A recent phenomenon in the Church has spurred some quizzical expressions. Young women are prancing down the aisles clad in white garments, bearing flames, and decorating the altar as if the Mass were some ritualistic "fold your linens" expo.
Vestal Virgins are making a comeback?
As some would like to say, "Girls receive the opportunity of a lifetime: to augment the glory of the Lord through the medium of dancing."
SURE.
When did contortionism become a religious experience?
The [i]gentlest [/i]description concerning these actions is "disrespectful". But in truth, they are nothing short of sacrilege.
Now, for a hypothetical situation. Let's just say...hmm...the dancing was considered normal. Would liturgical dance still be wrong?
The answer is yes, and the main reason is this: the dance "performed" in churches around the world today is not of a religious significance to the culture. For example, it is completely licit for Ethiopians to employ dance in the Mass, for they have certain dances that are reserved for religious occasions, and are thus more solemn and have a godly connotation. But, one cannot say that of the dances witnessed today during Masses in the U.S., Europe, and other such areas of the world.
A document published by the Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship is available here: http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANC E.HTM" title="http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANC E.HTM" target="_blank"http://www.ewtn.com/library/C... This explains it in greater detail.
We must be obedient. The Church has these directives for a reason, and we have no authority to argue. The Mass is the summit of Christian life, when Heaven kisses earth, when we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. I am certain, that if we do not forget that beautiful truth, all will burn with a desire to be reverent, and there will no longer be a need to admonish those who flail their arms before the Holy of Holies.
Dissenters within the Catholic faith, are [b][u][i]not [/i][/u][/b]Catholic at all. But, for our intents and purposes, we will deem those within this group as "liberal" Catholics, and those who abide by the teachings of the Church as "orthodox" Catholics.
