Assumption Grotto-Detroit

My Year of Faith journey continued with an evening Latin Mass at Assumption Grotto on Detroit's East side. Did I mention that this was the Tridentine Mass? Attending (I am reluctant to use the word participate) the Tridentine Mass made me suddenly understand Vatican II.

In today's Catholic church the Body of Christ, the congregation, participates in Mass. We recite prayers aloud as one body, we lift our souls to God as one body, we interact with each other as one body. During the Tridentine Mass, one is merely an observer, watching the priest inaudibly say the prayers and consecrate the host. As an observer of Mass I realized how important it is to be a participant. The holy Mass is just too important to just watch and God really does call us to participate. The next time you attend Mass be sure to seek out your neighbors hand during the Lords Prayer and perhaps sing just a little bit louder because we are all in this together.

Saint Thomas Aquinas- Detroit

My father recently mentioned that he instinctively nods his head each time the name of Jesus is recited during a Mass service. This instinctive nodding he told me is from attending Catholic school where the nuns and priests ensured that each child new the importance of nodding their head at the name of Jesus.

Tucked away at the far corner of Detroit on the Dearborn border, Saint Thomas church stands at the busy intersection of a major thoroughfare and a highway. I almost missed finding the church, the building is severely plain and tucked back from the road. Inside I found a church as plain inside as outside and a priest wearing the most beautiful vestments I have seen in a long time. I came to Saint Thomas for the rosary and stayed for the Mass dedicated to Our Lady Of Perpetual Help followed by Eucharistic adoration. That week I had need of help and found solace as I recited the prayers with those around me. During the Mass as the priest knelt to add incense to the burner I glimpsed cowboy boots beneath those ornate vestments. And all through Mass and the adoration I watched as he nodded his head when the name of Jesus was recited. I couldn't help but to think of my dad.