Does the GIRM allow for this?

[Sir_Knight]

Yesterday, our church celebrated Mission Sunday and to honor this event, the priest decided to sing the Eucharistic Prayer in Indian. This was a regularily scheduled English mass so most of us had no clue to what was being said – although he has a good voice and it sounded nice.

The deacon, who was assisting, was also taken completely by surprise as well and looked like he was more in shock than the rest of us.

Question: Is something like this (saying/singing parts of the mass in an unscheduled different language) valid / permitted by the GIRM?

 

[NetNuncio]

The liturgy can be said in any language that can pass two tests.

1. There is an edition of the Roman Missal approved by the Holy See in this language.
2. The local ordinary (bishop) has given permission for that language to be used. The ordinary has the authority to allow or disallow any language to be used in his diocese at anytime, with the exception of Latin. Any priest can say Mass at anytime in Latin.

However, I question the pastoral reason to have the eucharistic prayer in Indian.

Adam

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Well, depends on what you mean by “permitted.” There is nothing specific in the GIRM that addresses this so there is neither explicit permission nor explicit prohibition. Since, in general, liturgical laws are interpreted with the Roman mind what is not prohibited is, in general, permitted.

Having said that, this shows very poor pastoral concern. This prayer is the central point in the Mass, and should not be said in a language that denies the congregation access to it.

Deacon Ed

 

[thistle]

Deacon Ed:

Well, depends on what you mean by “permitted.” There is nothing specific in the GIRM that addresses this so there is neither explicit permission nor explicit prohibition. Since, in general, liturgical laws are interpreted with the Roman mind what is not prohibited is, in general, permitted.

Having said that, this shows very poor pastoral concern. This prayer is the central point in the Mass, and should not be said in a language that denies the congregation access to it.

Deacon Ed

I like this repsonse because it shows why holding hands or putting hands out turned upwards is acceptable during The Lord’s Prayer.
It is also a good argument why Masses should not be in Latin as 99.999% of the world’s Catholics would be denied access as they do not speak or understand Latin.

 

[msproule]

thistle:

It is also a good argument why Masses should not be in Latin as 99.999% of the world’s Catholics would be denied access as they do not speak or understand Latin.

With all due respect, it is not a good argument for that whatsoever! I am not quite sure how you reach such a conclusion. To what are they (99.999% of Catholics) denied access?

 

[thistle]

msproule:

With all due respect, it is not a good argument for that whatsoever! I am not quite sure how you reach such a conclusion. To what are they (99.999% of Catholics) denied access?

If the Mass was in Latin they would denied access to the prayers as they will not be understood. In case you might say look at the Missal for a translation please remember the majority of the world’s Catholics are in the poorer countries and generally there are no Missals in the churches.
Faith is not made stronger because the Mass would be in Latin, and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is not more real because of a Mass in Latin.

 

[ProudArmyWife]

Just for background - it is indicated that this was a Mission Sunday. Did any other part of the mass deal with India? If so, since it is about a Mission of India, (and I would have to guess there would have to be a connection somewhere if a “guest” was asked to lead the prayer) I wouldn’t see a problem with honoring a language that the parish mission was speaking of.

 

[Sir_Knight]

The priest is from India and said that he owes his priesthood to Mission Sundays of the past. Therefore, he decided to sing that part in his native tongue.

 

[twiztedseraph]

Sir Knight:

The priest is from India and said that he owes his priesthood to Mission Sundays of the past. Therefore, he decided to sing that part in his native tongue.

Well as long as its a valid consecration…doesn’t sound too bad, hey, its just another manifestation of our universality

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

Sir Knight:

Yesterday, our church celebrated Mission Sunday and to honor this event, the priest decided to sing the Eucharistic Prayer in Indian. This was a regularily scheduled English mass so most of us had no clue to what was being said – although he has a good voice and it sounded nice.

The deacon, who was assisting, was also taken completely by surprise as well and looked like he was more in shock than the rest of us.

Question: Is something like this (saying/singing parts of the mass in an unscheduled different language) valid / permitted by the GIRM?

I do wish you would throw this one into the “Ask an Apologist” forum. Let’s see what they say.

 

[Brendan]

thistle:

I like this repsonse because it shows why holding hands or putting hands out turned upwards is acceptable during The Lord’s Prayer.
It is also a good argument why Masses should not be in Latin as 99.999% of the world’s Catholics would be denied access as they do not speak or understand Latin.

Sort of

Vatican II REQUIRED that that the faithful be instructed to understand and respond to the Latin parts of the Mass that pertain to them.(in the very clause that allowed the vernacular Mass even)

If these ‘99.999%’ do not speak or understand the necessary Latin, it is because their pastors and bishops have not successfully or accurately followed the Constitutions of Vatican II.

SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM

1. In Masses which are celebrated with the people, a suitable place may be allotted to their mother tongue. This is to apply in the first place to the readings and “the common prayer,” but also, as local conditions may warrant, to those parts which pertain to the people, according to tho norm laid down in Art. 36 of this Constitution.

Nevertheless steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.

And really, if my 7 year old and 5 year old can do it, why can’t others