Removal of missalettes from Church

[jmcrae]

I’m honestly blown away by this. If anything, following along as the readings are being read is giving more attention to them, not less. When I’m reading aloud at a group bible study, I’m not worrying about who is looking at me and listening, and who is looking down at their bible, following along.

Yes, but the Mass is not a Bible Study club. It’s a conversation with God. We listen to God speaking to us in the readings and in the homily, and then we reply to God in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

And as a new Catholic, how do you think it would have made me feel to hear that I was being rude by trying to follow along in the missal so that I could learn the prayers of the mass? I tried to figure out the order at home, but the missal pages jump around so much and there are so many alternatives, I never could have gotten it straight without following along during mass.

The fact that it jumps around so much is the very reason why I was never able to read along in the Missal when I was first coming to Mass - that’s why I started reading it at home only, and listening with my ears when I was at the Mass itself. I still have no idea how people know what page they are supposed to be on, since the priest doesn’t decide which prayers he is using until the moment itself.

This enabled me to learn what was going on much faster so that I could be an active participant, as well as making me feel comfortable with all the changes in posture. We must remember that the liturgy, while familiar to us, can feel foreign and intimidating to those visiting or coming into the Church. Do we really want to discourage them?

I am not trying to discourage anyone. It is just so much easier to listen and hear, than to fumble and fiddle with pages, flipping here and flipping there - Readings of the day, could be anywhere from page 150-300 (how would someone who has never even been to Mass before know whether we are in Week One, Week Two, Week Three, or Week Four for the Psalm, and for the readings, are we in Ordinary Time, Pentecost Time, Easter, Lent, Advent, or Epiphany, and which number Sunday is it, anyway? And is it Year A, Year B, or Year C?), Creed on page 21, Prayers of the Faithful on pages 22-67 (skip and jump to try to find the ones they happen to have picked for today), , Our Father on page 68, Eucharistic Prayer, could be anywhere from page 69-132 depending on which one he chooses, trying to figure out what page we’re on, and which words am I supposed to say, and why did he skip that part? etc.

I say, skip the stress, and just listen.

 

[RosaMystica]

Yes, but the Mass is not a Bible Study club. It’s a conversation with God. We listen to God speaking to us in the readings and in the homily, and then we reply to God in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The fact that it jumps around so much is the very reason why I was never able to read along in the Missal when I was first coming to Mass - that’s why I started reading it at home only, and listening with my ears when I was at the Mass itself. I still have no idea how people know what page they are supposed to be on, since the priest doesn’t decide which prayers he is using until the moment itself.

I am not trying to discourage anyone. It is just so much easier to listen and hear, than to fumble and fiddle with pages, flipping here and flipping there - Readings of the day, could be anywhere from page 150-300 (how would someone who has never even been to Mass before know whether we are in Week One, Week Two, Week Three, or Week Four for the Psalm, and for the readings, are we in Ordinary Time, Pentecost Time, Easter, Lent, Advent, or Epiphany, and which number Sunday is it, anyway? And is it Year A, Year B, or Year C?), Creed on page 21, Prayers of the Faithful on pages 22-67 (skip and jump to try to find the ones they happen to have picked for today), , Our Father on page 68, Eucharistic Prayer, could be anywhere from page 69-132 depending on which one he chooses, trying to figure out what page we’re on, and which words am I supposed to say, and why did he skip that part? etc.

I say, skip the stress, and just listen.

You’re right, it’s not a bible study club, but it’s also not a spontaneous conversation with mom. My point was that the Word is being proclaimed, and that we can receive that proclamation whether we’re making eye contact or following along.

In describing your experience, which is vastly different from mine, you have made my point for me. If someone is like you, then yes, they ought to “skip the stress and just listen.” But that doesn’t work for everyone. So if some choose to follow along in their missalettes, then we ought to appreciate their desire to participate, as well as their level of interest in the readings, and refrain from criticism.

 

[MKF]

My Missal quotes chapter and verse! To which custom do you refer?

