Is the Creed supposed to be said at every Mass?

[ukdal1]

???they didnt say it today and I have noticed that on other occasions they havent said it… and also we have female lectors too is that ok??? I think that my parish may lean a little bit toward the liberal side… I have asked some friends that I have made at Church since I started RCIA and they said it is a little liberal but our pastor has been changing things. Is that normal??? Thanks!!!

 

[ricmat]

???they didnt say it today and I have noticed that on other occasions they havent said it… and also we have female lectors too is that ok??? I think that my parish may lean a little bit toward the liberal side… I have asked some friends that I have made at Church since I started RCIA and they said it is a little liberal but our pastor has been changing things. Is that normal??? Thanks!!!

The Creed is normally said at Sunday masses, and not at daily masses. Also, sometimes there are special blessings on Sundays done at that time in which the essence of the Creed is repeated as part of the blessing - for example, some RCIA rites, or a baptism.

If it just plain wasn’t done, that seems a bit unusual but perhaps there were some time constraints.

Female lectors seem to be OK in our diocese, although it may vary by diocese. Female altar servers are also at the discretion of the local bishop.

Note that these things are not dogma, but disciplines, which means that they can change as the needs of the church change.

And there are MANY things in the mass that cannot be changed.

 

[Brendan]

Female lectors seem to be OK in our diocese, although it may vary by diocese. Female altar servers are also at the discretion of the local bishop…

FYI, there is one addtional level of authority. A priest cannot be forced to use females in altar service if he chooses not to.

For example, an associate pastor is assigned to a parish, this priest would prefer males to serve at the altar. Canonically, he has this right, and the pastor or the bishop could not order him to accept altar girls or female lectors.

 

[Brendan]

???they didnt say it today and I have noticed that on other occasions they havent said it

The Creed may be replaced by a renewal of Baptismal vows.

“Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises”…" I Do" etc…

But one of the two MUST be said on Sunday and Solemnities.

 

[Mannyfit75]

???they didnt say it today and I have noticed that on other occasions they havent said it… and also we have female lectors too is that ok??? I think that my parish may lean a little bit toward the liberal side… I have asked some friends that I have made at Church since I started RCIA and they said it is a little liberal but our pastor has been changing things. Is that normal??? Thanks!!!

Creed is recited only on Sunday Mass, and on Holy Days of oligation… It’s not recited during Daily Mass

 

[ukdal1]

:doh2: :blushing: ok…there WAS a Baptism today, that makes sense!!! We do have female altar servers but every where I read it says the Church does NOT allow them…???

 

[verdigirl]

:doh2: :blushing: ok…there WAS a Baptism today, that makes sense!!! We do have female altar servers but every where I read it says the Church does NOT allow them…???

In our Archdiocese, the Bishop has diocese-specific norms that allow female lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, but it’s left to the discretion of the pastor.

Because of the larger numbers of women who are willing to serve as ministers of these types, the “talent pool” from which to draw usually leans more toward women, especially during football season!!!

 

[ukdal1]

In our Archdiocese, the Bishop has diocese-specific norms that allow female lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, but it’s left to the discretion of the pastor.

Because of the larger numbers of women who are willing to serve as ministers of these types, the “talent pool” from which to draw usually leans more toward women, especially during football season!!!

but just because the Bishop allows something doesnt make it right…no offense…they can be wrong in the things they allow (not following the Liturgy, adding and deleting things ) and get in trouble from Rome for it…so what I’m wondering is, does the Church, Rome, Vatican, Pope, etc deem female altar servers wrong??? Thanks again guys!!! and no offense verdigirl I’m jsut trying to find out whats right…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

???they didnt say it today and I have noticed that on other occasions they havent said it… and also we have female lectors too is that ok??? I think that my parish may lean a little bit toward the liberal side… I have asked some friends that I have made at Church since I started RCIA and they said it is a little liberal but our pastor has been changing things. Is that normal??? Thanks!!!

There are no such people as “female Lectors”. There can be “female Lay Readers.” Instituted “Lectors” can only be male.

The Creed is required at Sunday and Holy Day Mass. But is not necessary for weekday Mass.

 

[Chatter163]

Females have been permitted to be readers since readers began to be used in early 1970’s. Permission for bishops to permit female altar servers was given by the Holy See in 1994. Wish I could say differently, but those are the facts.

