Missalettes at Mass?

[aixia]

There’s a big difference between “hearing” and “listening.”
Hearing is just having the sounds go into your ears, listening is actively taking in what is being heard and processing it in your mind. I prefer to listen to the readings, so I follow along in a missal. I have ADD, which makes it tough for me to be able to truly listen to the readings and not get distracted unless I have another way of taking in the readings in addition to hearing them. My church also seems to look down on missalettes, there are some available, but not very many. So, I bought myself a St. Joseph missal with all three cycles of readings, and now I don’t have to worry about it. (I was always concerned I was taking a missal that a visitor from another faith might need more than me.) So now I read along in my missal for the readings, and put the book away for the rest of Mass. I think it’s wonderful that so many people are able to listen to the readings without following along, but there’s no way I could do it every week and actually get anything out of it.

 

[Luvadoxi]

Why do so many people feel the need to micromanage our actions–it must be a power thing. I guess as a convert I’m feeling kind of grumpy lately–no one would have ever suggested telling other people how to worship God during the service like that in a Protestant church; I mean, isn’t it sort of rude to think of someone saying, “Put that Bible down and pay attention!”. It’s helpful to me to follow along in the missalette. And where is it written (or spoken?) that one isn’t “hearing” the Word if you are also reading along as it is spoken out loud?

Sorry–I’m a little out of sorts tonight so I’m speaking my mind.

 

[stbruno]

More and more people use the missalette at our parish as catechesis for their children, so they can follow the entire mass, not just the readings. It gives instructions when to kneel, stand, sit etc as well as instruction to those who are non-Catholics the rubrics about receiving Communon. Our missalette also includes prayers that can be recited after communion, for the seasons of the year, even the stations of the cross, so people can use it outside of the mass as well.

personally, I am very grateful and use this book each time I come to adoration as well…also to pray the songs in the book and the readings.

also it allows us to have the psalm response for the weekday masses. If a vote is being taken, I vote for missalettes hands down!~

 

[palmas85]

After many years of not using a missalette, I have started doing so again. When I was younger, our priest stated that he did not like people following along in the missalette, just waiting for him to mess up (or something along those lines). ** He didn’t like the fact that we were looking down instead of looking at him.** The parish ordered some kind of missalette that didn’t have the readings, etc. in them. However, this priest (God rest his soul) had some personal issues and occasionally yelled at us during his homilies for one reason or another. I was somewhat scared into not using a missalette.

However, sometimes my mind wanders if I am just listening. Sometimes lectors are not always clear. The choir especially is not always clear; I like to know what I am supposed to be singing. I don’t see what is wrong with listening and following along at the same time. I close the missalette after the Gospel.

Interesting. Not looking at him. Oh well

 

[Jason_Hurd]

Why do so many people feel the need to micromanage our actions–it must be a power thing. I guess as a convert I’m feeling kind of grumpy lately–no one would have ever suggested telling other people how to worship God during the service like that in a Protestant church; I mean, isn’t it sort of rude to think of someone saying, “Put that Bible down and pay attention!”. It’s helpful to me to follow along in the missalette. And where is it written (or spoken?) that one isn’t “hearing” the Word if you are also reading along as it is spoken out loud?

Sorry–I’m a little out of sorts tonight so I’m speaking my mind.

I know what you mean. I have the same difficulty trying to be charitable to people who are so interested in what others are doing during Mass. Also, I would like to remind everyone that in the old days when the TLM was universal, it was a common sight to see people silently praying the Rosary during Mass, appearing to ‘march to their own drummer’ while the celebration went on. They joined in the responses and were otherwise active participants; they just had this extra thing they were doing. I think perhaps there is a bit too much emphasis nowadays on paying strict attention to what is going on up front; there is room at Mass for private devotion, too.

