Monday, March 07, 2005
Mass Abuse?
The following letter will be mailed today. I shall post the response if and when I receive it. I have edited out any identifying information for the sake of privacy of the priest involved.
March 7, 2005
Reverend XXXXX
Pastor
Church of XXXXX
Dear Fr. XXXXX:
Although I am not a member of your parish, I frequently attend the 6:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday morning as it fits well into my schedule. Generally speaking, the tone and reverence displayed at this Mass has been respectful and enjoyable. Unfortunately, a repetitive act of the last two weeks has given me some concern; namely the Gospel being co-read by non-ordained laity.
According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:
[63.] "Within the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, the reading of the Gospel, which is "the high point of the Liturgy of the Word",[139] is reserved by the Church's tradition to an ordained minister.[140] Thus it is not permitted for a layperson, even a religious, to proclaim the Gospel reading in the celebration of Holy Mass, nor in other cases in which the norms do not explicitly permit it.[141]
Perhaps an indult has been granted to the parish to present the Gospel in the manner you have done so the last two weeks or the norm has changed. I would appreciate if you could provide for me the source of authority that has allowed you to make this change. For your convenience, you may email me the information or pertinent website at the email address listed above.
Thank you for your time,
Matthew J. McKinley
---------
While I watched the girls, my wife went to Mass at yet another parish where she witnessed the pouring of Blood of Christ from one large glass pitcher into glassware just prior to Holy Communion. This is wrong on two points. Below is a direct citation from Redemptionis Sacramentum:
[105.] If one chalice is not sufficient for Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ's faithful, there is no reason why the Priest celebrant should not use several chalices.[193] For it is to be remembered that all Priests in celebrating Holy Mass are bound to receive Communion under both kinds. It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.
[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.
AND
[117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.[205] The Bishops' Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region, [206] so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate. [207]
I'll tackle the second issue after I have received a response on the first issue.
March 7, 2005
Reverend XXXXX
Pastor
Church of XXXXX
Dear Fr. XXXXX:
Although I am not a member of your parish, I frequently attend the 6:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday morning as it fits well into my schedule. Generally speaking, the tone and reverence displayed at this Mass has been respectful and enjoyable. Unfortunately, a repetitive act of the last two weeks has given me some concern; namely the Gospel being co-read by non-ordained laity.
According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:
[63.] "Within the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, the reading of the Gospel, which is "the high point of the Liturgy of the Word",[139] is reserved by the Church's tradition to an ordained minister.[140] Thus it is not permitted for a layperson, even a religious, to proclaim the Gospel reading in the celebration of Holy Mass, nor in other cases in which the norms do not explicitly permit it.[141]
Perhaps an indult has been granted to the parish to present the Gospel in the manner you have done so the last two weeks or the norm has changed. I would appreciate if you could provide for me the source of authority that has allowed you to make this change. For your convenience, you may email me the information or pertinent website at the email address listed above.
Thank you for your time,
Matthew J. McKinley
---------
While I watched the girls, my wife went to Mass at yet another parish where she witnessed the pouring of Blood of Christ from one large glass pitcher into glassware just prior to Holy Communion. This is wrong on two points. Below is a direct citation from Redemptionis Sacramentum:
[105.] If one chalice is not sufficient for Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ's faithful, there is no reason why the Priest celebrant should not use several chalices.[193] For it is to be remembered that all Priests in celebrating Holy Mass are bound to receive Communion under both kinds. It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.
[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.
AND
[117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.[205] The Bishops' Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region, [206] so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate. [207]
I'll tackle the second issue after I have received a response on the first issue.
