnecessarily condemn those who, perhaps through their ignorance or mis-direction, are doing what they think is right.

    2. Charity is not an excuse for irrationality. This is what it is.

  16. It would be interesting to see what happened before this episode and what took place afterwards.Perhaps the smaller monstrance was for another room/chapel or for a special procession?It is weird but I’d like to have known the reasons for that part.
    I see a thurible at the ready which might mean that a very holy and wholesome series of events took place afterwards?

  17. I pity the altar server who was trying to incense, facing our Lord, and with the crazy lady singer constantly tapping him on the shoulder to get him with the program!

    I think one reason something like this happens now is that they (we) have not had regular adoration times in our parishes for so long that there is no continuity of practice. This is probably all something new to the whole crowd, maybe even the priest.

    1. My daughter takes her server responsibilities very seriously. If someone hampered her the person would get a glower that left third-degree burns…

  18. I read the post and all the comments before I saw the video – for some reason the video would not play and I thought perhaps it was removed due to all the negative comments!

    However, afterwards I was able to view it and I was not as upset as I thought I would be. It seems to me that this is Israeli worship dance. Before I returned to the Catholic Church, I had visited a friend’s church where they regularly dance before the Lord. Their reason for this comes straight from the Bible. King David danced with all his might before the Lord (with the return of the Ark of the Covenant), and he was wearing a linen ephod (a priest’s “apron”). Along the way, when the Ark became unsteady, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. This angered the Lord and He struck the man down. It is interesting to note that David’s dancing did not offend the Lord, but improper handling did. This is recorded in 1 Chronicles 13.

    Also, we learn in 2 Samuel that David’s first wife, Michal, rebuked David for dancing. She, too was “punished” by not being able to have children.

    Anyway, I think this may explain what we see here in the video. It doesn’t seem chaotic to me. If anything, it has been rehearsed. Personally, I’m all for traditional forms of worship, but I trust that the Lord sees the love many of these people have in their hearts for Him.

    1. I kind of doubt that they where thinking this deeply about it. And what ever David did 1000 BC, there are more recent norms that we can look to, beginning with St. Paul’s cautionary notes about the worship in the Corinthian community (1 Cor 11 – 14). down to the most recent practices. Remember this is adoration, a specific form of worship, with a specific focus. IOW there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the praise shown here, but this is not the place or time for it.

      1. Maybe they were thinking that deeply about it! It appears that they rehearsed everything, so they must have a reason behind it. I totally agree with what you are saying, especially given St. Paul’s warning. Given all the comments, however, I just wanted to say that it appears to be an Israeli dance of worship.

        I wonder if we posted a question asking what this is all about, would someone clue us in?

        1. When I say thinking deeply, I mean theologically. As a long time pastor I can say that Israeli dances, the Ark, etc. are not on peoples radar when it comes to these sorts of things. Its more about what is neat, and what they saw at another church, etc.. The theology of all this just isn’t what most are thinking about. Anything is possible, but I dont think it likely.

          At any rate the point remains, based on what I set forth, adoration is not the place for this. I do not deny any place for charismatic worship. But The focus at adoration is Jesus and intimate attention, not the dancers and all sorts of chaotic movement that draw attention everywhere but toward the monstrance and Jesus..

  19. This is absolutely fascinating–from the initial commentary right through to the end. There is a theme here and it shows much more than intended.

  20. Can anyone identify the person in the picture/painting to the right of the altar? He looks quite serious. . . probably one of our holy saints. My bet is he would not have tolerated this “performance” at all. I can almost hear him dropping the definitive word “sacrilege” on all in attendance. Clearly, for him, there would be “Hell” to pay.

    1. Yeah, I wondered too who he was. As for sacrilege, I would be a bit more careful. I think that presumes an intention to dishonor. I am more of the mind that this is well intentioned, but misguided. I especially wonder of the priest. Why did he bring the Sacred Host out under those circumstances. It looks like they were finishing a Mass or something. Maybe the priest came out too early with the Host? Who knows. But I am not presuming ill-will by them, just a poor understanding of our focus in Adoration.

