Can Sacristans "purify" the Sacred vessels?

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MJTK60

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It seems like the Church waits for either Advent or the Easter season to make changes in the Liturgury. As we all know Advent started yesterday, so changes are being instituted.

Since the Pope has elected NOT to renew the indult to allow the “EXTRA” Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist to “purify” the sacred vessels. Starting with Advent, in the Diocese of Orange County the Bishop, Tod Brown, is allowing the Sacristains to perform this function. Is this permissible? Since it is my understanding the Sacred vessels can only be “purified” by a Priest, Deacon or Acolyte.

According to my research, an Acolyte is NOT a Sacristian but actually an appointed male whom the Church at one time refered to as a sub-Deacon.

I put purified is quotes, because I do not agree with the term purifying when refering to the precious Blood of Christ!

Matt
 
The US is no longer given special permission to allow sacristans to purify. That being said there is a chain of command and I would continue as ususal until you recieve instructions from the bishop or your priest. I assume that the bishop is busy with this and has not instituted a change yet due to logistical reasons. When priests get transfered it usually occurs after Easter so perhaps he is waiting until then, or perhaps he is trying to schedule the seminarians and deacons where they can be of use next semester in this function.
 
I_A said:
. That being said there is a chain of command and I would continue as ususal until you recieve instructions from the bishop or your priest. .
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Actually the instruction was released by the usccb here usccb.org/liturgy/cleansingofvessels.pdf .

My deacon told me that it is self executing…so no chain of command. as indicated by Redemptionis Sacramentum [183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

I believe we are bound to observe this without a chain of command.
 
MJTK60 said:
… Starting with Advent, in the Diocese of Orange County the Bishop, Tod Brown, is allowing the Sacristains to perform this function. Is this permissible?..
Matt
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No, it is not permitted. What evidence is there that Bishop Brown is allowing it?
 
Thank you for this information. We were planning on changing things next year during the next EMHC training, but we may have to make things sooner.
 
Brendan said:
Right here, on his own letterhead.

closedcafeteria.blogspot.com/2006/10/diocese-of-orange-memo-on-purification.html
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That memo has nothing about sacristans or Advent. It there evidence for the allegation by MJTK60: “Starting with Advent, in the Diocese of Orange County the Bishop, Tod Brown, is allowing the Sacristains to perform this function.”?

The “function” is the ritual purification required to be done by the instituted acolyte, deacon or priest during Mass or immediately afterwards.

I suspect he is mistaken and there is simply something written that highlights that additional cleaning of the vessels can be performed by sacristans or anyone else.
 
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