WYD Embarrassment

Mass? Ugh.

My mom always told me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." 

Well... I avoided watching any videos of WYD, and tried not to look at too many still photos. I've avoided writing anything about WYD on my blog up to this point; but I can remain silent no longer. Those who see the error really must speak out against the abuses; it's our duty to speak the truth when the emperor has no clothes. And frankly, I'm not interested in reading any comments from "liberal" or "progressive" Catholics who want to tell me I'm a "pharisee" and a "hypocrite". My sorrow and angst over the atrocities of WYD are based on Church documents that clearly state how Our Lord is to be worshiped. So spare me. Ad hominem attacks on me (or others) will be deleted.

WYD is an embarrassment. It is an insult to the intelligence of the young people it was meant to...uh...entertain. And that's what I fear it was meant to be: entertainment that just might entice young people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and with His Church. But where's the "deep" stuff? Where's the Catholic identity?

Frankly, when we allow the pop Christian music genre at Mass, we allow our sexualized culture to enter into our worship - because pop Christian music emulates secular music, but throws in "God" words. The culture intrudes on our faith, rather than our faith penetrating secular music; that is, our faith is corrupted, rather than our culture being converted. Changing the words doesn't change the driving beat ("that you can dance to") and other characteristics of pop music.

I've seen and experienced this myself, when I was a Protestant in a "pentecostal" church community. The music cycles through "foreplay" to "climax," the music itself driving those emotions. Look at the performers, gyrating almost sensuously, the music moving towards its crescendo;then you come down a bit, and then on to full climax. You can see it in the crowd. Swaying. Hands raised. Eyes closed. Finally, inevitably, especially amongst Protestants and Catholic charismatics, babbling in "adoration." Everyone is "in love" and "adoring" their feelings. Indisputable. I think it takes a good bit of honest introspection to see this, but I think it is undeniable. Feeling good feels great, and we call that "god."

That's what I see in the WYD videos. Of course, I don't mean to imply that everyone experienced the event in the same way (do I really have to add that qualifier?! Apparently, I do, judging from past comments on other posts); but I do mean to say that the "style" of liturgy employed at WYD 2013 was very conducive to this adoration of self. Somewhere, somehow, someone may have been inspired toward a religious or priestly vocation, or had a major conversion of heart, or...whatever...but it wasn't because WYD is truly conducive to such discernment.

And for those who want to insist that WYD "bears fruit", I urge you (and everyone, actually) to read this great post by Louie Verrecchio at his blog "Harvesting the Fruit of Vatican II". 

If I had to tell people that WYD epitomizes the Church, I would be humiliated. I could not in good conscience suggest that anyone become Catholic; heck, they might as well just run down to the local pentecostal church and wave their hands and dance in the aisles there. Thank goodness the liturgies at WYD are not typical of Mass at your run-of-the-mill Novus Ordo parish (which can be bad enough, without all the frills and thrills of a WYD Mass).

WYD is just the Los Angeles Religous Ed Conference multiplied by 1000...or 10,000...or some big number. I think I would be physically ill if I watched this entire video (below), but if you skip around in it, you will get the picture - if you haven't already watched reports elsewhere.



This is Mass?! These are our shepherds?! (See also the "dancing bishops" with Fr. Z's commentary at his blog. Oh, and the Vortex features the same bizarre event; I'll post that tomorrow.)

And then there's this:
 

This is Adoration?! I don't think so. I think it is more likely to be emotionalism engendered by "contemporary Christian" music.

I weep for Our Lord who has had to suffer all of this. Does Jesus love the pilgrims? Oh yes, He does. He loves the wayward shepherds, too, but he will hold them accountable.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! (Matt 18:6-7)

I am simply appalled by what I have seen and read of WYD. And I am very, very sad.

Here's a real Mass. Watch it to sooth your soul, especially if you have subjected yourself to the above idiocy.