Abuses in Reading of the Passion

[Dr_Paul]

This past palm Sunday, our parish priest decided he would read the part of the crowd and the congregation was instructed to read the part of Jesus. He did the same thing last year and based upon his comments during his homily, he is already aware that many were not amused by this “liturgical creativity”. In addition, he had the narrator (a woman) stand in front of the priest’s chair while he stood off to the side of the sanctuary. He specifically mentioned that others had told him how much this upset them last year, yet this did not change his behavior. I am interested in getting some thoughts on how best to respond. Have you ever encountered this before? Are there specific instructions on how the passion should be read during mass?

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

This past palm Sunday, our parish priest decided he would read the part of the crowd and the congregation was instructed to read the part of Jesus. He did the same thing last year and based upon his comments during his homily, he is already aware that many were not amused by this “liturgical creativity”. In addition, he had the narrator (a woman) stand in front of the priest’s chair while he stood off to the side of the sanctuary. He specifically mentioned that others had told him how much this upset them last year, yet this did not change his behavior. I am interested in getting some thoughts on how best to respond. Have you ever encountered this before? Are there specific instructions on how the passion should be read during mass?

There is not even a logical reason to do this. It’s not even creative. It’s stupid.

What’s his problem?

 

[benedictgal]

This is what Paschale Solemnitatis (the Circular letter regarding Holy Week issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments) has to say on the matter:

1. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest.

The same would also hold true for Good Friay. I am not one to always agree with PGA, but, in this case, I would have to concur.

Here is the full text of the document:

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html#anchor260407

Inasmuch as there are some who would doubt the veracity of Adoremus, their website is fairly easy to navigate and it’s a lot quicker to pull up this document than in most other sites.

 

[palmas85]

This past palm Sunday, our parish priest decided he would read the part of the crowd and the congregation was instructed to read the part of Jesus. He did the same thing last year and based upon his comments during his homily, he is already aware that many were not amused by this “liturgical creativity”. In addition, he had the narrator (a woman) stand in front of the priest’s chair while he stood off to the side of the sanctuary. He specifically mentioned that others had told him how much this upset them last year, yet this did not change his behavior. I am interested in getting some thoughts on how best to respond. Have you ever encountered this before? Are there specific instructions on how the passion should be read during mass?

This is quite bizarre. I’ve never heard of or seen it done in this fashion. Strange indeed and quite probably outside of Liturgical norms.

 

[VietCatholic83]

Is a “dramatization” of the Lord’s Passion considered illicit or completely unacceptable. By “dramatization”, I mean costumes, props, a script (totally different from the Gospel), mock crucifixion, etc in place of the reading of the Passion according to sacred scripture.

 

[ApologeticsGirl]

Where can I find an official Church ruling on why the priest is supposed to read the Gospel at Mass? At our Palm Sunday Mass, our priest took the role of Narrator while a woman read Jesus’ words and another man took the third part. This really ground my gears. I want to approach my priest about it, but would like Church proof that I’m correct, rather than just tradition.

Apparently, a similar thing occurred at my in-laws’ church across town; except, the deacon read Jesus’ words and the priest had no involvement.

 

[benedictgal]

Is a “dramatization” of the Lord’s Passion considered illicit or completely unacceptable. By “dramatization”, I mean costumes, props, a script (totally different from the Gospel), mock crucifixion, etc in place of the reading of the Passion according to sacred scripture.

Yes. This is what Paschale Solemnitatis has to say:

1. The readings are to be read in their entirety. The responsorial psalm and the chant before the gospel are to be sung in the usual manner. The narrative of the Lord’s passion according to John is sung or read in the way prescribed for the previous Sunday (cf. n. 33). After the reading of the passion, a homily should be given, at the end of which the faithful may be invited to spend a short time in meditation. [69]

1. Devotions, such as the Way of the Cross, processions of the passion, and commemorations of the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary are not, for pastoral reasons, to be neglected. The texts and songs used, however, should be adapted to the spirit of the liturgy of this day. Such devotions should be assigned to a time of day that makes it quite clear that the liturgical celebration, by its very nature, far surpasses them in importance. [74*]

In other words, a Passion play is fine, but, it is not to take the place of the Good Friday liturgy of the Church.

