Is it acceptable to say "God's" hands instead of "His" hands during the Offertory?

[nanapaula]

It is uncomfortable to say the least because some of the Congregation is saying…".May the Lord accept the Sacrifice at your hands, for the Praise and Glory of God’s Name for our good and the good of all God’s Church". While some are using the customary "His Name and His Church.
Is this getting into the area of inclusive and non-inclusive language?

Our Church has no Kneelers but a wonderful padded carpet which I choose to use for kneeling on during the Consecration and Eucharist parts of the Holy Mass. Although nothing has been said by any priest from the altar, having some parishoners stand and some kneel is somewhat of a distraction for all. What do you suggest?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I don’t have a suggestion as whether or not to kneel during the Eucharistic prayer. It’s not optional. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not designate that a church must have kneelers, but it does require that the faithful kneel for the consecration. The American bishops have determined that the faithful in the United States must kneel for the entire Eucharistic prayer up to the end of the Great Amen. You are obliged to kneel at that time regardless of what others are doing.

Substituting “God’s” for “His” is an inclusive language matter. No priest has the authority to change such words at Mass—period.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.