We went to Mass today, Katie and I - noon Mass - she's still out of school, doesn't start until next week. (Although she *does* have a Debate meet tomorrow somewhere in Indy for which she must be at school at gulp 5 AM to catch the bus).
She was surprised at how crowded it was - well, it was noon, it was downtown, and it was (is) First Friday. But it was packed, and it occurred to me that this is one of the great untold stories of U.S. Catholicism - the numbers of folks who attend daily Mass. I'd like to see a team of reporters and photographers hit some downtown churches across the country for their schedule of weekday Masses, from 6 AM on, to see the numbers of folks there, and even to talk to a few, to take some photographs. It would give flesh to the story, to the story of Catholics are taking their faith seriously, who are leaving the house extra early or skipping lunch so they can go to Mass, hear the Scriptures, and be joined in Communion in, through and as the Body of Christ. We fuss and feel guilty constantly comparing ourselves to Protestant megachurches and yes, yes, yes, we have much to learn about wrenching Catholicism out a quagmire of our pervasive M.O of "Catholic identity" rather than "Catholic faith."
But think about it - I was just contemplating the numbers in Fort Wayne, knowing the various parishes a little bit, knowing their numbers - I'm sure at least a couple thousand Catholics went to daily Mass today, not counting the school children. At least.
That's not a meaningless number. That's a lot. That's a lot of Catholics choosing to take their faith seriously, knowing Whose Presence will nourish them, whose call they will hear, and will, like Philip and Nathaneal, respond to the best they can, in faith, through the rest of their day.
And that number doesn't even count the many who would like to go, but for one reason or another, cannot.
There were several young people there, which also surprised Katie, as well as a few families. Diverse, in that marvelous Catholic way. A couple of Christmas carols, vibrantly sung, resounding off the curved walls of the moderne, yet very nice chapel, Benediction following, with more vibrant singing of O Salutaris Hostia, naturally, one of the type of moments that always moves me because all the older people, of course, can sing it without their books.
There are many weaknesses in our Church today, just as there always have been. But one of the things I always tell people who are wondering - where's my vibrant Christian life among Catholics? Where's the intentionality? - is go to daily Mass. Perhaps you should find it in other places, too. We can admit that. But plug yourself into weekday Mass and the communities that gather there, you just might find yourself feeling a little less despondent, and your eyes opened just a little bit more to the presence of Jesus in the world around you. Even, to the cynics, in the Church.
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