Is it Liturgically correct to change the "Lamb of God"

[mtamisiea]

I want to know if it is Liturgically acceptable to change the words in the Mass, when sung, for the Lamb of God. For example, “Prince of Peace” instead of “Lamb of God”, etc.

If it is not acceptable, is there a Church document which is instructive on this question. I had understood that this is not ok but could use some direction (i.e. something more tangible to back up my hunch) if that’s the case.

 

[Michael_Welter]

It is ABSOLUTELY not OK. The words to the Ordinary of that Mass cannot be changed at all, not even 1 word. As a musician, I am particularly sensitive to this. I can modify words of songs to fit melodies, as long as it is not songs of the Ordinary.

I don’t have any documentation to quote at the moment, but I would start by reading the GIRM.

 

[Lance_O]

mtamisiea:

I want to know if it is Liturgically acceptable to change the words in the Mass, when sung, for the Lamb of God. For example, “Prince of Peace” instead of “Lamb of God”, etc.

If it is not acceptable, is there a Church document which is instructive on this question. I had understood that this is not ok but could use some direction (i.e. something more tangible to back up my hunch) if that’s the case.

NO! It’s not ok to change the “Lamb of God” to “Prince of Peace” at the ‘Breaking of the bread’. Jesus may be the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), but that is completely inappropriate to refer to him as anything other than the Lamb of God when you think what is happening at that point of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Mass. Through out the book of Relevation alone, he is refered to as the “Lamb” 28 times. Then in the Gospels when John the Bapist sees him **Jn 1:29 ** “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”.

USCCB - GIRM paragraph 83 of The Liturgy of the Eucharist - “The priest breaks the Bread and puts a piece of the host into the chalice to signify the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord in the work of salvation, namely, of the living and glorious Body of Jesus Christ. The supplication Agnus Dei or “Lamb of God”, is, as a rule, sung by the choir or cantor with the congregation responding; or it is, at least, recited aloud. This invocation accompanies the fraction and, for this reason, may be repeated as many times as necessary until the rite has reached its conclusion, the last time ending with the words dona nobis pacem (grant us peace).”

 

[pm1853]

Its interesting, the parish I have gone to just starting using the Schumann German Mass setting for the Gloria, Sanctus, and Aguns Dei (in English of course). The Agnus Dei setting has some interesting troping so the words fill out the music. The copies we use all have an approval on the bottom from either the GIRM or USCCB or some organisation like that. I can’t help but be skeptical about it though. Its the Richard Proulx adaption if anyone has it around the computer. I don’t know the exact statement on the bottom. It bothers me a little that the music (as in your case it seems) is taking prededence over the actual prayers through these means. Don’t get me wrong, the title Prince of Peace is wonderful and should be empoyed, but we have a prayer that is already sufficient.

 

[muledog]

mtamisiea:

I want to know if it is Liturgically acceptable to change the words in the Mass, when sung, for the Lamb of God. For example, “Prince of Peace” instead of “Lamb of God”, etc.

If it is not acceptable, is there a Church document which is instructive on this question. I had understood that this is not ok but could use some direction (i.e. something more tangible to back up my hunch) if that’s the case.

This was discussed before under the heading “TITLES OF CHRIST IN THE LAMB OF GOD.” (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=8113) and also under “LAMB OF GOD” (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=64584) only a couple of weeks ago.

Besides the quote already given from the GIRM, no. 83, read GIRM, no. 366, which states

1. It is not permitted to substitute other chants for those found in the Order of Mass, such as at the Agnus Dei.