What would constitute an invalid Mass?

[JSSebastianoP]

It would also be invalid if the celebrant didn’t use the proper form of words for consecration - said something other than ‘This is My body … This is My blood …’.

Except isn’t it “this is the cup of My Blood”?

Also, does cutting the Kyrie (like they apparently did at my parish) mean the Liturgy of the Word is incomplete? And if it is incomplete, does it still fill the Sunday obligation as long as the Eucharist is valid?

Thanks.

Pax,

Sebastiano

 

[Podo2005]

What about abuses in the Liturgy of the Word… would that invalidate a mass?

For example I went to a mass on saturday evening where Im pretty sure there was one reading missing, they had all the children go up during the readings and the Gospel… the Gospel was read by a laywoman and the homily was partially given by a priest and then the other part was a laywoman asking the children in front questions… it was such a martyrdom having to witness that

The Liturgy of the Eucharist was valid… but would the above things invalidate the mass?

In Christ,
Zac

 

[Tampa_Dave]

We were in Indian Shores, FL, last week, so we attended Sunday Mass at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Largo.

They did not bow at the appropriate time during the Profession of Faith. The Homily was turned over to a layman who carried a crucifix while speaking from the center aisle. The pianist played hymns like he was performing in a Baptist church. Everyone raised their hands during the Lord’s Prayer. When I took Holy Communion orally, the Eucharistic minister, with an obvious look of disapproval, swiped it across my tongue like it was a major inconvenience. I normally attend Latin Mass at a conservative parish in Northern Virginia. What a difference!

 

[Phemie]

You may very well be right. I’d always read the directive regarding three readings in the Ordo to mean the minimum number of OT readings. Our parish does them all anyway.

1988’s Paschale Solemnitatis (Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts from Congregation for Divine Worship) says this:

1. The readings from Sacred Scripture constitute the second part of the Vigil. They give an account of the outstanding deeds of the history of salvation, which the faithful are helped to meditate calmly upon by the singing of the responsorial psalm, by a silent pause, and by the celebrant’s prayer.

The restored “Order” of the Vigil has seven readings from the Old Testament chosen from the Law and the Prophets, which are generally in use according to the most ancient tradition of East and West, and two readings from the New Testament, namely, from the Apostle and from the Gospel. Thus the Church, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets” explains Christ’s paschal mystery. (90) Consequently wherever this is possible, all the readings should be read in order that the character of the Easter Vigil, which demands the time necessary, be respected at all costs.

**Where, however, pastoral conditions require that the number of readings be reduced, there should be at least three readings from the Old Testament, taken from the Law and the Prophets; and the reading from Exodus chapter 14 with its canticle must never be omitted. **(91)

The (91) footnote refers us to 91) Cf. Roman Missal, The Easter Vigil, n. 21. which says (in the US Sacramentary in use in 1988 - the Canadian Sacramentary says essentially the same thing)

The number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced for pastoral reasons, but it must always be borne in mind that he reading of the word of God is the fundamental element of the Easter Vigil. At least three readings from the Old Testament should be read, although for more serious reasons the number may be reduced to two. The reading of Exodus 14, however, is never to be omitted.

I wonder if this option for “two” exists in the Roman Missal or if it is a North American adaptation? Short of a hurricane bearing down on the parish I cannot fathom a serious reason to limit the OT readings to two. Even with all the readings the Mass is not THAT long – we’re talking about the most important liturgy of the year! Adding 10 minutes for one of the readings + Psalm & Prayer is not going to matter much unless someone is in cardiac arrest.