Novus Ordo First Holy Communion

[BrendanD]

Last weekend I attended a (Novus Ordo) First Holy Communion Mass and I still haven't fully recovered. 

Apart from two or three funerals in the past five years, I never have reason to attend the NO so every time is like the first time.

Banality, legions of women in albs, third rate music accompanied by some old lady sitting at a keyboard in the sanctuary, and self celebration aside, there was one particularly jarring moment in the ceremony.

I may be overreacting but this particular line made my jaw drop:

PRIEST: When Jesus prayed , His heavenly Father most certainly listened. We now join our prayers to Jesus who never ceases to intercede for us.

This, instinctively, struck me as problematic but I'm prepared to accept the advice of those of you who are better versed in this sort of thing.

My instinctive (there's that word again) reaction was that Jesus is the Miserere Nobis NOT the Intercede pro nobis.

Am I off base here?

[Heinrich]

I can't answer your questions. Sorry. But, I can say that I agree with you on the NO experience as well: that being the first time as we have not gone for some time is very true. My most recent experience with the NO made me leave with my family: a group of three-four teenagers/young adults yapping in normal to loud hushed tones about plans for the day, verbally disagreeing with the priest's homily(which was about each family in the parish giving their 'rebate' checks to the parish for the completion of the unnecessary new church, and the plunging neck lines and painted on jeans of women and men. Springtime in the Rockies is still cold and snowy. Springtime in the Church is pathetic.

[Fractus]

This follows Paul's letter to the Hebrews 7:22 and following, especially 7:25
"Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (RSV-CE 2nd Ed)
 
-David

[Deidre]

I've often come across prayers (in older prayerbooks) that mention Jesus interceding for us- though I have to admit, I'm more used to the idea of Mary being our intercessor with Christ.

[Archbishop_10K]

Am I off base here?

Hmm... yes. The intercessory role of Christ between us and the Father as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary is common Scriptural knowledge. I recommend reading the letter to the Hebrews, plus a good commentary. The Haydock is up for free online.

[Michael_G]

I was so appalled by what I saw at my niece's First Communion here in Ireland that I started this thread on a secular bulletin board.  Readers here might be entertained(or dismayed) by what followed.

[51olds]

He has desired for this end to be for you in Mass a pacifying Victim, a supplicatory sacrifice, for obtaining from the Father everything of which you have need. Yes, in Holy Mass our dear beloved Jesus, as the chief and supreme Priest, recommends our cause to the Father, prays for us, and makes Himself our advocate.  - The Hidden Treasure, Holy Mass by Saint Leonard of Port Maurice.

[CradleCatholic]

Wow, I read 1 page of the thread on Michael G's post. I had no ideaa Ireland had fallen so far. Sad, I saw one in the bay area of Kalifornia where it was like that, all children recieving in the hands, and a nun dressed like a civilian giving out Communion, the priest off to the side giving out Communion, a sad situation.

[StrictCatholicGirl]

First off, I think "Jesus who never ceases to intercede for us" is a-okay.
 
Secondly, thanks Michael G for the link. I am also appalled at the behavior of many parents at First Communion, mostly due to the sad-but-true fact that many of these families only darken the door of a church for special occasions.
 
My biggest gripe is cameras. At our church our pastor has forbidden the use of cameras during Mass, including First Communions, weddings, and baptisms that occur within the Mass. However, the Mass can be videotaped from high atop the choir loft.
 
Also, cameras are allowed at any ceremony outside of Mass. As a child, I can remember hundreds of flash bulbs going off during May Crowning. Plus we have lots of photos of my infant baptism, even the pouring of the water over my head..but that was in 1956 and it was a private family ceremony held in the baptistery. 
 
- Lisa

[BrendanD]

First, thanks for the helpful responses.

Second:

StrictCatholicGirl: My biggest gripe is cameras. At our church our pastor has forbidden the use of cameras during Mass, including First Communions, weddings, and baptisms that occur within the Mass. However, the Mass can be videotaped from high atop the choir loft.
 
Also, cameras are allowed at any ceremony outside of Mass. As a child, I can remember hundreds of flash bulbs going off during May Crowning. Plus we have lots of photos of my infant baptism, even the pouring of the water over my head..but that was in 1956 and it was a private family ceremony held in the baptistery.  

That made me laugh out loud because at the very same FHC that I described above, the priest (and pastor) specifically said that cameras were not to be used during the Mass.

So what did the people do? They totally ignored him, of course, and let loose with a barrage of clicks and flashes. Some people even manned the center aisle snapping pics as their kids received the Host.

As for the dress, it ranged from ghetto chic to shiny prom dresses with plunging necklines. The father of one first communicant (I'd peg him at about 35) came bedecked in shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers with no socks.  The chatter before, during, and after the Mass was deafening.

I used to think that people had forgotten how to behave in a Catholic church. Now I wonder if they were ever taught proper behavior in the first place.