  21. I could not watch more than 25 seconds….!!! Just utterly horrible…

  22. Most certainly I would have walked out of the church before this display had gone even half way, had I had the misfortune to have been present when it was enacted.
    As one of the comments above says, the practice of the service known as “Benediction” has largely been forgotten; except by ancients such as myself. My own parish has Benediction once a month after the Mass on the first Saturday of the month. I lead the singing because I know the words and the tunes of O Salutaris and Tantum ergo and Adoremus in aeternum. Sadly, it has been reported to me, that if for some reason I am not there, the singing of those Latin hymns somehow goes awry.

  23. It’s not so much the behavior (as a former High Church Episcopalian I am big on decorum, but that’s just a personal artifact), as this question that worries me:
    Do they really believe? Would they turn their backs on Our Lord if they really believed that He is present before them?

    1. That it is an excellent question! It could perhaps explain the entire episode. The clapping at the end is everyone congratulating themselves, and there is no sign (either dancing or sign language) any of them are focused on the Body of Christ. If someone truly believes He is present, usually that someone is on his/her knees, not bouncing around with pride. Also, I will admit I don’t like to see the women in clothing that looks like albs. I can deal with girls in albs in their roles as servers, but it gives me heebie-jeebies to see grown women in albs inside a sanctuary.

  24. That video made me feel bad. I kept having the vision of the Isrealites dancing before a golden calf.

    I suppose if they had all been facing the monstrances I might have felt like they were in it for Jesus, but it looked more like a Broadway show to me than actual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

    But without context and an interperter, I don’t actually see much of what is really going on. God saw it all though, and He will judge accordingly.

    Praise be for the Blesssed Sacrament. Think I’ll grab an hour of adoration tonight in thanksgiving.

  25. I prefer silence to better listen to Him. Who doesn’t consider the words our Lord speaks in Matthew ch. 6? If this is done out of ignorance I pray they become truly enlightened as is my prayer for all of us.

  26. I used to attend Adoration at my parish fairly regularly, but seldom do nowadays – partly because I’ve been getting home later from work, but also because the celebrant no longer initiates the Sacramentum and Tantum Ergo. The songs are started from the pews, and it always seems like they jump in too soon! If THAT irks me, I’m better off NOT watching the video.

  27. Cynthia, perhaps you could offer up those unpleasant feelings, persevere, but dont abandon Adoration ,. seems his Nibs might be happy about that one.

    The poor dear priest seems so pleased, i don’t think he has a clue. Definitely good intentions gone wrong. I am just grateful there were no puppets.

  28. Amen I say to you Msgr Pope,
    I was raised in an Irish Evangelical Catholic family on my mothers side and devout German Catholics of Jewish decent(escapees from Germany 1936) on my fathers side. We went to the prisons, visited sick, provided shelter for the migrant workers and so on. I am naturally drawn to the Holy Spirit side of the Catholic Faith as I am an Evangelist or what was known as Charismatic Catholic of my youth.

    I spend every Thursday evening in Adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have 24/7 adoration at our Parish, along side other Evangelists and our focus is on the Lord Jesus. We do have music playing in the background which sometimes we sing along with if so moved, the music varies from Matt Maher, The Franciscan Friars and Gregorian chant( yes we sing along in Latin also as we do attend the High Mass when offered).

    Some have found this offensive to our Lord Jesus Christ, yet our focus is not on the music but our Lord and at least one Priest is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

    We have also had our Lord and Savior with us during a Healing Mass, and after Mass the Monstrance is held high and process’ around with the Priest blessing those in AWE of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have non Catholics come and participate, both in adoration and Healing Mass. Our last Healing Mass had 300 non Catholics among us, non Catholics are advised about not accepting the Eucharist, most come just for the blessing when the Monstrance is raised high. We have a full RCIA program.

