New priest does things a lot differently than what i remember being taught

[catholicrose34]

Hey all! I have a few questions… so I am doing RCIA with my husband just to learn more and get caught up with church teachings, and some of the things the priest said really got me scratching my head a little and was a bit different than what I learned throughout CCD and CYO. I dont know where else to go to to ask these questions, so I apologize if this gets a bit long! (1)First off, he said he doesn’t like to ring the bells during mass because it is pointless now since the mass is no longer in Latin and he doesnt see anyone falling asleep during mass. Are the bells not technically required during mass? (2) He began to talk about genuflecting and kind of suggested that we should be more focused on the presence of Christ within each other when we come to mass than the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. That really confused me! Is it not necessary to genuflect?? And then finally (3) We witnessed a baptism this past Sunday , and we are used to the priest asking the parents and godparents to make the sign of cross on the child’s head, ask if we want him baptized, have the godparents light the candle, baptise the child, and then use the oils. He just baptized the baby straight away and that was it. Done in MAYBE 30 seconds. Is it possible that the priest could do these steps before or after mass or are they even required? He is also VERY angry. Like when making examples of when he needs God, they are always examples of him wanting God to beat someone up, or wants to shoot someone of beat them up. He is also a bit sexist. Idk. I just get a really bad feeling about him and how he handles some things. I’m in no way trying to bash him! Im just trying to get more info on all this. Thank you!

 

[adamhovey1988]

With the baptism, as long as it is done in the trinitarian formula with water it is valid, I do not know much about the ceremony (I was baptised as an adult, I remember there being more to it, but I also received my first Holy Communion on the same day and was confirmed. I am not a liturgist, so I am curious how this is going to go.

 

[1ke]

First off, he said he doesn’t like to ring the bells during mass because it is pointless now since the mass is no longer in Latin and he doesnt see anyone falling asleep during mass. Are the bells not technically required during mass?

They are not required. From the GIRM:

1. A little before the Consecration, if appropriate, a minister rings a small bell as a signal to the faithful. The minister also rings the small bell at each elevation by the Priest, according to local custom.

(2) He began to talk about genuflecting and kind of suggested that we should be more focused on the presence of Christ within each other when we come to mass than the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. That really confused me! Is it not necessary to genuflect??

I’m not sure I agree with that entire sentiment. However… Genuflection is a tradition.

It is obligatory a few places in mass, for the priest. The laity are instructed to genuflect a few places during specific times of year (during the Creed on the feasts of the Annunciation and Nativity for example).

Genuflecting to the reserved hosts in the tabernacle is a sign of respect, but is it required? No. There is no rubric requiring this in the context of mass or before/after mass for the laity.

He just baptized the baby straight away and that was it. Done in MAYBE 30 seconds. I

The baptism is valid without the rites of baptism such as candle, etc, but I would question the licety outside danger of death.

He is also VERY angry. Like when making examples of when he needs God, they are always examples of him wanting God to beat someone up, or wants to shoot someone of beat them up. He is also a bit sexist.

Yeah this I’d be much more concerned about than the rest. Ideation of violent aggression— I’d be making a call to the vicar of clergy about his mental stability.

 

[CarmeliteKnight]

I’d be concerned for his spiritual health. Definitely pray for him.

 

[Phemie]

I’ve been to Mass at a parish where the different parts of the Baptismal rite are done at different Masses.

For example, at the Mass we attended, the greeting and signing with the cross was done but nothing else. From the bulletin it was clear that the parents would attend a different Mass for the remainder of the Baptismal rites.

 

[InThePew]

Are the bells not technically required during mass?

No but I like them In some ways, the mass is supposed to engage with our senses, drawing us in so to speak, and the bells help this to happen. In fairness though, he is right in one sense - the original idea was to draw attention to the “important bits” when few people could understand what was happening / being said.

He began to talk about genuflecting and kind of suggested that we should be more focused on the presence of Christ within each other when we come to mass than the presence of Christ in the tabernacle.

We are supposed to genuflect when passing before the tabernacle - so normally, whenever we enter or leave the church (assuming the tabernacle is in the main body of the church and not the side-chapel) as a means of showing reverence to Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

Done in MAYBE 30 seconds. Is it possible that the priest could do these steps before or after mass or are they even required?

Yes and yes. Some priests will do the signing with the sign of the cross and anointing with the oil of catechumens separately beforehand in order to save time. Other than in emergencies , they are however required.

He is also VERY angry. Like when making examples of when he needs God, they are always examples of him wanting God to beat someone up, or wants to shoot someone of beat them up.

Idk? Righteous anger? Kind of reminds me of psalm 109! Still, it’s difficult to know what to make of this without the benefit of seeing and hearing him in person…

 

[CTBcin]

(1)First off, he said he doesn’t like to ring the bells during mass because it is pointless now since the mass is no longer in Latin and he doesnt see anyone falling asleep during mass. Are the bells not technically required during mass?

No, bells are not required. Although I don’t necessarily agree with his sentiments for why they shouldn’t be used.

(2) He began to talk about genuflecting and kind of suggested that we should be more focused on the presence of Christ within each other when we come to mass than the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. That really confused me! Is it not necessary to genuflect??

Well, I suppose it’s good to reflect on the presence of Christ in our Christian brothers and sisters, but I am uncomfortable with the way it appears he is taking the emphasis off the Eucharist. Yes, we ought to genuflect in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

(3) We witnessed a baptism this past Sunday , and we are used to the priest asking the parents and godparents to make the sign of cross on the child’s head, ask if we want him baptized, have the godparents light the candle, baptise the child, and then use the oils. He just baptized the baby straight away and that was it. Done in MAYBE 30 seconds. Is it possible that the priest could do these steps before or after mass or are they even required?

I’m a little less certain about this. The Trinitarian formula (and water, of course) is all that is needed for validity, but I’m pretty sure that outside danger of death, the full rite should be used. But don’t quote me on that one.

He is also VERY angry. Like when making examples of when he needs God, they are always examples of him wanting God to beat someone up, or wants to shoot someone of beat them up. He is also a bit sexist. Idk. I just get a really bad feeling about him and how he handles some things. I’m in no way trying to bash him! Im just trying to get more info on all this. Thank you!

I can’t give any definitive opinions on this unless I heard him speak in person. Although I won’t deny that there are priests who definitely lack sensitivity and can be a bit, shall we say, callous at times.

 

[jimXroberts]

I’d be concerned for his spiritual health. Definitely pray for him.

I’d be concerned for his mental health. Pray for him.

The Latin Rite of the Catholic Church has a set Rite for infant baptism. What your priest has done is arguably a valid baptism but is in disobedience to the Church. It sounds like he would benefit from a priestly retreat.