pointing it out to whom? the priest is the liturgist for the parish and unless you have some excellent reason for knowing beyond doubt that he is in fact abusing the liturgy, it is best to reserve these judgements to him. If you do have reason to complain, consult the lay witness protocol which I believe is referenced in a sticky here.Would it be possible for me to get a copy of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal?
When I see abuses taking place by the laity at Holy Mass on Sunday, I would like to be sure of my ground, before pointing the error of their ways.
Paulineo
I think you need to be realistic about what you can actually accomplish. Depending on the extent and seriousness of the “abuse” you may or may not get much of a response. I’d suggest focusing on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and what God is speaking to you through the liturgies of the word and the Eucharist rather than focusing on issues that will only get you upset but won’t change anything.When I see abuses taking place by the laity at Holy Mass on Sunday, I would like to be sure of my ground, before pointing the error of their ways.
Why are you appointing yourself a liturgical policeman?Would it be possible for me to get a copy of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal?
When I see abuses taking place by the laity at Holy Mass on Sunday, I would like to be sure of my ground, before pointing the error of their ways.
Paulineo
You beat me to it. That was my question!Why are you appointing yourself a liturgical policeman?
He didn’t, he is simply following the instructions that Pope John Paul II set out for the faithful, as we all should.Why are you appointing yourself a liturgical policeman?
-Redemptionis Sacramentum[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.[290] It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.
You don’t go to Mass with the GIRM tucked under your arm to look for abuses. If that is a person’s reason for attending then they should stay away.He didn’t, he is simply following the instructions that Pope John Paul II set out for the faithful, as we all should.
-Redemptionis Sacramentum
Besides, is it not appropirate that all the faithful should develop an interest in the Instructions for the Liturgy that Rome has set out? Under what circumstances should we desire that a person remain ignorant of them?
Correct, should go to Mass expecting the Mass proclaimed in unity with the Church, nothing contrary to the GIRM at all. But if something does occur, it should be taken up with the appropriate authority (as per R.S.)You don’t go to Mass with the GIRM tucked under your arm to look for abuses. If that is a person’s reason for attending then they should stay away.
It is a different matter if you attend Mass for the right reasons and just happen to notice what you think might be an abuse and subsequently take it up."
You have obviously missed the entire point!There are a great deal of liturgical abuses present in almost every parish.
Turning a blind eye is not teh answer.
To the OP - I wish you well in your new role as local liturgical policeman.
To the naysayers, I hope you enjoy your abuse filled masses.
Paul
Be very careful what you wish for. You are opening up a can of worms .Don’t think the priest is unaware of his surrondings .Would it be possible for me to get a copy of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal?
When I see abuses taking place by the laity at Holy Mass on Sunday, I would like to be sure of my ground, before pointing the error of their ways.
Paulineo
Often you see the Priest ignore the ablutions after Holy Commmunion. often the Priests are the cause of abuses.Be very careful what you wish for. You are opening up a can of worms .Don’t think the priest is unaware of his surrondings .
I don’t recall seeing anything in the Sacramentary about ablutions after Communion. Purification of the vessels is there but not ablutions.Often you see the Priest ignore the ablutions after Holy Commmunion. often the Priests are the cause of abuses.
There is such a complete lack of reverence at Holy Mass, but it is probably due to lack of teaching rather than a desire to offend the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, really present, body, blood, soul and divinity in Holy Communion.
I have seen people receiving Holy Communion with gum in their mouths; The Host scooped up from the hand directly into the mouth, rather than reverently being transferred from one 'cradled" palm to the other hand, and so to the mouth;
This in fact seems to be taught in other cultures as the way to avoid handling the Host. The people I’ve seen receive this way put many of us to shame with their reverence and devotion. I don’t for a moment think they are lacking reverence but rather doing what they were taught was the reverent way to do it – and whose to say that in their culture it wasn’t.
We are supposed, when waiting to receive the Sacred Species, to either bow or genuflect, behind the person in front, as a gesture of reverence. Many people do not make any thanksgiving afterwards. In fact, if only the choir would NOT sing during the distribution of Holy Communion, we would have some quiet time for reflection and thanksgiving.
But the Church asks the choir to sing, starting while the priest receives and continuing until everyone has received.
Beautiful, quiet organ music would be most beneficial to thanksgiving.
I have nothing against that except that it’s not what the Church asks for.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem speaks of receiving the Host in the palm and carrying it up (in the palm) to the mouth, rather than picking it up with one hand.The Host scooped up from the hand directly into the mouth, rather than reverently being transferred from one 'cradled" palm to the other hand, and so to the mouth