Prefaces and Votive Masses

[TheMc]

I’m planning a Mass on April 17 (Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter). We’d like to have a marian theme, but I’m not sure if it’s allowed.

are we allowed to use, for example, the preface The Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary? How about a votive Mass of the BVM?

or must we celebrate the easter weekday?

 

[FrDavid96]

I’m planning a Mass on April 17 (Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter). We’d like to have a marian theme, but I’m not sure if it’s allowed.

are we allowed to use, for example, the preface The Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary? How about a votive Mass of the BVM?

or must we celebrate the easter weekday?

This is tricky.

On the weekdays of Easter, votive Masses are “forbidden per se” however, it is at the discretion of the pastor to allow a votive Mass if he has a very good reason.

Based on how you phrased the question “we’d like to have a Marian theme…” it doesn’t sound like there’s a particular reason…
so I’ll ask “what is the reason for it?”

Here’s an example of what I mean.
April 17. Votive Masses are forbidden.
On that day, the parish has a special event honoring mothers, an appreciation dinner for all mothers in the parish.
The pastor celebrates Mass for the parish before the dinner honoring mothers.
If he decides to use the votive Mass “the Motherhood of BVM” * I think that would be just fine. He can allow it because he has a good reason for it.

On the other hand, if it’s just a matter of saying “what Mass should we choose for that day?” and someone says “how about a votive Mass of the BVM?” it would be a no.

• I havent’ seen the new Missal yet, so I don’t know how the votive Masses have been named. I’m only using that as an example.

 

[TheMc]

This is tricky.

On the weekdays of Easter, votive Masses are “forbidden per se” however, it is at the discretion of the pastor to allow a votive Mass if he has a very good reason.

Based on how you phrased the question “we’d like to have a Marian theme…” it doesn’t sound like there’s a particular reason…
so I’ll ask “what is the reason for it?”

Here’s an example of what I mean.
April 17. Votive Masses are forbidden.
On that day, the parish has a special event honoring mothers, an appreciation dinner for all mothers in the parish.
The pastor celebrates Mass for the parish before the dinner honoring mothers.
If he decides to use the votive Mass “the Motherhood of BVM” * I think that would be just fine. He can allow it because he has a good reason for it.

On the other hand, if it’s just a matter of saying “what Mass should we choose for that day?” and someone says “how about a votive Mass of the BVM?” it would be a no.

• I havent’ seen the new Missal yet, so I don’t know how the votive Masses have been named. I’m only using that as an example.

Well, every year on that date, we have a may crowing, we enroll the little ones int he scapular, and a few other things.

 

[TheMc]

Just curious, what are your references for this? Is it in the GIRM, or is it in the “inline” instructions in the Missal?

Not that I doubt you, but I’d love to check it out myself.

 

[TheMc]

I’m the MC (how would you have guessed? ), and the pastor usually just leaves these things to me.

I will depend on what your source actually says, but I think I’ll just use the prayers of the day.

 

[FrDavid96]

Well, every year on that date, we have a may crowing, we enroll the little ones int he scapular, and a few other things.

Well, to me personally, I think that’s a good reason. If it were happening at my own parish, I would use a votive Mass of the BVM.

More directly to your point, the pastor would have to give his permission. So, just ask him.

I think you have a good reason for making the request.

 

[FrDavid96]

I’m the MC (how would you have guessed? ), and the pastor usually just leaves these things to me.

I will depend on what your source actually says, but I think I’ll just use the prayers of the day.

My source is the current GIRM
376. On obligatory memorials, on the weekdays of Advent up to and including December 16, of the Christmas Season from January 2, and of the Easter Season after the Octave of Easter, Masses for Various Needs, Masses for Various Circumstances, and Votive Masses are as such forbidden. If, however, required by some real need or pastoral advantage, according to the judgment of the rector of the church or the priest celebrant himself, a Mass corresponding to such a need or advantage may be used in a celebration with a congregation.

old.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter8.shtml

This GIRM won’t apply in April of 2012, but the new one will say the same thing. I can’t quote it because I lost the URL.

 

[TheMc]

My source is the current GIRM
376. On obligatory memorials, on the weekdays of Advent up to and including December 16, of the Christmas Season from January 2, and of the Easter Season after the Octave of Easter, Masses for Various Needs, Masses for Various Circumstances, and Votive Masses are as such forbidden. If, however, required by some real need or pastoral advantage, according to the judgment of the rector of the church or the priest celebrant himself, a Mass corresponding to such a need or advantage may be used in a celebration with a congregation.

old.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter8.shtml

This GIRM won’t apply in April of 2012, but the new one will say the same thing. I can’t quote it because I lost the URL.

Here it is:
376. On days when there occurs an Obligatory Memorial or on a weekday of Advent up to and including December 16, of Christmas Time from January 2, and of Easter Time after the Octave of Easter, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions and Votive Masses are in principle forbidden. If, however, some real necessity or pastoral advantage calls for it, in the estimation of the rector of the church or the Priest Celebrant himself, a Mass appropriate to the same may be used in a celebration with the people.

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/roman-missal/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-8.cfm

In my case, I don’t think there’s a significant pastoral advantage, and definitively not necessity. I’ll just have the priest use the prayers of the day.

Thank you for your help, Fr. David!