The Catholic Underground

 If COVID brought out anything good in our populace, it was that many of us found our little "inner prepper" to varying degrees. Society stocked up on toilet paper. In our family's case, we did a little extra emergency food prep, buying bulk dried beans, split peas, and lentils. Though one can easily go overboard, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for things and look ahead a little. 

One of my big projects last year while I was working from home was renovating our shed. The shed was a mess, but the structure itself was in good shape, and it was huge by shed standards (12'x24'). I don't know what I had in mind exactly--I didn't need the space to work, but it would be nice to have a functional retreat house on the property. I insulated and paneled the walls and roof, laid flooring, and installed a small writing desk, a countertop, and a nice futon and sitting chair. I had a propane heater, a handwashing sink, and framed out the back third for storage (which I eventually shiplapped and carpeted) and installed solar panels and an inverter for electric. 

I also made a devoted space for an altar in the event we were consigned to have de-facto "underground" Masses if the churches remained shut down. At that point in COVID-time, no one really knew which way this thing was going to go. When my son started serving Mass at the beginning of COVID, we asked our priest to provide "papers" in case we were stopped crossing state lines (which we have to do to reach our parish). It was kind of surreal. 

Of course, as anyone who has lived in Communist-bloc countries knows, the underground Church is not a play-scenario, but a daily reality when freedom of worship is restricted. The underground Church has become the true Church in these countries. (For some background on the sham State-sponsored puppet churches controlled by the Communist party in China, see my post "Subversion.")

The Church has gone through such periods throughout its history throughout the world. In Ireland in the 17th century, for example, this kind of underground Church took place in the woods. From Wikipedia:

"A Mass rock (Carraig an Aifrinn in Irish) was a rock used as an altar in mid-17th century Ireland as a location for Catholic Mass. Isolated locations were sought to hold religious ceremonies, as observing the Catholic Mass was a matter of difficulty and danger at the time as a result of both Cromwell's campaign against the Irish, and the Penal Law of 1695. Bishops were banished and priests had to register to preach under the 1704 Registration Act. Priest hunters were employed to arrest unregistered priests and Presbyterian preachers under an Act of 1709.

In many instances a stone would be taken from a church ruin, and relocated to a rural area, with a simple cross carved on its top. Because the activity was illegal, the services were not scheduled and parishioners would be obliged to spread the word of them informally. By the late 17th century worship generally moved to thatched Mass houses."

I figured it didn't hurt to have something like this with our shed for our faithful friends should the need ever arise. We know priests who would be willing to offer Mass and the Sacraments in this way, though it seems extreme at this point while churches are opening back up and restrictions are being relaxed. We could fit about 30 or so people in the shed for Mass given it's size. Like I said, kind of a last-resort and just trying to make concessions for future scenarios. 

What got me thinking from the situation in 17th century Ireland was "services were not scheduled and parishoners would be obliged to spread the word of them informally." We saw snippets of this during COVID, at least in our circles--word of mouth in trying to locate priests and churches who would baptize, hear confessions, and offer Mass, or even where to obtain some blessed and exorcised salt. Those who were more cultural Catholics were happy with livestreaming Masses or not attending Mass at all. But for those who were hungry for spiritual bread, these kinds of networks developed.

I think it's important to have a strong, informal Catholic network outside the parish bounds. We will be hosting a gathering of Catholics in the area this week at our home to study one of the lives of the saints, pray, and have fellowship. I was surprised by how many people ended up saying they were coming; it was encouraging, but it was, again, this kind of informal network my wife and I feel called to develop. There are a lot of disconnected Catholics out there, like little islands, and we believe there is strength in numbers in such support networks. It is relatively easy to do by email, and though I'm not on social media anymore, that could be a medium.

But I remember growing up in the 80's and 90's before the internet and cellphones, we had things like 'zines that were printed by hand. I had a small wallet-sized notebook of phone numbers of friends and family. Basement shows were advertised by black and white fliers and word of mouth of who was playing when and where. If there was a party at someone's house, people just knew about it one way or another. The internet has brought us together and isolated us at the same time. It's like the Matrix--it feels so real, and yet it's not really real. There's a part of me that misses the simplicity of that era in getting the word out through these kind of informal networks and word of mouth. 

I once had a lot of hope in the "New Evangelization" and the internet as a medium to spread the Faith and evangelize to the masses. Now I think the opposite is true--online "virtual" keyboard Catholicism is too easy; it isn't intentional, and it isn't really real. Combox warriors are in their own little world, far removed from intentional community and often by choice, and often bring out an ugly incestuous side of Catholicism unattractive to observant outsiders. We don't need more parish programs or conferences--we need flesh and blood Catholic community as a means of survival.

The people who want to make these real life connections will find a way, if given the word-of-mouth opportunity. There will always be a place for online apologetics like Catholic Answers for those curious about the claims of the faith. But if you want community, you have to build community, and that's what we are trying to do as a family with what we've been given. It takes some effort, and sometimes it can be messy and take you out of your comfort zone, but depending on how the future of worship trends, it may also prove to be invaluable for those who are truly seeking it out.