Passing around the Eucharist: Part Deux

[pcg2]

Just do two lists:
I contacted the Archdiocese and let them know about the following:

• The congregation is instructed to stand around the altar.
• The sacred vessels are passed from communicant to communicant, each of whom is expected to self-communicate.
• Priests assign the fraction of the consecrated Host to the laity.

Other liturgical abuses I noticed, but did not bring to the attention of the Archdiocese, were:

• One priest does not consume the Eucharist until after the congregation has done so.
• The Precious Blood is poured into chalices after It has been consecrated.
• Visible fragments of hosts can be seen on the floor.

alright great, thank you

 

[pcg2]

This hasn’t been mentioned yet, but as a courtesy, a copy of all the correspondence should also be sent to the co-adjutor bishop of that archdiocese–since he will become the Ordinary in a few months.

I’m hoping to have these issues resolved long before then

 

[pcg2]

Your Eminence and Dear Cardinal Canizares:

My name is______ and I am a layman attending the University of ______ located in the Archdiocese of _______. As a student, I participate in the Masses at the ______University Catholic Center staffed by the Paulist Fathers.

Your Eminence, there are some serious liturgical abuses that occur with great frequency at the Catholic Center. At daily masses, the priests allow the attendees to stand around the altar during the consecration, and the chalice and the ciborium are passed around the room, from communicant to communicant, with each person expected to self-communicate and then hand the sacred vessels along to another. At Sunday masses, the priests allow lay Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to break the bread after the consecration, during the Agnus Dei.

Under the guidelines established by Redemptionis Sacramentum, I contacted the priests, both by email and in person. I spoke more plainly about these concerns to Father ____ and Father ______ on June 5, making known to them the relevant portions of the GIRM and Redemptionis Sacramentum. After almost two hours of discussion, neither Father _____ nor Father _____, the pastor of the Catholic Center, put an end to these grave practices. Sadly, the end result was that the University Catholic Center would continue the illicit practices.

As per the guidelines established by Redemptionis Sacramentum, I sent a letter to His Eminence ______, Archbishop of ________.
The written response given to me from the Archdiocesan staff left me rather perplexed. It seemed to have emphasized the “spirit” of the documents rather than what both the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Redemptionis Sacramentum actually say. What was also troubling was their concern about my reading the authoritative documents of the Church.

Your Eminence, from the tone of the letter, it seems to me that the abuses will continue to persist. What concerns me is that this is happening at a university where many young Catholics assist at Mass. Redemptionis Sacramentum warns us that such abuses are going to cause confusion among the faithful. It is sad, but what is happening at the University Catholic Center is an example of what was noted in the document’s preamble.

Other liturgical abuses I have noticed with regularity, but did not bring to the attention of the Archdiocese, include:
• Father Peter does not consume the Eucharist until after the congregation has done so.
• The Precious Blood is poured into chalices after It has been consecrated.
• Visible fragments of hosts can be seen on the floor after reception of the Eucharist.

Enclosed, please find a copy of the correspondence exchanged between the Archdiocese of _______ and myself. I respectfully request intervention from your Congregation as outlined in Redemptionis Sacramentum, to put an end to these practices.

I thank you for your consideration and pray that the Lord will continue to bless you in your work as Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

In Christ’s Most Holy Name,

---

I deleted some things, and I bolded parts that I either changed or added to the letter. Does this letter flow well? And are the parts that are bolded appropriate and seem to “fit”?

 

[Alindawyl]

I would get rid of this entire paragraph:

Your Eminence, from the tone of the letter, it seems to me that the abuses will continue to persist. What concerns me is that this is happening at a university where many young Catholics assist at Mass. Redemptionis Sacramentum warns us that such abuses are going to cause confusion among the faithful. It is sad, but what is happening at the University Catholic Center is an example of what was noted in the document’s preamble.

And edit the one before it thusly:

As per the guidelines established by Redemptionis Sacramentum, I sent a letter to His Eminence ______, Archbishop of ________.
-]The written response given to me from the Archdiocesan staff left me rather perplexed. It seemed to have emphasized the “spirit” of the documents rather than what both the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Redemptionis Sacramentum actually say. What was also troubling was their concern about my reading the authoritative documents of the Church./-]Enclosed, please find a copy of the correspondence exchanged between the Archdiocese of _______ and myself. I respectfully request intervention from your Congregation as outlined in Redemptionis Sacramentum, to put an end to these practices.

With the bulleted list of what you didn’t mention in your letter to the archdiocese given after that.

The less you say that isn’t a simple statement of the facts of the case, the better. Just mention you’ve enclosed the correspondence and leave out anything that sounds like an opinion or judgment on your part. Let the facts speak for themselves.

 

[benedictgal]

I would get rid of this entire paragraph:

And edit the one before it thusly:

With the bulleted list of what you didn’t mention in your letter to the archdiocese given after that.

The less you say that isn’t a simple statement of the facts of the case, the better. Just mention you’ve enclosed the correspondence and leave out anything that sounds like an opinion or judgment on your part. Let the facts speak for themselves.

I would actually retain the paragraph. RS clearly states that when we start tinkering with the texts, this leads to confusion. Some of the college kids may not necessarily be well grounded in the liturgy and will, unfortunately, think that these “innovations” are allowed. Some may actually wonder why their home parishes aren’t doing these things to make the Mass more appealing. These “innovations” tend to cause confusion, especially if one is not properly formed.

The CDWDS, based on my experience, needs to know what has happened, what is happening and the fact that the parties in question are still persisting in their activities. This is a serious matter.

Now, as far as the references go, inasmuch as we can’t name names on CAF to safeguard anonymity, I do think that such need to be mentioned in the letter.

 

[pcg2]

I think I’m going to just keep it as is… I’m so glad I can finally send this letter and get it over with. Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[Alindawyl]

Thank you for being willing to speak up rather than remain silent when you witness such abuses, pcg2.