This post was first published on June 23, 2017 for my former blog, The Liturgical Theologian, on Patheos.
Here is a bit of levity for you on Friday. Snobbery can affect any category of people: food snobs, wine snobs, sports snobs, shoe snobs, book snobs, etc. etc. ad infinitum. One group of people not often mentioned but highly afflicted is that of the Liturgical Snob. Liturgical snobbery is not necessarily a bad thing. As you’ll see from my list, most points are actually good and well-informed. It becomes an issue, however, based on how you use your snobbery. Snobbery for snobbery’s sake is annoying and unhelpful. Also, lighten up and have some fun.
Disclaimer: I am a liturgical snob myself. This is fun and jest. I shouldn’t have to state this but there will be those who are too buttoned up and rigid to realize what I’m doing.
You might be a liturgical snob if…
- You own a copy of Ritual Notes. Extra points if you treat it as holy writ.
- Complain regularly about the use of “just” in prayers. (This type of complaint is grating on my nerves. You can expect a post about it soon.)
- Debate versus populum and ad orientem.
- Properly translate and interpret Prosper of Aquitaine. Hint: he didn’t say lex orandi, lex credendi.
- Have strong opinions about Hippolytus and Dom Gregory Dix.
- Sacrosanctum Concilium is a well-read part of your library.
You have a thing for liturgical lace.Are well versed in the various forms of liturgical chanting (Gregorian, Saint Dunstan’s Plainsong, etc.)- When asked to pick between incense and asperges your answer is, “Yes.”
- You treat the faculty of Notre Dame’s Liturgical Studies Department as celebrities or the Dream Team.
- You know the lineage and pedigree of your favorite Prayer Book and often refer to it as the Prayer Book.
Now, read through the list once more and if you are able to understand all 10 points and/or are guilty of the majority then you are officially a Liturgical Snob. Welcome to the club! Don’t take yourself too seriously, though. That’s where the problems set in. Go and enjoy yourself today: pray with a different liturgy, refrain from correcting someone on Facebook (you know you do it!), try using the word “just” in a prayer. Cheers!
Porter C. Taylor 