Robert Trca Church Visit 2

St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Sun, April 17, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

36 N. Ellsworth, Naperville, Illinois 60540

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

I attended the High Church or Tridentine Mass in Naperville at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Even as I arrived, I felt that I was back at the old cathedrals at home in Prague, not as opulent, but still majestic with an air of the High Churches of old (I believe in the neogothic style).  The building itself was a song of worship to God, with great corinthian pillars of stone and beautiful old style stained glass.  As I walked in, everything pointed me to the front, to the massive white alter, I sat near the back so that I could watch.  Most of those who came were older, I am guessing with an average age in the mid 50s.  We rose with the procession, and from then on I feel that I did not see the face of the priest.  Instead of speaking to us, or with us, it was as if we were being allowed to watch as the priest praised and sang.

What aspects of Roman Catholic theology did you notice expressed in the service?

The central-ness of the altar, of the sacrifice of Jesus became immediately clear.  Everything revolved around the altar.  While I felt that I was participating with the crowd of church goers, I felt that this was not about my personal time there, but rather this was solely about US being there.  This beautifully helped me understand how the Church must not be divided into the individuals but rather was all about the group.  At the same time, it also felt that I was not there to worship, but to watch the priest worship, instead of me participating, it was about me watching.  Along these lines, it was not us who read scripture but the priest, as if he was there between me and God to mediate, this made me feel uncomfortable.  This was also further compounded by the altar rail, and while yes, it symbolizes our separation from God, I felt that I could not approach God, and that he wanted me to keep my distance.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

I must admit that a combination of the latin as well as me trying to watch everything did not allow me to be “illuminated” by any theology.  If anything the theology I saw the most was in the sings, in the alter, and the beautiful stained glass (originally used to teach those who could not read or understand latin) Again, the air of reverence and holiness stunned me, in a good way, reminding me that when I pray, and worship, I do not approach a friend or buddy, but rather the Almighty God, creator of all, this gave me an incredibly sense of awe.  The use of latin, reminded me of the roots of Catholicism.  In conclusion I must admit that I felt out of place, more like with a group watching an event than praising the Most High God.