Sept. 11 Patriot Day Mass

[raalongi]

Are catholic churches allowed to say a mass on Sept. 11 for the victoms of 9-11??

I asked my monseignor if he would say a special mass that day for all the victoms of that tragic day and he said no. The reason he gave me was that he must follow the prescribed liturgy for that day. He said it the liturgy for the day was a weekday in ordinary and he cannot change it. I find this very hard to believe; people request masses for their deceased loved ones all the time and masses are offered for them. Why refuse to offer a mass for this poor people who died very tragically. I do not understand his logic and I was a little hurt.

Any opinions or comments on this?? Thanks.

 

[tbtcom1213]

Are catholic churches allowed to say a mass on Sept. 11 for the victoms of 9-11??

I asked my monseignor if he would say a special mass that day for all the victoms of that tragic day and he said no. The reason he gave me was that he must follow the prescribed liturgy for that day. He said it the liturgy for the day was a weekday in ordinary and he cannot change it. I find this very hard to believe; people request masses for their deceased loved ones all the time and masses are offered for them. Why refuse to offer a mass for this poor people who died very tragically. I do not understand his logic and I was a little hurt.

Any opinions or comments on this?? Thanks.

On a ferial day (ferial meaning daily) the Mass of Sunday would be repeated.

In the Ordinary Form the readings are that of the weekday cycle but the antiphons and prayers are those of the preceding Sunday.

In the Extraordinary Form the Mass of Sunday would be repeated except that the Gloria and Creed would be omitted.

On Ferial days without the commemoration of a saint or solemnity votive Masses are permitted such as a Requiem (memorial) Mass or the votive Mass pertaining to the day
(i.e Monday - votive Mass of the Holy Trinity, Fridays - votive Mass of the Holy Cross, Thursdays votive Mass of Jesus, Eternal High Priest, Saturdays of Our Lady et cetera)

In short, your pastor can say a daily requiem Mass in white, violet or black vestments for the faithful departed of 9/11 a day which is a ferial day. Otherwise the Mass of Sunday will be repeated as usual.

 

[YADA]

Are catholic churches allowed to say a mass on Sept. 11 for the victoms of 9-11??

I asked my monseignor if he would say a special mass that day for all the victoms of that tragic day and he said no. The reason he gave me was that he must follow the prescribed liturgy for that day. He said it the liturgy for the day was a weekday in ordinary and he cannot change it. I find this very hard to believe; people request masses for their deceased loved ones all the time and masses are offered for them. Why refuse to offer a mass for this poor people who died very tragically. I do not understand his logic and I was a little hurt.

Any opinions or comments on this?? Thanks.

I am not sure I follow your post exactly … when people request masses for their deceased loved ones [or for a special intention - masses may be offered for the living too] they do not get to change the liturgy of the day - for example the 23rd Wednesday in Ordinary time 9/11/13 … the readings at Mass are the same - it is just that the intention for which it is offered can be designated … you certainly can requests a Mass in most parishes …

FYI in my parish - it is rare to pick the actual date unless you request it far in advance - we have over 2000 families - there are only 365 days in a year … they just usually put your intention/ requests into the first available mass.

Actual funeral Masses are different - as the family gets to pick the readings, Psalm and Gospel from a selection appropriate for funerals …

We have had special Masses said for a particular reason - but typically [if not always] use the readings for the day …

Most often you could have a different form of Liturgy [like Evening Prayer, Prayer for the Dead, Vigil Service, Rosary, etc] for a special occasion - but even then the form and readings must be appropriate for the Liturgy invoked …

Liturgy means “public work” … thus our Liturgies are the public work of the Church - as such - though there are options - they belong to all of us and are not for one person to change or modify

 

[raalongi]

I did not ask him to change anything (prayers, readings, etc.) Only to offer a mass for all the victims of 9-11. That is the answer he gave me that he could not do it. Perhaps he thought I was asking him to change something, I don’t know.

 

[Elizium23]

I also find it very hard to believe your priest. Either he did not understand what you were asking, or he was perhaps under some kind of restriction in liturgy that has been imposed from above him. In reality, it is certainly possible to change the Mass of the day, particularly on ferial days with no feast or commemoration assigned. September 11 is DEFINITELY one such day. There are many “Votive Masses” available for special needs, these are all printed in the Roman Missal. Some priests are amenable to using votive Masses while some always stick to the Mass of the day. There are 17 Masses for “Civil Needs”, some of which would certainly apply to the occasion of September 11.

Our parochial vicar is one such priest who is apt to use a votive Mass, while our pastor likes to use the Mass of the day. I am not aware that priests are normally prohibited from using these special Masses on appropriate days, but it is certainly possible that in some parishes or dioceses they may at least need special permission from their ordinary to do it.

