How strict should one get on the rubrics?

[R_C]

How strict should one be concerning the rubrics?

If someone (say, a priest) is kindly reminded about a rubric that is not optional and yet is being omitted, but to no avail, how far should a lay faithful go? Is he supposed to mention the official documents mandating what is being not being done, even though this probably will be perceived as offensive and disrespectful? And what if this also leads to no change?

I seek some kind and patient word of advice, please. Also please understand me before posting: I do not consider rubrics to be an optional layer that makes things prettier to the sight, but an essential part of the sacred liturgy, intended to offer proper honor to Our Lord in accordance to the traditions of the Church, and to offer obedience to the Church.

 

[phil19034]

How strict should one be concerning the rubrics?

If someone (say, a priest) is kindly reminded about a rubric that is not optional and yet is being omitted, but to no avail, how far should a lay faithful go? Is he supposed to mention the official documents mandating what is being not being done, even though this probably will be perceived as offensive and disrespectful? And what if this also leads to no change?

I seek some kind and patient word of advice, please. Also please understand me before posting: I do not consider rubrics to be an optional layer that makes things prettier to the sight, but an essential part of the sacred liturgy, intended to offer proper honor to Our Lord in accordance to the traditions of the Church, and to offer obedience to the Church.

I suggest you ask one of the Priests here on Catholic Answers via an “Ask an Appoligist.” Give him the details.

If warrented, the CA Priest might suggest writting a professional, polite letter to the Pastor to address your concerns. Keeping a copy for your records. If that does not help, then you would consider writting a polite letter to to the Bishop (attaching the letter you sent the Pastor).

However, please ask the Priests at Catholic Answers. Perhaps there is an option which you are not aware of.

God Bless

 

[JM3]

How strict should one be concerning the rubrics?

Unless it causes the Mass to be invalid, I would let it go.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

I would disagree with the advice to ignore liturgical error and abuse. It could be something as simple as the priest being unaware of what to do (ya never know…) or he may, as many priests do, think he is somehow “improving” the liturgy by his disobedience. Sadly, if this is the case, for him to change his actions, he will probably have to change his mindset. I think that the description that you, OP, gave in the original post about why there are rubrics to begin with was EXCELLENT and could maybe be helpful if included in a polite, respectful letter to the pastor. Knowing what the particular abuse or error is could also be helpful, because things like failing to bow during the Creed are not going to be taken as seriously as things like composing your own Eucharistic prayers…

 

[CB_Catholic]

What is the rubric and why is he not following it? A lot depends on answering these two questions.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

What is the rubric .

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[R_C]

I am very grateful for all the posts I read.

What is the rubric and why is he not following it? A lot depends on answering these two questions.

The reason I did not mention the rubric is very simple: it seems a lesser thing. Something that can be done away with without much issue (it seems). And yet it is mandated. I also hoped to reach some generic understanding, rather than seeking an answer to a specific issue.

The rubric I am referring to is the one found in the Roman Ritual concerning Eucharistic Adoration. §85 and §93 state that when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance, incense is to be used. There are two rubrics, one after the other, stating this. One says “incense is used”, the next says “the minister incenses the sacrament”. This is quite clear: it is not optional.

Now it is no surprise that someone would not use incense. In the Holy Mass, use of incense is optional according to GIRM §276 (“Incense may be used optionally”). If someone studied diligently the GIRM, he would know that incense is optional. It is possible someone would assume it is also optional in Adoration. So I do not blame anyone for not using incense in good faith. Also, I understand sometimes smoke alarms can be a concern. I myself served as acolyte in a Missa Cantata in a small chapel once, and the Mass had not even started when the smoke detector went off and firefighters showed up.

The point is that if someone is not accustomed to using incense, would not want to use incense simply because, or cannot use incense due to smoke detectors, the Roman Ritual specifies an additional, perfectly valid form of Eucharistic Adoration, where incensation of the Blessed Sacrament is optional: namely, exposition within a ciborium.

