An Unusual Practice at Mass

[papaspicy]

When I was growing up my family went to a church that had a practice that I have never seen anywhere else:

During the offertory song, one of the altar servers (I was one of them) would walk down the center aisle with the cross that leads the priest’s procession at the beginning and end of mass. Once the collection had been made, he would lead those bearing the gifts to the altar. As this group made their way to the altar, the congregation would stand up as if to join in the presentation of the gifts. Then, as the gift-bearers walked back down the aisle everyone would sit back down while we finished the offertory song and the priest prepared the altar and gifts.

It always struck me, since I was just a kid, that this felt like a “wave” at a football game (obviously without the arm-waving and screaming). My family left that church when I was ten as a new Catholic church was started in our town, but as far as I know the other church still keeps this practice at mass; I last attended there about four years ago. When I think about this practice, it doesn’t really bother me and I can see where it could be quite reverent, but since I have never seen this anywhere else I’m guessing that it is not accurate to liturgical form. Any comments or help?

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

It is not unusual to have an altar server accompany the presentation of the gifts with the processional crucifix or torches, but the people always remain seated until the “orate, fratres” (pray, brethren) or if the congregation is to be incensed following the blessing of the gifts. Anything else is the innovation of the local parish.

 

[jmcrae]

It is not unusual to have an altar server accompany the presentation of the gifts with the processional crucifix or torches, but the people always remain seated until the “orate, fratres” (pray, brethren) or if the congregation is to be incensed following the blessing of the gifts.

This is how it is done at my parish - actually, the cross bearer and the two candle bearers lead the family forward, and the gifts are then received by the priest(s) and the deacon, if the deacon is present. (We usually have either two priests, or one priest and a deacon, at Sunday Mass - we are very, very fortunate, I think.)

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

It is not unusual to have an altar server accompany the presentation of the gifts with the processional crucifix or torches, but the people always remain seated until the “orate, fratres” (pray, brethren) or if the congregation is to be incensed following the blessing of the gifts. Anything else is the innovation of the local parish.

That’s how it’s done here.

 

[CatholicNerd]

When I was growing up my family went to a church that had a practice that I have never seen anywhere else:

During the offertory song, one of the altar servers (I was one of them) would walk down the center aisle with the cross that leads the priest’s procession at the beginning and end of mass. Once the collection had been made, he would lead those bearing the gifts to the altar. As this group made their way to the altar, the congregation would stand up as if to join in the presentation of the gifts. Then, as the gift-bearers walked back down the aisle everyone would sit back down while we finished the offertory song and the priest prepared the altar and gifts.

It always struck me, since I was just a kid, that this felt like a “wave” at a football game (obviously without the arm-waving and screaming). My family left that church when I was ten as a new Catholic church was started in our town, but as far as I know the other church still keeps this practice at mass; I last attended there about four years ago. When I think about this practice, it doesn’t really bother me and I can see where it could be quite reverent, but since I have never seen this anywhere else I’m guessing that it is not accurate to liturgical form. Any comments or help?

The procession is perfectly normal (and licit) but the standing during the procession is definitely not. Hope that helps!