The Catholic Church is a Church of Tradition. The Catholic Church is also a church of tradition.
Did I just repeat myself? Well, sort of. I’m trying to mess with your mind. Did it work?
Go back to that first line and notice what is different. I know, you saw it the first time. The words are exactly the same, but the capitalization is different.
I often get the chance to speak on the topic of the mission of the Church and evangelization. One of the themes I always come back to is Tradition… and tradition.
I’m going to say something that might be a little controversial: lowercase “t” tradition can often hold back our ability to evangelize and create disciples.
It is true that the Church draws on Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition to accomplish its mission. This is important. This is good.
It is also true that in parish life, we frequently allow our lowercase “t” traditions to be promoted to uppercase “T” Traditions. In the normal, day-to-day operation of the parish, we let our local customs become immutable laws that cannot be changed or altered in any way.
To be clear, I’m not talking about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Magisterium, or Canon Law. I’m talking about the things that we keep doing simply because “we have always done them.”
But do we really need to keep doing them?
It would be easy for me to say “no,” but I’m on the outside looking in. I don’t have the emotional attachment to the history, the people, and the culture of your specific parish.
An exercise I often give my students and workshop participants is to closely examine the traditions of their parish. I ask them to think about which specific customs are held so tightly that if someone were to suggest a change, all hell would break loose.
This doesn’t mean you need to go out and change them tomorrow. It does mean that a deep reflection needs to happen as to why parishioners and parish leaders are holding on to them so fiercely.
A few examples might be helpful here. Here are just a few that have come up during my coaching sessions with pastoral leaders:
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The exact times Masses are scheduled
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The day and time children’s faith formation happens
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The specific curriculum used for youth ministry
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The room that is permanently reserved for the Knights of Columbus 24/7
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How the parish celebrates the Triduum
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The format of staff or pastoral council meetings
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When the knitting and sewing group meets
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The lector who is always scheduled, even though they are no longer effective at it
Some of these are meant to be lighthearted, and some are heavy topics. Yet, all of them would likely elicit a negative or confrontational response if challenged.
And yet, these are the very structures and activities meant to help us evangelize and create disciples. Are they actually doing that? I can’t answer that for you.
I leave you with this thought: If a particular parish custom leads to great anxiety or emotional defensiveness, and it is not actively evangelizing or creating disciples, yet you keep doing it anyway—you have turned a lowercase “t” tradition into an uppercase “T” Tradition.
We must name it, and we must address it. We can no longer afford to ignore these topics.
Question: What are those traditions in your parish?
