Novus Ordo Theater, NO Mass, No Worship

Dr McClung points out some of the many condemnations of theatre and dance and dance in the Church Church Fathers and early theologians.

From The American Catholic

By Guy McClung, PhD, JD

The insidious evils of today’s Novus Ordo productions exceeds the pagan wickedness of the theater, circus, and arena condemned by the fathers of the early church.

How can this be?  In the early centuries of the church people were actually killed in the stadiums to please the crowds and, sometimes, the people played a role in the killings. Murders of living persons, human beings torn limb from limb by wild animals, and worse, were routine in the arenas. Pornographic acts and sexual crimes were engaged in live on stage in the theaters. Still, what happens today in the consecrated spaces of churches is worse than what happened centuries ago.

For several centuries many of the Church Fathers were unanimous in their condemnation of the pagan plays, spectacles and games.

• Cyprian (AD 200 – 258) wrote: “They picture Venus immodest, Mars adulterous; and that Jupiter of theirs not more supreme in dominion than in vice, inflamed with earthly love in the midst of his own thunders, now growing white in the feathers of a swan, now pouring down in a golden shower, now breaking forth by the help of birds to violate the purity of boys. And now put the question, Can he who looks upon such things be healthy-minded or modest? Men imitate the gods whom they adore, and to such miserable beings their crimes become their religion.”

• Arnobius (AD 255-330): Considered the theatres to be places for the activity of demons to exercise their influence on human beings.

• Lactantius (AD 260 – 340), who tutored Constantine, the future Emperor, condemned the theaters of his day: “And I am inclined to think that the corrupting influence of the stage is still more contaminating. For the subjects of comedies are the dishonouring of virgins, or the loves of harlots; and the more eloquent they are who have composed the accounts of these disgraceful actions, the more do they persuade by the elegance of their sentiments; and harmonius and polished verses more readily remain fixed in the memory of the hearers. In like manner, the stories of the tragedians place before our eyes the parricides and incests of wicked kings, and represent tragic crimes. And what other effect do the immodest gestures of the players produce, but both teach and excite lusts? The actors’ weakened bodies are rendered effeminate after the gait and dress of women. They imitate unchaste women by their disgraceful gestures. Why should I even mention the mimes, who instruct others in corrupting influences. They teach adulteries while they act them out. By pretended actions, they train their audience to do those actions that are real. What can young men or virgins do when they see that these things are practiced without shame and are willingly watched by all?  ”

• Tatian (AD 120 – 180): “The utter ribaldry in pretentious tones and they act out indecent movements. Your daughters and your sons watch them giving lessons in adultery on the stage.”

• Theophilus (circa 180): “Neither can we watch the other spectacles [i.e., the theaters], lest our eyes and ears be defiled by participating in the utterances that are sung there. . . . And as for adultery, both in the case of men and of gods, whom they celebrate in elegant language for honors and prizes, this is made the subject of their dramas.”

• Tertullian (AD 155 – 220): “The Lord Himself is our witness that we have the case of the woman who went to the theater and came back demon-possessed. In the exorcism, when the unclean creature was upbraided for having dared to attack a believer, he firmly replied, “And in truth I did it most lawfully, for I found her in my domain.”

• Novatian (AD 200 – 258): “Idolatry . . . is the mother of all the public amusements. . . . A man has no shame if he exorcises demons in the church, but then praises their delights in the public shows. A Christian has once for all renounced [Satan]. However, he disregards what he has renounced in baptism if he goes to the devil’s exhibitions after coming to Christ. In doing so, he renounces Christ just as much as [he had previously renounced] the devil. “

• Commodianus (circa 250): “You are going to vain shows with the crowd of the evil one, where Satan is at work in the circus with din. You persuade yourself that everything that pleases you is lawful. You are the offspring of the highest; yet, you mingle with the sons of the devil! . . . Love not the world, nor the things in it!”

• John Chrysostom (AD 347 – 4-7 ): But do you, when all creation serves you, satisfy the desire of the devil? You have rented such a home from God, I mean this world, but you have not paid the rent. And you were not satisfied with the first day, but on the second day, when you should have paused for a while from the evil that was enveloping you, you returned again this time to the theatre. You ran from smoke into fire, descending into another pit that was even worse. Old men shamed their grey hair, and young men threw their youth away. Fathers brought their sons, from the beginning guiding inexperienced youth into the pits of depravity, so it would not have been a mistake to call those men child killers rather than fathers, as they surrendered their children’s souls to evil. What kind of evil, you ask. Why do I talk about the theatre? Often if we meet a woman in the marketplace, we are alarmed. But you sit in your upper seat, where there is such an invitation to outrageous behaviour, and see a woman, a prostitute, entering bareheaded and with a complete lack of shame, dressed in golden garments, flirting coquettishly and singing harlots’ songs with seductive tunes, and uttering disgraceful words. She behaves so shamelessly that if you watch her and give consideration, you will bow your head in shame. . . . For even if you did not have intimate relations with the prostitute, in your lust you coupled with her, and you committed the sin in your mind. “

