Did a little research on some Liturgy related stuff...

[Ziggamafu]

[font="Arial"]([b][font="Garamond"]Ok, so this first one I looked up after seeing someone else post it on a thread at phatmass[/font][/b])[/font]

[quote][b]General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2003[/b]
[u]The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts[/u]
II. The Different Elements of the Mass
[i]Movements and Posture[/i]

43. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fraters (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below.

They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they [b]may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.[/b]

In the dioceses of the United States of America , they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, [b]except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. [/b] Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.53

[b]With a view to a [i][u]uniformity [/u] in gestures and postures during one and the same celebration[/i], the faithful should follow the directions which the deacon, lay minister, or priest gives according to whatever is indicated in the Missal.[/b][/quote]

[font="Arial"][b][font="Garamond"]My conclusion: I must comply with a parish's practice when it comes to postures and gestures. If I'm reasonably certain there was not sufficient reason for an alteration, I must nevertheless give benefit of the doubt until I speak with the minister privately[/font][/b].[/font]

[quote][b]The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2003 [/b]
Chapter V
[u]The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist[/u]
III. The Arrangement of the Church
[i]The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist[/i]

314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.125
The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible.126 Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.127

315. It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated.128
Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop,

a. [i][b][u]Either [/u] [/b] [/i] in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. above, no. 303);

b.[b][i][u]Or [/u] [/i] [/b] [i]even in some chapel [/i] suitable for the faithful's private adoration and prayer129 and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.[/quote]

[font="Arial"][b][font="Garamond"]My conclusion: It is not a liturgical abuse for the tabernacle to be somewhere in the parish other than the sanctuary.[/font][/b] [/font]

[quote][b]The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2003 [/b]
Chapter VI
[u]The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass[/u]
[i]III. Sacred Vessels[/i]

327. Among the requisites for the celebration of Mass, the sacred vessels are held in special honor, especially the chalice and paten, in which the bread and wine are offered and consecrated, and from which they are consumed.

328. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.

329. [i]In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels [b]may also be made from other solid materials [/b] that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, [b]for example, ebony or other hard woods[/b],[/i] provided that such materials are suited to sacred use and do not easily break or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts, such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of this kind.

330. As regards chalices and other vessels that are intended to serve as receptacles for the Blood of the Lord, they are to have bowls of nonabsorbent material. The base, on the other hand, may be made of other solid and worthy materials.

331. For the consecration of hosts, a large paten may appropriately be used; on it is placed the bread for the priest and the deacon as well as for the other ministers and for the faithful.

332. As to the form of the sacred vessels, the artist may fashion them in a manner that is more in keeping with the customs of each region, provided each vessel is suited to the intended liturgical use and is clearly distinguishable from those intended for everyday use.

333. For the blessing of sacred vessels, the rites prescribed in the liturgical books are to be followed.136

334. The practice is to be kept of building a sacrarium in the sacristy, into which are poured the water from the purification of sacred vessels and linens (cf. above, no. 280).[/quote]

[b][font="Arial"][font="Garamond"]My conclusion: It is not a liturgical abuse for the Blessed Sacrament to be in wooden bowls[/font][/font].[/b]

[quote][b]Congregation for the Clergy
THE NON-ORDAINED FAITHFUL
PRACTICAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 8
THE EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION[/b]

A non-ordained member of the faithful, in cases of true necessity, may be deputed by the diocesan bishop, using the appropriate form of blessing for these situation, to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations ad actum vel ad tempus or for a more stable period. In exceptional cases or in un foreseen circumstances, the priest presiding at the liturgy may authorize such ad actum.(98)

§ 2. Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion.(99) They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion. (100)

This function is supplementary and extraordinary (101) and must be exercised in accordance with the norm of law. It is thus useful for the diocesan bishop to issue particular norms concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion which, in complete harmony with the universal law of the Church, should regulate the exercise of this function in his diocese. Such norms should provide, amongst other things, for matters such as the instruction in eucharistic doctrine of those chosen to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the meaning of the service they provide, the rubrics to be observed, the reverence to be shown for such an august Sacrament and instruction concerning the discipline on admission to Holy Communion.