I hope you keep being patient with me. Why do we incense the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance? Because it is such an incomprehensible honor that Christ would be there for us, exposed in a monstrance for us to adore Him. The saints themselves called this sort of adoration the greatest act of worship besides the Holy Mass. Saint Alphonsus Liguori said that “amongst all devotions, after that of receiving the sacraments, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament holds first place, is most pleasing to God, and most useful to ourselves”. Saint Pius X stated that this practice is " the fountainhead of all devotional works". St. Peter Eymard stated:

Eucharistic Adoration is the greatest act of holiness on earth. …] The adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is the end of the Church Militant, just as adoration of God in His glory is the end of the Church Triumphant. A holy rivalry, a concert of prayer, a harmony of divine service should exist between the heavenly court and the Eucharistic court here below

This is how much I love Eucharistic Adoration. Therefore, when I see that something “minor” (even ridiculously minor, in the eyes of some!) is being omitted which is supposed to be done to honor and thank our Lord for a privilege we could never deserve in a lifetime, to stand before the exposed Eucharist, I wonder whether I should be doing something about it, at the risk of hurting or offending a very holy and pious priest and trespassing my role as a simple lay faithful, or whether I should simply let it go and offer in my heart that which may be lacking in the exterior act of adoration.

For some of us, things like this constitute a significant part of their spiritual warfare, so please be patient if you don’t quite see why things like these can take someone’s peace away. I simply seek no trouble and want to understand just how strict a lay faithful is supposed to get in these circumstances I also don’t know what is worse for my soul: to remain silent about a liturgical omission, or to correct a priest of Christ. Love you guys

 

[2HeartsSlave]

Your heart is, I think, clearly in the right place and on fire with love for our Eucharistic Lord, and a desire to see him treated with the respect and dignity he deserves. Thank God for this special grace he has gifted to you

Practically speaking, it can be “awkward” for a priest to incense The Lord during Benediction if he doesn’t have a server helping him; he would either have to put the censer in front of the altar before the service begins so that it will be there waiting on him (which is not a customary thing to do) or he could carry the cense in himself at the beginning of Benediction (which is also not customary).
Perhaps offering to be a server (a thurifer I guess…) during adoration would be a good solution. Saying something like, “Father, I just wanted you to know that if you want some help during exposition, somebody to serve or carry a censer for you, I’d be happy to!” He may jump at the chance!
Again, I can’t imagine how pleased our Lord is that you care so much about him

 

[R_C]

Your heart is, I think, clearly in the right place and on fire with love for our Eucharistic Lord, and a desire to see him treated with the respect and dignity he deserves. Thank God for this special grace he has gifted to you

You are very kind. I hope you are right and He is not too upset by my mindset I really don’t wish anyone to be offended, that’s all. I just really wish everything was just perfect…

Practically speaking, it can be “awkward” for a priest to incense The Lord during Benediction if he doesn’t have a server helping him…Perhaps offering to be a server (a thurifer I guess…) during adoration would be a good solution.

Ok, the cat is out of the bag :tiphat: The layperson in question may be one who happens to serve every so often for the priest…which is why he feels somehow entitled to mention something…I guess it’s a more polite way to go though: instead of pointing something out, offering oneself to help with the extra part.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

Ok, the cat is out of the bag :tiphat: The layperson in question may be one who happens to serve every so often for the priest…which is why he feels somehow entitled to mention something…I guess it’s a more polite way to go though: instead of pointing something out, offering oneself to help with the extra part.

Ooh this does hit home for me now, because I made the decision a while back to no longer serve at a weekday Mass at my actual parish because, though I only did so once, I could see I would be expected to do things I wasn’t comfortable with. And for some reason, like you, I felt that by serving I was somehow more responsible than I would be if I were not. Alas, there are no questions about what should and should not be done in the traditional form of the liturgy…and when it’s not done, for whatever reason, you always have a clear and defined document and thousands of years of tradition to back you up
Though that doesn’t really help your current situation…

 

[JM3]

This is how much I love Eucharistic Adoration. Therefore, when I see that something “minor” (even ridiculously minor, in the eyes of some!) is being omitted which is supposed to be done to honor and thank our Lord for a privilege we could never deserve in a lifetime, to stand before the exposed Eucharist, I wonder whether I should be doing something about it, at the risk of hurting or offending a very holy and pious priest and trespassing my role as a simple lay faithful, or whether I should simply let it go and offer in my heart that which may be lacking in the exterior act of adoration.

