The Neocatechumenal Way is Catholic and legitimate in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
- The Way has the blessings of four Popes since it has started in the 1960s. The Pope is the Successor of the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ. The Way is not excommunicated in any way, but a part of the Catholic Church.
- The Statutes of the Way was approved by the Holy See in 2008.
- The Catechetical Directory of the Way was approved by the Holy See in 2012.
- How the members in the Way received the Body of Christ has been corrected after the approval of the Statutes. The older members of the Way can testify that in the past, the Body of Christ was received sitting down. Today everyone walking in the Way can testify that they receive the Body of Christ standing up.
- The papal Nuncio of the United States celebrated with the members of the Neocatechumenal Way in 2010, and they don't have a problem with the way the celebration was conducted. They don't have a problem with the NCW altar nor with the menorah on the altar. (See Papal Nuncio celebrate NCW Mass).
- The written letter of Father Neil who has a Ph.D in Liturgy is on the Internet. In his letter, Father Neil stated that the Way is not violating the liturgies. (See Father Neil's Letter). Those who feel that Father Neil is incorrect are only questioning his credentials. If you think you know better than Father Neil, then FIRST show us your credentials.
- The teachings of the Neocatechumenal Way follows the same and entire teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church (Example, we believe that the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ after it is consecrated by the priest.)
Yes indeed, JW claim the community are not. My children are all baptised.
ReplyDeleteYes, but we don't dance around the altar!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteThe dancing was taken from the Old Testament:
2 Samuel 6:13-14 When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
King David danced before the Ark of the Covenant. The dancing in the NCW is always done at the end of the Mass after the priest has already given the final blessings and left.
They dance around the Table in the middle of a room... I don't think they use an / the Alter which is another topic of discussion.
DeleteYeah you have choice not to join it. I like a vibrant celebration and there is nothing wrong of dancing. If you want to stay boring go right ahead.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteI wonder what it is about "dancing" that they are against now? It appears that they are against everything. The dancing isn't even done during the Eucharist. It's done after the Mass. The priest had already given the final blessings, sent us out, and exited. The dancing takes place after the priest exists, so the chairs can be gathered up and moved to the side so the dancing can take place.
Dancing in a circle, singing and clapping your hand are very ancient Jewish customs, fitting well with the communities after the Celebration of the Eucharist has concluded.
ReplyDeleteSorry. I'm part Jewish and there has never been dancing in Synagogue. That would be very disrespectful.
DeleteWe are a joyful people and dance at celebrations but NEVER in Synagogue!
So when there is a dance is it in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament? If so, this becomes disrespectful. The Blessed Sacrament is not the Ark of the Covenant but Christ Himself. Is the Blessed Sacrament removed in the chapel at the Cathedral when they dance? It is like desecrating Holy Grounds!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteThe dancing is not done in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It is done around the altar after the priest makes his exit. So, it is done after Mass. The Way is not for everyone.
The chapel at the Cathedral still has the Blessed Sacrament present ! It may not be exposed but still present above the tabernacle!
DeleteMy community does not celebrate at the chapel at the Cathedral, and I am not from the Agana community. I don't even know where the Agana communities hold their celebrations. Could you also explain why you think being joyful is considered a desecration to God?
DeleteThey celebrate at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Like I said the Blessed Sacrament is not the Ark of the Covenant. It seems that you take the words of the bible literally. So if God told Moses to remove his sandals because he is on Holy ground then you should remove your shoes upon stepping into the sanctuary, but you don't!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you were never taught about the Sacred aspect of the Blessed Sacrament! There is more to the Catholic Faith than what is written in the Catechism. There is respect and reverence for The Lord and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is not a place for dancing. Mass may have ended, but the presence of Christ still exists.
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThat does not answer my question. The question I ask is why do you consider being joyful a desecration to God? I think that a great deal of respect and reverence is given to our Lord, but why is being joyful in God's presence a desecration? I would think that doing sinful and unholy things in His presence would be a desecration.
I also did not say that we take the Bible literally. I said that the dancing came from the Old Testament. King David danced in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant, which is also in the presence of God.
3. "Churches are sacred places, that is, 'set apart' in a permanent way for divine worship by their dedication and blessing. The church remains the house of God, and the sign of His dwelling among men. It remains a sacred place, even when no liturgical celebration is taking place."
Delete"Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety and religion are to be admitted into a sacred place; anything which is not in accord with the holiness of the place is forbidden.
If this doesn't satisfy you, then you cannot see beyond you nose!
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteI agree with what you say here, but who are you to determine HOW we should honor and worship God? Worshiping God with music, prayers, joyous singing, clapping of hands, and even dancing is not forbidden when one does it in honor of God. That is not a desecration. What is a desecration is when one does something sinful or unholy in His presence.
The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. And when Israel worshiped God, they worshiped Him with a lot of loud joyous singing and dancing (See 1 Chronicles 15). So, who are you to determine how we should honor and worship God in His presence?
I didn't write this, can't you see the quotation marks!
DeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteOkay, so you didn't write it. The article says that anything not in accord with the holiness of the place is forbidden. How is singing and dancing in honor and worship of God unholy or not in accord with holiness?
February 21, 2012
ReplyDeleteGood manners in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament
By Father Rocky Hoffman *
Read this article!
Do you have the weblink of the article because it's not showing. By the way, if the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed as you say, then why should the dancing bother you? The members are joyously dancing in honor and worship of God around the altar.
DeleteLook under Catholic News Agency
DeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteI was able to locate the article. It is at http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=1895.
So far, I agree with the article. However, in a regular mass, joyous singing and instrumental playing are part of the Mass. It is the same with the Way. Although the Mass has ended, the singing and dancing around the altar is part of our honor and worship of God. The article was mainly speaking about unnecessary conversation in the Church. The praising, singing, and dancing for God is not considered unholy, but holy and worshipful.
What don't you understand about this part of the article:
DeleteIt is the long-standing custom of the Church that we should retain reverential silence in the presence of the Holy Eucharist reserved in the Tabernacle, and especially when exposed in the monstrance during Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. In fact, anyone who visits St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome will be struck by the smartly dressed Swiss Guards at their station next to the entrance of the Chapel of Adoration; above the curtains is a sign for everyone to see, and you do not have to be a Latin scholar to understand it. It simply states: “SILENTIUM.” And everyone is silent.
SILENCE!
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteThe article says it's a custom. It's not a divine rule that came from God. Customs can change. I think that unnecessary talking is disruptive and rude, but songs, praises, and even dancing when offered to or for God is holy.
Thanks Diana for the info.
ReplyDelete