Church fathers of the church condemned the theaters and arenas because:

1. In many instances, what happened in the theaters and the arenas was idolatry, acts of worship of pagan gods, of material things and status, of human beings, not the worship of the only God entitled to worship
2. The spectators and the persons in audiences saw crimes and sins which were both fictional portrayals; and, sometimes, real, non-acting actions, all presented as acceptable, laudable, and even to be emulated
3. Those in the audience learned how to commit sins; the stage was the classroom for immorality
4. The crimes, abominations, perversions and sins of the gods themseleves were celebrated and praised, and this was in effect catholics worshipping pagan gods
5. Obsession with material things and physical pleasure was substituted for worship of God
6. Persons in the audiences and crowds participated, including with approval and applause
7. Parents were responsible for children watching, being scandalized, and being schooled in sin
8. You could not un-see or un-hear the abominations, perversions, crimes and sins
9. Community members, both catholic and not, were scandalized by those catholics known to frequent the theaters

The Novus Ordo Theaters

For all of the reasons stated above, and for much more serious ones, the fathers of the early church would today condemn the Novus Ordo extravaganzas (henceforth “NO mass”).

NO masses have included: scantily-clad women in form fitting leotards dancing in the sanctuary; priests in costumes, designated mere “presiders” in the printed programs, ordained priests  who, in effect, are no more than a Master of Ceremonies for a variety show with all sorts performers; the ordained priest, at the center of the spectacle, with no tabernacle behind or near him, looking at the people throughout the mass, in the starring role incorporating his personality as the central focus, telling the people to stand during the consecration;  effeminate men – priests and laity – in every role and function; persons in every role and function known publicly as presently living in adultery and those having chosen to engage in homosexual actions and who are known to persist in them ; animals around the altar; bishops and priests dancing; theater-in-the round stages with the focus on the performers in the center,  either with no crucifix or with one so tiny it is barely visible, with singers, musicians with tambourines and guitars in the front of the church; priest and  laity bouncing to a happy-clappy song about love;  small girls  and teenage girls in white albs with pony tails swishing around who often remain standing throughout the performance and do nothing, including standing during the consecration; priests and bishops wearing clown costumes and noses, cheese heads, and rainbow decorated vestments; and laity doing gestures reserved to the ordained priest alone, including assuming the orans posture and giving blessings  (to mention only a few of the abuses) – all done with the tabernacle removed to a side of the church and ignored during the performances, or with no tabernacle present.

In many churches there is no sanctuary. The entire church is not reverenced as the house of God, with talking and cell phone usage everywhere, even during the NO mass. People drown out the words “Agnus Dei” hugging and happy-clapping with all those around them, ignoring the fact that the priest has just told them that this is the “the Lamb of God.”

This is only a sampling of the Novus Ordo abuses.  Numerous books reveal the NO mass abuses in vivid, lurid detail; e.g., G.I.R.M. Warfare; Liturgical Shipwreck; The Heresy of Formlessness; and The Great Betrayal. An online search with terms like “novus ordo abuses,” “weaponized liturgy,” “mass nightmares,”and “liturgical abuse” will reveal the whole range of what has been done.  An online search of images of NO abuses will make one weep, or vomit.

Such a search will reveal, among other things these: “Bagel” Mass — in which bagels (invalid matter) is used in place of bread (wheat flour and water); “Basketball” Mass — in which the presbyter walks around the “altar” and the “sanctuary” bouncing a basketball while giving a sports play-by- play into a wireless microphone;”Black” Mass — in which Satanic principles or forces are invoked; “Candy” Mass — in which candy is used for “communion”; “Camouflage” Mass — in which vestments of camouflage material are used; “Clown” Mass — in which the celebrant is “vested” as a clown and engages in “sacred laughter”; “Coffee” Mass — in which coffee is used for “communion”; “Cookie” Mass — in which invalidating ingredients are used; “Dance” Mass — in which non-ordained persons; “Elvis” Mass — in which a portrait of Elvis Presley was displayed around the altar; “Gay” Mass — in which the immoral homosexual lifestyle was glorified; “Girl Scout” Mass — with Girl Scout medals are given out, with an all-female cast: Eucharistic ministerettes, altar servettes, etc.; “Golf” Mass — a Sunday mass scheduled on Saturday afternoon and erroneously called “vigil,” to allow people to devote Sunday to playing golf and other non-religious activities; “Picnic” Mass — in which french bread (invalid matter) was used while a priestess performed the mass;”Polka” Mass — in which sacred music is replaced by polkas, and the polka is danced around the altar; “Priestess” Mass — in which a woman tries to mimic the role of an ordained priest; “Pumpkin” Mass — in which white witchcraft (wicca) is introduced with a giant pumpkin on the altar; and “Voodoo” Mass” in which witch doctors of candomble (Brazilian voodoo) participate and animist (pagan) practices are incorporated in the liturgy.