Also, Welcome to the Catholic Church Susan Calvin! A great way to have certitude about the Bible is to get the Haydoc Douay-Rheims Bible that has commentary from the Saints and the Doctors of the Church. The explanations make the text more clear.

Mary
www.Roman-Catholic-Catechism.com

 

[DebChris]

You’re right, it’s not a bible study club, but it’s also not a spontaneous conversation with mom. My point was that the Word is being proclaimed, and that we can receive that proclamation whether we’re making eye contact or following along.

In describing your experience, which is vastly different from mine, you have made my point for me. If someone is like you, then yes, they ought to “skip the stress and just listen.” But that doesn’t work for everyone. So if some choose to follow along in their missalettes, then we ought to appreciate their desire to participate, as well as their level of interest in the readings, and refrain from criticism.

While it is not done in the Catholic Church, I am not insulted if somebody should have pencil and paper and take notes of what I am saying.
I have never had a doctor insulted because I refer to the list of questions I brought to ask.
As a lay reader, I am flattered when somebody compliments me by saying they close the book so they can listen as I read. On the other hand, why should I feel any insult should a person choose to follow along? In a classroom, most teachers will want students to have books opened to the page being read. There is simultaneous reinforcement when multiple senses are being used, when there is both seeing the word in print and hearing it spoken.
I am often asked to read when I am able to attend the weekly Mass at the local bookstore. Few people have missals or copies of the Magnificat. It is easy to see how hard people struggle with the Responsorial Psalm simply because they do not have the words in black and white. They have to rely simply on memory.

I have already mentioned that I do close my missalette during the Liturgy of the Eucharist so that I can see everything that is happening on the altar. I become involved in the action. I only use the missalette during Advent and Lent when the Agnes Dei and a few other prayers are said in Latin. I don’t know Latin and again I need the words in front of me in order to participate.

 

[Bro_Joshua]

Personally, I use a missallette for the hymns only.

However, I see another problem: the forced removal and instructions on how the parish must act, behave, pray, what ever, at the whime of new pastors. Years ago we were told to take our rosaries to Church to keep from wondering or daydreaming. Then we were told not to say the Roasary during Mass. We were given a book to read along with in Mass. Then we were told not to read along. So now I like many others are back to daydreaming. (ha ha ha).

We were told to recieve Communion in the hand. That bottlenecked things, so we were to to slip and slide a bit to the side, face the altar and then put the host in our mouth. Then we were told to dip the Host in The Cup. Then we were told not to do that. Then we were told it was OK to recieve on the toungue again if we wanted to. Then we were told to have our pre schoolers not to flintch or pull away when Father wanted to pat them on the head.

Thanks fo rmentioning the Misalletes - - - its a long string of insulting things we are told to do or not do every few years. I find it interesting that with all these changes back and forth on using or not using Missalettes, and how to hold the host, and what ever else changes at a whim - the old Latin Mass we were told we didn’t like or understand shur is having a supper grand come back ever since the Pope OK’s its open use again.

 

[DebChris]

I was never told to bring a rosary to Mass, nor has tincture ever been an acceptable procedure in any church where I have attended Mass. It was not easy to follow the Mass while going back and forth between Latin prayers and the English translation while trying to keep pace with what was happening on the altar. I have no desire to return to that time.
As Vatican II states, we are not to be silent spectators, but active participants.
Parishes that provide missalettes provide a convenience for those attending Mass. When not offered, there is always the option of bringing a personal missal.

 

[joedaddy27]

what priest has a Charlton Heston voice and that can carry throughout the church so as to be easily understood by everyone there?

Father John Corapi!

Back to the topic at hand…I prefer to use to use the Worship hymnal that our parish provides in the pews. With two daughters, including a little one that required me to use the cry room, and a short attention span, I find that following along in print helps me to more prayerfully participate in the Mass as opposed to saying my parts of the Mass on “autopilot” without realizing the meaning of what I say.