Charity would also consider those of the laity who get physically sick from incense, perfume, ect.

 

[Cat]

Surely incense is not to be used in a 24/7 Adoration Chapel?

That sounds rather dangerous, and in a small chapel, extremely uncomfortable.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

Surely incense is not to be used in a 24/7 Adoration Chapel?

That sounds rather dangerous, and in a small chapel, extremely uncomfortable.

I’m pretty sure the OP is referring to the practice of censing the Sacrament when he is first exposed for adoration, or during benediction, not during the entire period of exposition.
My yes, could you imagine the cloud that would cause! Haha

 

[R_C]

Charity would also consider those of the laity who get physically sick from incense, perfume, ect.

If I were them, I would sit in the back and offer a sacrifice to the Lord. I cannot expect the liturgy to adapt to me, now. The Lord did not chose the size and shape of the Cross, or the length of the nails.

I know of a diocesan priest who serves a kind of Mass which makes extensive use of incense and who can barely stand incense. He has never made one complaint, not even a distressed facial expression, although you can see how much it affects him physically every time he is using it. On one occasion the thurifer had to quickly leave the sanctuary, as the priest was suddenly almost unable to breath. He paused for a few seconds, caught his breath, and kept celebrating the Mass like nothing had happened. I think few people in the congregation were aware that something was happening. No mention of the incident was brought up after Mass. This is the kind of militant attitude I believe we ought to adopt with regards to the sacred liturgy.

Ooh this does hit home for me now, because I made the decision a while back to no longer serve at a weekday Mass at my actual parish because, though I only did so once, I could see I would be expected to do things I wasn’t comfortable with. And for some reason, like you, I felt that by serving I was somehow more responsible than I would be if I were not. Alas, there are no questions about what should and should not be done in the traditional form of the liturgy…and when it’s not done, for whatever reason, you always have a clear and defined document and thousands of years of tradition to back you up
Though that doesn’t really help your current situation…

Still interesting, thanks for sharing

Anyhow, in this chapel there is a smoke/fire alarm on top of the altar where the Monstrance was to be placed, so in the end, incense was not used. It wasn’t the end of the world and I was told an exception was being done for the group, because in fact, Adoration usually does not take place in that chapel, but only in the main church The reading spoke to me in a particular way:

Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

 

[CB_Catholic]

If I were them, I would sit in the back and offer a sacrifice to the Lord. I cannot expect the liturgy to adapt to me, now. The Lord did not chose the size and shape of the Cross, or the length of the nails.

I know of a diocesan priest who serves a kind of Mass which makes extensive use of incense and who can barely stand incense. He has never made one complaint, not even a distressed facial expression, although you can see how much it affects him physically every time he is using it. On one occasion the thurifer had to quickly leave the sanctuary, as the priest was suddenly almost unable to breath. He paused for a few seconds, caught his breath, and kept celebrating the Mass like nothing had happened. I think few people in the congregation were aware that something was happening. No mention of the incident was brought up after Mass. This is the kind of militant attitude I believe we ought to adopt with regards to the sacred liturgy.

