Priest made us shorten the responsorial psalm

[VAC]

Last Sunday right before mass our priest came over and pointed out a sign someone had posted in the choir area stating that we were to only to sing 3 of the 4 verses of the psalm because it was ‘too long’. I was stunned. I said, ‘There are other ways to shorten the mass. We can’t just slice up the lectionary’ he replied, ’ I’ll slice it". I did as I was asked, but felt horrible. I felt that this was totally wrong. The 4th verse wold have added all of 30 seconds to the mass. Before I raise a stink, I need to know if this is allowed. Thanks for any help.

 

[DeepeningFaith]

It is not allowed. The rubrics and Lectionary are to be followed! However, I will let someone else post the citations. I would say to have a talk with him and/or the Pastor and if it is still coming across that he feels he can change the Mass, then bring this to the attention of your Bishop.

Pax!

 

[benedictgal]

Last Sunday right before mass our priest came over and pointed out a sign someone had posted in the choir area stating that we were to only to sing 3 of the 4 verses of the psalm because it was ‘too long’. I was stunned. I said, ‘There are other ways to shorten the mass. We can’t just slice up the lectionary’ he replied, ’ I’ll slice it". I did as I was asked, but felt horrible. I felt that this was totally wrong. The 4th verse wold have added all of 30 seconds to the mass. Before I raise a stink, I need to know if this is allowed. Thanks for any help.

This is not supposed to happen. According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[61.] In selecting the biblical readings for proclamation in the celebration of Mass, the norms found in the liturgical books are to be followed,136 so that indeed “a richer table of the Word of God will be prepared for the faithful, and the biblical treasures opened up for them”.137

[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.138

Inasmuch as he was not substituting, per se, the priest cannot go in there and make his own edits. Even the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy is very clear about that when it states that no one, not even the priest, can change the parts of the Mass.

 

[momor]

I was of the understanding that the prescribed Responsorial Psalm could be substituted by another approved psalm that conveyed a similar meaning. There is some flexibility here.

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur277.htm

"The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

“In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.”

 

[benedictgal]

I was of the understanding that the prescribed Responsorial Psalm could be substituted by another approved psalm that conveyed a similar meaning. There is some flexibility here.

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur277.htm

"The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

“In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.”

But, if it’s the actual psalm (and not the option as outlined in the GIRM), then, he cannot make wholesale edits. He needs to use it as is. The GIRM does not give him permission to edit the official texts for the psalm. He can use whatever alternative the GIRM states, but, if he is using the actual psalm, he cannot cut and paste.

 

[DeepeningFaith]

But, if it’s the actual psalm (and not the option as outlined in the GIRM), then, he cannot make wholesale edits. He needs to use it as is. The GIRM does not give him permission to edit the official texts for the psalm. He can use whatever alternative the GIRM states, but, if he is using the actual psalm, he cannot cut and paste.

Right. A Priest is in charge of the Mass that he is celebrating. He must follow the prescribed rubrics. The only thing he has control over is what is given as an option. If he decides to use the other option for the Responsorial Psalm, he has to use it, all of it!

(Actually, I think I’ll create a thread just to see what all a Priest can decide).