As for what to do with old missalettes, it seems that recycling would be the best option; to me, it is most in line with being a good steward of the resources that God provides us.

 

[DebChris]

Father John Corapi!

Back to the topic at hand…I prefer to use to use the Worship hymnal that our parish provides in the pews. With two daughters, including a little one that required me to use the cry room, and a short attention span, I find that following along in print helps me to more prayerfully participate in the Mass as opposed to saying my parts of the Mass on “autopilot” without realizing the meaning of what I say.

As for what to do with old missalettes, it seems that recycling would be the best option; to me, it is most in line with being a good steward of the resources that God provides us.

In very few words, you have said the same as many of the rest of us. Our participation needs to be active, and not on “autopilot.”

 

[pickguard1]

Some of us suspect that those parishes without a missalette will simply continue using the old wording hoping no one will notice.

That, unfortunately would NOT be surprising.

 

[pickguard1]

Lectors makes mistakes in the readings, and sometimes these mistakes alter the theology. Even a small pronoun error, or a slight change in the verb (past tense opposed to present tense) can be confusing. This misunderstanding can produce false beliefs that continue for years. The Bible says we should study the Scriptures (I believe the Bereans are used as the example of good studious Christians) and test what we hear to make sure it lines up with what we have been taught. I think that reading the Bible (or missal) along with the lector is a darn good way to stop this kind of error from propagating.

This would by my primary reason for using a missal. I have expereinced this situation on numerous occasions. And while I don’t claim that any errors in reading by the lector were intentional, you are right that in certain circumstances, small changes/slips that would otherwise be benign, can have serious effects on what the meaning of the passage really is. Without the text in front of you, unless you are blessed with an amazing memory and have memorized the scripture (which is probably impossible given the number of valid translations of the Bible into English) you’ll probably have no idea when or if an error occurs.

Also, I have experienced the situation (although less frequently than the first) in which a priest takes it upon himself to “colloquialize” the readings, using “modern, hip” language and slang. Besides finding this abuse to be completely beneath the calling of a priest to be a spreader of The Word (not his word), if no one has a missal to see what the text actually says, this can lead to a lack of respect for the scriptures. I mean, hey - if the Priest can paraphrase, why can’t I. It’s a very Protestant type of thinking that let’s one be his own interpreter of what the original writer “meant.”

 

[pickguard1]

I still go to Latin Mass whenever I can – I learned the NO through repetition, so that’s the only way I’m ever going to learn the Latin.

Same here - NO baby but now regularly attend FSSP masses. Repetition is really the only way to learn it. I’ve been going to FSSP masses for about 10 years now, and I don’t really need a missal anymore, although I do use one occasionally. (The real reason for not using one more regularly is my three small children ), but I have found that the years of reading the missal before I had children made it so I am familiar enough with the ritual that I don’t absolutely need a missal now.

 

[AnaQ]

Missalettes were removed from our church probably for financial reasons so I bought one. It helps me to stay focused since my mind tends to wander.

 

[pickguard1]

In very few words, you have said the same as many of the rest of us. Our participation needs to be active, and not on “autopilot.”

The fact remains that reading, in itself, doesn’t mean “less participation.” In fact, participation has absolutely nothing to do with whether you read a missal or watch what the priest is doing, or pray the Our Father out loud or to yourself. While being in union with the parishoners around you is an exterior sign of participation and unity, it is not the exclusive form of participation.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with NOT having a missal, either. As others here have stated, each person should do what helps him or her the best to participate.

 

[DebChris]

The fact remains that reading, in itself, doesn’t mean “less participation.” In fact, participation has absolutely nothing to do with whether you read a missal or watch what the priest is doing, or pray the Our Father out loud or to yourself. While being in union with the parishoners around you is an exterior sign of participation and unity, it is not the exclusive form of participation.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with NOT having a missal, either. As others here have stated, each person should do what helps him or her the best to participate.

