(Part 2)
if you show me in some Church document that it is allowed to say the rosary during mass, I will accept it.
Pope Pius XII praised the use of devotional aids during the Mass in his 1947 encyclical on the liturgy
Mediator Dei.
108. Many of the faithful are unable to use the Roman missal even though it is written in the vernacular; nor are all capable of understanding correctly the liturgical rites and formulas. So varied and diverse are men’s talents and characters that it is impossible for all to be moved and attracted to the same extent by community prayers, hymns and liturgical services. Moreover, the needs and inclinations of all are not the same, nor are they always constant in the same individual.
Who, then, would say, on account of such a prejudice, that all these Christians cannot participate in the Mass nor share its fruits? On the contrary, they can adopt some other method which proves easier for certain people; for instance,
they can lovingly meditate on the mysteries of Jesus Christ or perform other exercises of piety or recite prayers which, though they differ from the sacred rites, are still essentially in harmony with them.
This was repeated in 1958 by the Sacred Congregation for Rites in their instruction
De Musica Sacra:
29. Those who use a small missal, suitable to their own understanding, and pray with priest in the very words of the Church, are worthy of special praise. But all are not equally capable of correctly understanding the rites, and liturgical formulas; nor does everyone possess the same spiritual needs; nor do these needs remain constant in the same individual. Therefore, these people may find a more suitable or easier method of participation in the Mass when “they meditate devoutly on the mysteries of Jesus Christ, or perform other devotional exercises, and offer prayers which, though different in form from those of the sacred rites, are in essential harmony with them.”
Given that the liturgy has been reformed in such a way that more people should be able to participate in the responses and gestures, I would imagine less people would be saying private prayers or doing devotions as a
substitute for that particular sort of participation. In other words, I don’t think there’s any reason for a person to neglect saying “And also with you” or “Thanks be to God” because they’re doing their own thing.
But if a person is drawn to a deeper
internal participation in the Mass by praying the Rosary or some other devotional prayer
in addition to their proper
external participation, good for them! Participation in the liturgy is more than just “say this” or “do that”. Comprehension is a major factor – that’s why Vatican II stressed the need for liturgical catechesis of the faithful
alongside liturgical reform – but it is often overlooked.
Lastly, is the mass supposed to be our own personal private prayer time? You alluded to that in your post. I’m pretty sure we are supposed to be united as the body of Christ during participation of the mass.
I didn’t say it’s our own personal private prayer time, but it’s not robotic prayer time either! There’s a middle ground.
I would suggest reading paragraphs 80-104 of Pope Pius XII’s encyclical on the liturgy,
Mediator Dei. It’s a lengthy excerpt, yes, but it’s been very helpful to me for understanding how to cultivate a liturgical, sacrificial, prayerful spirituality at Mass.