 

[tcraig]

Why do so many people feel the need to micromanage our actions–it must be a power thing. I guess as a convert I’m feeling kind of grumpy lately–no one would have ever suggested telling other people how to worship God during the service like that in a Protestant church; I mean, isn’t it sort of rude to think of someone saying, “Put that Bible down and pay attention!”. It’s helpful to me to follow along in the missalette. And where is it written (or spoken?) that one isn’t “hearing” the Word if you are also reading along as it is spoken out loud?

Sorry–I’m a little out of sorts tonight so I’m speaking my mind.

I agree (former protestant also). I’m not deaf, so I obviously *hear *what is being said while I also read along.

Sheesh!

 

[frommi]

I think perhaps there is a bit too much emphasis nowadays on paying strict attention to what is going on up front; there is room at Mass for private devotion, too.

Not really…private devotion has its place…and its place is not at the public celebration of mass.

 

[lak611]

Not to quibble with the USCCB, but I’ve been in many churches in which I can’t understand a word being said (and I have perfect hearing). This is usually a combination of (A) an acoustically bad church (e.g., one of those marble echo-chambers); (B) a poor sound system; and (C) a lector who doesn’t enunciate properly. When that happens, it helps to have a missalette so I actually understand the reading. It’s much the same with the psalm, when the choir is difficult to understand; reading the psalm along with the choir helps me to understand the words.

Obviously the better fix is to redesign the sound system so everyone can hear. Until then, I sometimes wish I could read along.

Of course, this doesn’t help with the homily…

I never use the missal unless I cannot understand the reader or cantor. In my parish, thankfully, all the readers enunciate clearly. I never have a problem with the priests, either. So I know it’s not the sound system. I have to use the missal for the Psalm because the cantor is a warbly voiced women and I cannot understand a word she sings.

 

[lak611]

My objection is the several cartons of old books taken to recycling several times a year. I wish there was a permanent resource, affordable, binlingual.

My parish does not use “missalettes”. We have hardbound hymnals. They have only hymns and the lectionary readings (for A, B, & C). The rest of the Mass, no reading along. The rest of the Mass is not printed in the book.

 

[Al_Masetti]

I heard, with my very own ears, a very knowledgeable priest say “missalettes for christianettes”.

 

[lak611]

My parish does not use “missalettes”. We have hardbound hymnals. They have only hymns and the lectionary readings (for A, B, & C). The rest of the Mass, no reading along. The rest of the Mass is not printed in the book.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the hymnal/missal only contains the Sunday and Holy Day readings. For daily Mass, no reading at all.

 

[cecilia97]

I understand the USCCB on the matter. However, what of those (I am one) that find by reading along with the lecture I take in MORE than I would if it were simply read to me? In the past, I have found that I often “wondered” during the readings. Other things would pop into my mind during the reading. Things like what I needed to do before work the next day, or “how can those parents allow their child to behave like that during Mass.” I know, I know, I should be able to control my mind enough to not be distracted. However, I am human and as such, I recognize my weaknesses and have found a way in which to overcome this one particular weakness. If the Church were to come right out and say, “No more Missals or Missalettes” I would of course obey. However, I am not distracted (nor are those around me distracted) by my following along in the Missalette during the readings. I am in fact, MORE focused than I would be if I was left to simply listen. God bless.

I agree, I “hear” with my eyes…many people do. And we can hear at the same time as reading, so I don’t think the posted references actually discourage reading along. Sounds more like they’re discouraging people who don’t bother to pay attention.

 

[mmboys07]

Interesting thread. However, in my view, 90% of the time those trying to get people to listen rather than listen and read want to be able to change words at will without anyone noticing. In my parish the readers even resort to lying to get people not to read along. The last two years on the Sunday before Easter, at the reading of the passion, the reader has started by saying: "Everyone please put your books down; since the version I am reading is not the same as found in your missal. Of course, not carrying one wit what liturgical wreckers want, I continued to read along and the VERSION BEING READ FROM THE PULPIT WAS EXACTLY THE VERSION IN THE MISSAL!