I like seeing the words in front of me. I agree, having a missal or not having a missal does not mean a person is not participating. If I have the words in front of me, I can concentrate on meaning, rather than struggle with “now just what was that response?” or merely saying the words of a prayer from rote memorization.
That is why I would purchase my own missal should a parish decide to no longer provide this convenience.
I follow the words on the printed page during the Liturgy of the Word while during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, my focus is on the altar.

 

[pickguard1]

I like seeing the words in front of me. I agree, having a missal or not having a missal does not mean a person is not participating. If I have the words in front of me, I can concentrate on meaning, rather than struggle with “now just what was that response?” or merely saying the words of a prayer from rote memorization.
That is why I would purchase my own missal should a parish decide to no longer provide this convenience.
I follow the words on the printed page during the Liturgy of the Word while during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, my focus is on the altar.

I also have purchased my own missal (for the Latin Mass I attend), and I do have a missal for the Ordinary Form that I received on my First Holy Communion. I think that it really is the responsibility of each to pruchase his or her own missal - the parish providing missalettes is very generous, but shouldn’t be expected nor demanded. Also, for me, now that I am familiar enough with all the prayers, I find I don’t need the missal as much for the actual liturgy (although i do like to have it since I haven’t memorized many of the indulgenced prayers that I liek to pray after communion).

It’s kind of like learning the Creed - it takes time to memorize it, and having it in front of you is useful while you are learning it. But once you ahve it down, having the words in front of you isn’t as important. It’s the same with the rosary. I don’t know many people who need to have the rosary prayers right in front of them on paper - but I’m sure there are some, if they are learning or are unfamiliar with them.

 

[iowastate]

Also i am deaf in one ear so I have a bit of a problem with hearing and almost have to be able to follow along unless the acoustics are excellent and that is not the case often enough

 

[jmjconder]

A new pastor has come to our church and ordered that the missalettes be removed from the church completely… I’m outraged and the church staff acts as if its no big deal.

The pastor’s rationale is that people should be following along by hearing… not so easy for a person hard of hearing. They offer hearing devices to be checked out at the beginning of mass, which is ridiculous.

What about children who are learning the prayers? This seems like an assault on the Word of God and I’m considering leaving the parish or getting signatures from those who want them returned to the pews.

Does anyone have any (name removed by moderator)ut, related stories or official church stances on this?

Thanks.

I know of one parish in the area that did this ~ however they replaced all the missalettes with NAB Bibles and announce the page where the faithful can follow along in the Bible.

If you are going to buy your own Missal…a Magnificat subscription is wonderful. I have a Roman Missal that I bring to every Mass and absolutely love. It is filled with so many other prayers/novenas/readings…the resources are great.

 

[DebChris]

I know of one parish in the area that did this ~ however they replaced all the missalettes with NAB Bibles and announce the page where the faithful can follow along in the Bible.

If you are going to buy your own Missal…a Magnificat subscription is wonderful. I have a Roman Missal that I bring to every Mass and absolutely love. It is filled with so many other prayers/novenas/readings…the resources are great.

Missals are definitely more convenient than trying to flip through the Bible. That is why I am glad Word Among Us has the Mass supplement edition.
Links for subscriptions or missals have been provided in an earlier post.
I find the Magnificat too expensive; but I agree that it is a beautiful magazine. Not only does it have the daily Mass, it has a shortened morning and evening prayer that serves as an intro to the LOTH. There are daily meditations and stories about the saints.

 

[peary]

A new pastor has come to our church and ordered that the missalettes be removed from the church completely… I’m outraged and the church staff acts as if its no big deal.

The pastor’s rationale is that people should be following along by hearing… not so easy for a person hard of hearing. They offer hearing devices to be checked out at the beginning of mass, which is ridiculous.

What about children who are learning the prayers? This seems like an assault on the Word of God and I’m considering leaving the parish or getting signatures from those who want them returned to the pews.

Does anyone have any (name removed by moderator)ut, related stories or official church stances on this?

Thanks.

I’ve been through this several times already since Vatican II. The answer is - you can’t fix stupid.