"Truly, it is the indescribable sweetness of contemplation which you give to those who love you. In this you have shown the tenderness of your charity, that when I had no being you made me; and when I strayed away from you, you brought me back again to serve you and commanded me to love you." The Imitation of Christ
I did ask my SD about it once, and he seemed to think it was ok. I am, after all, using the photos as a method of evangelisation, to show people the beauty of the Liturgy, and to advertise devotional events such as the Day With Mary.
A point and click camera (or mobile phone) doesn't take much effort, and I find it helps to keep me focussed (no pun intended) !
I wonder if you have asked Joseph Shaw the same question? (He also takes lots of photos during LMS events, and walks around in order to get his shots... I stay in one place!) Or perhaps you have made the same point to the photographers on the NLM blog?
Mac I wholeheartedly support the evangelisation thing.I mean using the photos. The question of photographing the liturgy has, however, been buzzing around my head for some time but you are the first I have ventured to ask about it. The fact is that the Extraordinary Form is not just "the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven" but the most beautifully visual thing. It is how I first experienced Mass- following the movements and actions of the priest at the altar and matching them with the illustrations in my missal while silently joining in the prayers as best I could. The most visually dramatic moments of the mass come at the elevations of the sacred host and chalice- yet these are also the moments at which our blessed Lord is being presented for our worship. I was taught to say "My Lord and my God" and, notwithstanding the liturgical reforms, have continued to do so. I do not wish this to come across as a criticism of your work but it seems to me that we may be risking losing a certain becoming modesty about these sacred moments through over exposure. There is an irony here, perhaps, in that in the Ordinary Form there is little enough modesty at all! It seems one has to go to somewhere like Westminster Cathedral to see a chalice veil used nowadays.
Indeed, thank you Mac.
ReplyDeleteI must say I really like to see your photos... but are you sure that all this photography is really good for the soul?
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I had been able to come. Next time!
ReplyDeletePatricius,
ReplyDeleteI did ask my SD about it once, and he seemed to think it was ok. I am, after all, using the photos as a method of evangelisation, to show people the beauty of the Liturgy, and to advertise devotional events such as the Day With Mary.
A point and click camera (or mobile phone) doesn't take much effort, and I find it helps to keep me focussed (no pun intended) !
I wonder if you have asked Joseph Shaw the same question? (He also takes lots of photos during LMS events, and walks around in order to get his shots... I stay in one place!) Or perhaps you have made the same point to the photographers on the NLM blog?
;-P
Mac
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly support the evangelisation thing.I mean using the photos.
The question of photographing the liturgy has, however, been buzzing around my head for some time but you are the first I have ventured to ask about it. The fact is that the Extraordinary Form is not just "the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven" but the most beautifully visual thing. It is how I first experienced Mass- following the movements and actions of the priest at the altar and matching them with the illustrations in my missal while silently joining in the prayers as best I could. The most visually dramatic moments of the mass come at the elevations of the sacred host and chalice- yet these are also the moments at which our blessed Lord is being presented for our worship. I was taught to say "My Lord and my God" and, notwithstanding the liturgical reforms, have continued to do so. I do not wish this to come across as a criticism of your work but it seems to me that we may be risking losing a certain becoming modesty about these sacred moments through over exposure. There is an irony here, perhaps, in that in the Ordinary Form there is little enough modesty at all! It seems one has to go to somewhere like Westminster Cathedral to see a chalice veil used nowadays.
As one who is totally photo-challenged, getting photos of my son's shoes and the tails of my cats, I really do appreciate your skill--keep it up.
ReplyDelete