Communion in the Hand

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It is not odd at all; it is inconceivable that the Vatican would permit sacrilege.
AFAIK, it’s the bishops’ call on whether it’s allowed within that country with conditions (has to be consumed immediately, etc). Furthermore the local bishop and/or pastor may restrict the practice within a diocese, church, or particular service, such as an EF.

COTT is universally allowed.
 
It is not odd at all; it is inconceivable that the Vatican would permit sacrilege. If the argument is that CITH is inherently problematic, then it is absurd to suggest that the fact that Franciscans have been doing it licitly for hundreds of years is not relevant.
I think very few liturgical problems besides validity can be said to be inherently wrong. I personally see liturgy on a stratum of “better practices” and “worse practices.”
 
The normal and ordinary way for Franciscans to recieve communion is in the hand. Franciscans were given permission to recieve in the hand by Rome. It has been that way for 800 years.

Communion in the hand is therefor neither a novelty, nor is it an abuse, nor disobedience, nor did it start at the parish level.

-Tim-
Source please.
 
Source please.
“History of the Franciscan Order: From Its Origins to the Year 1517” has a lot of interesting tidbits regarding Franciscan traditions, although I have a scanned copy of it so Ctrl+F isn’t an option. A part of me wants to type out the book as a whole, but in the end I’ll probably just take notes.

Brother JR, a fellow who has his doctorate in this stuff and is a superior general, has mentioned the Franciscan tradition of receiving on the hand a few times now.
 
The normal and ordinary way for Franciscans to recieve communion is in the hand. Franciscans were given permission to recieve in the hand by Rome. It has been that way for 800 years.

Communion in the hand is therefor neither a novelty, nor is it an abuse, nor disobedience, nor did it start at the parish level.

-Tim-
First of all, we are talking about the Ordinary Form today. Secondly, I highly doubt the Franciscans went about having their way in the manner that those who wouldn’t take no for an answer back in the late 60’s did. I’m sure they asked and were granted permission before they went forward with their wishes.

CITH was indeed a novelty insofar as it was practiced in the Novus Ordo Mass before Rome even knew about it. If Rome had introduced it, instead of those in certain parishes, then no indult would have been needed. When liturgical norms and rubrics are disregarded and other actions put into place, they are indeed novelties and abuses. You can deny it, or word it differently if you like, but it won’t change the truth of what went down.

There are articles galore that feature the recollection of clergy who were there during all the fuss if one wants the true story. There are also CITH threads here on CAF that contain much to support the claim of novelty, abuse, and finally disobedience. I’m not going to re-hash it all because in every instance, those disputing the facts either won’t acknowledge the evidence or flat out deny it.

Finally, when you write “Communion in the hand is therefor neither a novelty, nor is it an abuse, nor disobedience”, your words are in fact true because you write in the present tense. I admitted all of that in my initial post.

When I wrote " Starting as a novelty, then becoming a liturgical abuse, CITH was finally allowed by an indult. Disobedience did come into play before the indult was granted.", that was and is, true as well.

A quick google search brought up this article by a Fr Markey who is in full communion with Rome and his Bishop. Anyone reading this thread who wants to sort out the facts from the bickering that happens on these threads can do so by reading the article…
catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=31755

MEMORIALE DOMINI is a good read as well.
ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwmemor.htm
 
Hello.
I’m being received into the Catholic Church shortly, but I’m having very grave difficulties with ‘communion in the hand’.

Edited by moderator
I actually take it by mouth now because for whatever reason, the pieces I’ve been getting are too crumbly.
 
It is not odd at all; it is inconceivable that the Vatican would permit sacrilege. If the argument is that CITH is inherently problematic, then it is absurd to suggest that the fact that Franciscans have been doing it licitly for hundreds of years is not relevant.
As has been pointed out in the past, religious are generally better informed and have a much deeper understanding of religious practices than do many of the laity. Hence a practice that is used by a religious order may not always be understood by the laity to the same degree as the religious do. For instance, I somehow doubt that a Franciscan would receive Holy Communion, carry it back to his seat and consume it there, as more than a few of the laity do.