 

[SimonX]

I don’t know where the source of this would be. But I have never ever seen anything like that occur during the reading of that particular Gospel. I would have just one question for the priest. Why on earth would you delegate the part of Jesus to anyone other than the priest?

Yikes.

 

[NaturalEnquirer]

Fr Serpa indicates that this is acceptable for the reading of the Passion:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=224810

The GIRM says the following:

1. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a **deacon **or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, **the priest celebrant himself **should read the Gospel.

(usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3b)
(emphasis mine)

I don’t know why an exception is made for this particular reading. Maybe just the length?

 

[benedictgal]

Fr Serpa indicates that this is acceptable for the reading of the Passion:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=224810

The GIRM says the following:

1. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a **deacon **or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, **the priest celebrant himself **should read the Gospel.

(usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3b)
(emphasis mine)

I don’t know why an exception is made for this particular reading. Maybe just the length?

Here is what Paschale Solemnitatis has to say regarding the issue:

1. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest.

In other words, the priest must read the part of the Christ. It is by virtue of his ordination. What you witnessed was just another example of people getting creative with the Mass and making a mess out of it.

 

[VietCatholic83]

Thanks Benedictgal for the the link to the document. I found it very informative. My parish performed this Passion Play in place of the proclamation of the Passion. It was the most uncomfortable and frustrating 45 minutes I have ever experienced in the context of the mass. So does Paschale Solemnitatis hold definitive weight in matters of liturgy? I just want to know in case I bring this up to my pastor or others in the parish.

Also I have been regularly visiting this forum for a few months now and I must say that I appreciate your liturgical insights. keep it up!

 

[benedictgal]

Thanks Benedictgal for the the link to the document. I found it very informative. My parish performed this Passion Play in place of the proclamation of the Passion. It was the most uncomfortable and frustrating 45 minutes I have ever experienced in the context of the mass. So does Paschale Solemnitatis hold definitive weight in matters of liturgy? I just want to know in case I bring this up to my pastor or others in the parish.

Also I have been regularly visiting this forum for a few months now and I must say that I appreciate your liturgical insights. keep it up!

Thank you for the kind words.

Paschale Solemnitatis is an official document of the Church, put forth by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It sets forth what is and is not supposed to be done during Holy Week. Call it the Redemptionis Sacramentum for Holy Week.

 

[Digitonomy]

1. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest.

Are there any guidelines on how to do this in the absence of a priest? Notwithstanding the above, it seems sensible that a deacon would read the part of Christ if available. But if no clergy are present, does a lay presider automatically read Christ’s part, or does it really matter who reads it in that case?

 

[benedictgal]

Are there any guidelines on how to do this in the absence of a priest? Notwithstanding the above, it seems sensible that a deacon would read the part of Christ if available. But if no clergy are present, does a lay presider automatically read Christ’s part, or does it really matter who reads it in that case?

Paschale Solemnitatis indicates that the Good Friday liturgy should be celevrated in the presence of the priest:

1. It is fitting that small religious communities, both clerical and lay, and other lay groups should participate in the celebration of the Easter Triduum in neighboring principal churches. [46]

Similarly, where the number of participants and ministers is so small that the celebrations of the Easter Triduum cannot be carried out with the requisite solemnity, such groups of the faithful should assemble in a larger church.

Also, where there are small parishes with only one priest, it is recommended that such parishes should assemble, as far as possible, in a principal church and participate in the celebration there.

On account of the needs of the faithful, where a pastor has the responsibility for two or more parishes in which the faithful assemble in large numbers, and where the celebration can be carried out with the requisite care and solemnity, the celebrations of the Easter Triduum may be repeated in accord with the given norms. [47]

It stands to reason that the priest should be a part of the celebration. If your parish is part of a cluster, then all of you get together.

 

[Phemie]

Paschale Solemnitatis indicates that the Good Friday liturgy should be celevrated in the presence of the priest:

It stands to reason that the priest should be a part of the celebration. If your parish is part of a cluster, then all of you get together.

But there are many situations where a priest is just not available. In that case, my preference would be to hear the Passion done straight through and not in parts.

 

[benedictgal]

But there are many situations where a priest is just not available. In that case, my preference would be to hear the Passion done straight through and not in parts.

