Just wondering if these things are okay at mass. If they normally are not, is there some kind of loop-hole that the USCCB gives for parishes to “get away” with them?
- Does the guy carrying the cross up to the altar in procession have to be an acolyte? Does he have to wear special vestments? I saw a guy who looked to be a lay-person wearing regular lay-cloths.
No, he does not have to an instituted acolyte. A clear indication that any minister may do it is in the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM), n. 120(b):
“The ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an acolyte or other minister with the cross;”.
If there several instituted acolytes then one of them should carry the cross, rather than someone else. Parts of the GIRM supporting this:
"187. … If, however, only one acolyte is present, he should perform the more important duties while the rest are to be distributed among several ministers.
"The Introductory Rites
“188. In the procession to the altar, the acolyte may carry the cross, walking between two ministers with lighted candles. Upon reaching the altar, the acolyte places the cross upright near the altar so that it may serve as the altar cross; otherwise, he puts it in a worthy place. …”.
“100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, …”.
If there were one instituted acolyte then a judgement would need to be made about what was most important. To supervise from the back of the altar servers? To carry the thurible at the front? To carry the cross?
In the USA wearing vestments is not required. From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM), with USA adaptations, which can be accessed from
romanrite.com/girm.html :
“339. In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”
A lay-person is someone who is not ordained. An instituted acolyte is a lay-person.
- Can a parish use altar girls casually and at any time? I’ve been told that altar girls may only be used when no boys are available. I saw only altar girls at this place.
It depends on the decision of the bishop of the diocese. “107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [footnote 89: Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”
- Can a parish singing both the Gloria and the Agnus Dei as a responsorial, with the worship director singing most of it solo? I thought the whole congregation had to say all of it.
From the GIRM, n. 53: “The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or by two parts of the congregation responding one to the other.” So for the Gloria there is to be choir singing it, rather than just a cantor.
For the Agnus Dei, the GIRM n. 83 has: “The supplication Agnus Dei, is, as a rule, sung by the choir or cantor with the congregation responding; or it is, at least, recited aloud.” So for this there can be a cantor.
- Is bowing during the “He came down from Heaven” line in the creed absolutely binding? I didn’t see anyone bow at this place.
Obviously a baby cannot bow. Obviously there will be injuries or sicknesses that prevent it. But yes, the instructions are binding. From the GIRM:
“137. The Creed is sung or recited by the priest together with the people (cf. above, no. 68) with everyone standing. At the words et incarnatus est (by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . became man) all make a profound bow; but on the Solemnities of the Annunciation and of the Nativity of the Lord, all genuflect.”