I also doubt that a Franciscan would try to sell one on E Bay, which has also been attempted.

Also,while I accept the validity of Communion in the Hand, I have yet to hear any rational explanation as to why the practice was re-introduced in the first place.
 
I always promise myself that I will no longer get involved in the CITH vs COTT discussion and end up braking my promise. I guess I feel sorry for the new comer who is being pulled in all kinds of directions.

Let’s dispels some myths here.

First: Communion in the hand began as an act of disobedience.

This is not true. This is a myth that was created by Traditionalists in order to find a justification to condemn CITH. The truth is more simple and less exciting. In Europe, certain bishops authorized communion in the hand in their dioceses. Therefore, the priests who took advantage of the permission were not being disobedient.

The bishops who did so did not ask Rome for permission. This part is true. However, canonically, this does not constitute disobedience on the part of the bishops involved, because Canon Law is very clear the the diocesan bishop is the highest liturgical authority in his diocese. The question that was raised was whether or not the law covered this particular action on the part of the bishops.

At the end of the day, the canonists could not agree. Some said that the law that said that the bishop is the highest liturgical authority only covers what’s in the books. Other canonists said that the law is not specific enough and therefore, it could not be limited to just what is in the books.

To settle the issue, the Holy See issued an indult that is available to any conference of bishops that asks for it or to any individual bishop who asks for it. However, it is understood that the diocesan bishop always has the final word on the matter.

Second myth: A priest can’t tell you not to receive COTT.

In the USA, the GIRM says that the ordinary way for receiving communion is on the hand while standing. However, the GIRM does say that communion cannot be denied to one who wishes to receive it on the tongue or on his knees. But the GIRM does say that the priest should counsel the individual as to the proper way to receive Holy Communion in the USA.

When Cardinal Arinze speaks to the question of how one can receive Holy Communion, many people, especially Traditionalists, have used his statement to push their agenda against CITH. Cardinal Arinze is speaking in universal terms. He’s not speaking about any particular conference of bishops. It was Cardinal Arinze who approved that the ordinary way to receive Holy Communion in the USA is on the hand while standing. But the question as it is being put to him is whether or not one can received in the hand, the tongue, standing or kneeling. The question is not asking about any specific conference of bishops.
 
Third myth: Franciscans and CITH

This practice is about 800 years old. Therefore, if it is copied by someone else, it’s not a novelty. It may be new for that parish, diocese or group of people, but not new to the Church.

Not every province had this practice. This practice began with Francis in Assisi. Not all of the Franciscan provinces come out of Assisi. Some provinces were daughter provinces of older ones. The men who joined them are products of their culture. For those men who entered provinces where COTT was the norm, they did what was known to them. For those who entered provinces where CITH was the norm, they did what was familiar to them.

One must also understand the reason for this. Unlike Traditionalists, Franciscans have never made a distinction between a priest and a layman, or an ordained brother and a non ordained brother. This distinction was a monster that was created by some religious orders and some dioceses. The name of this monster is Clericalism.

Basically, it assumes that there must be a distinction between the priest and everyone else. This was not the case when the Franciscans were founded. Religious orders did not make such distinctions. The first religious order to make such a distinction was the Dominican Order. However, the Dominicans had a very good reason to make a distinction between the ordained and the non ordained. The Dominicans were founded to be a order for priests. The other orders that existed at the time were not orders for priests. They all had priests, but they never considered priests to be essential to their way of life.

To this day, Franciscans consider priests to be necessary for the administration of sacraments. Other than that, they are not essential to the religious life. You can always find a priest to celebrate mass and hear confessions. He does not have to be a Franciscan or a religious of any kind.

As a result of this very practical attitude toward priests, we developed a very strong respect for the priest when he celebrates mass and administers the sacraments. We also have a very profound respect for diocesan priests and consider it our duty to help them whenever possible. All that being said, among us, we make no distinctions between a friar who is a priest and a friar who is not a priest. All friars are consecrated brothers. They are equal in dignity, duties, rights and should be equal in the eyes of the laity.

