Priest omits hand washing during mass

[dewhuss]

Hello,

Our parish priest omits washing his hands at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This is something I’ve never seen omitted before and wondered if this was something he is required to do.

Thanks for your answers.

Dewhuss

 

[Teelynn]

I have always believed that the washing of hands is a **required **part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist by the celebrant. I myself have absolutely NEVER seen this omitted. I’m waiting for someone to chime in that knows specifics, however.

 

[az_4_faith]

The Washing of Hands in the liturgy is a requirement, not an option.

 

[Karl_M]

I already have the priest’s response:

“The Scribes and Pharisees always questioned Jesus, trying to trap him. Why are people so worried about a little thing like washing hands? Why aren’t you working to help the poor instead of being critical of me?”

 

[dbacks5439]

I already have the priest’s response:

“The Scribes and Pharisees always questioned Jesus, trying to trap him. Why are people so worried about a little thing like washing hands? Why aren’t you working to help the poor instead of being critical of me?”

Then you will reply, “Why are you so insistent on defying the authority of the Catholic Church, who says in the Roman Missal that the priest is to wash his hands during Mass?”

 

[az_4_faith]

I already have the priest’s response:

“The Scribes and Pharisees always questioned Jesus, trying to trap him. Why are people so worried about a little thing like washing hands? Why aren’t you working to help the poor instead of being critical of me?”

And I would reply "Who says I’m not?’

 

[Karl_M]

Then you will reply, “Why are you so insistent on defying the authority of the Catholic Church, who says in the Roman Missal that the priest is to wash his hands during Mass?”

Nope, that won’t work. The priest will say “St Augustine said that The weakest form of an argument is that which comes from authority.’ I’ve been a priest for many years, and no one ever comes up to me and says, ‘Fr. so-and-so, what can I do to help the poor,’ I think Jesus is more worried about you loving your neighbor than about me washing my hands.” and on and on.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I already have the priest’s response:

“The Scribes and Pharisees always questioned Jesus, trying to trap him. Why are people so worried about a little thing like washing hands? Why aren’t you working to help the poor instead of being critical of me?”

Do you mean I may err, but thank God I am not like other men who ignore the plight of the poor.

 

[Karl_M]

Do you mean I may err, but thank God I am not like other men who ignore the plight of the poor.

I’m not sure I understand your question. But if you’re asking what I think you’re asking, the answer is “no.”

What I mean (or what the non-fictional “Fr. So-and-so” means) is that we should only take a stand when it’s one he agrees with.

In my Diocese EDIT “why aren’t we doing more to help the poor” was/is the common tactic when you questioned priests or our late Bishop, may he rest in peace. Instead of answering the critics with honest answers, they turned it around on you-"you’re the one with the problem, Jesus teaches us to love each other and forgive…God doesn’t operate under man made ‘rules’, etc.

 

[Brendan]

And I would reply "Who says I’m not?’

Exactly, why does this priest think that the two are mutally exclusive?

Christ Himself commanded the Apostles to obey those in Authority over them.

Matt 23

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.

The Pope now occupies the Chair of Moses, so if this priest is to follow Christ’s commands, he is to do as the Pope says.

And unlike the Pharisees, the Pope DOES practice what he preaches, so we are blessed to be able to follow what the Pope says AND does

 

[quiet52]

I do serve the poor. If I noticed that a celebrant was ignoring this part of the liturgy, I’d ask him why. If he turned the question around on me and asked what I’m doing for the poor, I’d tell him “Father, I’d be glad to answer your question. Will you please answer my question first?”

The faithful have a right to expect the liturgy to be celebrated according to the norms. I’m not saying priests aren’t allowed to make mistakes (forgetfulness, tirednessness, whatever) – nothing I do is done perfectly all the time either. But a celebrant does not have the right to change the liturgy at his whim.

 

[Aramis]

from the GIRM, USCCB edition,

mass with a congregation: #145 says that the priest washes his hands.

Concelebration: #214 states that only the principal celebrant prepares the gifts (other rubrics require the deacon(s) to assist as per the rubrics for deacons), and gives a range, which includes #145.

 

[revejj2000]

In the Sacramentary, it states in the rubrics:

Next the priest stands at the side of the altar and washes his hands, saying inaudibly:

Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sins.

It sounds like that a priest washes his hands. It does not say “may” wash or “might” wash his hands, but says: washes his hands. Does not sound like there is an option on this rubric.