101 replies to this topic

[Lisa]

In every debate/discussion about the Liturgy, I see the term "clown Mass". Being relatively new to the Catholic internet world, when I first joined Phatmass, I looked it up. Seeing minimal videos and photos of the supposedly frequent occurrence, I thought I'd take a survey.

It's lobbed around in debates like it happens all the time and like most Catholics that attend the OF wouldn't consider it an affront to the liturgy. I'm curious about the use of the term and the thought that goes into saying it.

If you say "yes", what do you consider a clown Mass: is it the full-out costumes and face-paint shindig or do you apply that to any less-reverent-than-it-should-be liturgy?

For my answer, I assist at OF Masses, although I have been to an EF Mass, which I loved and was beautiful! I've attended a few Masses in my life that have made me want to bang my head against the wall, but the vast majority of the Masses I've ever attended have been just fine

[Nihil Obstat]

Haha, I like your second option.

[EmilyAnn]

I have never, ever attended anything that could be described as a "clown Mass". I've been to several parishes around the country and never had a single issue with any of them.

[IcePrincessKRS]

Sort of, yes. When I was 14 we went to a youth event and during the presentation of the gifts there were a couple kids who went up with fat colored pillar candles and a couple others dressed as clowns... it wasn't the whole Mass, just that part. But it was weeeeird.

[Lisa]

P.S. When I say "I've attended a few Masses in my life that have made me want to bang my head against the wall" (in the OP), I don't mean the Holy Mass itself, rather the attitude that was displayed by the priest and laity.

Edited by Lisa, 20 August 2012 - 06:10 PM.

[Slappo]

Clown masses/puppet masses are super rare, but they are often used as the epitomy of liturgical abuse.

I haven't been to clown masses or masses that felt clowny, but I have been to a lot of masses that made me feel like I was at a protestant worship service. It's not the norm of what I've been to, but I've definitely seen it.

[Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye]

"and became in carnate of the virgin mary.' i don't notice many bowing at this point and 'through my, fault through my own fault,through my most grevious fault' i don't notice anyone beating there chest. All this at the parish i'm at now. Does that qualify as lets say a comedy of errors,a clown mass, or mis information, or lack of social union between the faithfull. But than i felt like a clown when one fill in priest encouraged eveyone half wat rheough mass just before the gift came down the aisle, he gor us to sing happy birthday to an elderly parishoner, i felt like a clown no doubt, a very embaressed sad clown, if one is to sing happt birthday let it be in the final anouncments, if at all or even after the final blessong, i'm happt ro sing happy b'day at either time,preferably after the final blessing.

[Slappo]

I cringe every time I hear happy birthday sung during the announcements or even immediately following the procession.

[Ash Wednesday]

I never thought of the "clown mass" as being something frequently occurring, rather it's usually given as an example of the worst that can come out of liturgical "creativity" and abuse.

One time at mass when I was growing up, the priest actually brought in a mime to perform as his sermon. I remember this one woman shaking her head and walking out.

Edited by Ash Wednesday, 20 August 2012 - 06:51 PM.

[dUSt]

I attend the most reverent parish in my hometown (besides the Anglican Use parish), and for the most part, I don't find myself cringing anywhere in the mass... except when it's over. After the closing song, the organist will go into like a solo organ bit--and to me, it comes off as kinda showy. All the people still in the church will clap after he's finished.

Annoying.

[arfink]

Ehh, at least you have a good organist.

My parish always does a very good job about reverence in mass, though our cantor is sometimes a bit of a diva. I have absolutely nothing to complain about though, we're very lucky.

[carmenchristi]

I attend the most reverent parish in my hometown (besides the Anglican Use parish), and for the most part, I don't find myself cringing anywhere in the mass... except when it's over. After the closing song, the organist will go into like a solo organ bit--and to me, it comes off as kinda showy. All the people still in the church will clap after he's finished.

Annoying.

Well... if it consoles you any... they do this at St. Peter's in Rome too... and yes, the people often clap.. not that it justifies clapping, but oh well

[carmenchristi]

I've been to masses where they used balloons on the altar... That's pretty close to clown Mass.... and I HATE it when they sing happy birthday too... the worst part is that I'm often the cantor and at the end of Mass the deacon says "Now our cantor will lead us in singing happy birthday to so-and-so" So it's not like I can just refuse to do it! Oh well again!

[BG45]

I've gone to Mass in half a dozen states since my conversion across about two dozen parishes and never run into a "clown Mass".

[MIkolbe]

I attend the most reverent parish in my hometown (besides the Anglican Use parish), and for the most part, I don't find myself cringing anywhere in the mass... except when it's over. After the closing song, the organist will go into like a solo organ bit--and to me, it comes off as kinda showy. All the people still in the church will clap after he's finished.

Annoying.

Yes, clapping in Church is annoying.

[homeschoolmom]

Some twenty years ago, prior to my brother-in-law's wedding, I dreamed that the entire event was a literal circus. It wasn't a mass though and of course, it was just a horrible dream.

Other than that, no.

[Adrestia]

I cringe every time I hear happy birthday sung during the announcements or even immediately following the procession.

I cringe when I hear announcements.

[Lilllabettt]

I hate clowns. At Mass, Not at Mass. They have that vague undercurrent of menace. Also they're the horrible produce of the alienation of man. They cause me involuntary recoil. Just basically: clowns, total yuck.

[MaterMisericordiae]

The parish that I attend has a few very minor faults but nothing irreverent. My pastor is very picky about the liturgy so he keeps it respectful. I have, on occasion, attended Masses at my former parish and the 5pm Mass on Sunday is a little ridiculous. The choir keeps the main focus instead of the Eucharist which has always bothered me. Also, at the processional song, they put out maracas and clappers for the kids to use and join in the music. I rarely attend that Mass because I am not into folk music and I don't like the emphasis on music being the focal point. Other than that, I have no complaints.

[Groo the Wanderer]

I attend the most reverent parish in my hometown (besides the Anglican Use parish),

SMG?

C'mon over to mine. The English Masses are fine, but the choirs stink (except the youth choir) and tend to pick lame 80s songs a lot. The Spanish Masses sound like a Tijuana bar.