Childrens Pageant as Part of the Mass?

[paramedicgirl]

For the last 2 years at our parish, we have had a children’s Christmas pageant take place during the Sunday Mass on the Sunday before Christmas.

It is a play at the foot of the sanctuary that involves all the catechism children playing the parts of the Holy Family and the story is the birth of Jesus. It happens instead of the homily if I recall correctly.

They have the choir play Christmas songs like Hark the Herald and Joy to the World. Some parishioners get upset about the songs being liturgically incorrect, but no one ever suggests that the pageant itself might be a liturgical abuse.

Is it a liturgical abuse? I have suggested to our priest that we move the play to the church hall and peform it after Mass, and he said the play won’t happen this year during Mass. But parents pressure him so much to get their way, they all want to see their children in the limelight.

 

[Freeway4321]

I don’t see how this can’t be a liturgical abuse. Inless i’m missing something…

 

[Madia]

From the GIRM (emphasis added):

1. The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person.65 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate.

There is to be a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation at all Masses that are celebrated with the participation of a congregation; it may not be omitted without a serious reason. It is recommended on other days, especially on the weekdays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter Season, as well as on other festive days and occasions when the people come to church in greater numbers.66

After the homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed.

usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

Maybe you want to ask about this on the EWTN message board under Canon Law.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

paramedicgirl:

For the last 2 years at our parish, we have had a children’s Christmas pageant take place during the Sunday Mass on the Sunday before Christmas.

It is a play at the foot of the sanctuary that involves all the catechism children playing the parts of the Holy Family and the story is the birth of Jesus. It happens instead of the homily if I recall correctly.

They have the choir play Christmas songs like Hark the Herald and Joy to the World. Some parishioners get upset about the songs being liturgically incorrect, but no one ever suggests that the pageant itself might be a liturgical abuse.

Is it a liturgical abuse? I have suggested to our priest that we move the play to the church hall and peform it after Mass, and he said the play won’t happen this year during Mass. But parents pressure him so much to get their way, they all want to see their children in the limelight.

There are certain specific Rites that can take place within Mass. Only those Rites are allowed within a Mass. A Christmas Pageant should take place at some other time outside of Mass.

In addition at the foot of the altar is not the proper place either. The Sanctuary is not a theater or meeting hall.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Br. Rich SFO:

There are certain specific Rites that can take place within Mass. Only those Rites are allowed within a Mass. A Christmas Pageant should take place at some other time outside of Mass.

In addition at the foot of the altar is not the proper place either. The Sanctuary is not a theater or meeting hall.

Thank you. Those were my instincts, but I needed confirmation from a reliable source.