Role of the Commentor @ MASS

[Nicholas_Larkin]

The GIRM allows for a commentator to be used in the celebration of Divine Worship. Yet, in what placed of the Sacred Liturgy can this be done other than the Introduction Rite? I have seen the following done:

(1.) Introduction Rite
(2.) Before readings
(3.) Before Offetory (hymn)
(4.) Before Holy Communin (with guidelines read)

Yet, is this licit? I am trying to aid in preparing the Triduum ceremonies and need to now where I can licitly place comments. Thanks.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The following is about the priest’s comments. But I think it provides useful guidelines for this question.

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
"31. It is also up to the priest, in the exercise of his office of presiding over the gathered assembly, to offer certain explanations that are foreseen in the rite itself. Where it is indicated in the rubrics, the celebrant is permitted to adapt them somewhat in order that they respond to the understanding of those participating. However, he should always take care to keep to the sense of the text given in the Missal and to express them succinctly. The presiding priest is also to direct the word of God and to impart the final blessing. In addition, he may give the faithful a very brief introduction to the Mass of the day (after the initial Greeting and before the Act of Penitence), to the Liturgy of the Word (before the readings), and to the Eucharistic Prayer (before the Preface), though never during the Eucharistic Prayer itself; he may also make concluding comments to the entire sacred action before the dismissal. "

 

[Nicholas_Larkin]

Thank you. Our priest has decided to have a lay minster do this, reading already prepared texts. While I do not fully agree with the concept, our diocesan liturgical office gave a “yes” to it, so theres no arguing with our pastor…at least were not having women come forward for the feet washing…

 

[Karl_M]

Our priest has given brief (two or three sentences) introductions to the first two readings on Sunday Masses and that’s it.

Some people get in a huff about it, but I really like it. The priest is the one who does it, it’s short, and there’s nothing wrong with a little background.

What I don’t like is the parishes where they have men and women (and I don’t mean Brothers or Sisters-just total civilians) giving what is really the homily before the readings to skirt the GIRM. But that’s a topic for a different board.

 

[ABostonCatholic]

If it were up to me, the priest would never once speak to us during Mass. There would be no music. Prayers would be whispered and directed toward God and not the congregants, and we would all worship together in silence.

Music, Bible Study, and religious instruction would take place before or after Mass.

But I suppose there’s a reason why I’m not in charge. :crying:

 

[Digitonomy]

The GIRM allows for a commentator to be used in the celebration of Divine Worship. Yet, in what placed of the Sacred Liturgy can this be done other than the Introduction Rite? I have seen the following done:

(1.) Introduction Rite
(2.) Before readings
(3.) Before Offetory (hymn)
(4.) Before Holy Communin (with guidelines read)

Yet, is this licit? I am trying to aid in preparing the Triduum ceremonies and need to now where I can licitly place comments. Thanks.

A member from the Philippines (thistle?) once noted that his parish used commentators at every mass. It’s a little late now, but he would certainly be familiar with which spots in the mass benefit from a commentator - you may be able to PM him for future reference.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Thank you. Our priest has decided to have a lay minster do this, reading already prepared texts. While I do not fully agree with the concept, our diocesan liturgical office gave a “yes” to it, so theres no arguing with our pastor…at least were not having women come forward for the feet washing…

By posting about the priest’s comments I was not trying to convey disapproval of lay people being commentators. It is a ministry specifically mentioned in the 1963 Constitution on the Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium:
“29. Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought to discharge their office therefore with the sincere devotion and decorum demanded by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God’s people.”

The Introduction to the Lectionary:
“57. The commentator also fulfills a genuine liturgial ministry, which consists in presenting to the assembly of the faithful, from a suitable place, relevant explanations and comments that are clear, of marked simplicity, meticulously prepared, as a rule written out, and approved beforehand by the celebrant.”

In the 2007 Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict seemed to go out of his way to encourage comments before the readings:
“45. … When circumstances so suggest, a few brief words of introduction could be offered in order to focus the attention of the faithful.”

The letter of Cardinal Arinze to the Neo-catechumens (1 December 2005) is also a recent endorsement of the commentator:
“2. With regard to any admonitions given before the readings, these must be brief. The dispositions of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (nn. 105 and 128) and the Praenotanda of the Ordo Lectionum Missae (nn. 15, 19, 38, 42) must also be followed.”

From these references a lay commentator may say things before each reading and before the responsorial psalm:
“15. There may be concise introductions before the readings, especailly the first. …”
“19. … A brief remark may be helpful about the choice of the psalm and response as well as their correspondence to the readings.”

 

[scaron]

i just read a commentator’s role at Holy Thursday Mass. In our diocese we always receive the Holy Oils in the parish on Holy Thursday. So at the very beginning of the introductory right, three people process down the aisle with the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism. I introduced each oil with a paragraph on its use, while it was being processed.

It was nice, and explained to the people what each was and its purpose. I was very comfortable doing it.