One of the primary abuses in NO masses is the reception of Holy Communion by those known publicly to be in a state of mortal sin, including those, particularly politicians and elected officials, who support and promote abortion and sinful lifestyles.

Why Is This Worse Than the Pagan Theaters & Killing Arenas ?

The NO mass takes place in holy space with a consecrated altar and relics of the saints present, not in a secular theater or public stadium. Abuses and even sins are committed both by laity and by ordained priests in church (it is truly a misnomer to call these a “liturgy”). The fact that all this is done and continues Sunday after Sunday conveys to the people the local bishop sanctions, approves, and promotes what happens – especially when a bishop is present, especially when a bishop takes part in the abuse.

One of the signs or marks of Jesus’s true church is that it is one; but the NO masses around the world are as different as the movies playing in the cinemas and the plays being performed in live stage productions at the local theaters. The differences in abusive actions, the differences in language and script in NO masses worldwide, and the differences in the actions of and words spoken by the ordained priests and those laity permitted to assume priestly roles convey a sense of fragmentation, of the existence of multiple independent churches, and of disunity.

How can this cacophony of self congratulation, this worship of idols, this babel of me-me-me stardom be happening in the unified one, true church of Jesus ?

“Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi” is stated as a law of worship. It means that we pray as we believe and that we live accordingly. Realizing this to be true, relying on the real-world efficacy of this law, those who have produced and promoted the NO Mass have intentionally used it in an attempt to eliminate worship of God. This is not an instance of the logical fallacy post hoc, ergo propter hoc – because a second event occurred after a first event, the first event caused the second event. No – because of the law of worship and its implementation in the NO mass, it is clear that those inflicting this on the faithful intended to achieve what has now happened:

About 65% of catholics attend church only once or twice a year. 73 percent agreed in some way that a good catholic need not go to Mass every Sunday. Pre-covid only about 13 percent of young catholics attended Mass at least once a week.  Only about 13 percent of young adult catholics attend mass at least once a week.

Only 8 percent of U.S. Catholics (and 13 percent of regular Mass-goers) agree that contraception is morally wrong. Over hald of catholics believe abortion should be legal.

Pre-covid 3 percent of catholics received the Sacrament of Penance once a month or more; only about 11 percent several times a year; and only about 17 percent once a year. About a third confessed either less than once a year or never.

For each new convert to catholicism, there are about four who leave. Fewer and fewer catholics gift each other with the Sacrament of Matrimony now as compared to the mid 20th century.

So many catholics have left the faith that they are now about 10% of the entire USA population. About half of all U.S. adults who were raised Catholic have left the church at some point in their lives, 60% permanently. Almost 30% of those raised catholic are now ex-catholics.

Only about half of catholics pray every day.

Only about a third of catholics believe in the Real Presence, the Eucharist as the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus.

In Germany in recent years over 2,000,000 catholics have left the church. Only about 6% of Germany’s catholics attended Mass now.

In numerous countries, parishes have been closed and the number of parishes is decreasing significantly.

Why Do This, Why Annihilate the Worship of God ?

Centuries ago St. Augustine told us the answer to this question. Satan and his devils do not want anyone to worship God.

For these are the delusive appearances of that demon who longs to entangle wretched souls in the deceptive worship of many and false gods, and to turn them aside from the true worship of the true God . . . this, we say, belongs only to that God who is the true God. (City of God, Book X, Chap. 10).

That Sacrifice is Due to the True God Only. But . . . certainly no man would dare to say that sacrifice is due to any but God. Many parts, indeed, of divine worship are unduly used in showing honor to men, whether through an excessive humility or pernicious flattery; yet, while this is done, those persons who are thus worshipped and venerated, or even adored, are reckoned no more than human; and who ever thought of sacrificing save to one whom he knew, supposed, or feigned to be a god?  . . . worship is due to one God, the Creator. (Id., Book X, Chap. 4).

Satan and his minions know that if a person does not worship God, but worships idols, that once the first commandment is violated over and over – “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods bebore me” –  the way to violation of every other commandment is made easy. It will be a satanic cakewalk to escort these non-worshipping souls into the everlasting fires of hell.

No Mass, No Worship

With all that has been exposed and made public now about the NO mass abuses, with the devastating, spiritual-death-dealing effects on the members of Jesus’s church here on earth, the conclusion is now crystal clear: either those – laity, deacons, priests, pastors, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and the man wearing papal white – who have intentionally created, implemented, and imposed the NO Mass while simultaneously attempting to outlaw true worship are the unwitting fool tools of the demons who want no one to worship God; or they are the willing champions of the NO mass and they  have been and are knowingly in league with the devils to destroy and eradicate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.