Liturgical Abuse

[phatcatholic]

i'm not really sure how (or even if you should) change it. i like it the way it is, but i guess that's just me

[Fides_et_Ratio]

Well, I changed it. Didn't really make it 'more personal', just added a few things (bolded what I changed to make it easier):

**** ******* ******* *****
********, Ohio *****
August 20, 2004



Father ****** *******
Associate Pastor, Saint ******* Church
*** ****** ****
********, Ohio *****

Dear Father *******:

As a younger member of Saint *******’s Parish who is very much attracted to the Liturgy of the Church, I am curious, and also concerned about a few liturgical practices I have noticed when attending your celebration of the Mass. The liturgical issues about which I am questioning do not appear to follow the norms set forth by the Church. These norms, to my understanding, make a large difference in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. As the Holy Father puts it, “These norms are a concrete expression of the authentically ecclesial nature of the Eucharist; this is their deepest meaning” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 52).

Please do not take this as any sort of personal attack. That is not my intention at all in writing this. If you find that my assertions are incorrect or out of line, I hope that you will not refrain from correcting my understanding.

To begin, I noticed that you have been using the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children in your celebration of the Masses that I’ve attended. It is my understanding that the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children are only for Masses with children in high attendance (i.e., a school Mass), and that the prayers are written in a simpler style specifically for this particular audience. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) your use of these prayers is improper, for during our daily Mass there are not many children (if any) in attendance. The USCCB quotes the 1974 decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine worship, which confirms that, "use of a Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children is restricted to Masses that are celebrated with children alone or Masses at which the majority of the participants are children” (Postquam de Precibus, 4). Also, this past Sunday you used the third Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children, with some significant modifications to the wording, especially after the ‘Great Amen’. [b]I find this to be extremely confusing and frustrating in attempting to remember and appreciate the deepest meaning of the Mass.[/b]

I am also somewhat concerned by a few modifications to the wording of the Liturgy. I've noticed on several occasions that you did not follow the words provided in the Sacramentary, and especially in your use of the Eucharistic Prayer(s).[b]This past Saturday again, before reading the Gospel you said, “May the words of the Gospel be on our minds, our lips, and on our hearts” and then proceeded to say “A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke”; but I noticed that part of the congregation was crossing their foreheads, lips, and hearts as you were saying the words we are supposed to silently pray, while another part of the congregation waited until the appropriate time to do so after responding, “Glory to you, Lord”. [/b] I have understood the wording of the Liturgy to be of great importance as the prayer of the Church to God, and in my own life in relating to the Church as well. Most recently, Cardinal Arinze has said, “The liturgical words and rites, moreover, are a faithful expression, matured over the centuries, of the understanding of Christ, and they teach us to think as he himself does; by conforming our minds to these words, we raise our hearts to the Lord” (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 5). I cannot help but be concerned by alterations in the words of the Sacred Liturgy. And as well, the authority to change liturgical texts, to the best of my knowledge, depend solely on the Apostolic See and that “no one on personal authority may add, remove or change anything in them” (Code of Canon Law, 846). I know that this is also addressed in Sacrosantum Concilium (22; 3).

[b]I apologize for the length of this letter, as I know you must be busy, but I wanted to be specific in my concerns so that you might better be able to shed some light on the matter.[/b]

Though I will be leaving for college soon (and spending this next semester out of the country), I am still very much attached to my "home parish" and so only wish the greatest blessings and orthodoxy for Saint *******'s. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you might be willing to offer. In light of my upcoming departure (Sunday the 29th), you may feel free to reach me by e-mail: (e-mail address), [b]whenever you have the time. And know that I am truly appreciative of the time you have taken to consider my concerns.[/b]

Sincerely,



Jillian ******

Edited August 23, 2004 by Fides_et_Ratio

[Fides_et_Ratio]

Oh yeah, thanks, phat, you have been very helpful!