Fracturing of Bread during consecration

[Aulef]

Same here!

 

[alexl437]

My parish priest does the exact same thing! It has never sat right with me.

 

[Spyridon]

My parish priest does the exact same thing! It has never sat right with me.

I understand the temptation and potential theology behind having the fraction coincide with the words “broke the bread.”

However, I believe the reason the fraction happens at the Agnus Dei is because at the words “broke the bread” the Eucharistic species have not yet been confected, so it introduces various issues.

But to the OP: This is a definite liturgical abuse. The fraction should NOT be happening at the time just before consecration - it should occur during the Agnus Dei.

 

[Spyridon]

Some older priests forget or refuse to change what they have been doing for so many years.

IMO, if that’s the case, they should either be excommunicated or have their faculties stripped until they are ready to be faithful to the rubrics of the Liturgy.

Someone who can’t respect the Rubrics the Church has vouchsafed to us, IMO, is unworthy to celebrate such a glorious mystery.

 

[rondirect]

Same here for today: 3 out of 3 Masses. We’ll see if it continues tomorrow.

 

[rondirect]

IMO, if that’s the case, they should either be excommunicated or have their faculties stripped until they are ready to be faithful to the rubrics of the Liturgy.

Someone who can’t respect the Rubrics the Church has vouchsafed to us, IMO, is unworthy to celebrate such a glorious mystery.

Excommunication is a bit much. Perhaps reminders and refresher classes are more in order at first. You know, I recall going to many refresher classes when working in management for a manufacturing facility; even my wife as a teacher had refresher classes to learn new methods in order to continue to be certified. Maybe priests should be required ever 5 or so years as well. Hmmm…another thought for a new thread.

Some of the other abuses I see are rather small, like in dialog and the such. If we start excommunicating priests for forgetfulness or just refusing to change because that’s what they had done or said correctly for years, we might just start eliminating more than you might think; something we cannot afford to do when our seminaries are not robust in attendance these days.

 

[Spyridon]

Perhaps reminders and refresher classes are more in order at first.

Of course reminders and refreshers at first…

I meant a priest who refused to change even after being reminded and remains obstinate and refuses to take a refresher course… Then loss of faculties would be appropriate.

This is a fairly serious liturgical abuse, and it cannot be tolerated. It must be corrected swiftly. Changing a word or messing up a word or two here or there or other minor abuses can be forgiven… But totally changing one of the most important rites of the Eucharistic Liturgy is absolutely unacceptable.

 

[rondirect]

I meant a priest who refused to change even after being reminded and remains obstinate and refuses to take a refresher course… Then loss of faculties would be appropriate.

In that case, I would agree. However, I honestly cannot view this subject on breaking the bread during the Lamb of God vs. during the symbolic “took bread…He broke it,” is so serious, an abuse, yes. That’s me, and I know it is in opposition to what you and others might think.

 

[Phemie]

What the OP describes is a serious liturgical abuse. The bread is not to be broken during the consecration. Others have posted the relevant documents above. Why this abuse continues in some places after being specifically forbidden is a mystery to me. I have seen it done myself, though not for probably about 10 years or so when I was in college.

When I first read this, in Redemptionis Sacramentum, I wondered what they were talking about. I’d never seen that in my life. A month or so later I attended a catechetical conference and at the Sunday Mass the Bishop celebrant broke the host during the Consecration. I was very disappointed in him.

 

[Gorgias]

If we start excommunicating priests for forgetfulness or just refusing to change because that’s what they had done or said correctly for years

Hang on a second, though. I’m with you on the “it seems a bit harsh”, but fracturing the host during the words of Institution has never been part of the rubrics, ever…!

 

[vallancec]

OP if I were in your shoes I’d write a letter to your bishop. It may not change things but he should be made aware.

 

[rondirect]

Hang on a second, though. I’m with you on the “it seems a bit harsh”, but fracturing the host during the words of Institution has never been part of the rubrics, ever…!

Gorgias, me bad…remove the word “correctly.” Have no idea why I placed that word there!

OP if I were in your shoes I’d write a letter to your bishop. It may not change things but he should be made aware.

The bishop is probably already aware. Some others probably have done so already. But then again, I wonder how many really know that this an abuse or really care? As far as they know the breaking of the bread is to take place during the dialog “broke it” within the Eucharistic Prayer and not during the Lamb of God. I know if I didn’t know better, it would seem right to me, since that is what Jesus did.

From what I hear, bishops receive many letters daily regarding complaints from parishioners. “It might not change things,” is correct. We know its wrong, but honestly, is this one really worthy of a letter? I am sure the bishop has bigger issues to be concerned about.

 

[dochawk]

Gosh, in the East we simply have the priest cut the loaf before the liturgy. Err, unless he has had a trip to the ER to have his fingertip attached, and now orders pre-cut.



hawk, who isn’t making this up