Mass attendance census
Some people have expressed their disappointment at the fact the Catholic Church has not carried out a Mass attendance census since 2005. I remember a time when this survey was never conducted, a time when the Maltese flocked to church for Sunday Mass. It was also a time when they attended, in great numbers, spiritual exercises during Lent.
During this spiritual golden age it was customary for seminarians to make collections to help the seminary financially. They used to give the congregation a holy picture which included a prayer for vocations. This holy picture served two purposes: first, as a thank-you for the contribution, and second, as a survey to find out the number attending these spiritual exercises.
Over the years the Church and the seminary in particular noticed that the number of Maltese attending these spiritual exercises was dwindling. Eventually seminarians ceased to make their collections during these exercises and started collecting during weekend Masses.
Now these financial collections by seminarians are still carried out during the weekend Masses in Lent. So, although the professional Mass attendance census has not taken place last year, the Catholic Church still has a rough idea of how many Maltese are attending Mass at the weekend.
The Church carries out this indirect census on Mass attendance every year.
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Wenzu Vella
Nov 12th 2012, 07:47
Joe Zammit and Gerry Cowie what a team to argue with for those with religious interests. Joe just resurfaced from his divorce defeat. Gerry adopted to defend anything religious and the GC in connection with Malta. We will be kept amused for sure.
Joe Zammit
Nov 12th 2012, 10:40
... at least we have encouraged you to drop a line!
Gerry Cowie
Nov 11th 2012, 15:06
Karl Consiglio has clearly given us his stance on the Church. Enough said!
He has not of course explained his "rationale" behind the his desire to see the downfall of the Church.
I still think his interest in the Church will lead him back to God one day!
Karl Consiglio
Nov 11th 2012, 23:41
Oh its not just the church Gerry.
Peter Murray
Nov 11th 2012, 13:48
JOE ZAMMIT-How did you reach that ridiculous conclusion from my comment in that you deduce that I am suggesting that "the number of churchgoers is not important"?For even if you went to Mass 100 times a day -in fact if you lived in the Church-what has that got to do with the issue at hand?My clearly explained points were the reduced numbers of churchgoers and the lack of respect shown once there
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 15:57
Your first question refers to something already known, i.e. the dwindling number of churchgoers.
Lucienne Dimech
Nov 11th 2012, 12:09
Do you need a census? It's obvious that the numbers are decreasing. People use their heads today.
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:43
No. We don't need a census. Those who go to Mass will receive the spiritual benefits of the Mass, those who don't go will be missing a lot. Later on in life they will understand more what I am saying.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 11th 2012, 11:41
Fact: Performance on the field is reflected in the numbers passing through the turnstiles.
Despite the sport's recent scandals, support for other clubs is steadily increasing, which indicates that the global game is in good shape; however, this particular club's support continues to dwindle. It is claimed that its players are good, so perhaps poor management is the root of the problem ?
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:44
Remember one thing: they turn to Christ later on in their lives.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 11th 2012, 15:57
You might HOPE that they eventually turn to Christ, Joe, but do you have any figures to support that claim too? - And who do the lapsed Muslims, Jews, Hindus, etc turn to in later life ? Christ ?
And what about the Jews that lived religious lives and died before Christ was born; who did they turn to ?
I am sure that the Church will have fed you the answers tthese questions, and many more.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 11:30
Seminarians giving out holy pictures whilie collecting? Must have been donkey's years ago!!!
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:54
Normally, the holy pictures given depict some work of art. The Catholic Church is very fond of artistic works.
Stefan Limongello
Nov 11th 2012, 11:29
Good point Joe but why not enhancing the figures? I am referring to what in the rest of Europe - including my Alpine country - do, but not (apparently) in Malta. Is this correct:
http://pro-tridentina-malta.blogspot.com/2012/07/wikkimissa-but-not-in-malta.html
As far as I know, nothing has changed - at least where I live.
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:52
If you could explain better, I would answer you.
Stefan Limongello
Nov 11th 2012, 15:56
Joe, in the sense that apparently - I stress "apparently" - the bishops here prohibit or put hurdles to those faithful who want to avail themselves of the benefits granted by His Holiness Benedict XVI according to the church document Summorum Pontificum. That's why I posted a link; I'm not au courant whether things have remained the same in Malta. In Europe most bishops have been helpful.
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 20:44
Summorum Pontificum is an Apostolic Letter issued by Benedict XVI in 2007 dealing with Roman Missal (Mass, Sacraments, Breviary) published by John XXIII in 1962. It is permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass according to the Roman Missal. The motu proprio says the bishop is strongly requested to satisfy the wishes of those wishing to follow that Missal. Rules are to be followed.
Gerry Cowie
Nov 11th 2012, 10:48
Joe, the athiests, humanists and secularists will love this one! They are always looking for something to knock at the Church with. They seem to show an unhealthy interest in mass attendance figures and put their own reasons forward for them, even though they say they are not interested in religion! But they do seem sometimes to want to see its downfall!
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:06
Most atheists, humanists and secularists, sooner or later, will turn to Christ as well. They wont opt for hell but for an eternal life with Christ.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 11th 2012, 13:37
Gerry, not "sometimes", I ALWAYS want to see its downfall.
P Bonnici
Nov 11th 2012, 19:00
If Islam replaced Christianity, as it is slowly happening in Europe, atheists would get a much worse deal under Islam, at least Christians are more tolerant.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 11th 2012, 23:44
Good point P.Bonnici, religion is a problem, some of it more than others.
Peter Murray
Nov 11th 2012, 10:38
Why would you need the results of a census to tell you what we already know?That church attendences are down and that visits to retail shops on a Sunday is significantly up.People dont respect going to Mass anymore,in any event,and dress inappropriately -like they are going to the beach or a disco whilst most disrespectfully also dont turn off their mobile phone .
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:40
As you are saying the number of churchgoers is not that important. I go to church for Mass twice a day, morning and evening, because Jesus is there waiting for me. I shall continue to go even if I were to be the only one. But nothing, no shops can give me what Jesus is continuously bestowing on me.
If people knew the great beneficial value of each Mass, they would flock to church every day.
Victor Rodenas
Nov 11th 2012, 10:11
A very bad excuse.I am sure that if the number of Churchgoers increases the census would appear again,...
Joe Zammit
Nov 11th 2012, 12:12
Not necessarily. The difference is in the way the survey is conducted, one is professional the other is not. But what I have said is quite reasonable.
Karl Consiglio
Nov 11th 2012, 13:41
Well we would all like to be our own critics Joe wouldnt we?
Please choose the reason of your report below: