A Bad Example to the Young

Even as the Pope had seemingly united Catholics in spirit via the World Youth Day, I want to talk about a topic that is very divisive among us: liturgical dance. Pardon me as this is a long topic to cover.

A friend of mine told me that he has seen liturgical dancing during the mass in the local WYD celebration. Since I was not there, I cannot be sure it happened - but if it were true, and he says that the mass was celebrated by a bishop himself - a great disservice was done to the youth, in my opinion. 

Let us take a look at both sides of the liturgical dance issue. 

Those that favor it will say that there is nothing wrong with liturgical dancing. In fact, liturgical dancing, along with other innovations in the mass, help the youth appreciate the mass more. This is one of the most common arguments for liturgical dancing. The second most common argument for liturgical dancing is that they say the Church actually allows it, then buttress their argument with the case of Africa and the masses they say there. This is allowed by virtue of inculturation.

On the other hand, there's this letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments which says that "the liturgical laws of the Roman Rite does not foresee the need for the use of dance or drama within the sacred liturgy, unless particular legislation has been enacted upon by the Bishop's Conference and confirmed by the Holy See. ANY OTHER PRACTICE IS TO BE CONSIDERED AN ABUSE." (caps mine)

In plain language: the laws of the liturgy dictate that dancing is not needed in the mass. This is basic catechism that was taught to us a long time ago: that the mass, by itself, is already complete, and that no one may add or subtract anything from it. The bishops' conference may say, with the approval of the Holy See, that liturgical dancing is okay, but until then, liturgical dancing is nothing but liturgical abuse. 

Ergo, if it were true that there were several local WYD celebrations where they had liturgical dancing in the mass, in front of the bishops no less, then we had just shown a very bad example to the young. 

Do dances and other innovations in the mass help in making the young appreciate the mass? 

My opinion as a lay person is no. The mass itself is complete, and has already helped produce a lot of saints. The burden of proof is now on those who say that liturgical dances help draw the people closer to God. I have had experience with young people who say that the mass is boring without the dancing and the innovations. Is this really the mass and the liturgical tradition that we want to pass on to our youth? No wonder so many people turn to other churches where they have lively praise songs that make them clap and jump up and down. 

Some would argue that the Church allows these dances in the name of inculturation. Cardinal Arinze maintains that: "There has never been a document from our Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments saying that dance is approved in the Mass"; and he noted that "the tradition of the Latin Church has not known the dance. It is something that people are introducing in the last ten years -- or twenty years". (See Cardinal Responds to Questions on Liturgy AB October 2003) 

Inculturation should be thought of more as an exemption than the rule. The dancing in Africa is an essential part of their culture; removing it from the mass might be more counterproductive, therefore they allow it. Take note that this something they allow; this is not a precedent for liturgical innovations. We here in the Philippines are not like the Africans. In fact, our ancestors accepted Christianity with relative ease. What's there to inculturate in our country when we are filled with Spanish-era stone churches and cathedrals? 

I hold the belief that one small liturgical abuse begets a bigger one. If they allowed dancing during offertory, to the tune of a Marian Hymn, no less (true story!), then what is to stop them from allowing dancing during communion? What is to stop them from other innovations, no matter how bizarre, like clown masses where the priest dresses up like a clown and uses bubbles instead of incense. Or Halloween masses where the lectors are dressed in witches' clothing, and the extraordinary minister of the Eucharist is wearing a devil's horn? Or a Barney Mass where the priest wears a Barney costume and gives a "Barney Blessing". These things do happen. Watch here and cringe. 

Are these masses still the mass that the Church wanted the faithful to attend? 

A pagan liturgical dance by some nuns. Looks pagan enough.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? 

I would like you to focus on this picture on the left. This happened during the installation of the bishop of Imus, who danced the traditional Caracol during his installation. Even the altar servers got dancing, as shown here. If liturgical dancing really drives people closer to God and prayer, what are many of those in the pews on the left doing? They were taking a video of the whole thing with their cellphones. Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I see, the ones taking the pictures are nowhere near praying. 

If we really want to attract the young people to our mass, it should not be through liturgical innovations and dancing; it should be a concerted effort from our parents, teachers, catechists, parish priests, and all fellow Catholics to teach the beauty of the mass to the youth, the children and  the students. Often the mundane things expected of us in the mass are the things we take for granted. For example, why should we dress appropriately during the mass? Why should we observe silence inside the church? Why do we go to mass every Sunday? Why can't young children receive Holy Communion yet? Is Jesus really present in the bread and wine? These are simple questions kids ask, and many times we fail to answer. These are invaluable opportunities for catechizing our children; answer these questions correctly and succinctly and you have the youth hooked on the mass. 

If all priests would do that, instead of resorting to cheap dancing in the mass, and I will do a King David and dance on the streets like this.