No Crucifix w/ Corpus During Lent?

[Meggie]

Nota Bene:

So in other words, you have absoluvely nothing.

The Church says nothing on this matter. (Then again, she dosen’t expressly prohibit BBQing in the sanctuary during the Mass, does She? Maybe that’s license enough, aye?) Perhaps She felt confident that those in authority would never make the stultified decision to deprive Catholics of a sacramental as important as holy water during a period like Lent?

Just another “local tradition” that contravenes the Church.

mercygate: I posted above what book the young, very othodox priest used. but since Church autortian Note Bene said that it “absoluvely” nothing then I guess it dosn’t count…i said earlier that the priest cited a book written in the 40’s or 50’s for young priests, specif. for new pastors.

 

[mercygate]

Thanks, Nota Bene.

 

[SaintJVMan]

Would it be inappropriate for me to ask my pastor not to drain the Holy Water until Holy Thursday?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

SaintJVMan:

Would it be inappropriate for me to ask my pastor not to drain the Holy Water until Holy Thursday?

I think I would take the statement from the Congregration on the Discipline of the Sacraments and show it to him.

 

[Nota_Bene]

SaintJVMan:

Would it be inappropriate for me to ask my pastor not to drain the Holy Water until Holy Thursday?

We began asking 5-6 years ago and were ignored. Last year was the second year we took it upon ourselves to re-fill the fonts ourselves at least twice a day (if needed.) This will be the first year they have not been drained in quite a while…

 

[SaintJVMan]

Nota Bene:

We began asking 5-6 years ago and were ignored. Last year was the second year we took it upon ourselves to re-fill the fonts ourselves at least twice a day (if needed.) This will be the first year they have not been drained in quite a while…

Interesting, but my pastor fills them with sand, so its not very practical to refill them.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Nota Bene:

GIRM #308. There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation. It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.

“*There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar…”

*Another question I have, not really related, has to do with the above quote. What if a priest took a large (3 or 4 foot) crucifix and set it right in the center of the altar so the people couldn’t get a clear view of him during Mass? It does say the crucifix should be either “on the altar” or near it. It doesn’t specify how large said crucifix should be…

 

[Nota_Bene]

“There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar…”

Another question I have, not really related, has to do with the above quote. What if a priest took a large (3 or 4 foot) crucifix and set it right in the center of the altar so the people couldn’t get a clear view of him during Mass? It does say the crucifix should be either “on the altar” or near it. It doesn’t specify how large said crucifix should be…

I don’t believe the GIRM is meant as insurance against stupidity.

 

[Skervydog]

 According to the Liturgy, the crucifixes and statues are all covered during the last two weeks of Lent - ie. from Passion Sunday until the Gloria in the Mass of the Easter Vigil.  This is to help us to focus on the Passion of Our Lord which we are reliving at this point in the Liturgical Year.  The Crucifixes, however, are unveiled during the ceremony on Good Friday, and given special veneration.  
  
The Holy Water being removed, I am less sure about, but I think it is usually removed from the font after the mass on Maundy Thursday, and refilled after the Easter Vigil Mass with the Holy water that was blessed during the ceremonies.

Hope this helps!

 

[gelsbern]

SaintJVMan:

One thing that I’ve been concerned with is the power of Holy Water against the devil, removing it seems to be inviting trouble.

Perhaps one should spend the time without Holy Water in prayer and reflection of the sufferings of Christ. Holy Water is not supposed to be a crutch.

 

[SouthCoast]

SaintJVMan:

Would it be inappropriate for me to ask my pastor not to drain the Holy Water until Holy Thursday?

It would not be inappropriate to ask your pastor ANYTHING! He’s there to serve his flock. If you have specific issue to discuss, it should be discussed. If you have DOCUMENTATION related to the issue (such as is in this thread! print it out, perhaps?), you should take it with you!

God bless,

Michael

 

[MooCowSteph]

These topics have been going around quite a bit. It seems there’s good evidence, as some have already posted, that the water isn’t to be drained until Holy Thursday. We, too, have no Corpus until Easter Vigil. And we have no holy water and we have all the statues covered. They even removed the rug from under the alter, and have a giant curtain over the stained glass window that’s above the sanctuary. We have nothing decorative from the first day of Lent until Easter Saturday.

Incidentally, after Mass each Sunday (all year) the entire cross and corpus is removed from the sanctuary and processed to the chapel and stays there until the next Mass. I’ve always wondered if this in incorrect. I know there is always supposed to be a crucifix at the alter, but is that only if the tabernacle is there? Ours is in the chapel.