 

[verdigirl]

but just because the Bishop allows something doesnt make it right…no offense…they can be wrong in the things they allow (not following the Liturgy, adding and deleting things ) and get in trouble from Rome for it…so what I’m wondering is, does the Church, Rome, Vatican, Pope, etc deem female altar servers wrong??? Thanks again guys!!! and no offense verdigirl I’m jsut trying to find out whats right…

No worries…I know what you’re getting at. Here’s what I find in the GIRM:

1. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. They should be truly suited to perform this function and should receive careful preparation, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop in their hearts a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture.

Here’s what the norms of our Archdiocese say:

The designation of men or women to serve in such ministries as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, reader, cantor, leader of singing, commentator, usher is left to the discretion of the pastor in the light of the needs of the parish (GIRM 65-73). Persons who exercise any liturgical ministry should be living a life consistent with the faith. Their marriages must be in accord with the teachings of the Church. Those who exercise liturgical ministries dress in accord with the requirements of the parish.

To me, because the GIRM says “laypersons,” it’s not gender specific. Anyone else have (name removed by moderator)ut?

 

[barbfromtucson]

There are at least two Catholic churches here in Tucson (on the East Side) who routinely have not had the Creed during Sunday Mass.

It is said when there’s a ‘visiting priest’ or when the Bishop is present.

I talked with the pastor at one of these churches as to why the Creed wasn’t said at every Sunday Mass, and he told me that the Creed is like our “pledge of allegiance”. He also asked me what the difference was between Sunday Mass and Daily Mass…a Mass is a Mass, and there’s no Creed during daily Mass so it’s not a required part of the Mass.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had this conversation so I may be leaving out a couple things, but I hope you get the jist.

Take Care,

Barbara

 

[1ke]

:doh2: :blushing: ok…there WAS a Baptism today, that makes sense!!! We do have female altar servers but every where I read it says the Church does NOT allow them…???

Yes, female altar servers are allowed, and yes “Rome” has allowed it-- JPII issued a document on this about 15 years ago.

 

[thistle]

Yes, female altar servers are allowed, and yes “Rome” has allowed it-- JPII issued a document on this about 15 years ago.

What has this got to do with the thread topic??

 

[Orionthehunter]

There are at least two Catholic churches here in Tucson (on the East Side) who routinely have not had the Creed during Sunday Mass.

It is said when there’s a ‘visiting priest’ or when the Bishop is present.

I talked with the pastor at one of these churches as to why the Creed wasn’t said at every Sunday Mass, and he told me that the Creed is like our “pledge of allegiance”. He also asked me what the difference was between Sunday Mass and Daily Mass…a Mass is a Mass, and there’s no Creed during daily Mass so it’s not a required part of the Mass.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had this conversation so I may be leaving out a couple things, but I hope you get the jist.

Take Care,

Barbara

I would take this up with the Bishop. The Church (not the Pastor) has the authority to deem the norms for Mass. She has deemed that the Creed (or appropriate subsititute ala renewal of Christian vows during a baptism incorporated into the obligatory Masses). The reason is that the entire Church is gathered and they are professing the Faith together. Daily Masses are not required of the entire faithful so it less appropriate to say the common “pledge.” Your Pastor is correct: It is like the Pledge of Allegiance. I wonder why he has a problem with you making such a pledge?

From the GIRM:

The Profession of Faith

1. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
2. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

If it is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by all together or by the people alternating with the choir.

If not sung, it is to be recited by all together or by two parts of the assembly responding one to the other.

 

[1ke]

What has this got to do with the thread topic??

The OP asked both about the creed and females serving in various capacities on the altar. He asked about female readers which was answered. The OP then asked about female altar servers and thus my reply.

My reply was to the OP and completely on topic.

 

[verdigirl]

I would take this up with the Bishop. The Church (not the Pastor) has the authority to deem the norms for Mass. She has deemed that the Creed (or appropriate subsititute ala renewal of Christian vows during a baptism incorporated into the obligatory Masses). The reason is that the entire Church is gathered and they are professing the Faith together. Daily Masses are not required of the entire faithful so it less appropriate to say the common “pledge.” Your Pastor is correct: It is like the Pledge of Allegiance. I wonder why he has a problem with you making such a pledge?

From the GIRM:

The Profession of Faith

1. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
2. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

If it is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by all together or by the people alternating with the choir.

If not sung, it is to be recited by all together or by two parts of the assembly responding one to the other.

I wouldn’t take it up with the Bishop…yet. It’s better to take it up with the priest first, then the pastor, and if he doesn’t make the adjustment, then the Bishop.