Hello.
i’m working on a school assignment that states that we have to establish if the practices of ritual within a community align with the religious teachings, foundational beliefs and values of a particular tradition taking into consideration the society in which we live.
Does your local Sunday mass deviate at all from cannon scripture as a result of the surrounding community. if so, are these changes specific to your region, and what are they?
Welcome! Good luck with your research!
First, the word “cannon” means the military weapon. The word you are looking for here is “canon”. It means:
- a law or body of laws of a church
- the books of the Bible officially accepted by a church or religious body as divinely inspired
- ECCLES. the fundamental and essentially unvarying part of the Mass, between the Preface and Communion, that centers on consecration of the bread and wine a list of recognized saints as in the Roman Catholic Church
The RC canon of the Bible forms the scriptural basis for our liturgy. Over the years the celebration has varied in many ways. At the last supper the Apostles and the 12 (literally, as was the custom) reclined about the table. They shared bread rather than the small host which are used today. Later Christians celebrated on Sundays at a home in the community. They all shared a meal together (sometimes in a less than fair way) and they shared the body and blood of Christ. Eventually during the reign of Constantine, Christians were able to own property and were given their first magnificent church- the Lateran Palace.
The Domus Laterani fell into the hands of the emperor when Constantine I married his second wife Fausta, sister of Maxentius. Known by that time as the Domus Faustae or “House of Fausta,” the structure was eventually given to the Bishop of Rome by Constantine. The actual date of the gift is unknown but scholars believe it had to have been during the pontificate of Pope Miltiades, in time to host a synod of bishops in 313 that was convened to challenge the Donatist schism, declaring Donatism as heresy.
There have been a great many changes in recent history brought about by Vatican II. These include most importantly: use of vernacular language, the removal of the communion rail, the repositioning of the altar, and the change in the direction the celebrant faces during Mass.
Read here about the changes in Vatican II:
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html
THESE CHANGES ARE CHANGES TO THE DISCIPLINE (changeable) AND NOT THE DOCTRINE (unchangeable) OF THE MASS AS ORDERED AND ESTABLISHED BY THE CHURCH. (The changes brought about by V2 are particularly unpopular among some adherents and they may argue against them. They are, however, the current law of the Church.)
Now, the canon of the Mass has very specific rules which are adhered to “religiously”.
There is something called the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) which establishes these rules. You can read more here:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/
Of particular importance to you may be the section:
Chapter IX: Adaptations Within The Competence Of Bishops And Bishops’ Conferences
Since Bishops preside over different countries, cultures, and peoples this section may have some bearing on your topic. Within their diocese Bishops are allowed to adapt these areas whereas the rest of the GIRM is a requirement.
- These adaptations consist, for the most part, in the choice of certain rites or texts, that is, of the chants, readings, prayers, explanatory interventions, and gestures capable of responding better to the needs, the preparation, and the culture of the participants and which are entrusted to the Priest Celebrant. However, the Priest will remember that he is the servant of the Sacred Liturgy and that he himself is not permitted, on his own initiative, to add, to remove, or to change anything in the celebration of Mass.[34]
I hope this helps! Not being a Catholic, it will be very difficult to truly understand this topic. Check back frequently with questions to ensure that your understanding of our doctrines and disciplines are correct.
Glad I could help!
