Processions

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ecolorado

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Our children’s choir director wants the children to process in at the beginning of Mass along with Father and the altar servers. It is a fairly large choir. I am uncomfortable with this because it feels “Protestant” and like it is drawing attention away from the point of the Mass – the Eucharist – and more towards the children.

Father has approved of the procession and having the children bow (two at a time) before the altar. They will be holding their music binders and thus do not need to genuflect.

Am I way off base? Should I not be bothered by this? I would like to have my two children not participate in the procession, but I just found out that if they do not process, they may not sing. Also, I am looking for specific guidance – either for or against – if there is any.
 
Um. Huge processions aren’t uncommon at all. I’ve been to masses where upwards of 150 people process. It’s like ten minutes, and no one really thinks anything about it once it’s over. It’s not a huge deal, really. I can understand where you’re coming from with the Eucharist not having the attention, but really, no one even remembers it once the mass actually starts. Just a nice touch, and I think it’s a pretty nice idea. Things like this are good.
 
We had all processions cut wayyy back a few years ago. Previously, baptismal families, First Communicants, Confirmation candidates, etc. processed in. Now that is discouraged, probably because it was getting out of control, as you mentioned. 150 people in a procession (for the beginning of Mass, not for a Eucharistic procession) seems a bit excessive.

I am also looking to see if there is any written guidance on when it is appropriate to add to an entrance procession. I think it would be very nice to have additional people in a procession for a special occasion (Easter, Christmas Eve, etc.) but not for every Sunday in Ordinary Time or even Advent/Lent (more serious liturgical seasons.) Seems like the GIRM is silent on this issue, or I just couldn’t find anything in my very brief review of it.

Thanks.
 
The GIRM only covers the Mass. Since this is something done before the Mass actually begins, it isn’t an abuse.

jmo
 
ecolorado said:
Our children’s choir director wants the children to process in at the beginning of Mass along with Father and the altar servers. It is a fairly large choir. I am uncomfortable with this because it feels “Protestant” and like it is drawing attention away from the point of the Mass – the Eucharist – and more towards the children.

Father has approved of the procession and having the children bow (two at a time) before the altar. They will be holding their music binders and thus do not need to genuflect.

Am I way off base? Should I not be bothered by this? I would like to have my two children not participate in the procession, but I just found out that if they do not process, they may not sing. Also, I am looking for specific guidance – either for or against – if there is any.
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I guess, I forgot, in the old times, it was like that.
The entrance hymn is long for that.
You do not need to look at the children. You pray.
Anything Protestant made by a Catholic becomes Catholic. You know 25th December was a pagan Festival. We, Catholics are very good at transforming things, digesting, santcifying and becoming our own.
 
ecolorado said:
We had all processions cut wayyy back a few years ago. Previously, baptismal families, First Communicants, Confirmation candidates, etc. processed in. Now that is discouraged, probably because it was getting out of control, as you mentioned. 150 people in a procession (for the beginning of Mass, not for a Eucharistic procession) seems a bit excessive.

I am also looking to see if there is any written guidance on when it is appropriate to add to an entrance procession. I think it would be very nice to have additional people in a procession for a special occasion (Easter, Christmas Eve, etc.) but not for every Sunday in Ordinary Time or even Advent/Lent (more serious liturgical seasons.) Seems like the GIRM is silent on this issue, or I just couldn’t find anything in my very brief review of it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
well since you said the girm is silent on the matter, you just answered your own quesition:

“However, the Priest will remember that he is the servant of the Sacred Liturgy and that he himself is not permitted, on his own initiative, to add, to remove, or to change anything in the celebration of Mass”

the procession is not the time for anyone involved in the mass to pirate around, it is the begining of a sacred liturgical rite, with specific rules on who may take part.

weather you think it is “very nice” to break the rules is beside the point. if you want more people in the procession, give them candles or a thurible, and throw them in a cassock.
 
ecolorado said:
We had all processions cut wayyy back a few years ago. Previously, baptismal families, First Communicants, Confirmation candidates, etc. processed in. Now that is discouraged, probably because it was getting out of control, as you mentioned. 150 people in a procession (for the beginning of Mass, not for a Eucharistic procession) seems a bit excessive.

I am also looking to see if there is any written guidance on when it is appropriate to add to an entrance procession. I think it would be very nice to have additional people in a procession for a special occasion (Easter, Christmas Eve, etc.) but not for every Sunday in Ordinary Time or even Advent/Lent (more serious liturgical seasons.) Seems like the GIRM is silent on this issue, or I just couldn’t find anything in my very brief review of it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
well since you said the girm is silent on the matter, you just answered your own quesition:

“However, the Priest will remember that he is the servant of the Sacred Liturgy and that he himself is not permitted, on his own initiative, to add, to remove, or to change anything in the celebration of Mass”

the procession is not the time for anyone involved in the mass to pirate around, it is the begining of a sacred liturgical rite, with specific rules on who may take part.

weather you think it is “very nice” to break the rules is beside the point. if you want more people in the procession on important days, give them candles or a thurible, and throw them in a cassock.
 
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