Purification of Sacred Vessels

[smndtupidisaftr]

So I found this document online from Lansing, and it seemed interesting to me.

home.catholicweb.com/StJohntheEvangelistJackson/files//Purification.pdf

It basically details the norms for how we are to purify sacred vessels. I wondered, is this applicable at least to all dioceses in the US, and furthermore, is there a more generalized document? Because I know that at most of the parishes I visit this does not happen. Usually purification is saved until the end and then it is done by EMHC’s.

I just want something that is more general for most dioceses so that I can send something to the parishes where purification does not happen this way.

 

[DCNBILL]

Redemptionis Sacramentum here vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

Chapter 5 under Sacred Vessels.

 

[smndtupidisaftr]

Ah, I should have checked there first. Thanks.

I know from some EMHC’s and others involved with liturgy (and from what I’ve seen) that in MOST of the parishes that I’ve visited this does not happen. Everything at these Masses is taken behind the altar to a room where it is left until after the Mass. So the chalices are all there. Whatever precious Blood is leftover is consumed by EMHC’s and all of the purification is done by EMHC’s. At only one church in my area have I seen purification according to RS.

I guess that I could use some advice, then, because the parishes that I would want to contact about this I have already contacted about other things (such as fractioning precious Blood after consecration, standing during consecration, when EMHC’s enter the sanctuary/approach the altar, having Holy Water fonts closed during Lent, etc.). It seems like if I were to contact again about something like this, that I would just be disregarded out of annoyance. Maybe I’m seeing this the wrong way?

 

[sllhouette]

Do remember that it is not your job to make these decisions, but rather the priests. That said, if God gives you the opportunity I would encourage you to ask questions. “Father, why do we not have the holy water fonts open during lent?” “Father, why do we not kneel during the consecration?” But, don’t try to force a change. It’s not your place.

It is the place of the bishop and the fellow priests to encourage your priest to pray the mass well. If you see something is truly wrong then seek the advice of another priest who understands what is wrong.

There is a danger that you would become a “liturgy snob”. You have to let go of your need to have everything your way. That said, you mention that there is standing during the consecration which says to me that there may well be many other things going wrong. I would say there is very little you can do to fix that except bring it up with the right people.

 

[smndtupidisaftr]

Do remember that it is not your job to make these decisions, but rather the priests. That said, if God gives you the opportunity I would encourage you to ask questions. “Father, why do we not have the holy water fonts open during lent?” “Father, why do we not kneel during the consecration?” But, don’t try to force a change. It’s not your place.

It is the place of the bishop and the fellow priests to encourage your priest to pray the mass well. If you see something is truly wrong then seek the advice of another priest who understands what is wrong.

There is a danger that you would become a “liturgy snob”. You have to let go of your need to have everything your way. That said, you mention that there is standing during the consecration which says to me that there may well be many other things going wrong. I would say there is very little you can do to fix that except bring it up with the right people.

I do often worry about pride, but it feels like in this case, I have a duty to make it known when I find something that goes against the rubrics and can potentially desecrate the Eucharist (huge emphasis on potentially, since I sincerely believe that none of what I found is intentionally done to desecrate). I often pray that I do not become proud, but believe me, if it was a matter of small consequence I wouldn’t say anything as I’m pretty reserved. But in this case, it seems like a big enough matter. Or am I wrong about that?

 

[sllhouette]

You are not wrong about that. Catholics shouldn’t for example stand during the consecration if they can kneel. I know some diocese stand, but according to the rubrics and christian reverence they would do well to kneel. It is not prideful to be as reverent as you can be at mass. You have the right to kneel for example. Just don’t do it in a, “look I am kneeling” sort of a way.

It is a big enough matter, but the way you go about dealing with it matters.

It sounds like you have a great desire to encourage reverence throughout your diocese. I think that you are trying to do a very good thing and I love seeing people who have such a great reverence for the Eucharist. You can not however have an effect on your own.

Go find a more reverent priest and ask him what he thinks you can do. I would say that the one who does the purification correctly would be a good place to start.