    My love to you my brother and as long as you spread the good word I will be listening at your side.
    theundergrounder

    1. P.S. I also am wondering what they are doing in the video as it does not resemble any Adoration I have seen.

  29. I have been to Eucharistic Adoration with charismatics — at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Their adoration was full of glossolalia but I don’t recall any dancing; certainly not in the area of the altar. I’ve also been to Festivals of Praise with exposition — but the hand-waving music stopped when the Eucharist was exposed. There was hymnody — the traditionals, O Salutaris Hostia/O Saving Victim, Tantum Ergo Sacramentum (Down in Adoration Falling), and Holy God We Praise Thy Name at the end. Real dynamic orthodoxy knows when to shout and when to be still and know that God is God.

    1. As a Charismatic Catholic myself, I can certainly say that this is NOT “Charismatic Worship” … This is feel-good showmanship at best.

  30. Oh, this is so sad! I cannot believe all the participants with their backs toward Our Blessed Lord. How is this “adoration”?

  31. Kyrie eleison!
    Fratres carissimi, peace and goodness to all.
    For me, this incident is improper. Very improper.
    Yes, David the king danced “wildly” before the Ark of Covenant,
    But I think that this is a very improper thing to do in a solemn
    Rite like the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
    I think, instead of giving praise to God, they are giving praise to themselves
    Because they act as ACTORS AND ACTRESSES in this event.
    Instead of directing the Worship to Christ who is in the Eucharist,
    They are distracting the faithful.

    Oh, how I wish that they sang the O Salutaris Hostia or other proper eucharistic hymn be sung.

    I do not want to judge them without knowing the situation but it is really not apropriate to dance in any liturgical celebration or any rites of the holy mother Church. The books tells us what to do, and I hope that the priest had read that.

    Dancing is not known to the Latin Church.

    God bless us all.
    Regina Caeli, ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia,

  32. Very dissapointing to see such non-respect in front the true presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. I think they are being ignorant of what and why they are celebrating in this way. Sorry but they are putting on a show to promote their own image. I don’t want to judge the participants because it is quite obvious that they don’t know any better. But still, I can’t say the same thing about the priest. He is supposed to know better and should educate and guide.

  33. It would be appreciated if you could paste the link to this video for YouTube so we can follow it to its original post.

      1. Fr. Pope according to catholicculture.org run by Jeff Mirus, Gloria TV where this video is posted has a red/ danger rating from them against fidelity to the church, they say that “while there are some useful videos, the site seems to be a place for radical traditionalists to gather to vent their spleen against real or imagined abuses against the liturgy and practices of the post Vatican II church.”. Thus since there is no context for the video at the other website I’m not sure this video is of any use even for a critique of a so called Eucharistic adoration. This could be a video of some dissident group like an Italian call to action or something. There’s just no information.

        http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=4676&repos=2&subrepos=0&searchid=1325380

        1. Yes, I think gloria.tv is becoming that sadly. Their little news segment has become snide, sniping and downright mean at times. The videos, since they are supplied by 1000s of different users vary in tone. I think final judgments about gloria.tv must wait for further evidence since the variety and type of videos are still widely varied.

          But as for the video shown here, I think it speaks for itself. My critique is very measured if you read my article. I do not dismiss charismatic prayer per se, I like it myself and have a lot of it in my parish. But Eucharistic adoration is not the proper context for what we see here, for the reasons I state in the article. That is my point whatever other comments state.

  34. Msgr Pope I respect you so much and I have learned so much that your description of the video made it such that I did not need to watch it. And I do appreciate the good intentions of so many of us, beautiful catholics who have simply been mistaught and/or misled and I too love charismatic exuberance and I too love the ultimate revering of Our Lord in the Monstrance…I can’t even begin to comprehend it so I am happy with just an inkling of the experienced Majesty….thank you SO much, Father.

