Do consecration and communion errors invalididate a mass?

[robbmiller]

Recently our parish lost our beloved associate pastor. He was made a pastor at another church. His replacement is an older gentleman who does not follow the standard rubrics. For example, this priest does not genuflect when passing the tabernacle. More disturbingly, he does not genuflect during the consecration. Also, when serving communion, he says, "The body of Jesus” rather than “Body of Christ”.

Do such errors invalidate a mass? If so, what can be done? I’ve alerted the Bishop in writing, but so far there have been no changes

 

[asquared]

your problem? if that’s all, where’s the beef? you don’t get out much, do you. Travel around to parishes around the country, especially upper midwest and northeast if you want to see some genu-wine liturgical abuse and free-form DIY rubrics. For instance, no kneeling, no tabernacle, no crucifix, group recitation of the epiclesis, priests in civvies concelebrating all or part of the mass from the pews, mystery of faith and agnus dei reworded from pop or rap songs, refusal to perform lavabo because “I took a shower this morning” liturgical dance, babies sitting on the altar, fraction immediately after consecration, competing Eucharistic service in the parking lot to protest appointment of a new pastor (with cars of faithful parishioners being trashed by protesters). Pro-abort policiticians as lectors and Eucharistic ministers. need I go on.

If your priest recites the proper prayers of the Mass with any of the permitted variations in the Eucharistic prayer etc. uses valid matter and form with the intention to accomplish what the Church teaches, then your Eucharist is valid and licit. Relax.

 

[Marauder]

Depending on the error, things can be invalid or illicit.

The primary things that can make Communion or Mass invalid are:

1. using the invalid matter for communion (i.e. leavened bread in Latin rite Mass, adding inappropriate ingredients to the bread or the wine.)
2. Not not saying “This is my body” and “This is my blood” during the consecration.
3. Person doing the consecration is not a validly ordained priest.

This list isn’t all inclusive but it contains the most popular reasons.

Most other things can (depending on the abuse) make the Mass illicit vs. invalid.

Make sure you address the issue with the priest first, before going over his head. The Bishop will always ask if you brought this to the attention of the priest first.

 

[Brendan]

And as for the genuflections; you mentioned that the replacment priest was an older man.

Could it be that he has a physical disability or is infirm in someway; if so, the rubrics for genuflections do not apply.

 

[cmom]

Our priest cannot genuflect or elevate the Host because of his infirmities.

Ask him why he changes the words of Mass.

 

[Bizob]

asquared:

your problem? if that’s all, where’s the beef? you don’t get out much, do you. Travel around to parishes around the country, especially upper midwest and northeast if you want to see some genu-wine liturgical abuse and free-form DIY rubrics. For instance, no kneeling, no tabernacle, no crucifix, group recitation of the epiclesis, priests in civvies concelebrating all or part of the mass from the pews, mystery of faith and agnus dei reworded from pop or rap songs, refusal to perform lavabo because “I took a shower this morning” liturgical dance, babies sitting on the altar, fraction immediately after consecration, competing Eucharistic service in the parking lot to protest appointment of a new pastor (with cars of faithful parishioners being trashed by protesters). Pro-abort policiticians as lectors and Eucharistic ministers. need I go on.

There’s no need to jump down his throat. While all of those things are truly bad, simply that they occur elsewhere does not make concern invalid in this instance.

However as other people have so wonderfully pointed out, no, these little changes will not invalidate the Mass. You do indeed have a right to talk with your bishop, but you should bring it up with your priest first.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

If he’s a validly ordained priest using the correct matter, form, and intent, then the Mass is valid.

 

[rwoehmke]

asquared:

your problem? if that’s all, where’s the beef? you don’t get out much, do you. Travel around to parishes around the country, especially upper midwest and northeast if you want to see some genu-wine liturgical abuse and free-form DIY rubrics. For instance, no kneeling, no tabernacle, no crucifix, group recitation of the epiclesis, priests in civvies concelebrating all or part of the mass from the pews, mystery of faith and agnus dei reworded from pop or rap songs, refusal to perform lavabo because “I took a shower this morning” liturgical dance, babies sitting on the altar, fraction immediately after consecration, competing Eucharistic service in the parking lot to protest appointment of a new pastor (with cars of faithful parishioners being trashed by protesters). Pro-abort policiticians as lectors and Eucharistic ministers. need I go on.

If your priest recites the proper prayers of the Mass with any of the permitted variations in the Eucharistic prayer etc. uses valid matter and form with the intention to accomplish what the Church teaches, then your Eucharist is valid and licit. Relax.

Holy Smoly, I hope not in the Superior Wi Diocese