Use of the Maniturgium in the Ordination rite

[Oneofthewomen]

A local blogger posted this article from New Liturgical Movement this week and a comment was made that there are hope that our new Bishop will “restore” this tradition.

It, in part, says the following, my emphases added:

the traditional rite, after the priest’s hands are anointed, they are bound with a cloth to keep the oil in place for the rest of the ordination ritual. I am sure the majority of our readers are already familiar with the custom, which is not formally a part of the rite, that once the ritual is complete, he presents the cloth to his mother,

Now, I understand “tradition”, but one of the things I see so often on this forum, and the blog where I originally found this article, is the lambasting of people who dare to “add” something to the liturgy that is not specifically called for in the rubrics. If I am reading this correctly, this was never part of the ordination rite, so why was it allowed, and why should we even consider it now?

We either follow the rubrics or we don’t. Why is is OK for some and not others?

I am not saying that I think it is wrong, per se. I just don’t understand how this can be acceptable, but someone holding hands or using the orans positon during the Our Father is wrong, because the GIRM doesn’t include it.

Thoughts?

 

[ProVobis]

I was part of some mailing list that received this as well. You’re right, it’s an addition (at least on the surface) and the bishop disallows it when he’s doing ordination. Doesn’t prove anything.

 

[malphono]

From the look of the church, and the newly ordained vestments, in the linked photo, it is distinctly possible (more likely, probable) that the ordination was according to Usus Antiquior. The Maniturgium remains part of it, and that the ordinand was photographed giving it to his mother lends credence.

The comment in the linked post was in reference to an ad-hoc trend in the Novus Ordo ordination rite (it doesn’t specify where that might have been) to restore the practice therein, and THAT is what was reprimanded by the bishops committee.

In any case, the custom wherein the newly ordained gives the cloth to his mother is certainly not even remotely close to hand-holding or the orans posture. Even that the Maniturgium was allowed by certain bishops in the Novus Ordo ordination rite, isn’t similar: that practice was addressed by the bishops committe. The hand-holding and orans posture business has not been.

 

[dans0622]

It does seem odd to me for the newly ordained priest to give the cloth to his mother in the middle of the ordination Mass, which is what seems to be happening in that picture. I’ve never seen that before. I don’t see any reason to do it then.

In my limited understanding, the “tradition” is to give the cloth at some other time, not in the middle of the Mass.

Dan

 

[corsair]

Most definitely an EF ordination; check the vestments, communion rail, etc.

 

[otjm]

It does seem odd to me for the newly ordained priest to give the cloth to his mother in the middle of the ordination Mass, which is what seems to be happening in that picture. I’ve never seen that before. I don’t see any reason to do it then.

In my limited understanding, the “tradition” is to give the cloth at some other time, not in the middle of the Mass.

Dan

In some circumstances it is filed under the label “enthusiasm”; in others “abuse”. Depends on whose ox is being gored.

 

[Psalitte]

You’re reading the post wrong, the custom he is talking about is the giving of the manuturgium to the mother, and this would happen some other time after the liturgy. Usually, in this case, well the only explanation could b that technically the Mass is suspended and the Ordination rite is technically not a part of the Mass.

 

[zab]

The key words to answer the question of the OP are not the ones highlighted in red, but the key words are "…once the ritual is complete he presents the cloth to his mother…" Are there any instructions in the guidelines that would specify or contradict what the priest should do with the cloth after the ritual of ordination is over? Is he violating any rules regarding where he puts the cloth saturated with oil? He must put it somewhere. What is the problem with giving it to his mother? There is no liturgical abuse here, that I can see, Nor should this little gesture be compared with other additions or innovations during the Mass because it is done after the ritual is over. It is not part of the ritual.

 

[Filioque]

There are customs and uses of the EF that while suppressed are not explicitly forbidden. Examples of these are the Biretta, and Maniple. While the use of these two are not required, and have in most places where the OF is used no longer seen, it is however permissible to use them.

There are other rites and ceremonies that continue in some places. I’ve read that in some (albeit rare in the OF) some of the Minor Orders have been retained, mostly in Monastic Settings. In other places some of the older rites not normally seen in most OF parishes are retained in National Parishes.

All in all in the OF the Ordinary of the Diocese usually dictates the Liturgical Use of his Diocese. Which unless he is grossly violating Universal Law for the Latin Rite (OF Rubrics) is permitted by law, or at least tolerated.

 

[dans0622]

The key words to answer the question of the OP are not the ones highlighted in red, but the key words are "…once the ritual is complete he presents the cloth to his mother…" Are there any instructions in the guidelines that would specify or contradict what the priest should do with the cloth after the ritual of ordination is over? …

Nor should this little gesture be compared with other additions or innovations during the Mass because it is done after the ritual is over. It is not part of the ritual.

Hello,

That’s what I thought, at first, but the photo indicates that the ritual was *not *complete (the chasuble was still pinned up).

As for instructions about the cloth–the ritual says the cloth is wrapped/tied. A little later, the priest is supposed to wash his hands but the ritual doesn’t say what is supposed to happen with the cloth. Obviously, it has to be taken off.

At any rate, yes, once the ritual is over, the priest can do what he wants with it.

Dan