The Novus Ordo in Korea
Today, Father Alvin Kimel, a.k.a. the Pontificator, makes four excellent Liturgical Suggestions. Happily, most of these are already part of the Korean Catholic liturgical experience:
(1) Although there is electronic amplification, it is not obtrusive. (2) Lectors here wear albs. There are no eucharistic ministers as we know them in the US; each parish usually has more than one priest and at least two nuns, who act as eucharistic ministers. (3) Korean celebrants are quite reverent at the words of consecration; one can almost hear the presence of the saints and angels when the Host and chalice are raised. (4) Korean celebrants very infrequently ad lib during the Liturgy.
From my experience assisting Masses in both countries, I would also identify a few things that the American laity could learn from its Korean counterpart:
(1) Dress approprately. Mass is not a day at the beach. At a typical Novus Ordo Mass in Korea, more women veil themselves than at a Tridentine Mass in the US. (2) Drop the orans position when praying. Koreans tend to keep their hands together in prayer in front of their chests for the duration of the Mass.
Koreans could also pick up a few good habits from across the Pacific:
(1) Bring back the kneelers! In the two parishes I attend, there is only one row of pews with kneelers. That's where you'll find me. (2) Genuflect. It is more reverent than a mere bow. Although the traditional Korean to-the-floor prostration-bow I sometimes see older folks do is even better.
Today, Father Alvin Kimel, a.k.a. the Pontificator, makes four excellent Liturgical Suggestions. Happily, most of these are already part of the Korean Catholic liturgical experience:
(1) Although there is electronic amplification, it is not obtrusive. (2) Lectors here wear albs. There are no eucharistic ministers as we know them in the US; each parish usually has more than one priest and at least two nuns, who act as eucharistic ministers. (3) Korean celebrants are quite reverent at the words of consecration; one can almost hear the presence of the saints and angels when the Host and chalice are raised. (4) Korean celebrants very infrequently ad lib during the Liturgy.
From my experience assisting Masses in both countries, I would also identify a few things that the American laity could learn from its Korean counterpart:
(1) Dress approprately. Mass is not a day at the beach. At a typical Novus Ordo Mass in Korea, more women veil themselves than at a Tridentine Mass in the US. (2) Drop the orans position when praying. Koreans tend to keep their hands together in prayer in front of their chests for the duration of the Mass.
Koreans could also pick up a few good habits from across the Pacific:
(1) Bring back the kneelers! In the two parishes I attend, there is only one row of pews with kneelers. That's where you'll find me. (2) Genuflect. It is more reverent than a mere bow. Although the traditional Korean to-the-floor prostration-bow I sometimes see older folks do is even better.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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