What CAN replace the Creed during Mass?

[japhy]

I know that baptismal professions can take the place of the Creed (although I can’t find this in the GIRM, but it might be in the Pontifical or in the Roman Ritual). But what other actions can “replace” the Creed?

This past weekend, we had a “sending” ceremony for a group of parishioners going to our sister diocese in Mexico. It involved a blessing (the kind where all the congregation is asked to extend their right hand…). It incorporated the Prayer of the Faithful. But there was nothing akin to a profession of faith, and there was no Creed.

So… what can licitly replace or supplant the Creed?

 

[FrDavid96]

I know that baptismal professions can take the place of the Creed (although I can’t find this in the GIRM, but it might be in the Pontifical or in the Roman Ritual). But what other actions can “replace” the Creed?

This past weekend, we had a “sending” ceremony for a group of parishioners going to our sister diocese in Mexico. It involved a blessing (the kind where all the congregation is asked to extend their right hand…). It incorporated the Prayer of the Faithful. But there was nothing akin to a profession of faith, and there was no Creed.

So… what can licitly replace or supplant the Creed?

In the circumstances which you’ve described, that “ritual” cannot replace the Creed. Generally, the Creed must be said at a Sunday Mass, although it’s possible for the priest to omit it for a very good reason; but that’s not the same thing as replacing the Creed with something else.

Having the congregation impart a pseudo-blessing on people during Mass is illicit and very inappropriate.

 

[Joannm]

The Creed is usually omitted when one of the Rites of Christian Inistiation of Adults are celebrated or if a baptism is being celebrated at Mass after the homily leading into the intercessions.

 

[theistgal]

Does anyone else find that “sending ceremony” a bit disturbing? Something about a room full of people with their right hands raised …

 

[japhy]

Does anyone else find that “sending ceremony” a bit disturbing? Something about a room full of people with their right hands raised …

We do it all the time. I’m not a fan of lay-blessings during Mass. I’d rather pray along with my priest as he blesses whoever.

 

[benedictgal]

Does anyone else find that “sending ceremony” a bit disturbing? Something about a room full of people with their right hands raised …

That is ilicit, no question about it. Japhy, doesn’t this also count as a strike, given the fact that it is violating one of the items listed in the letter from the CDWDS that you posted?

Regarding the Creed, I’m with Fr. David on this one. Unless you’ve got a baptism going on, or, it’s the Easter season where the promises are being renwed, you don’t substitute the Creed for anything else.

 

[Cluny]

Missionaries have always been given special blessings as they are sent forth, but I’ve never heard of it replacing the Creed.

 

[Justin1224]

On Easter Sunday we always renew our Baptismal Promises which replaces the creed.

 

[diggerdomer]

That is ilicit, no question about it. Japhy, doesn’t this also count as a strike, given the fact that it is violating one of the items listed in the letter from the CDWDS that you posted?

Regarding the Creed, I’m with Fr. David on this one. Unless you’ve got a baptism going on, or, it’s the Easter season where the promises are being renwed, you don’t substitute the Creed for anything else.

Something is only categorically illicit if it violates the letter of the law. If something is added to a liturgy, it may or may not be illicit (we need more info).

Replacing the Creed, where the Creed is required, by something not authorized (as, e.g. the renewal of Baptismal promised during certain liturgies) is of course illicit.

Adding some ceremony or ritual to a Mass may or may not illicit, depending on the specifics (and may or may not be a good idea).

 

[benedictgal]

Something is only categorically illicit if it violates the letter of the law. If something is added to a liturgy, it may or may not be illicit (we need more info).

Replacing the Creed, where the Creed is required, by something not authorized (as, e.g. the renewal of Baptismal promised during certain liturgies) is of course illicit.

Adding some ceremony or ritual to a Mass may or may not illicit, depending on the specifics (and may or may not be a good idea).

However, this particular rite of sending is for parish missionaries. To my knowledge, there really is not something in the rubrics that would justify omitting the Creed unless it is for the reasons everyone (including myself) have mentioned. You just can’t be inventing your own thing and insert it as you please. If you really are going to have something, then do so before the final blessing, but, not in the area reserved for the Creed.

 

[diggerdomer]

However, this particular rite of sending is for parish missionaries. To my knowledge, there really is not something in the rubrics that would justify omitting the Creed unless it is for the reasons everyone (including myself) have mentioned. You just can’t be inventing your own thing and insert it as you please. If you really are going to have something, then do so before the final blessing, but, not in the area reserved for the Creed.

I disagree. I don’t think there’s any legitimate reason to omit the Creed unless it’s through some approved liturgical rite of the Church, not just reasons that people have mentioned here.

 

[benedictgal]

I disagree. I don’t think there’s any legitimate reason to omit the Creed unless it’s through some approved liturgical rite of the Church, not just reasons that people have mentioned here.

You misread what I was saying. We do not have the right to omit any part of the Mass unless there is cause for the ommission and it is stated in the approved liturgical texts of the Church. To my knowledge, there does not exist a ritual, for lack of a better word, for sending forth parish missionaries. Thus, any of these “extra-liturgical” activities should be done before the final blessing, but not be imbedded within the context of the Mass and replacing the Creed or any part of the liturgy.

 

[diggerdomer]

You misread what I was saying. We do not have the right to omit any part of the Mass unless there is cause for the ommission and it is stated in the approved liturgical texts of the Church. To my knowledge, there does not exist a ritual, for lack of a better word, for sending forth parish missionaries. Thus, any of these “extra-liturgical” activities should be done before the final blessing, but not be imbedded within the context of the Mass and replacing the Creed or any part of the liturgy.

Apologies if I misread you. Thanks for the clarification…I went back and …well, yes, I probably did misread what you wrote. Again, sorry, and thanks.