Still interesting, thanks for sharing

Anyhow, in this chapel there is a smoke/fire alarm on top of the altar where the Monstrance was to be placed, so in the end, incense was not used. It wasn’t the end of the world and I was told an exception was being done for the group, because in fact, Adoration usually does not take place in that chapel, but only in the main church The reading spoke to me in a particular way:

RC, I admire your devotion and dedication to the Blessed Sacrament and the desire to see things done properly. I, too, like to see the rubrics followed. However, I am concerned that you are getting into dangerous thinking here with the example you give about the priest and his continuing to use the incense despite difficulty breathing. Do not underestimate how dangerous this can be. There is a commandment that says “Thou shall not kill” and that includes yourself. Nothing in that commandment says it’s ok to injure or kill yourself in the worship of God. What the priest is doing is very dangerous. I am a nurse–I have seen firsthand what exposure to airborne substances can do to a person. And continued exposure over time makes things worse. Those who tell asthmatics or other sensitive people to just put up with it or move to another place do not know what they are talking about, and show a lack of respect for others.
The actions of this priest should not be used as an example for people to follow. The Church does not condone harming yourself performing pious practices. I am concerned also that you have set the rubric above everything else. This is a minor thing, it should not be blown out of proportion to the point where you believe it is admirable to put ones self or other in harm’s way to perform it. That can lead to a sort of idolatry. Remember, incense is a symbol of our prayers, not the prayers themselves, and certainly not intended to harm a worshipper. Please take my advice seriously.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

RC, I admire your devotion and dedication to the Blessed Sacrament and the desire to see things done properly. I, too, like to see the rubrics followed. However, I am concerned that you are getting into dangerous thinking here with the example you give about the priest and his continuing to use the incense despite difficulty breathing. Do not underestimate how dangerous this can be. There is a commandment that says “Thou shall not kill” and that includes yourself. Nothing in that commandment says it’s ok to injure or kill yourself in the worship of God. What the priest is doing is very dangerous. I am a nurse–I have seen firsthand what exposure to airborne substances can do to a person. And continued exposure over time makes things worse. Those who tell asthmatics or other sensitive people to just put up with it or move to another place do not know what they are talking about, and show a lack of respect for others.
The actions of this priest should not be used as an example for people to follow. The Church does not condone harming yourself performing pious practices. I am concerned also that you have set the rubric above everything else. This is a minor thing, it should not be blown out of proportion to the point where you believe it is admirable to put ones self or other in harm’s way to perform it. That can lead to a sort of idolatry. Remember, incense is a symbol of our prayers, not the prayers themselves, and certainly not intended to harm a worshipper. Please take my advice seriously.

I don’t think incense has ever killed anyone. And I don’t mean this in a snarky or disrespectful way, I have just seriously never heard of someone dying from incense smoke. I’m not asthmatic and have no other breathing difficulties, so I’m not sure what it’s like for those who are to be in the presence of incense smoke, but I imagine it’s very unpleasant. My grandma had a lung surgery to remove cancer, and she makes a big deal to be around just one person smoking a cigarette, so I imagine incense would be very difficult for her and other people with breathing problems. I remember one time I was incensing my (smallish) apartment with a little hand censer and there was so much smoke that the smoke alarm started going off…lovely, right…I learned that there are some forms of incense that produce less smoke than others, and also, there’s no rubric saying you’ve got to dump half the can I’m the censer…I think that keeping these things in mind can help accommodate those who are sensitive to smoke, or strong smells in general. But no, doing away with incense, is obviously not a good idea.

 

[OraLabora]

I don’t think incense has ever killed anyone. And I don’t mean this in a snarky or disrespectful way, I have just seriously never heard of someone dying from incense smoke. I’m not asthmatic and have no other breathing difficulties, so I’m not sure what it’s like for those who are to be in the presence of incense smoke, but I imagine it’s very unpleasant. My grandma had a lung surgery to remove cancer, and she makes a big deal to be around just one person smoking a cigarette, so I imagine incense would be very difficult for her and other people with breathing problems. I remember one time I was incensing my (smallish) apartment with a little hand censer and there was so much smoke that the smoke alarm started going off…lovely, right…I learned that there are some forms of incense that produce less smoke than others, and also, there’s no rubric saying you’ve got to dump half the can I’m the censer…I think that keeping these things in mind can help accommodate those who are sensitive to smoke, or strong smells in general. But no, doing away with incense, is obviously not a good idea.