Here is where the house of cards comes down. In the Traditionalist movement there has been a strong push to make Franciscans clerical. This is what kicked off the community at Morgon, (sp?) France. They are very clerical. As a result, they were also expelled from the Capuchin Franciscans, even though they insist that they are Capuchin Franciscans. Canonically, they are not Capuchin Franciscans. They are a renegade group that espouses clericalism, disobedience to the superior general of the order and that promises to obey Francis of Assisi, but disobeys his successors and disobeys the Holy Father.

Unfortunately, there are some lay people who believe that the priest is set apart from the rest of the world. However, these same people do not understand how he is set apart. What they end up doing is they end up creating a separation that does not exist and ignoring the one that the Church espouses. For example, these folks will not go to a Franciscan for spiritual direction, if he’s not a priest. They will not attend a retreat by a Franciscan, if he’s not a priest. Some have actually abandoned a parish for another parish, because the parish administrator is a friar who is not a priest and the priests of the parish are his subordinates or because the superior is not a priest and the pastor is his subordinate. These folks have crated a distorted clericalism. They have a distorted image of the priest.

As a result of this distorted clericalism, they have a big problem with those Franciscan houses where Holy Communion is on the hand, where the friars all stand around the altar, and where the priests are not the dominant figures, especially at mass. In Franciscan houses there are two forms of celebrating the mass. If there is more than one priest in the house, they concelebrate or the superior appoints one to celebrate the mass and the other ordained friars sit in the congregation along with the non ordained friars and attend mass like any other friar. There are no private masses. If they’re at a parish, the case is different, because parishes usually have more than one mass. This becomes a moot issue.

Another problem that some folks have is that the friars will not accept a parish unless the bishop promises that the laity will submit to Franciscan spirituality or leave. The friars are not expected to accommodate to the laity. Canonically, they are higher ranking than the laity as they are consecrated religious in solemn vows. These are the exempt religious of which Trent spoke about.

The lay faithful will be given the option to receive on the tongue, but will never be given the option or opportunity to contradict, complain or opine against CITH in a Franciscan parish. That is part of their tradition. It would be like opining about the fact that they recite the Divine Office rather than chant it. You cannot tell an exempt religious what to do. Even bishops can’t do that. If you get an exempt religious in your parish, you’re stuck with his customs or you can choose to leave the parish. But you cannot ask him to change them or ask the bishop to intervene. You can’t even criticize them, because they’re allowed by tradition.

If we want to be true Traditionalists, then we have to accept and embrace all of the traditions in the Church and learn to co-exist with the ones that are new to us or that we don’t like. Otherwise, we’re not Traditionalists, we’re Separatists.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV 🙂
 
Hi Brother, I’ve put some comments in bold.
I always promise myself that I will no longer get involved in the CITH vs COTT discussion and end up braking my promise. I guess I feel sorry for the new comer who is being pulled in all kinds of directions.

Let’s dispels some myths here.

First: Communion in the hand began as an act of disobedience.

This is not true.
I agree that it initially was not an act of disobedience

This is a myth that was created by Traditionalists in order to find a justification to condemn CITH. The truth is more simple and less exciting. In Europe, certain bishops authorized communion in the hand in their dioceses. Therefore, the priests who took advantage of the permission were not being disobedient.

The bishops who did so did not ask Rome for permission. This part is true.
This is in line with what many clergy have stated
However, canonically, this does not constitute disobedience on the part of the bishops involved, because Canon Law is very clear the the diocesan bishop is the highest liturgical authority in his diocese. The question that was raised was whether or not the law covered this particular action on the part of the bishops.

