I think I understand it. I think Tantum ergo is actually asking from the point of a layperson asking what should be done if the priests at the parish that one attends consitently omit the penitential rite and the creed. I don’t know if it’s hypothetical or an actual occurence at Tantum ergo’s parish, as I’ve never seen an abuse to this degree, but judynurse put forth a scenario where her pastor continually makes abuses dealing with the penitential rite. As a priest, what would you suggest that a layperson do if the pastor continually made abuses to this extent, especially if moving to a different parish is logistically out of the question (as is usually the case in rural parishes)?
OK. Now I get it. I took the “you” form to mean that the question was being addressed to me directly. That’s why I just could not understand the meaning.
Even though I understand the question now, I don’t think I can really suggest anything of substance because it the Church’s norms are not very specific on this.
Using the forms of the Mass that replace/omit the Penitential Rite and the Creed (though not always both) are meant to be occasional choices, and are not supposed to be done every Sunday. In fact, I’ll even re-phrase that to read “they must not be done every Sunday.”
Since doing this is a licit option, it’s not a liturgical abuse
per se, but doing it every Sunday is inconsistent with the rubrics.
I can imagine the Penitential Rite being omitted every Sunday in favor of the Sprinkling (not supposed to be done but I can imagine it), but the only way I can imagine skipping the Creed would be if there’s a baptism at every Sunday Mass. Again, not supposed to be done that way.
I would say that one should contact the pastor and express discomfort (I’m searching for an appropriate word) that this is happening every Sunday. The person expressing this is on solid ground because it’s not supposed to be happening every Sunday. If verbally doesn’t work, then send something in writing. If that doesn’t work, appeal to the bishop. I say “appeal” not “complain.”
While the Church says that these should only be done on occasion, and not every Sunday, that’s not quantified. There is no rule that says “Baptisms at Sunday Mass only once a month” or anything like that. However, the particular law for the diocese might have such a clause, “no more than once a month” (or might not).
Having said that though. Realize that I’m answering the question as it was posed “every Sunday.” If it’s happening often, but not every Sunday, it comes down to a matter of opinion. If someone thinks that it’s happening too often, the only thing to do is make that opinion known to the pastor. There is simply is no rule on “how much is too much.”
Sorry I can’t give more definitive answers. The rules just don’t exist.
