Canadian Liturgical Norms

[Vox_Borealis]

I am sure this has been answered before, but I cannot seem to find this information anywhere. My wife and I recently moved to Quebec from the US and have not surprisingly noticed many (usually small) differences in the Mass. One of the most striking is that the laity here kneels from the end of the Sanctus until the Mystery of Faith (not until the Our Father, as is the norm in the US). However, a small percentage of the laity remain kneeling, and there is often a fair amount of confusion during this part of the mass. Basically, my question is what is the approved norm in Canada? Where can I find some “official” document–the CCCB web page is completely unhelpful with regard to this.

Thanks

 

[jms]

Hi Vox Borealis,

Welcome to Canada where I don’t think there is a norm! I’m out on the West Coast and in my parish we kneel from the end of the Sanctus until the start of the Our Father, then again from the end of the Agnus Dei until people start going forward to receive Communion. Some people remain kneeling while waiting their turn to go up to receive communion and others choose to sit down. However, I’ve attended mass at other parishes in my Diocese and have encountered what you describe.

The last I heard we still do not have the recognitio from the Vatican for the Canadian adaptations to the GIRM and we are still using a lectionary that is not approved by the Vatican due to its use of the New Revised Standard Version of the scripture readings with their inclusive language.

The Canadian Lectionary was based on the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, which the Holy See rejected for liturgical use because of “inclusive language” and other problems. The Canadian bishops had already published the text, so they were given temporary permission to use it.

Adoremus Jul-Aug 2001

… that ‘temporary’ permission was granted in 1994!

In regards to approval of the GIRM, who knows how much longer that will be. Here are some of the adaptations the Canadian Bishops have asked for:

• an exemption concerning the requirement that only priests are to prepare communion cups (I’ve seen this done in Eastern Canada)
• vesture of lay ministers

…so, in a nutshell, you’ll probably find that the ‘norms’ for what to do at mass vary from parish to parish.

Jennifer http://forum.catholic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Vox_Borealis]

JMS,

Thanks so much–I had suspected something of the sort. I guess it will have to be a matter of conscience to stand or kneel.

Mike

 

[The_Black_Knight]

jms:

Hi Vox Borealis,

Welcome to Canada where I don’t think there is a norm! I’m out on the West Coast and in my parish we kneel from the end of the Sanctus until the start of the Our Father, then again from the end of the Agnus Dei until people start going forward to receive Communion. Some people remain kneeling while waiting their turn to go up to receive communion and others choose to sit down. However, I’ve attended mass at other parishes in my Diocese and have encountered what you describe.

I think you’re right. In my parish only about 10-15 people (including my family) kneel at all.

 

[olegraymere]

There are some things left to the discretion of the bishop, and I believe this is one of them. It is approved. Welcome to Quebec, the most contrary place you’ll ever know. This practice of a shorter time kneeling is but one of millions of little idiosyncracies from tax codes to traffic laws to (gasp!) language laws… so why not the Mass?

The reason there is confusion is because everywhere else – at least on this continent – Catholics kneel till the Our Father. I guess they figure if they can get us on our knees at all, they’d best not press their luck! I don’t think it should be a matter of conscience. It is the permitted practice here… and we do kneel for the consecration and “This is the Lamb of God.”

Bonne chance!