At the end of the day, the canonists could not agree. Some said that the law that said that the bishop is the highest liturgical authority only covers what’s in the books. Other canonists said that the law is not specific enough and therefore, it could not be limited to just what is in the books.
I don’t doubt any of what you say, but every instance of the introduction of CITH wasn’t OK’d by the local Bishop. From what I’ve read here and there, in some diocese the practice of CITH was in place before the local Bishop knew about it

To settle the issue, the Holy See issued an indult that is available to any conference of bishops that asks for it or to any individual bishop who asks for it. However, it is understood that the diocesan bishop always has the final word on the matter.

Second myth: A priest can’t tell you not to receive COTT.

In the USA, the GIRM says that the ordinary way for receiving communion is on the hand while standing. However, the GIRM does say that communion cannot be denied to one who wishes to receive it on the tongue or on his knees. But the GIRM does say that the priest should counsel the individual as to the proper way to receive Holy Communion in the USA.

When Cardinal Arinze speaks to the question of how one can receive Holy Communion, many people, especially Traditionalists, have used his statement to push their agenda against CITH. Cardinal Arinze is speaking in universal terms. He’s not speaking about any particular conference of bishops. It was Cardinal Arinze who approved that the ordinary way to receive Holy Communion in the USA is on the hand while standing. But the question as it is being put to him is whether or not one can received in the hand, the tongue, standing or kneeling. The question is not asking about any specific conference of bishops.
 
Hi Brother, I’ve put some comments in bold.
What the average layman does not understand is that in Canon Law a disobedience is an act contrary to what has been commanded or what has been forbidden. The command or the prohibition has to be explicit. It cannot be abstract. The principle that guided many people was one that came from St. Thomas Aquinas, which the Church has never accepted as being correct.

St. Thomas argued that only the consecrated hands of the priest should touch the host. The problem with his argument was
  1. St. Bonaventure contradicts him and St. Bonaventure outranked him. Thomas was a friar and Bonaventure was a cardinal. Both were doctors.
  2. St. Thomas has no canonical authority to command. He’s a theologian, not a bishop or a pope.
  3. His statement was never adopted as binding.
Historically, many people have held that this is the law of the Church, because St. Thomas said so. Even today, that are those who will argue that if a Doctor or a saint says so, then it must be law. That’s not the case at all. Only popes can create laws. Beneath them, only bishops. There are theological positions of saints and doctors that the Church accepts as truth, but not all.

There is another issue with regards to pastors who allowed CITH without the permission of the bishop. This is an incorrect interpretation of collegiality. Collegiality applies only to the bishops and the pope, not to the deacons, priests and bishop of a diocese. They are not part of the college. Therefore, the pastor does not govern independently of the bishop.

A canonist would say that this is not a problem of obedience as much as a problem of an incorrect application of collegiality, where the pastor assumes authority that he does not have and cannot exercise independent of the bishop… If the bishop explicitly says that it cannot be done, then it’s disobedience. If the bishop says nothing, then it is not disobedience, even though the law is being violated. The canonist would then look for the cause of the violation. In many cases it is a incorrect application of a concept that is rather abstract.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV 🙂
 
fisheaters is a dangerous site if one is new to to the Church and an occasion of sin for some others . they present the faith in a very crude and and i would say borderline pornographic manner .they seem very proud of allowing the use of the F-bomb and racist language .
👍

Their agenda is inherent in their very name: “Fish Eaters”. For them, food rituals are more important than what the Church and its Pope actually say. Wasn’t there a great saint who said that “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink?”, and wasn’t that actually in the Bible? Calling yourself “Fish Eaters” puts you in the same category as the Judaizers whom St. Paul fought in the 1st century. It is not a site that someone young in the faith should consult at all.

As for the OP’s question: I received in the hand from my childhood onwards, because that was the practice in Switzerland, where I received my First Communion. When I went back to India, I received on the tongue, because that was the local practice. My father still receives in the hand. While history may be on the side of what I do, if the Holy Father has permitted it in some places, it should be permitted. Our inner disposition is much more important than our anatomical structures. 😃
 
Third myth: Franciscans and CITH

This practice is about 800 years old. Therefore, if it is copied by someone else, it’s not a novelty. It may be new for that parish, diocese or group of people, but not new to the Church.
When introduced, CITH was new to the Novus Ordo. As you said in the other post, if the practice was OK’d by the local Bishop beforehand, then fine. No novelty.