How long must we wait for the Pope to free the Mass? I hope not much longer.

 

[mikeanayaus]

How serious is it when the words aren’t according to the missal? I’m asking because this Sunday our priest was constantly changing and adding words throughout the entire Mass.

 

[LilyM]

How serious is it when the words aren’t according to the missal? I’m asking because this Sunday our priest was constantly changing and adding words throughout the entire Mass.

The important thing is that the words of Consecration (this is my body, this is my blood) arent changed. That would invalidate the Mass. Certainly any departure from the specified wording, though, is an abuse and to be discouraged.

Remember, though, that there are many options as far as the Preface and the Eucharistic Prayer go. So if you hear something unfamiliar, be sure that it’s not just one of the permitted variations before you go earbashing the poor priest.

 

[mikeanayaus]

The important thing is that the words of Consecration (this is my body, this is my blood) arent changed. That would invalidate the Mass. Certainly any departure from the specified wording, though, is an abuse and to be discouraged.

Remember, though, that there are many options as far as the Preface and the Eucharistic Prayer go. So if you hear something unfamiliar, be sure that it’s not just one of the permitted variations before you go earbashing the poor priest.

No, the words of Consecration weren’t changed. I’m not trying to speak badly of the priest, I liked his homily and everything, but it kind of felt like he was making up the words of the Mass as he went along. It was just the little things, I don’t think anything he was “wrong”, like instead of “through Jesus Christ our Lord” he’d say “in the name of Jesus the Lord”, and where it said “Virgin Mary” he’d add “Blessed Virgin Mary”. Is there a fifth Eucharistic Prayer? The one used appeared to EP IV except all the “him’s” became “us” etc.

 

[Lil_M]

In my parish we used to have missalettes in the pews until a few years ago. Now yearly missals are available to purchase but not in the pews for everyone. I understand that listening should be primary, but having had a missal, and not, I prefer to have one. It keeps my attention more focused on the words, and not the other noises and activity, which can be at a high volume given the crowded nature of my church.

 

[marci]

I HAVE to have a missal. The Mass I attend is bilingual, and even though I do understand Spanish, I am not a native speaker and the vocabulary and speed is beyond me.

I also use it for my children. They love to follow along and are always trying to keep up and know what is happening and why.

I don’t think it is logical to say that one can not “hear” if one is reading the material being verbalized. Doesn’t anyone remember being in the classroom? Didn’t we all follow along in our books while other students or teachers read from them?
I think it is much easier for many people to focus when they follow along in the missalette.

I usually don’t use it after the Gospel, but I don’t have to worry about “changes” with the wonderful priest at my parish.

P.S. I just wanted to say that I don’t seek out abuses of the liturgy. So before anyone yells at me, I understand no one’s perfect and mistakes are made. Pronunciation is lacking, words are skipped or switched, this is totaly understandable. What I am refering to are diliberate changes such as “inclusive language”

 

[Andruschak]

What is the Church teaching on the use of missalettes at Mass? I think it helps me focus and absorb the word of God. At my parish there is a big push to not follow in the book. The liturgy committee has been wrong on issues before and our pastor is working very patiently and lovingly to not upset people who are well meaning. They claim that the General Instructions of the Roman Missal frown upon it. They also say the the usccb teaches that it is wrong. Who should I believe? Please inform me where I can find further information on this subject.
Thanks

Is it possible to buy these missalettes somewhere?

 

[Brendan]

How serious is it when the words aren’t according to the missal? I’m asking because this Sunday our priest was constantly changing and adding words throughout the entire Mass.

The words used at Mass require approval from the bishop’s conference and the Vatican.

There are certain spots where the approved text allows for some variation. Those spots are clearly marked in the Sacramentary.

Those are not all that common, however.

So if a priest (or bishop) is changing those words without the approval of the bishop’s conference or Rome, they are in the wrong.