I can actually tell if the person in the car ahead of me at a stop light is smoking even with the windows rolled up. I can’t stand cigarette smoke. My father was a heavy smoker and died from it (when I was only 12).

But I love incense. I have a small oratory in my study where I chant the LOTH. Once I thought I’d experiment with incense. It so filled my small (and not so well ventilated) oratory that I was nearly choking and couldn’t chant to save my life. I admire the deacons and priests who chant the gospel as the acolyte incenses the ambo. My eyes would be tearing up and I wouldn’t be able to produce a squawk. But while in the nave, when the altar or ambo is incensed, and even when the acolyte moves down the sanctuary to incense the faithful after he’s done the monks, I have no issues and I love the smell; and I love going into the church many hours after mass with the smell of incense and candle wax still lingering.

We Catholics worship with all our senses. In most parishes we seem to have lost that notion. Thank God for the monks who keep it alive.

 

[ProVobis]

FWIW, this is what the Council of Trent summarized on the matter of incense et al. From Session 22 doctrines:

Chap V

Cumque natura hominum ea sit, ut non facile queat sine adminiculis exterioribus ad rerum divinarum meditationem sustolli, propterea pia mater Ecclesia ritus quosdam, ut scilicet quædam summissa voce, alia vero elatiore, in missa pronunciarentur, instituit. Cerimonias item, adhibuit, ut mysticas benedictiones, lumina, thymiamata, vestes, aliaque id genus multa ex apostolica disciplina et traditione, quo et majestas tanti sacrificii commendaretur, et mentes fidelium per hæc visibilia religionis et pietatis signa ad rerum altissimarum, quæ in hoc sacrificio latent, contemplationem excitarentur.

And whereas such is the nature of man, that, without external helps, he can not easily be raised to the meditation of divine things; therefore has holy Mother Church instituted certain rites, to wit, that certain things be pronounced in the mass in a low, and others in a louder, tone. She has likewise employed ceremonies, such as mystic benedictions, lights, incense, vestments, and many other things of this kind, derived from an apostolical discipline and tradition, whereby both the majesty of so great a sacrifice might be recommended, and the minds of the faithful be excited, by those visible signs of religion and piety, to the contemplation of those most sublime things which are hidden in this sacrifice.

Note that the doctrine doesn’t specify these apostolic disciplines must be used, but WHEN when they are used, they signify…

 

[Brendan_64]

How strict should one be concerning the rubrics?

If someone (say, a priest) is kindly reminded about a rubric that is not optional and yet is being omitted, but to no avail, how far should a lay faithful go? Is he supposed to mention the official documents mandating what is being not being done, even though this probably will be perceived as offensive and disrespectful? And what if this also leads to no change?

I would charitably draw the priest’s attention to it and I would mention the document mandating it. If a priest takes this as offensive then perhaps he ought to consider his attitude. As on of the Catholic Faithful, you have a right to expect the Liturgy be carried out in accordance to the rubrics of the Church. The Liturgy is not the personal property of either the priest of layperson, so the Liturgy ought to be carried out according to the norms laid down by the Church. Some priests might get a bit ‘prickly’ if this is brought to their attention, but why shouldn’t he be charitably reminded of how the Liturgy ought to be celebrated?

If after that there is no change then write to the bishop, but tell the priest beforehand that this is what you plan to do, if it comes to that.

 

[2HeartsSlave]

We need to respect our priests, absolutely. They have Holy Orders, they have special graces, they are consecrated to God and the service of His Church…so yes, kiss a priests hand, bow when he passes, don’t gossip about him, speak to him with reverence…but think of it this way: we expect everyone else to do their job, right? If you’re at a restaurant and the waiter comes to your table and throws down a menu and glass of water without saying a word, you would complain. If you sit in a classroom and the teacher throws a book at you and says “learn it yourself,” you would complain. There’re plenty of examples, but you get the point. Why should we not expect the same thing from our priests? We can respect them and honor them, while at the same time expecting them to do their job, and yes, this includes obeying every “jot and tittle” of the liturgical rubrics for the honor and glory of God, and the edification of the faithful.