Trevor Strang - Church Visit #2

Church Name: Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Church Address: 36 N Ellsworth St, Naperville, IL 60540

Date Attended: March 20, 2016

Church Category: Tridentine Mass

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

     The first thing I noticed as I entered the cathedral was the incredibly high vaulted ceiling.  It gave the Cathedral a sense of weightlessness and space. The walls were primarily white, with renaissance style icons across the walls depicting the passion of Christ and his resurrection. They had various statues that were covered by violet shrouds for Passion Week. Initially, the service was hard to follow, but eventually, I was able to get ahold of it. Aside from the service being in Latin, it was very different having the priest interact with the altar and the elements to the extent that he did. He faced away from us for most of the service, interacting mainly with the incents, altar, and large Bible. It was strange watching the Priest perform his rituals without fully understanding the significance of his actions. The service had far more in common with the Eastern Orthodox service I attended than the protestant one I usually frequent.

How did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity?

     It was interesting seeing a service that has been around, relatively unchanged, for hundreds of years. I felt a sense of connection to the early church and its traditions. It was also interesting seeing the various forms of veneration being performed – for the altar, communion elements, Bible, and the Crucifix. It helped me visualize why the seventh ecumenical council was a necessary discussion to be had. The service also helped to illuminate historical views of Communion. The amount of veneration of the elements showed that to those of the Catholic faith, communion is more than just a symbol – it is the body and blood itself. I could sense the reverence the congregation had for the Lord’s Supper.

How did the worship service illuminate for you your personal identity as a Christian?

     It was great being able to witness traditionally based Christian worship. Once again, my vision of Christianity was expanded beyond what I saw at the average American, protestant service. I saw elements of the service, and the decorum that were very unfamiliar to me, yet were still presented as a humble offering to Christ. There were times where I felt disconnected from the service – like I was just watching some guy dressed in a weird robe performing strange actions in front of this table - but that didn’t prevent me from being able to resonate with those seeking to worship God. It’s always beautiful seeing the diversity of Christianity’s practices and services. I believe it is important going to services like the Tridentine mass in order to foster an atmosphere of understanding, care, and dialogue between Catholics and Protestants. It is my hope that the frequency of such dialogues may continue to increase as we as the body of Christ seek to grow in fellowship with one-another.