Commentator at Mass

[Cavaille-Coll]

I have been asked to serve as a commentator during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) this year. As I understand it, I am to briefly describe the important parts of the liturgy as they take place, such as the Washing of Feet, and give a brief theological reflection. I have never been to a Mass with a commentator, but our associate pastor comes from a country where commentators are commonplace. I don’t have a clue where to begin. Does anyone know where I could get some insight into what this duty entails?

 

[jmcrae]

I have been asked to serve as a commentator during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) this year, basically, to briefly describe important parts of the liturgy as they take place. I have never been to a Mass with a commentator, but our associate pastor comes from a country where commentators are commonplace. I don’t have a clue where to begin. Does anyone know where I could get some insight into what this duty entails?

Why not ask the pastor for a guide-book or something. Just tell him you have never done this job before.

 

[japhy]

I have been asked to serve as a commentator during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) this year. As I understand it, I am to briefly describe the important parts of the liturgy as they take place, such as the Washing of Feet, and give a brief theological reflection. I have never been to a Mass with a commentator, but our associate pastor comes from a country where commentators are commonplace. I don’t have a clue where to begin. Does anyone know where I could get some insight into what this duty entails?

The only document I’ve found that defines the role of the commentator (rather than just mentions it) is De Musica Sacra from 1958.
[Edited by Moderator]

The GIRM also mentions the commentator in paragraph 105b.:The commentator, who provides the faithful, when appropriate, with brief explanations and commentaries with the purpose of introducing them to the celebration and preparing them to understand it better. The commentator’s remarks must be meticulously prepared and clear though brief. In performing this function the commentator stands in an appropriate place facing the faithful, but not at the ambo.

 

[japhy]

As I understand it, I am to briefly describe the important parts of the liturgy as they take place, such as the Washing of Feet, and give a brief theological reflection.

I’m not sure De Musica Sacra nor the GIRM envision a “brief theological reflection” as part of the responsibilities of the commentator; I would think doing such a thing would distract the congregation from what is actually happening. Description and explanation is one thing; theological reflection is another.

 

[jmcrae]

I have seen it done once, and for myself, I found it very, very distracting. There were others who found it educational, though, so I suppose it serves a purpose.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

I thought this went away (thankfully) when Vatican II arrived.

If it didn’t in some places, it sure should now.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Or - to be clear - I should have said that it went away after the 1970’s. That would be more accurate.

 

[benedictgal]

It’s sad when people pick Holy Week as the time to try something new. Don’t get me wrong. Commentators are allowed; however, having been through a few, I can tell you that they wind up taking longer explaining the ritual than the actual thing. When the Holy Father went to Brazil, a commentator was used. He was rather annoying and very wordy. His comments were longer than the readings and the ritual. It drove me nuts. Even Pope Benedict looked rather peeved.

Now, it’s best to familiarize yourself with what the Church expects during the Sacred Triduum. Because the document is fairly long, here is a link to Paschales Solemnitatis, the circular letter that gives clergy and the faithful the do’s and do not’s for Holy Week. I have found this document very helpful.

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html#anchor260407

While the document doesn’t speak to having commentators, this point is rather telling:

1. With the celebration of Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday, “the Church begins the Easter Triduum and recalls the Last Supper in which the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, showing his love for those who were his own in the world, he gave his body and blood under the species of bread and wine offering to his Father and giving them to the Apostles so that they might partake of them, and he commanded them and their successors in the priesthood to perpetuate this offering.” [50]

1. Careful attention should be given to the mysteries that are commemorated in this Mass: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ’s command of brotherly love; the homily should explain these points.

I highlighted this particular point because the best venue for explaining what goes on at this liturgy should be the homily. Perhaps if you show this to your pastor, it might persuade him that Holy Thursday is not the best venue for Mass.

There is something else that you might consider. In my old parish in Austin, we had booklets that we used for the Three Great Days. Because the Paschal Triduum actually forms one complete liturgy, we had incorprated all of the rituals into one booklet for the faithful. There was a brief explanation about the rituals (including the procession of the blessed oils and the washing of the feet). There was also instruction regarding appropriate decorum wherein the faithful were exhorted to leave the Church in unborken silence after the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. We also stressed the need to enter the Church in unbroken silence on Good Friday and to leave in unbroken silence. This really helped out a lot and made Triduum a most prayerful experience.

This was one of the ideas I brought to our Cathedral. It worked really well. However, when the new administration took over, decorum and liturgical appropriateness went out the door. Hopefully, someone can bring that back.

For my part, I’m going to give my pastor a copy of Paschale Solemnitatis.

I hope this helps you.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

Thanks for all your help. I had always found the Triduum liturgies of the Novus Ordo to be fairly self-explanatory, but I’ll do my best to keep the comments reverent, few, and brief.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

It’s sad when people pick Holy Week as the time to try something new. Don’t get me wrong. Commentators are allowed; however, having been through a few, they wind up taking longer explaining the ritual than the actual thing. When the Holy Father went to Brazil, a commentator was used. He was rather annoying and very wordy. His comments were longer than the readings and the ritual. It drove me nuts. Even Pope Benedict looked rather peeved.

Now, it’s best to familiarize yourself with what the Church expects during the Sacred Triduum. Because the document is fairly long, here is a link to Paschales Solemnitatis, the circular letter that gives clergy and the faithful the do’s and do not’s for Holy Week. I have found this document very helpful.

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html#anchor260407

While the document doesn’t speak to having commentators, this point is rather telling:

I highlighted this particular point because the best venue for explaining what goes on at this liturgy should be the homily. Perhaps if you show this to your pastor, it might persuade him that Holy Thursday is not the best venue for Mass.