 

[YADA]

I think there is a mis-communication transpiring here - Not sure OP - so do not take offense but when you asked where were you and what was Father doing at the time …

Having been on Liturgy Committess, Pastoral Council and Admin Council - I knowmost people unhappy with Fathers decisions stem from someone asking for something - ad hoc … with no plan - just an idea …

I arranged to have a Mass said on the 230th Marine Corps B’day - Nov 10th … with a reception to follow - but I gaged interest and support from fellow marine vats, I obtained the permission, but only after developing a plan - even arranging for a celebrant, I purchased the food [did the set up and clean up], got the readers, etc … communicated with fellow marine vets and vets from the other branches - and we honored all branches of the military … people still talk about that night - and want to do it again some time

I know some parishioners who asked … “why is this for the Marines and not all Vets?” … Veteran;s day is Nov 11th … while we honored, acknowledged and remembered all veterans - the Mass was in honor of the USMC … but all details were worked out and a complete proposal was presented to Father …

Just saying - many times priests receive lots of “suggestions” when they are just finishing Mass or getting ready to start … the timing is not great to get his full attention - or its just someone with an idea that they want others to do the work for … …

Forgive me OP if that is not the case in your dilemma …

Those …"Father - we should do … " or "Father can you do … " rarely gain permission …

 

[Celtic_Maiden]

Are catholic churches allowed to say a mass on Sept. 11 for the victoms of 9-11??

I asked my monseignor if he would say a special mass that day for all the victoms of that tragic day and he said no. The reason he gave me was that he must follow the prescribed liturgy for that day. He said it the liturgy for the day was a weekday in ordinary and he cannot change it. I find this very hard to believe; people request masses for their deceased loved ones all the time and masses are offered for them. Why refuse to offer a mass for this poor people who died very tragically. I do not understand his logic and I was a little hurt.

Any opinions or comments on this?? Thanks.

I am sure priests get requests all the time for things they can and cannot do, maybe it was the approach, ask him nicely again, and ask him if he cannot say this Mass maybe one of the other priests could say a Mass for the Victims of Islamic extremists and how all Religions should be tolerant of one another for Peace and harmony in the World.

 

[Joannm]

I did not ask him to change anything (prayers, readings, etc.) Only to offer a mass for all the victims of 9-11. That is the answer he gave me that he could not do it. Perhaps he thought I was asking him to change something, I don’t know.

Perhaps the Mass in your parish on 9/11 already has a specific intention that was requested. The priest must say mass for that intention. That is probably what he meant.

 

[PacoG]

I did not ask him to change anything (prayers, readings, etc.) Only to offer a mass for all the victims of 9-11. That is the answer he gave me that he could not do it. Perhaps he thought I was asking him to change something, I don’t know.

If you want a special mass on that day, go to the parish office, have them put it on the calendar and pay the stipend. You should do that a year ahead of time.

 

[Bergon]

Are catholic churches allowed to say a mass on Sept. 11 for the victoms of 9-11??

I asked my monseignor if he would say a special mass that day for all the victoms of that tragic day and he said no. The reason he gave me was that he must follow the prescribed liturgy for that day. He said it the liturgy for the day was a weekday in ordinary and he cannot change it. I find this very hard to believe; people request masses for their deceased loved ones all the time and masses are offered for them. Why refuse to offer a mass for this poor people who died very tragically. I do not understand his logic and I was a little hurt.

Any opinions or comments on this?? Thanks.

What did you request? Did you ask him to offer the Mass for that intention or did you ask him to say a particular type of Mass? He could do either. However, he’s the only who can tell you why he gave you the answer he did. Because it’s a weekday he’s restricted to celebrating one Mass. At this stage he’s probably almost certainly got an intention to which he’s going to apply the Mass. Perhaps he thought it too late to change the Mass from the pre-planned ferial weekday Mass. He could celebrate a Mass for the Dead or one of the votive Masses. To really know the ‘why’ you need to ask the priest.

 

[fastenatingguy]

Every year at my son’s Catholic high school, they have a Patriot day mass and honor all those killed, all who serve (military and emergency) etc. It is a blessed event. All of the local vets groups (American Legion etc) and local police, fire, EMT’s etc are invited as honored guest.

 

[otjm]

I did not ask him to change anything (prayers, readings, etc.) Only to offer a mass for all the victims of 9-11. That is the answer he gave me that he could not do it. Perhaps he thought I was asking him to change something, I don’t know.

That would appear to be the case. Either he was dense, or had something else on his mind and was not paying particular attention to what you asked, or someone asked for something other than what you were asking and he jumped to the conclusion he was being hit up again, or you did not communicate very clearly.