  35. I think you all should stop judging and projecting and learn to be this joyful in God’s presence.

    Style is not substance.

  36. I hope the choir director in my parish doesn’t see this! He gets more than a little carried away sometimes. God save us.

  37. This video has left me speechless. Total & utter disrespect for the Lord. Further what is that little statue doing on the altar once the Eucharist has been exposed. Liturgically blasphemous is all I can say.

    1. OK, but remember the sins your decry (rightly) do require some intent. This may be more a case of poor formation. It may be well intentioned but flawed. They are praising the Lord, but just in a way that is not proper for this sort of liturgy.

  38. I looked this up. It was from a votive mass or beginning of a novena for “Sufrientes”, the Suffering and I think the people are from a cofradía. The song is “Lode, Lode, Lode” which means praise or adore but I can’t find the words. It’s in a parish in southern Italy. The hand motions go with the song, asking God to fill or anoint with the Holy Spirit. It seems out of place when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, though. Reminds me a lot of charismatic songs, etc we used to sing, just not when the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar.
    It really isn’t in order. Btw Fr Gabrielli also celebrates mass regularly in the EF.
    I’ve been to mass enough times in Italy to have seen lots of what I would call chaos, people walking in and out, talking, saying hello to neighbors in the middle of liturgy and that’s just in a normal parish. In noteworthy churches with tourists it is worse.
    Having said that, though, not everybody is Northern European and orderly. African masses use drums and they are very loudly participatory, singing, responding, etc. Latins are the same, very demonstrative. Holy Week is not quiet. It seems everyone who participates is suffering with The Lord, very emotionally. I prefer quiet and order, but that’s just me.
    The mass in the video is out of order, but we need to remember not all our brothers and sisters are quiet in worship.

  39. In my opinion the priest in the video had a greater responsibility than the rest of the participants to ensure that whatever was done as part of the liturgy was appropriate to the occasion, not only because he is “father” and therefore the one who ought to have exercised control, but also because he is the person with knowledge of Catholic theology, and ought to have applied it to decide if these actions fit the occasion and he has not exercised his authority correctly. In fact, the video shows that the priest is active in that liturgical process. But then, neither has his Bishop exercised his authority to prevent unhealthy liturgical practice by his priests as he must have known or ought to have known about this abuse going on in that Church . I say “going on” because, the fact that this “adoration” was recorded and posted on the net, shows that it must have happened before so someone was ready to record it on this occasion. This repetition of the incorrect behavior during the adoration probably speaks to the laxity and tolerance of the Bishop.
    Abuses in the Church start in this way.. perhaps some small variation/modification of procedures made by individuals/groups who feel that expressing themselves in their own way is their right, and they are not disabused of this wrong notion. The next incremental stage is when another individual/group varies the earlier change…and so on until what is being done is a total abuse, completely unrecognizable in relation to the original procedure. This is not understood by people who say “I think you should just stop judging and be this joyful in God’s presence”(Peter Pearson above).
    Where is obedience, as a virtue, in the Catholic Church? Why is the liturgy set out, if it is not to be adhered to? Why are we laypeople not pulled up when we do not adhere to procedures? Why are the clergy not hesitant to change prescribed procedures?
    Today in Canada, after Holy Communion is distributed during Mass, the Celebrant sits down and lets an Extraordinary Minister clean the sacred vessels such as the chalice, the ciborium, etc and then approach the Tabernacle and place the remaining Consecrated Hosts therein. This was a function of the Celebrant. Why has it been allowed to be taken over by a lay person, even though an Extraordinary Minister? Why this incremental allowing of lay people to take over priestly functions? No wonder then that lay people tend to develop the false idea that they are co-equal to the Celebrant, and go on to think that their ideas should also be implemented in the liturgy.
    In India, I noticed that in a Jesuit Chapel, daily Mass was said with only one candle on the altar. When I approached the priests in that community with an offer to provide a set of two candles, I was told that candles are merely external signs and what we should look for is interiorization and besides, did I not know what is the origin of the candles which are used at the altar and how they originated as mere lights that were used by people in the catacombs? Secondly, did I not see that the fan would put the second candle out? And it is very hot to say Mass with the vestments. I tried to explain to the priest that we lay people are often affected by external appearances. If we see laxity in the way that the Mass is said, it begins to become part of the way we respond. One candle instead of two is like a lowering of importance. I said that I was willing to provide candles with shades so that they would not be put out with the fan. But he would have none of it and soon looked pointedly at his watch and finally said that he didn’t have much time as he had to be at the school office in a short while. I checked the GIRM and it requires at least two candles to be used at the altar at Mass. This is just to make the point that abuses are taking place everywhere and we should not underestimate the inherent danger. The Church must stop them.