But in the Novus Ordo, CITH was unprecedented. In the parishes where CITH was introduced without approval from the Bishop, it had to be described in some way. If not novelty, then what ? What term would you use ?

I can’t buy “the Franciscans already do it” argument. They simply aren’t the measuring stick for the Church’s liturgical matters. I have no issue whatsoever with their liturgical norms though.

What I’m getting at is that an indult granted to the Franciscans and the fact that some Bishops did promote or at least approve of the introduction of CITH into the new Mass, taken together do not belittle the fact that disobedience did in fact occur in some instances.

To insinuate that in every case the local Bishop approved CITH for his diocese or certain parishes before the practice was began, and that is all there is to it besides the time that passed until the indult finally was granted is simply false.

In diocese where we have the choice between CITH and COTT, so be it. As you say, we should accept it and not force opinions on one another. But on these forums, if we are to present facts, let’s present them all and not cherry pick from the lot of them.

pax
 
What the average layman does not understand is that in Canon Law a disobedience is an act contrary to what has been commanded or what has been forbidden. The command or the prohibition has to be explicit. It cannot be abstract. The principle that guided many people was one that came from St. Thomas Aquinas, which the Church has never accepted as being correct.

St. Thomas argued that only the consecrated hands of the priest should touch the host. The problem with his argument was
  1. St. Bonaventure contradicts him and St. Bonaventure outranked him. Thomas was a friar and Bonaventure was a cardinal. Both were doctors.
  2. St. Thomas has no canonical authority to command. He’s a theologian, not a bishop or a pope.
  3. His statement was never adopted as binding.
Historically, many people have held that this is the law of the Church, because St. Thomas said so. Even today, that are those who will argue that if a Doctor or a saint says so, then it must be law. That’s not the case at all. Only popes can create laws. Beneath them, only bishops. There are theological positions of saints and doctors that the Church accepts as truth, but not all.

There is another issue with regards to pastors who allowed CITH without the permission of the bishop. This is an incorrect interpretation of collegiality. Collegiality applies only to the bishops and the pope, not to the deacons, priests and bishop of a diocese. They are not part of the college. Therefore, the pastor does not govern independently of the bishop.

A canonist would say that this is not a problem of obedience as much as a problem of an incorrect application of collegiality, where the pastor assumes authority that he does not have and cannot exercise independent of the bishop… If the bishop explicitly says that it cannot be done, then it’s disobedience. If the bishop says nothing, then it is not disobedience, even though the law is being violated. The canonist would then look for the cause of the violation. In many cases it is a incorrect application of a concept that is rather abstract.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV 🙂
Oh boy, I was replying as you posted, so you have answered a couple of questions in your post here , I had asked in my last reply.

Your angle assumes the local Bishop is ALWAYS involved here. Even when CITH was introduced without the Bishop’s approval, you are bringing him into the picture. And all you say is true I’m sure.

And the “must have misunderstood collegiality if he didn’t ask permission first” angle. I suppose it’s possible, but I’m not buying that it is the situation in every case.

When I say disobedience, I’m speaking of the refusals to accept no for an answer. They were there Brother. Much closer to the time of the indult and even after it, rather than the early days.

Anyhow, I’ve no more to add. I can dig up the accounts of clergy and all, but it’s all moot anyway. It’s been a long time since CITH has been permitted and for many Catholics, it’s all they know.

Memoriale Domini does a nice job of presenting it all anyway.

pax
 
When introduced, CITH was new to the Novus Ordo. As you said in the other post, if the practice was OK’d by the local Bishop beforehand, then fine. No novelty.

But in the Novus Ordo, CITH was unprecedented. In the parishes where CITH was introduced without approval from the Bishop, it had to be described in some way. If not novelty, then what ? What term would you use ?