**There is something else that you might consider. In my old parish in Austin, we had booklets that we used for the Three Great Days. Because the Paschal Triduum actually forms one complete liturgy, we had incorprated all of the rituals into one booklet for the faithful. There was a brief explanation about the rituals (including the procession of the blessed oils and the washing of the feet). There was also instruction regarding appropriate decorum wherein the faithful were exhorted to leave the Church in unborken silence after the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. We also stressed the need to enter the Church in unbroken silence on Good Friday and to leave in unbroken silence. This really helped out a lot and made Triduum a most prayerful experience. **
This was one of the ideas I brought to our Cathedral. It worked really well. However, when the new administration took over, decorum and liturgical appropriateness went out the door. Hopefully, someone can bring that back.

For my part, I’m going to give my pastor a copy of Paschale Solemnitatis.

I hope this helps you.

Yes, Yes! A thousand times YES on the above paragraph. Your way of explaining this and fostering active participation in the liturgy is FAR better than this commentator idea.

 

[japhy]

Now, it’s best to familiarize yourself with what the Church expects during the Sacred Triduum. Because the document is fairly long, here is a link to Paschales Solemnitatis, the circular letter that gives clergy and the faithful the do’s and do not’s for Holy Week. I have found this document very helpful.

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html#anchor260407

How did I miss this document?! Ah, gcatholic.com doesn’t have it tagged under “Liturgy”, that’s how.

There is something else that you might consider. In my old parish in Austin, we had booklets that we used for the Three Great Days. Because the Paschal Triduum actually forms one complete liturgy, we had incorprated all of the rituals into one booklet for the faithful. There was a brief explanation about the rituals (including the procession of the blessed oils and the washing of the feet). There was also instruction regarding appropriate decorum wherein the faithful were exhorted to leave the Church in unborken silence after the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. We also stressed the need to enter the Church in unbroken silence on Good Friday and to leave in unbroken silence. This really helped out a lot and made Triduum a most prayerful experience.

Excellent!

 

[John_Lilburne]

The Commentator also gets mentioned in n. 352 of the 2002 GIRM:

“… Since, indeed, a variety of options is provided for the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the deacon, the lectors, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to be completely sure before the celebration which text for which each is responsible is to be used and that nothing be improvised. Harmonious planning and carrying out of the rites will great assistance in disposing the faithful to participate in the Eucharist.”

 

[thistle]

I have been asked to serve as a commentator during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) this year. As I understand it, I am to briefly describe the important parts of the liturgy as they take place, such as the Washing of Feet, and give a brief theological reflection. I have never been to a Mass with a commentator, but our associate pastor comes from a country where commentators are commonplace. I don’t have a clue where to begin. Does anyone know where I could get some insight into what this duty entails?

We have 10 Masses every Sunday and there is a commentator at each of them.

 

[japhy]

The Commentator also gets mentioned in n. 352 of the 2002 GIRM:

“… Since, indeed, a variety of options is provided for the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the deacon, the lectors, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to be completely sure before the celebration which text for which each is responsible is to be used and that nothing be improvised. Harmonious planning and carrying out of the rites will great assistance in disposing the faithful to participate in the Eucharist.”

I’ve added some emphasis. Don’t mind me…

 

[japhy]

We have 10 Masses every Sunday and there is a commentator at each of them.

I usually don’t use the the Smilies often.

You have ten Masses each Sunday and there’s a commentator at each? If you don’t mind my asking: What type of church is it (e.g. cathedral, basilica, shrine, etc.)? How large is it? How many priests do you have there? How many people attend such that ten Masses are necessary?

 

[thistle]

I usually don’t use the the Smilies often.

You have ten Masses each Sunday and there’s a commentator at each? If you don’t mind my asking: What type of church is it (e.g. cathedral, basilica, shrine, etc.)? How large is it? How many priests do you have there? How many people attend such that ten Masses are necessary?

I live in the Philippines. Its a normal parish church - Our Lady of Fatima. We have 10 Masses on Sundays and 3 daily Mon to Sat.
We have 3 permanent priests. Our parish has 14,000 parishoners and on average Sunday Mass attendence is about 80%. At each Mass not only are the pews all filled, but there are lots plastic chairs available which are also filled and people standing outside the Church on the sidewalk and street.

 

[japhy]

I live in the Philippines. Its a normal parish church - Our Lady of Fatima. We have 10 Masses on Sundays and 3 daily Mon to Sat.
We have 3 permanent priests. Our parish has 14,000 parishoners and on average Sunday Mass attendence is about 80%. At each Mass not only are the pews all filled, but there are lots plastic chairs available which are also filled and people standing outside the Church on the sidewalk and street.

Wow. God bless you, your parish, and your priests!

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

Well, the Triduum Masses are over, and I’ll have to say that the commentators did a very good job (not speaking for myself). The initial commentary before Mass started was a synopsis of the liturgy, with orthodox and understandable theological points, and during the liturgies themselves, were very brief and infrequent. The priest who requested them went over all the commentaries beforehand to insure clarity and accuracy. At the liturgies, the commentators stood discreetly to the side with wireless microphones inside their jackets (yes, a dress code was enforced!). People afterward mentioned that the commentary helped them understand parts of the Triduum liturgies that they never noticed before, most notably on Holy Saturday. Our pastors do things by the book and have a great sense of the sacred. The use of commentators is allowed in the rubrics, and I can now see a reason why a parish might benefit from them on special occasions.

 

[secer96]

I know this is old but in the Philippines the commentator serves more as telling people what to do such as Please stand, please sit etc. They also may tell people to if its done in the parish Remain Standing for the offertory procession. They will also say the response with the people such as “And with your spirit”