  40. I definitely agree that this group is rife with liturgical abuse, but what about what is going on right in our own diocese? http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2013/02/liturgical-dance-at-st-camillus-in.html

    I can’t believe the liturgical dance at St. Camillus has never been reported, and if it has, I pray it is finally stopped by the bishop. It is not allowed in the United States, yet it is right there on YouTube, and nothing is done about it? It makes no sense!

    -Dawn

  41. Many of the comments here are not only uncharitable but off base. These people are worshiping God that uplifts them as children of God. Shame on anyone for judging a “right” way to adore God. “What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5-7). So what they clap at the end? Even if it is for the priest, or the singers, or the musicians. Time and place? This was the place they were in and this was the time to rejoice with singing and dancing before the Lord! Did you forget the most fundamental commandment of all? Love thy neighbor! How can any one of you, ordained or lay, criticize people lifting each other up in song and praise before Jesus Himself? How true Jesus’ words of hypocrites who look only at externals but fail to see the inside.

  42. Thank you to all religious who have chosen to answer God’s call in their lives in service to Him, “taking the place of Christ” in our local communities, and sharing in the authority of teaching (Magisterium) in the Church.

    It is good that we have this video, for the insights shared, and everyone here for contributing in dialog. While of differing knowledge it’s good to see so many people on this page desiring the best for each other in faith.

    I see both a wonderful demonstration of Catholic stewardship by those with much knowledge and education in ecclesiastical concerns and also a sincere adoration by many in the video as the Body of Christ.

    I wonder aloud if God is pleased, in the counsel provided, by comments posted, and by those disciples shown following and worshipping Him?

    Everyone who has read this post and commented demonstrates a desire to know what the will of the Lord is and that dialog is at least an indirect inquiry concerning His will in relation to Eucharistic Adoration. And the author along with other religious demonstrate they keep knowledge about these things for the faithful and communicate with us about those things as the occassion arises. This describes well what God asks both of the faithful and religious, does it not? (Malachi 2:7)

    I don’t speak the language of the worshippers in this video, know the context of this particular adoration, or know the culture where they live. There is a connection between the Eucharist and the social mission of the church. Is Eucharistic Adoration sincere where there are factions within the community? (1 Cor 1).

    If I ever had the occassion to go to the church of that community I hope I could be sensitive to the culture in light of Gospel values. I found the church already has provided guidance found in this document: Towards a Pastoral Approach to Culture http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/cultr/documents/rc_pc_pc-cultr_doc_03061999_pastoral_en.html

    I don’t know the lives of those workshipper but I remember the scripture teaching there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than all the righteous already there Luke 15:7.

    I imagine it must be because every soul that receives, through grace, His love and mercy finds it’s given in abundance and overflows in a desire that all souls come to share in this same joy He desires for all His children.

    Why would souls in heaven have such a desire?

    It must be for the reason that it glorifies Him when children are reunited in the Body of Christ. Having reached the end God desire for us, what greater thing could a soul gazing upon the face of God desire but that He be further glorified as even just one more soul turns to believe in Him?

Comments are closed.