Penance
We had the American priest for mass again. He made us call out “promise-bridge-freedom” during the sermon. Several times. We called out lustily because we knew he wouldn’t stop until we had made enough noise. But our tone was distinctly doleful. For the creed, he made us say “absolutely” as he read out each line in turn. Priest: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.” Pause. Cringe. Congregation: “Absolutely”. And so on.
July 6th, 2012 at 12:49
That is so weird. I grew up in the States and none of our priests made us do that (they ere all extremely traidtional). Of course most of them were straight from Ireland…or were Bostonians so Irish descendants…
July 7th, 2012 at 06:48
Power corrupts. And the power to infantilise your congregation corrupts … altogether now … absolutely.
July 7th, 2012 at 12:57
“Totally” or even “totes” would have been better.
July 8th, 2012 at 13:41
Well, Ellani, this man is a Bostonian, so I suppose he’s one of our own. I just think that over the years, it was the more enthusiastic Irish people who emigrated to America.
MT, amen to that.
Lesley, the horror!
July 16th, 2012 at 14:14
Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?
July 25th, 2012 at 18:46
Oh very good Michael. Will save that up for when he appears next.