Circus mass

[margie]

Today I attended a circus mass. You name it, it seemed to be there.

What do you think? Why might a priest change the prescribed readings for the day? Is he lawfully free to do this?

 

[_veritas]

There are frequently multiple options for the readings, particularly for the responsorial psalm… Typically, the readings given in the Ordo (or the missalettes) are the ones that the priest will use, even if there are other options.

Was this a later Mass today, and was he doing a vigil Mass perhaps for Sacred Heart of Jesus (traditionally on Fridays, particularly first Fridays), or Our Lady (traditionally on Saturdays, particular first Saturdays), or St. Agatha (her feast day is tomorrow so a vigil Mass for her would be appropriate too).

I do not have a Sacramentary/Lectionary/Ordo in front of me so I am not absolutely sure, but there may be alternate reading choices for these Masses.

Vigil Masses that use the “Commons” (ie, the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Common of Pastors, the Common of Martyrs, etc etc etc) or other special Masses (such as the “Mass for Peace and Justice” that has been designated as the Mass to use on the anniversary for Roe v. Wade in honor of the pro-life movement) also typicially give options for readings other than the general lectionary schedule.

Just because the readings were not the same ones you expected does not mean the Mass was a “circus mass” (!) – please look into this more, and speak to your priest directly to ascertain what he was doing. Particularly if this was the only thing “wrong” with the Mass.

+veritas+

 

[netmilsmom]

margie:

Today I attended a circus mass. You name it, it seemed to be there.

What do you think? Why might a priest change the prescribed readings for the day? Is he lawfully free to do this?

Margie, could you please give us a bit more detail this mass?

 

[puzzleannie]

ended up at 4 Masses today (Sat 2/5) for reasons too complicated to mention, Mass of Sacred Heart for 1st Sat devotion at neighboring parish with this name (early, I think, it was in Spanish and there was a litany of Sacred heart afterward, but i did not have a missal), 2 funeral Masses, Mass at a youth rally with readings (I think) for saint of the day (Agatha) not sure, did not have a missal, and also a vigil Mass for Sunday. None were circuses, all were different in tone, music, readings, number of people (about 20 at the first, about 1500 for the youth rally, about 200 for each of the funerals, 350 for vigil one), level of participation and attentiveness (youth were fantastic and humbling), homily topic and quality, solemnity and reverence by priest, other ministers and people (again, youth were great I was so proud of them) yet each was the same. Christ became truly present in the Eucharist, Christ the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.