I can’t buy “the Franciscans already do it” argument. They simply aren’t the measuring stick for the Church’s liturgical matters. I have no issue whatsoever with their liturgical norms though.

What I’m getting at is that an indult granted to the Franciscans and the fact that some Bishops did promote or at least approve of the introduction of CITH into the new Mass, taken together do not belittle the fact that disobedience did in fact occur in some instances.

To insinuate that in every case the local Bishop approved CITH for his diocese or certain parishes before the practice was began, and that is all there is to it besides the time that passed until the indult finally was granted is simply false.

In diocese where we have the choice between CITH and COTT, so be it. As you say, we should accept it and not force opinions on one another. But on these forums, if we are to present facts, let’s present them all and not cherry pick from the lot of them.

pax
Obviously, you have not been around here very long. I’m not one to “cherry pick”. I’m quite orthodox in my theology and law and very knowledgeable of Church history and language.

You cannot have disobedience when something is not prohibited or when the contrary is not commanded. Nor can you have disobedience when the individuals involved are incorrectly applying a concept. That’s not how Canon Law works. Canon Law always gives the greatest benefit of the doubt to the individual. What we’re trying to do here is to narrow that benefit, which is contrary to the legal tradition of the Church.

On another note, the Franciscans never received an indult for CITH. There was not such thing in the 13th century. Superiors made these decisions unilaterally. You must remember that Francis of Assisi was a religious superior in solemn vows.

At the time, there were no religious in simple vows, because there were no such things as religious congregations. There were only religious and secular orders. Orders are governed by abbots or their equivalent: Priors or Ministers. Abbots, Priors and Ministers have proper jurisdiction as if they were bishops, even if they are not priests, as was the case with Francis.

The concept of an indult came into existence in the 16th century with the founding of the Jesuits.

The Franciscan custom of CITH is not an indult, but a true Catholic tradition.

In addition, the “novus ordo” as you call it was simply the cover title for the rubrics of the revised mass of Pope John XXIII. After that edition, there have been three revisions and the term has no longer been used. It is simply called the Roman Rite or the Ordinary Form. Novus Ordo is a disparaging term used by radical traditionalists, not the canonical term used by the Church.

The introduction of CITH into the revised missal cannot be called an innovation, because it does not pass the canonical or liturgical test for innovation. The test is very specific. An innovation must be something that has never been done in the Church. The use CITH is much older than the Ordinary Form of the Mass. It is not limited to the Roman Rite. It is has been used in other rites as well, long before the 1960s. What we have here is a case of generalization of a practice.

The same is true about many other changes to the liturgy. What people refer to as “novelties” are actually very old practices that were not common to the average layman, but were common in other settings and they were generalized. One such generalization is communion while standing. It has been in use for 2,000 years, but not in Europe, except in houses of Cistercians, Franciscans, and other conventual orders. It has also been in use in other Latin rites including the Bragan Rite and the Mozarabic Rite, both of which are Latin rites.

What was done was to take these practices and to generalize them to the Roman Rite. One can argue whether it was a good idea or not. One can argue whether it was generalized correctly or not. One cannot say that this is a novelty, when in fact the Church did not pull it out of its sleeve, but simply took something that was already in the Church and made it available to a larger population. That’s not innovation. That’s generalization. They invented nothing new.

Words have meaning. When we use terms such as novelty and innovation, we reduce the significance, the value and the intent of an action. At times, people will use these terms with no ill will intended. They are simply repeating what they hear other people say. But very often, the Traditionalist world, one hears these terms deliberately used with the full intent of demeaning, rejecting and even condescending. That’s not part of Catholic tradition.

If we’re going to defend tradition the first tradition that we must protect is respect. If we examine our Catholic tradition one of the hallmarks of our saints and leaders is their demeanor. It’s always a very respectful one in tone and deed. In this world of traditionalism, we often seem to behave as if we have the right or the obligation to be condescending, dismissive and at times even crude in how we refer to the sacred, the clergy, or the Church in general. That’s something that we need to avoid like a plague. It does not make for good evangelization. On the contrary, it only makes enemies. The object must always be to draw men toward divine union, not to repel them with our attitude.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV 🙂
 
When introduced, CITH was new to the Novus Ordo. As you said in the other post, if the practice was OK’d by the local Bishop beforehand, then fine. No novelty.

