Observations k Comments on the Sacrifice of the Mass

The Mass is not a staged drama at which we applaud the talent of the performers. The priest is there to do what the Church asks in the way the Church asks. Both of these criteria are set down in official documents and are easy to understand by almost anyone who takes the trouble to read them.

The laity have a right to (it’s in Canon Law) and should avail themselves of the duty to inform bishops, and the Holy See, when what is laid down is not observed. How can they do this if they do not authentically know what is supposed to be going on? They should know that the clergy are bound to the same rules that they are reading about in the Missal. It is also their Mass in the sense that neither the clergy or they make it up by themselves but both observe the same rite.

We cannot say liturgical prayers together if the celebrant is making up the words as he goes along. The Mass words are very precise, very much expressive of a definite, well thought out understanding of who the Father is, who Christ is, what this sacrifice of the Mass is about in each of its details.

Rubrics are guides to the correct and dignified celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In its statement on rubrics, the diocesan directors of liturgy stressed that “rubrics deserve our attention and respect.”

Over the years, I have compiled a growing list of liturgical practices that are not in the norms set forth in the Church documents that govern the celebration of the Mass in the Latin rite now in force. Here are some observations and comments:

Holding hands during the singing of the Lord’s Prayer – “There’s no prohibition on the holding of hands during the singing of the Our Father during the Mass,” Fr. Anscar Chupungco, executive secretary of the Commission on Liturgy, said.

With all due respect to Fr. Chupungco, hand-holding during the singing of the Lord’s Prayer is not in the rubrics.

According to the Sacred Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship, holding hands at Mass “is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on a personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics” (Notitiæ 112). Because it is not in the rubrics (Church law), it is not to be done. One of the most frequently ignored norms of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy issued by Vatican II is this: “Therefore, no other person, not even if he is a priest, may on his own add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy.” [Sacrosanctum Concilium, p. 22 § 3] This same statement was repeated in Sacram Liturgiam, Tres Abhinc Annos and in Inæstimabile Donum.

Monsignor Peter Elliott, in his book “Liturgical Question Box,” sums it up nicely:

“…[P]roblems arise when everyone gathered in church is expected to do this, because we know that there is no official liturgical directive for us all to do so. To encourage everyone to hold hands during the Our Father is an example of private or group piety intruding illicitly into public worship. One cannot impose a personal devotion, even something good.

The second point to consider is whether this practice is appropriate during the Lord’s Prayer. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2777-865) explains, this greatest of prayers is an act of adoration of our transcendent Father, followed by seven petitions addressed to Him. This is why the celebrant extends his hands in praise and petition. But everyone holding hands does not reflect the meaning of this great prayer of adoration and petition. This is the wrong sign for this prayer because it is too ‘horizontal’.” [LQB page 98]

Holding hands symbolizes oneness, it is claimed. If so, why don’t those who promote it extend it as well to other parts of the Mass such as the Confiteor, the Prayer of the Faithful (General Intercessions), or the Agnus Dei, where the symbolism of holding hands is most appropriate? Holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer just because it feels good to pray “as one” implies that the faithful are not united as one during other parts of the Mass when they do not hold hands, which is not true; otherwise, we might as well be holding hands throughout the entire Mass. It would seem that a lot of Catholics have forgotten that we are all united together already as one in the mystical Body of Christ, and this supernatural unity is a true unity that no amount of hand-holding can ever hope to achieve.

Praying with arms outstretched – Another commonly observed gesture is praying with arms outstretched, which is the traditional posture of prayer for priests and bishops during the liturgy. U.S. bishops have considered permitting the laity to mimic these gestures of the priest or bishop, but the Holy See has not approved this. It is important to note here the recent instruction on collaboration prohibits the laity from mimicking the gestures appropriate to a priest:

“Neither may deacons or non-ordained members of the faithful use gestures or actions which are proper to the same priest celebrant. It is a grave abuse for any member of the non-ordained faithful to “quasi-preside” at the Mass while leaving only that minimal participation to the priest which is necessary to secure validity.” [Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest (issued by the Congregation for the Clergy), Practical Provisions 6 § 2].

If we allow unauthorized innovations to the Mass, even if they “feel” good, this will only lead to further liturgical abuses and eventual confusion, and diminish the dignity and solemnity of the celebration of the Mass.

More later…