What is proper during mass?

[DWC_RC]

Is it proper for a priest to ask the congregation to sit after he has processed to the alter in order that he may greet any guests of the parish?

Also, the procession passes by the tabernacle, but no genuflection occurs. Is this proper? The tabernacle is on the processions left as they move to the alter, but no sign of respect is given it.

 

[teachccd]

Once Mass begins the priest is obligated to genuflect only three times. These occur after the consecration of the bread, after the consecration of the wine, and before the priest receives the Eucharist. In many parishes the tabernacle is located directly behind the altar which would mean that the priest would have to constantly genuflect. The procession represents Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where the passion is soon to follow. Being that the Mass is the greatest form of worship it should not be considered disrespectful for the priest not to genuflect towards the tabernacle during the procession.

As far as asking the congregation to sit after the procession for a greeting is not a part of the rubrics as far as I know it to be. Usually after the entrance song the priest begins the prayer of the Mass with the Sign of the Cross. After that a brief introduction and greeting is allowed but the congregation is to remain standing. That’s always been my take on it since the Mass is a public prayer and not the private prayer of the priest. He cannot make the Mass his own expression but must act in the expression of the Church whereby unity is maintained and revered… teachccd

 

[JustaServant]

As far as asking the congregation to sit after the procession for a greeting is not a part of the rubrics as far as I know it to be. Usually after the entrance song the priest begins the prayer of the Mass with the Sign of the Cross. After that a brief introduction and greeting is allowed but the congregation is to remain standing. That’s always been my take on it since the Mass is a public prayer and not the private prayer of the priest. He cannot make the Mass his own expression but must act in the expression of the Church whereby unity is maintained and revered… teachccd

Agreed. If the priest wants to greet visitors it should be maybe a word before the homily.

 

[lizaanne]

Once Mass begins the priest is obligated to genuflect only three times. These occur after the consecration of the bread, after the consecration of the wine, and before the priest receives the Eucharist. In many parishes the tabernacle is located directly behind the altar which would mean that the priest would have to constantly genuflect. The procession represents Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where the passion is soon to follow. Being that the Mass is the greatest form of worship it should not be considered disrespectful for the priest not to genuflect towards the tabernacle during the procession.

Our priests manage to do this just fine - they genuflect EVERY time they pass before the tabernacle. So do all the altar boys.

I don’t see what the difficulty is.

He cannot make the Mass his own expression but must act in the expression of the Church whereby unity is maintained and revered… teachccd

Exactly. It is completely inappropriate for a priest to make the holy sacrifice of the Mass into a social activity or meet & greet. If he feels the need to do this he should put something in the parish bulletin to say that there will be special guests present at Mass.


~Liza

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“274. … During Mass, three genuflections are made by the priest celebrant: namely, after the showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. above, nos. 210-251).
If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is present in the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.
Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.
Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.” (My bold text.)

“43. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect;”.

The “Collect” is the “Opening Prayer”. After it, there are the readings.

 

[diggerdomer]

Is it proper for a priest to ask the congregation to sit after he has processed to the alter in order that he may greet any guests of the parish?

Also, the procession passes by the tabernacle, but no genuflection occurs. Is this proper? The tabernacle is on the processions left as they move to the alter, but no sign of respect is given it.

Yes it’s proper.

 

[choy]

what i find different in my parish is that the people wait for the priest to sit before they sit

as for genuflecting, the procession would stop as it reaches the altar, and then they genuflect. that is why my priest does

 

[diggerdomer]

what i find different in my parish is that the people wait for the priest to sit before they sit

as for genuflecting, the procession would stop as it reaches the altar, and then they genuflect. that is why my priest does

Sitting after communion: personal preference. No rubric in the liturgy.

Genuflection is done only as prescribed by the GIRM and the Sacramentary.