The camps we follow.

JM Kraemer
Jun 10
3 min read

In the daily life of the Catholic faith. Sometimes we get into these personal groups and understanding. They become a banner for us to wave around with a level of pride that can become a distraction. To the point that sometimes the banner we wave can be more important than even being Catholic.

The two most common camps in this are those who follow specific forms of The Mass. In this case the Novus Ordo. (NO) Also called the Ordinary Form. Which is the common form of the Mass we use in the present time. Or The Latin Mass which was the previous form. (TLM). The debate between the two groups is sometimes constant and endless. Yet when you look at the church as a whole. You see that many rites exist. With the understanding that we all have a place at the table.

The main challenge in all of this is that some people use the form of the Mass as a weapon against someone else. Thus the endless debate. I’ve seen this coming across both sides and from many camps. The common problem is that people will tend to be dismissive of the other. Often being down right rude and condescending to anyone that does not agree that their form of the Mass is better. In many cases a total lack of consideration and understanding for the path that each person is on.

Some people do prefer the TLM. Others embrace the NO. I don’t see any problem with that on any level. The problem is that it should not be any kind of litmus test as to how deep our faith is. We should never pass judgment on someone based on the from of the Mass they prefer. The primary focus should be serving and following Christ. Encouraging others to join us. Which is hard for us to do when people see this constant back and forth. The “your less holy and not a true Catholic because you attend the wrong Mass” is way too old and the stakes are far too high these days for us to be divided.

As some of you may know. I have deep roots in the Charismatic renewal. Though it is something that I rarely talk about. It’s not that big of a grand secret. However this path I’m on is something that is deeply personal and very important to me. I could easily make mention of it in every breath. Yet I chose not to. It is not a banner that I wave around. It is just part of how I am as a Catholic and just one element of the journey. Above all else my faith in Christ is what people should see first when they interact with me. Not which group I subscribe to or which Mass I prefer.

Unless our foundation is in Christ fully. Then it doesn’t matter which banner, group, or tribe we follow. If any of those become more important. Then it will manifest itself in ways that are hurtful to the body of Christ. Such passing extreme judgement in ways that run counter to the teachings of the Church. Or worse cause others to leave because they no longer feel good enough.

We are at time in history where we need to be more united. Taking people where they are at in this journey. Getting into arguments such as the debate between TLM and NO are not helpful or productive. Sometimes our personal banner can become more important than being Catholic. It’s time we pause and reflect on why this is a major problem. -