 

[John_Lilburne]

… To my knowledge, there does not exist a ritual, for lack of a better word, for sending forth parish missionaries. Thus, any of these “extra-liturgical” activities should be done before the final blessing, but not be imbedded within the context of the Mass and replacing the Creed or any part of the liturgy.

There is a blessing for missionaries in the Book of Blessings (an official liturgical book). I think it is a reasonable interpretation of the ceremony in this book to omit the Creed.

It has in the rubrics: “481 After the homily, all stand. The departing missionaries take places near the celebrant, but in such a way as not to obstruct the people’s view of the rite. With hands outstretched over the missionaries as a group, the celebrant says the prayer of blessing.” (Book of Blessings, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1875-8, page 157).

After the homily is the normal time for all to stand and say the Creed. But it is not mentioned. After the prayer of blessing there is a presentation of crosses to the missionaries with the singing of Psalm 96 or “some other suitable song”. Then: “486 The general intercessions follow, …”.

How is this to be interpreted? Is the omission of the Creed accidental or deliberate? Many other ceremonies mean that the Creed is not said, but state this explicitly. For example if there are the Scrutinies, the liturgical book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” has: “… then, if required, the profession of faith is said. But for pastoral reasons these general intercessions and the profession of faith may be omitted.”

So with the Missionaries’ ceremony I think it is open to interpretation whether it says enough (or omits enough) to overrule the 2002 GIRM: “68. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities.”

Other ceremonies when the Creed is specifically instructed not to be said:

At the Easter Vigil there is a renewal of baptismal promises, instead of the Creed.

The Creed is not said if there is a baptism in the Mass. (Rite of Baptism for Children, n. 29, The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 374).

And if there is a confirmation at Mass, from the Rite of Confirmation (Rite of Confirmation, n. 31. The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 492).

Nor if there is an ordination of a deacon, priest or bishop in the Mass, from the rite of “Ordination of Deacons, Priests and Bishops” (The Rites Volume Two, Liturgical Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-8146-6037-1, pages 28, 39, 66).

Nor if there is a consecration to a life of virginity in the Mass: (The Rites Volume Two, Liturgical Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-8146-6037-1, page 161, 177).

Nor if there is a rite of religious profession in the Mass,
for a temporary profession by a man: (The Rites Volume Two, Liturgical Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-8146-6037-1, page 213).
the same for a perpetual profession by a man, n. 52(b), page 221.
same if a man renews his vows, n. 83(b), page 233.
same for a women, temporary profession, 25(b), page 252.
same for a women, perpetual profession, 57(b), page 258.
same for a women, renewal of vows, 90(b), page 272.

Nor if there is a blessing of an abbot (The Rites Volume Two, Liturgical Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-8146-6037-1, page 304.
Same for the blessing of an abbess, n. 10, page 314.

 

[FrDavid96]

There is a blessing for missionaries in the Book of Blessings (an official liturgical book). I think it is a reasonable interpretation of the ceremony in this book to omit the Creed.

It has in the rubrics: “481 After the homily, all stand. The departing missionaries take places near the celebrant, but in such a way as not to obstruct the people’s view of the rite. With hands outstretched over the missionaries as a group, the celebrant says the prayer of blessing.” (Book of Blessings, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1875-8, page 157).

After the homily is the normal time for all to stand and say the Creed. But it is not mentioned. After the prayer of blessing there is a presentation of crosses to the missionaries with the singing of Psalm 96 or “some other suitable song”. Then: “486 The general intercessions follow, …”.

How is this to be interpreted? Is the omission of the Creed accidental or deliberate? Many other ceremonies mean that the Creed is not said, but state this explicitly. For example if there are the Scrutinies, the liturgical book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” has: “… then, if required, the profession of faith is said. But for pastoral reasons these general intercessions and the profession of faith may be omitted.”
…

John,
Here’s how I see it. The Creed is required on Sundays (and Solemnities) but is not said on weekday Masses, so it would depend upon which day this ceremony occurs. If it’s a Sunday, say the Creed. If it’s a weekday, omit the Creed. What I see as the essential difference is that there are certain ceremonies which “include” the Creed in one way or another; Baptism, or renewal of Baptismal promises, or even the Scrutinies (in a less direct way).

I believe that we have to look at the reason why “the Creed is omitted” in the first place and interpret the rubrics from there. If the Creed is explicitly excluded, then, of course, do that. If there’s no explicit instructions, then use the Sunday/weekday criteria.

 

[Nick_in_MB]

John,
Here’s how I see it. The Creed is required on Sundays (and Solemnities) but is not said on weekday Masses, so it would depend upon which day this ceremony occurs. If it’s a Sunday, say the Creed. If it’s a weekday, omit the Creed. What I see as the essential difference is that there are certain ceremonies which “include” the Creed in one way or another; Baptism, or renewal of Baptismal promises, or even the Scrutinies (in a less direct way).

I believe that we have to look at the reason why “the Creed is omitted” in the first place and interpret the rubrics from there. If the Creed is explicitly excluded, then, of course, do that. If there’s no explicit instructions, then use the Sunday/weekday criteria.

So it’s fine then that the Creed was omitted today?
I decided to go to Mass today, and was surprised when the priest went from the homily right into the prayers, sans Creed. I wasn’t really worrying about it. I figured there was a reason.

 

[FrDavid96]

So it’s fine then that the Creed was omitted today?
I decided to go to Mass today, and was surprised when the priest went from the homily right into the prayers, sans Creed. I wasn’t really worrying about it. I figured there was a reason.

Today is the Memorial of St Mary Magdalene–not a solemnity (and not a Sunday, just in case someone is reading this later on), so the creed is not a part of today’s Mass. What you experienced was what the Church calls-for, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.