Female narrator? As if in a play?

[Roman_Army]

About a year ago I went to visit another parish in New Jersey (spanish mass and seemed charismatic) and there was this lady durring the mass comming up to the podium explaining each part of the mass, before each part happened. It seemed as if she were narrating. I thought it was a new invention from the charismatics, and a liturgical abuse.

**Recently I went on vacation to Puerto Rico. I went to mass there for the first time in a small parish in the more rural parts of the island. There again I saw a woman narrating the mass and explaining each part. I also noticed that they changed the “Lord hear our prayer” response to: “The Lord is my pastor, there is nothing I lack” (sung in spanish). All this was obviously alien to me. I thought that maybe it’s another liturgical abuse just like in that New Jersey parish. Then the next sunday I went to the old Cathedral of old San Juan, Puerto Rico. They had a beautiful children choir from Aruba there visiting and performing. Then again the mass started and again there was a female narrator. And the same changed prayer response. So then I figured, this is the old big Cathedral, does this mean that the entire island and all of Carribean and possibly Latin America is following this same liturgy? Then that would explain why that spanish mass in New Jersey was like that.:whacky: **

Now I’m not much of a liturgical expert. But, do these constitute liturgical abuse? Or am I going crazy? I don’t think I’m so stupid that I need to see a documentary durring the mass, lol. To me it seems that they misinterpreted Vatican II and went to the extreme. What do you think?

 

[flamingsword]

The Mass does offer a few times, 4 or 5 I believe, that instructions are allowed to be given. After the Salutation, before the readings, immedeatly prior to communion, before the dismisal, and during the homily. These are supposed to be short, however. I also believe that the priest is meant to be the one offering words at these parts. What you are explaining sounds like an abuse, yet specific details would have to be provided.

 

[TOME]

A commentator is an accepted ministry according to the GIRM.
and from what I read in the post, the young ladies were well with in the guidelines and doing a fine job.

Actually, in Chicago, during the period of transition from the Tridintine Rite to the Novus Ordo, Commentators were quite common. In many way I wish they were used more often, especially during special feast (Christmas, Easter etc) and there is an increase in the number of people who do not attend on a regular basis. And for those who do, perhaps a period use of commentators would be helpful in reminding us what and why things are happening and to assist us with our responsibility of being conscious and active participants in the Liturgy.

 

[Roman_Army]

Oh thanks guys, I didn’t know that. It’s alien to me, lol. I’m used to the more traditional mass. To be honest, I don’t like it. I guess it’s a matter of getting used to it. Well, if it helps in bringing more people in, I guess it’s worth it.

 

[puzzleannie]

About a year ago I went to visit another parish in New Jersey (spanish mass and seemed charismatic) and there was this lady durring the mass comming up to the podium explaining each part of the mass, before each part happened. It seemed as if she were narrating. I thought it was a new invention from the charismatics, and a liturgical abuse.

Perhaps she was a catechist asked to explain the parts of the Mass to those undergoing instruction, such as children or adults preparing for first communion or RCIA, or translating for those who do not speak the dominate language – I saw this a couple of times in Mexico when there were a lot of people from Guatemala who did not know Spanish, and could not read, so could not benefit from missals or written worship aides
<<<<<<<<<<<
**. I also noticed that they changed the “Lord hear our prayer” response to: “The Lord is my pastor, there is nothing I lack” (sung in spanish). **
>>>>>>>
Pastor means shepherd in Spanish, perhaps the response was drawn from the 23rd psalm.<<<<<<<

Now I’m not much of a liturgical expert. But, do these constitute liturgical abuse? Or am I going crazy? I don’t think I’m so stupid that I need to see a documentary durring the mass, lol. To me it seems that they misinterpreted Vatican II and went to the extreme. What do you think?

since a lot of what you heard was in Spanish or another language, maybe it is too hard to judge what was actually going on. In any event, it is the problem of the pastor and bishop of the diocese, not ours, so why not just worship as best you can at Mass when you are travelling and not let worries about possible liturgical abuses, which you can do nothing about, detract from your worship?

we have sign interpreters for the deaf at many Masses in our parish when deaf persons are present, and I do not see any difference in giving them the aids they need to participate fully in the Mass, and translating for non-English speakers.

 

[puzzleannie]

flamingsword:

The Mass does offer a few times, 4 or 5 I believe, that instructions are allowed to be given. After the Salutation, before the readings, immedeatly prior to communion, before the dismisal, and during the homily. These are supposed to be short, however. I also believe that the priest is meant to be the one offering words at these parts. What you are explaining sounds like an abuse, yet specific details would have to be provided.

it would not be an abuse of the priest did not have the language or other skills to do the instruction. Ideally it should be a deacon, a religious sister if no deacon, or failing that someone commissioned by the priest and qualified to do the instruction.