Catholic Mass Routines

The Catholic church has established
a routine for us.

Does that make this any less
beautiful or holy?

Even for Easter
there is a routine
and I wondered if
there can be a routine
in the words of the priest
in the passionate songs
of the chorus
and it still be holy?

It was exactly the same
as I remember it from
last year -
from the carrying of the cross
the crucifixion of Christ -
we crucify him each
year in the same way -

and then there is the Easter
vigil service
with lots of beautiful music
and candles illuminated in the
dark church...
all very solemn and holy
and yet routine -
it was almost exactly
the way I remembered it
from last year.

That is the great dialectical dichotomy
of the Catholic Church -
how they turn symbolism
into routine
into something
holy!

By Bruce Whealton April 2009