To avoid creating confusion, certain practices are to be avoided and eliminated where such have emerged in particular Churches:

- extraordinary ministers receiving Holy Communion apart from the other faithful as though concelebrants;

- association with the renewal of promises made by priests at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, as well as other categories of faithful who renew religious vows or receive a mandate as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion;

- the habitual use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Mass thus arbitrarily extending the concept of "a great number of the faithful".

[b]The Sacraments and Their Celebration
The Most Holy Eucharist
II. THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
1. THE MINISTER OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST
e. Minister of Holy Communion[/b]


The ordinary minister of Communion is a bishop, a priest, or a deacon. The extraordinary minister is an acolyte, or another of the faithful lawfully deputed.23
Local Ordinaries have the faculty to permit a suitable person individually chosen as an extraordinary minister for a specific occasion or for a time or, in the case of necessity, in some permanent way, either to give the Eucharist to himself or to other faithful and to take it to the sick who are confined to their homes. This faculty may be used whenever:

a) there is no priest, deacon or acolyte;

b) these are prevented from administering Holy Communion because of another pastoral ministry or because of ill health or advanced age;

c) the number of faithful requesting Holy Communion is such that the celebration of Mass or the distribution of the Eucharist outside of Mass would be unduly prolonged.

[b]COMMITTEE ON THE LITURGY
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass
General Principles[/b]

In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. (1) (SSV, (2) 27).

When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162)."

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. In all matters they should follow the guidance of the diocesan bishop (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America, NDRHC, no. 28). When recourse is had to Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, especially in the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds, their number should not be increased beyond what is required for the orderly and reverent distribution of the Body and Blood of the Lord. In all matters such Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should follow the guidance of the diocesan bishop (IBID).

[b]Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
on June 14, 2001
PART II
Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds
When Communion Under Both Kinds May Be Given[/b]


24. (Paragraph 2)
In practice, the need to avoid obscuring the role of the priest and the deacon as the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion by an excessive use of extraordinary minister[s] might in some circumstances constitute a reason either for limiting the distribution of Holy Communion under both species or for using intinction instead of distributing the Precious Blood from the chalice.

…

38. If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are required by pastoral need, they should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion. After the priest has concluded his own Communion, he distributes Communion to the extraordinary ministers, assisted by the deacon, and then hands the sacred vessels to them for distribution of Holy Communion to the people.

[b][b]UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS[/b]
Committee On The Liturgy
Thirty Questions on the Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum for Diocesan Liturgy and Communications Personnel[/b]
26. Why the emphasis on the title “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion” instead of “Eucharistic Minister”?
The full title of this ministry more accurately reflects its purpose, which is to distribute Holy Communion in the absence of an ordinary minister of Holy Communion. The instruction notes that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion never perform their ministry in the presence of a sufficient number of ordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

[b][b]Instruction: Redemptionis Sacramentum[/b]
On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist
Chapter VII
Extraordinary Functions of Lay Faithful[/b]

151. Only out of true necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy. Such recourse is not intended for the sake of a fuller participation of the laity but rather, by its very nature, is supplementary and provisional.252 Furthermore, when recourse is had out of necessity to the functions of extraordinary ministers, special urgent prayers of intercession should be multiplied that the Lord may soon send a Priest for the service of the community and raise up an abundance of vocations to sacred Orders.253

…

1. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
158. Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.259 This, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason. [/quote]
[font="Arial"]
[b][font="Garamond"]My Conclusion: At least in my area, this is the most prevelant of all abuses; even at otherwise more traditional and orthodox parishes[/font]..[/b].[/font]

Edited July 11, 2006 by Ziggamafu

[Fides_et_Ratio]

Since when is wood considered a precious material in any area of the United States?