What about having a deacon?

 

[Phemie]

What about having a deacon?

Most parishes I’ve been in have never seen such a beast.

 

[benedictgal]

Phemie, I didn’t mean to sound flippant; however, is it not possible that y’all can’t go to a neighboring parish where there is a priest? The document does speak to doing that. Furthermore, it doesn’t make any provisions for a celebration in absence of the priest. How are you guys handling the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper? In addition, how are you going to handle distributing Holy Communion to the faithful on Good Friday, since enough hosts must be consecrated to account for both Holy Thursday and Good Friday?

It’s kind of like the Passover that Ancient Israel. When a family was too small to consume the entire lamb, they joined up with another family for Passover. The Church, as the New Israel, asks us to do the same. Granted, I am lucky that we have about 32 parishes in my city (although there are some priests who do take care of several missionary churches in our county’s colonias), but, even those cluster parishes have to make allowances, as spelled out in Paschale Solemnitatis. In my diocese, for example, those who do live in the colonias will gather in one place to celebrate Triduum.

Now, regarding the adding of such things as a Passion Play to the Good Friday Liturgy, Paschales Solemnitatis has this to say:

1. The order for the celebration of the Lord’s passion (the liturgy of the word, the adoration of the cross, and Holy Communion) that stems from an ancient tradition of the Church should be observed faithfully and religiously and may not be changed by anyone on his own initiative.

This issue was brought up by another person on this thread. It pretty much stands to reason that we must adhere to the Church’s ancient Tradition and not make any changes just to suit novelty and creativity.

 

[Phemie]

Phemie, I didn’t mean to sound flippant; however, is it not possible that y’all can’t go to a neighboring parish where there is a priest? The document does speak to doing that. Furthermore, it doesn’t make any provisions for a celebration in absence of the priest. How are you guys handling the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper? In addition, how are you going to handle distributing Holy Communion to the faithful on Good Friday, since enough hosts must be consecrated to account for both Holy Thursday and Good Friday?

It’s kind of like the Passover that Ancient Israel. When a family was too small to consume the entire lamb, they joined up with another family for Passover. The Church, as the New Israel, asks us to do the same. Granted, I am lucky that we have about 32 parishes in my city (although there are some priests who do take care of several missionary churches in our county’s colonias), but, even those cluster parishes have to make allowances, as spelled out in Paschale Solemnitatis. In my diocese, for example, those who do live in the colonias will gather in one place to celebrate Triduum.

Now, regarding the adding of such things as a Passion Play to the Good Friday Liturgy, Paschales Solemnitatis has this to say:

This issue was brought up by another person on this thread. It pretty much stands to reason that we must adhere to the Church’s ancient Tradition and not make any changes just to suit novelty and creativity.

We have a pastor, who resides in our community. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated in our parish. Enough Hosts will be consecrated for that night and for two full churches the next day.

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will be in the neighboring parish at noon the next day (small, full church) and in our parish at 3 p.m. (3/4 full church)

One Vigil on Holy Saturday, in the other parish. (“We can’t prepare in that parish,” says the pastor, “we just have to wing it.” IOW, he’s free to do whatever he wants with no comments from the peanut gallery and any innovation he comes up with is good to them - they get the sand in the font, etc, that he can’t get away with in our parish because too many people know the rubrics.)

Two Easter Sunday Masses: our parish at 10 a.m. & the other parish at noon.

 

[Dr_Paul]

Many thanks to Benedictgal and the others who have contributed to answering my questions. It does seem pretty clear that in the context of the Palm Sunday Mass (or Good Friday Service) that the priest should take the role of Jesus. That is what I thought, but having the formal Church instructions will help in my talking with this priest (though I doubt that I will be able to change his practice). My understanding of his reason for doing this was to allow us all to see the passion through the eyes of Jesus. He also commented in his homily that he did not think that anyone in the congregation would have shouted “crucify him” is we were there. I beg to differ. Acknowledging my own personal responsibility in Christ’s passion (through my own sin) is very powerful for me.

Aside from the formal instructions, does anyone have a good meditation or homily that speaks about one’s personal experience of the passion through its reading on Palm Sunday. Specifically the value in identifying ourselves in the crowd. I have seen several that do this for the stations of the cross.