May the MC say parts that the priest ordinarily says in the EF?

[haribo1]

A young diocesan priest has started saying the EF Mass a local church where I used to serve. I’m young, but I’ve probably been to over a thousand EF Masses over the years and served at hundreds.

Our new priest doesn’t know the EF Mass well, but he thinks he does. He makes up most of the chant and doesn’t seem to know a lot of the basic rubrics. It’s very difficult for us to correct him, because he considers himself an authority on the EF and it obviously embarrasses him.

The difficulty comes when he starts to give instruction. He’s confident and will tell the servers to do things without verifying whether they’re actually part of the Mass. Usually this means combining rubrics for Low Mass and High Mass as he sees fit. The end result just looks chaotic. I don’t think he’s seen many old rite Masses, and he doesn’t seem interested in educating himself at this point.

One of the things I noticed is that the priest has been asking the MC to come up to the footpace at various points and read parts of the ordinary with him at the altar. I’ve never seen this done, and it seems really odd. Since he’s now asked me to MC, can anyone tell me if this is even allowed?

 

[Rich_C]

Why don’t you write privately to Father Z? Do you know who I mean? He had a blog about rubrics and know the TLM well, it seems. This is important stuff; I would trust him over anonymous advice on a forum.

He might also give good advice on what, if anything, you could do to help your priest.

 

[malphono]

Are you sure that he expects the MC to read or just stand there and point to the missal? If the former, oh yeah, it’s odd alright, and the suggestion to ask Fr Z is a good one. If the latter, though, it’s not all that unusual, particularly for a priest who is a little unsure of himself.

There are, BTW, several instructional videos available. There was a [thread=713867]thread[/thread] here a while back with some links. One of those might make a nice gift.

 

[haribo1]

He says he wants the MC to do some of the deacons role, including reading the Gloria and Credo out loud with him.

 

[YoungTradCath]

He says he wants the MC to do some of the deacons role, including reading the Gloria and Credo out loud with him.

But, how can a non-deacon do deacony things?

 

[malphono]

haribo1;11093308:

He says he wants the MC to do some of the deacons role, including reading the Gloria and Credo out loud with him.

But, how can a non-deacon do deacony things?

Both the Gloria and Credo are “public prayers” (notice how they’re handled in Missa Recitata), so I don’t think those present a huge problem here.

But it is 100% correct that anyone of lower rank, whether server or MC or even an inferior cleric, may not take the deacon’s role in the Usus Antiquior. Such is traditionally (but partially) allowed for the subdeacon’s role (so-called “straw subdeacons”) but **never **for the diaconal role.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Both the Gloria and Credo are “public prayers” (notice how they’re handled in Missa Recitata), so I don’t think those present a huge problem here.

But it is 100% correct that anyone of lower rank, whether server or MC or even an inferior cleric, may not take the deacon’s role in the Usus Antiquior. Such is traditionally (but partially) allowed for the subdeacon’s role (so-called “straw subdeacons”) but **never **for the diaconal role.

Well, yes, but not if they are done as a deacon does them.

 

[malphono]

Well, yes, but not if they are done as a deacon does them.

Maybe it’s me today but I’m

 

[haribo1]

No, this is a High Mass. The choir sings the ordinary, and the priest recites the same prayers quietly. He’s asking the MC to come up to the altar and recite the prayers in a low voice along with him as an ordained cleric would.

 

[ProVobis]

No, this is a High Mass. The choir sings the ordinary, and the priest recites the same prayers quietly. He’s asking the MC to come up to the altar and recite the prayers in a low voice along with him as an ordained cleric would.

I heard in many places in the early 70’s, the congregation thought they could verbalize the consecration and the “Through Him…” part with the priest, only to be admonished by their bishops. Seems the same principle applies here. Only recite the responses and/or what the choir would sing.