But in the Novus Ordo, CITH was unprecedented. In the parishes where CITH was introduced without approval from the Bishop, it had to be described in some way. If not novelty, then what ? What term would you use ?

I can’t buy “the Franciscans already do it” argument. They simply aren’t the measuring stick for the Church’s liturgical matters. I have no issue whatsoever with their liturgical norms though.

What I’m getting at is that an indult granted to the Franciscans and the fact that some Bishops did promote or at least approve of the introduction of CITH into the new Mass, taken together do not belittle the fact that disobedience did in fact occur in some instances.

To insinuate that in every case the local Bishop approved CITH for his diocese or certain parishes before the practice was began, and that is all there is to it besides the time that passed until the indult finally was granted is simply false.

In diocese where we have the choice between CITH and COTT, so be it. As you say, we should accept it and not force opinions on one another. But on these forums, if we are to present facts, let’s present them all and not cherry pick from the lot of them.

pax
When you say “insinuate” and “not cherry pick”, are you addressing that to Br JR?
 
Obviously, you have not been around here very long. I’m not one to “cherry pick”. I’m quite orthodox in my theology and law and very knowledgeable of Church history and language.

You cannot have disobedience when something is not prohibited or when the contrary is not commanded. Nor can you have disobedience when the individuals involved are incorrectly applying a concept. That’s not how Canon Law works. Canon Law always gives the greatest benefit of the doubt to the individual. What we’re trying to do here is to narrow that benefit, which is contrary to the legal tradition of the Church.

On another note, the Franciscans never received an indult for CITH. There was not such thing in the 13th century. Superiors made these decisions unilaterally. You must remember that Francis of Assisi was a religious superior in solemn vows.

At the time, there were no religious in simple vows, because there were no such things as religious congregations. There were only religious and secular orders. Orders are governed by abbots or their equivalent: Priors or Ministers. Abbots, Priors and Ministers have proper jurisdiction as if they were bishops, even if they are not priests, as was the case with Francis.

The concept of an indult came into existence in the 16th century with the founding of the Jesuits.

The Franciscan custom of CITH is not an indult, but a true Catholic tradition.

In addition, the “novus ordo” as you call it was simply the cover title for the rubrics of the revised mass of Pope John XXIII. After that edition, there have been three revisions and the term has no longer been used. It is simply called the Roman Rite or the Ordinary Form. Novus Ordo is a disparaging term used by radical traditionalists, not the canonical term used by the Church.

The introduction of CITH into the revised missal cannot be called an innovation, because it does not pass the canonical or liturgical test for innovation. The test is very specific. An innovation must be something that has never been done in the Church. The use CITH is much older than the Ordinary Form of the Mass. It is not limited to the Roman Rite. It is has been used in other rites as well, long before the 1960s. What we have here is a case of generalization of a practice.

The same is true about many other changes to the liturgy. What people refer to as “novelties” are actually very old practices that were not common to the average layman, but were common in other settings and they were generalized. One such generalization is communion while standing. It has been in use for 2,000 years, but not in Europe, except in houses of Cistercians, Franciscans, and other conventual orders. It has also been in use in other Latin rites including the Bragan Rite and the Mozarabic Rite, both of which are Latin rites.

What was done was to take these practices and to generalize them to the Roman Rite. One can argue whether it was a good idea or not. One can argue whether it was generalized correctly or not. One cannot say that this is a novelty, when in fact the Church did not pull it out of its sleeve, but simply took something that was already in the Church and made it available to a larger population. That’s not innovation. That’s generalization. They invented nothing new.

