From a reader:
Do you have any tips for charitably explaining one’s devotion to the
TLM with those members of the Church, who, having attended the TLM in
their youth, remember it as something dreadful or imposing?
I think this will depend on the person and the place.
Also, your devotion is to the Lord made present in the TLM, and the reverence in the manner of celebration, and the clarity of the texts and doctrine.
However, a general principle should be, at all times – and I cannot stress this enough – show your joy at being able to attend.
Most of the time, people who object to the older form of Mass do so from emotional rather than rational reasons. Some nun was mean to them 50 years ago (probably because they were goofing off in class), and they associate that with “the church” or the old Mass. You will have a hard time arguing them out of their stance.
You can cut through, however, will a genuine demonstration of joy that you are able to benefit from the older forms.
Too often traditionalists get defensive or offensive and then go all long-face.
Happiness, however, can be disarming and attractive.
