The modern Church and why the new age movement is growing

After Sung Latin Mass at York Oratory 

Yet friendship with the world is enmity God. 

We are to be set apart. 

And not tainted by the world. 

‘And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ - Apocalypse 18:4

Young people are walking in spiritual wastelands in the modern world. They are seeking meaning, belonging, hope, but above all, they are seeking the mystery of God. Where will they find it? Where are the labourers for the harvest?

 This issue is beautifully expressed in Roger Buck’s book Cor Jesu Sacratissimum, which I review here.

‘In the new age movement we see growing numbers of folk, repelled by materialism, who starve for Supernatural Mystery. But where can new Ager’s go when the church no longer clearly proclaims the central Mystery of the world?…’

… ‘The answer is terribly obvious: ten thousand new age teachers, gurus, channellers and psychics who would speak to them of angels, forces, powers, star signs, spiritual healing, ancient pagan mysteries, galactic reptiles - but never of the Holy Mystery that beats within the bosom of the church.

Ironic it may be, but new agers and Catholic traditionalists do, in fact share some common features. For example, Catholic traditionalists take the supernatural very seriously. They cannot easily tolerate facile worldly skepticism. The same is true of new age seekers. Neither group has much tolerance for zany populism either. For example, new agers are, more often than not, put off by evangelical, charismatic forms of Christianity, just as I was in my youth. And the same is true for traditionalists.

Where would the new age movement be if the church was to speak, once again, unambiguously about her central mystery?

In Ireland, I was stirred when a Priest reported his experience, discussing baptism with two young parents. Initially, the couple showed little interest. All was rote and ennui. But then the Priest invoked the matter of exorcism and protection from supernatural evil. A spark if life was generated! Here is evidence of young folk who are awake to dimensions beyond the reigning sclerotic worldview- just as young new agers are likewise awake. There are many sensitive souls who will reject the kooky clone of Protestantism ( that modern Catholicism has become) But these same sensitive souls might be genuinely stirred, if only they heard the Church speak seriously and unambiguously of the Supernatural Mystery She us meant to guard.

World materialism grows. Proportionally, the hunger for spiritual mystery grows. Perhaps, proportionally as well, the interest in the new age movement grows. Whilst in the west, the church declines. …’

… ‘ In all my new age years, it would never have occurred to me to look to the Church for Supernatural Mystery. For I never heard the Church speaking - truthfully- about Herself in words like this:

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated in this consecrated, hallowed place. Not only does the Lord of the Universe become present whilst bread and wine are transformed, but surely Angels fall down in adoration by His Alter.

Fittingly, this Mass is not celebrated in the ordinary, mundane language of everyday life, but in a tongue, which has been reserved for centuries for august Sacred Mysteries. Here in this Church you will find still further Supernatural Graces. 

Confession will cleanse your very soul. Holy water is effective for warding off the advance of evil. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament can lead you into ever- deeper contemplation of the Mystery of His Love. By the transcendental virtue of Ordination, the soul of the Priest has been altered so that he may intercede with the Resurrected Christ for all these Sacraments and Sacramentals.

If you are not Catholic, you are welcome to avail yourself of much that is here. To fully participate in the Catholic Mystery, however, a rite of initiation is required. Sincere applicants for initiation are never turned away.’…

… ‘ How seldom we proclaim this truth boldly and unambiguously? So it is that new agers have never heard such things. And who can blame them if they seek elsewhere?’