[stbernardLT]

A "hard wood" like a cypress is not easily obtained and is of value.

[Mitchell_b55]

If you are speaking of a hardwood as a precious material, you had better be speaking of mahogany, teak, black walnut, rosewood, or something delicate and rare. The biggest abuse and most widespread is the use of glass or woven baskets. Glass cannot be considered of precious quality unless it is a very fine hand-blown leaded glass. In the end it is simply an abuse, because it would be much easier to acquire a chalice made of precious metal, than to find a teak chalice finely crafted by artisans.

To replace a precious metal with something of drastically decreased value, such as glass or common metals shows a lack of reverence on the part of the clergy and on the part of the faithful whose money should be put to use in this area of worship. This lack of reverence is usually fueled by the fact that transubstantiation has lost its significance.

This plays into the fact that extraordinary ministers are a liturgical abuse:

[quote]A non-ordained member of the faithful, in cases of true necessity, may be deputed by the diocesan bishop, using the appropriate form of blessing for these situations, to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations ad actum vel ad tempus or for a more stable period. In exceptional cases or in unforeseen circumstances, the priest presiding at the liturgy may authorize such ad actum. [/quote]

The extraordinary minister has become more of an ordinary minister than the priest; in many churches they take precedence in distributing communion. I have yet to find, in my experience neither a case of true necessity nor an exceptional case or unforeseen circumstance equivalent to what is inferred in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Perhaps others will argue, but the widespread use of extraordinary ministers has diminished the sacred meaning of the Eucharist. If this abuse was squelched, perhaps a sense of the true presence would again return to our chapels. Perhaps I am too medieval in my position, but progress is not always progress, sometimes it is simply a colorful rendition of regression. I hope that our current Pope’s advice is heeded and the Holy Mass is taken as a Sacrifice of much importance and not just a gathering as it is often viewed, even by the faithful. If we viewed the Mass as the centre of our lives, we would never question things like the material, because we would pour our souls out for God and give him what he wishes, without hesitation.

I often think that those who cling to the 1962 Missal have a good reason, and if they didn't I'm sure the H.H. John Paul II would never have written Ecclesia Dei. As for myself I wish to become a priest, and have been looking towards the Institute of Christ the King. I don't have to cease being Catholic, like the radical traditionalists, and I can still say the beautiful Mass which I have come to love for it's beauty, not because it is the only way. You will find me a little more flexible than the Radical Traditional Movement. I have seen first hand the fruits of the Traditional Movement, coldness and hatred, the splitting of families, and defending canonical staus when it shouldn't be necessary. I have been there, done that, and I'm still here. I intend to remian a Catholic and not become a schismatic. It was a smart choice.

[Fides_et_Ratio]

we are in agreement about extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (and the Latin Mass). they do undermine transubstantiation and the sacredness of the Eucharist. In the US especially, we have given in to the idea that people only have time for 1 hour on Sundays to give to God, and so we speed up the Liturgy by having an obscene number of lay persons distributing Holy Communion.

I'm glad you are not schismatic, petrus_scholasticus, welcome to Phatmass!

[quote name='stbernardLT' post='1021872' date='Jul 11 2006, 04:17 PM']
A "hard wood" like a cypress is not easily obtained and is of value.
[/quote]
But would anyone in the US call it "precious" material? Rare and valuable does not equate to precious.

[phatcatholic]

sometimes i wonder why the united states MUST have all these special provisions, like our delicate sensibilities are just SOOOOooo fragile that it would just pain us to no end to actually go along with tradition and the rest of the Church. it makes me wonder if Rome isn't constantly rolling her eyes at this vain, Pre-Madonna, spoiled brat She has on Her hands.

oh no, you might have to...........gasp!.......KNEEL!! oh the horror!
oh no, you might have to actually celebrate a Holy Day................gasp.............DURING THE WEEK!!

these special concessions for the American Church get on my nerves sometimes......