Words have meaning. When we use terms such as novelty and innovation, we reduce the significance, the value and the intent of an action. At times, people will use these terms with no ill will intended. They are simply repeating what they hear other people say. But very often, the Traditionalist world, one hears these terms deliberately used with the full intent of demeaning, rejecting and even condescending. That’s not part of Catholic tradition.

If we’re going to defend tradition the first tradition that we must protect is respect. If we examine our Catholic tradition one of the hallmarks of our saints and leaders is their demeanor. It’s always a very respectful one in tone and deed. In this world of traditionalism, we often seem to behave as if we have the right or the obligation to be condescending, dismissive and at times even crude in how we refer to the sacred, the clergy, or the Church in general. That’s something that we need to avoid like a plague. It does not make for good evangelization. On the contrary, it only makes enemies. The object must always be to draw men toward divine union, not to repel them with our attitude.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV 🙂
Well said Brother. You are a lot more charitable than I am.
 
There are articles galore that feature the recollection of clergy who were there during all the fuss if one wants the true story.
When I wrote " Starting as a novelty, then becoming a liturgical abuse, CITH was finally allowed by an indult. Disobedience did come into play before the indult was granted.", that was and is, true as well. [As per your personal google-formed opinion.]

A quick google search brought up this article by a Fr Markey who is in full communion with Rome and his Bishop. Anyone reading this thread who wants to sort out the facts from the bickering that happens on these threads can do so by reading the article…
catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=31755
You mention “articles galore” but only posted one link? And a questionable one, at that. Google and you have not provided an authentic source from the Magisterium, as I asked you to document. Why would anyone believe this google article is anything other than a traditionalist’s opinion hosted on a website that is rated thus:
This site has a long history of carelessness concerning fidelity to the Magisterium. Although its material is constantly changing, there is a continued pattern of failure to screen out organizations and materials which are unfaithful to the teachings of the Church

We also have serious ethical concerns about this site and the manner in which its owner interacts with client organizations and with persons who respond to promotions on the site. There have been over $200,000 worth of judgments and liens filled against Michael Galloway, the owner of Catholic Online, for unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business acts and practices.
The other link you gave to EWTN was helpful in giving the guidelines for CITH, but did not state that it was a result of disobedience … which you persist in claiming without credible documentation.
 
Brother, if you are convinced that there were no instances of disobedience prior to the indult allowing CITH, I suppose we have no reason to discuss the matter. You haven’t even acknowledged it. By my cherry pick comment I meant all of us. Sorry if you were offended. I wasn’t trying to belittle your thoughts or replies.

I sense you are angry going by your progression from referring to traditionalists and then radical traditionalists. Not sure why you keep mentioning them in replying to my posts because I’m not arguing against CITH. Just as you seem irritated at my replies, I’m a bit irritated as well, left wondering if you are accusing me of being a radical traditionalist.

The issue seems to be my use of the words novelty, disobedience. My statement that CITH was not introduced by Rome, we seem to agree on.

At any rate, yes I’m new here and after reviewing the OP, I am puzzled as to why the SSPX, Traditionalists, and another Catholic forum are mentioned in the thread and belittled. Seems odd and off topic.

I’ll bow out of the discussion, but I must add that I refuse to accept the term Novus ordo is a derogatory term. It is found on the vatican site more times than either of us can count.
gsearch.vatican.va/search?q=novus+ordo&btnG=Search+on+vatican.va&client=default_frontend&output=xml_no_dtd&proxystylesheet=default_frontend&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ud=1&exclude_apps=1&site=default_collection
 
Saints Alive to Brother JR:
I sense you are angry going by your progression from referring to traditionalists and then radical traditionalists. Not sure why you keep mentioning them in replying to my posts because I’m not arguing against CITH.
No, but you are strongly advocating the traditionalist position of “disobedience” which offends those who love the Church and are rightly disturbed by these insinuations that are without proof. (See my post above yours. We were posting simultaneously.)

Re that “other Catholic Forum” … you do not know the history or problems that exist there, including a scandal with the owner(s). So maybe it’s best to accept that some know what they are talking about.
 
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