What Attracts Men to the Sacred Liturgy — and Why

De: Jesse Romero

Narrado por: Jacob Buckenmeyer

In this timely book, acclaimed radio host and author Jesse Romero teaches men how the traditional liturgy equips them to put on the armor of Christ and fight the daily spiritual battle for souls.

Drawing from his background in law enforcement and spiritual warfare, Romero outlines why the traditional Latin Mass spoke to him in such a powerful way and transformed his spiritual life. He describes how the implementation of the new Mass — with its emotionalism and horizontal focus — led men in particular to lose the zeal of the saints, and how the manner in which they worship God is central to restoring that fervor.

Romero breaks down exactly why men find their “natural and supernatural home on this earth” at the traditional Mass.

He highlights:

• The sacrificial nature of the TLM, and how the actions of the Mass express each step of the Passion.
• The liturgy’s appeal to intellect over emotion.
• The power of silence in embracing mystery and instilling reverence.
• How the TLM is Christo-centric rather anthropocentric, and why this is the proper orientation toward the divine.

Romero includes select essays from priests on the efficacy of traditional prayers, and firsthand testimonies from powerful Catholic men of today, including NFL kicker Harrison Butker, UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten, and Navy SEAL Charlie Aeschliman, who have found solace and purpose in the traditional liturgy.

As contributor Kyle Clement, a rancher, husband, and father puts it, “Part of the masculine disposition is a desire for ritual and fraternity — ritual meaning order. The Holy Roman Mass in the Tridentine form is ordered, and it is order that lifts the soul toward Heaven.”

In the midst of a culture that distorts authentic masculinity and femininity, the timeless teachings of the Catholic Church, as expressed through her traditional liturgy, stand steadfastly in the fray.

©2024 Sophia Institute Press (P)2024 Sophia Institute Press

Now I understand why I love TLM so much!

Really love this book! I thought it was just me! The book helped me understand why I am so drawn to TLM as a husband and father on my faith journey!! I pray the rosary every day with deeper devotion to Our Lady! Jesse did an excellent job explaining and including testimonies of other men like me who explain why they love the TLM!

"Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc" Lives Here

I have no problem with people who have tried both the Novus Ordo and the Tridentine (traditional) liturgies and have a preference for the latter. The author, who was once a staple in Catholic charismatic events and is a vibrant speaker, has found himself drifting from these roots and more towards a traditional liturgy. Wonderful. He will also recognize that, while the mass in the vernacular is not his preferred choice, he will not go so far and state it as illegitimate. Again, nice.

What is an issue is that, in the process of trying to explain why the attraction of the liturgy for him (and for a few testimonials in the back), he demonstrates a lot of weak arguments that are based upon his personal experiences, with the snark meter turned to high. Yes, some parishes have deplorable tastes in song selection. Yes, there was a significant drop of church attendance in liturgies once the vernacular mass was introduced. Yes, there have been numerous liturgical abuses. I've heard it before.

What is missing is any deep analysis as to why the bishops overwhelmingly approved of Vatican II back in 1965, despite being blessed by the mysteries of the Tridentine liturgy. His extreme disdain for the 1960s seems to forget that behind the 1960s were both the events of the 1940s (where World War II and the holocaust lived in memory), and the 1950s, (with the continual undercurrent of racism was *finally* being undercut by the Civil Rights movement in its earliest stages). That over the decades, radio, then television, and soon the Internet, began introducing isolated Catholic communities to a larger more homogenous world. And that Vietnam and later, Watergate, caused a massive distrust in established institutions, which Vatican II would not have predicted. This distrust greatly affected ALL denominations, save for those arising from the Jesus Movement (evangelicals, charismatics, and megachurches). Therefore, the notion that the loss of Latin would not have changed this an iota, as other Catholic rites not bound by Vatican II, which retained the same appreciation for Latin chants, all suffered similar devastating drops.

There is a different book that needs to be written for Catholic men. Instead of a book that encourages men to FEARFULLY RUN AWAY from their local parish, (where immense good could occur), there should be a book on how to instill HOLINESS for themselves and their families, DESPITE when our local parish priests, CCD teachers and music ministers let us down. Such a book would have a massive impact on our world.