Would You Attend This Mass?

[FrStevenJones]

Right now I am Parochial Vicar in my parish. Probably in a year I will be a pastor and able to make some significant liturgical choices . I would like to offer an OF liturgy that uses legitimate options that are not often used. I am interested if you would be would desire to attending this type of iturgy, and why/why not

1. No hymns: instead we chant the entrace antiphon and communion antiphon. Silence during the offertory.
2. Ad Orientem for Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy of the Word facing the people, of course
3. Use of communion rail (if available) to receive kneeling, on the tongue. Otherwise kneeler for those who wish to use it when receiving
4. Chanted Latin Ordinaries (Gloria, Creed, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), other prayers in vernacular
5. No communion hymn, just chant communion antiphon+ but post-communion reflection sung by choir or cantor
6. Lots of silence (offertory, communion) rather than filling those times with hymns
7. Oh and a really awesome homiily 10-15 minutes with lots of energy and hopefully inspiring

What do you think?

 

[jwinch2]

Right now I am Parochial Vicar in my parish. Probably in a year I will be a pastor and able to make some significant liturgical choices . I would like to offer an OF liturgy that uses legitimate options that are not often used. I am interested if you would be would desire to attending this type of iturgy, and why/why not

1. No hymns: instead we chant the entrace antiphon and communion antiphon. Silence during the offertory.
2. Ad Orientem for Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy of the Word facing the people, of course
3. Use of communion rail (if available) to receive kneeling, on the tongue. Otherwise kneeler for those who wish to use it when receiving
4. Chanted Latin Ordinaries (Gloria, Creed, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), other prayers in vernacular
5. No communion hymn, just chant communion antiphon+ but post-communion reflection sung by choir or cantor
6. Lots of silence (offertory, communion) rather than filling those times with hymns
7. Oh and a really awesome homiily 10-15 minutes with lots of energy and hopefully inspiring

What do you think?

Absolutely, 100%, without question. In fact, I would drive some distance for Mass as you have described it.

God bless you for your efforts, and may He help you to persevere in your vocation.

 

[Phemie]

Sounds OK, other than the post-Communion hymn, which is supposed to be sung by all. In fact, it’s the only time, other than the Ordinary of the Mass, when the GIRM does not give the option for the choir or cantor to sing alone.

Not sure why you would not have anything at the Offertory, but I could live with it.

 

[FrStevenJones]

Sounds OK, other than the post-Communion hymn, which is supposed to be sung by all. In fact, it’s the only time the GIRM does not give the option for the choir or cantor to sing alone.

Not sure why you would not have anything at the Offertory, but I could live with it.

Just ok? Not something of interest?

Ok fine, congregation could sing at communion if GIRM requites it!.

I’m looking for time for silence at offertory

 

[FrStevenJones]

Sounds OK, other than the post-Communion hymn, which is supposed to be sung by all. In fact, it’s the only time the GIRM does not give the option for the choir or cantor to sing alone.

Not sure why you would not have anything at the Offertory, but I could live with it.

I’m looking for time for silence at offertory.

 

[FrStevenJones]

Oh and a couple more things I’m considering: no offertory procession (optional in GIRM, but encouraged), no handshaking at sign of peace, and prayers of the faithful (optional in GIRM but highly encouraged) would be ommitted when Mass might run long, for example if there was a speaker at end of Mass or long announcements that day, etc.

 

[Neofight]

It would make no difference to me. Any authorized version of the mass is acceptable. In fact anyone promoting one over the other might be bringing scandal upon the church.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Right now I am Parochial Vicar in my parish. Probably in a year I will be a pastor and able to make some significant liturgical choices . I would like to offer an OF liturgy that uses legitimate options that are not often used. I am interested if you would be would desire to attending this type of iturgy, and why/why not

1. No hymns: instead we chant the entrace antiphon and communion antiphon. Silence during the offertory.
2. Ad Orientem for Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy of the Word facing the people, of course
3. Use of communion rail (if available) to receive kneeling, on the tongue. Otherwise kneeler for those who wish to use it when receiving
4. Chanted Latin Ordinaries (Gloria, Creed, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), other prayers in vernacular
5. No communion hymn, just chant communion antiphon+ but post-communion reflection sung by choir or cantor
6. Lots of silence (offertory, communion) rather than filling those times with hymns
7. Oh and a really awesome homiily 10-15 minutes with lots of energy and hopefully inspiring

What do you think?

OUTSTANDING! I would welcome such a Mass - but then, although I am not a Latin Mass fanatic, I am just a pre-VII old Codger who misses much of the solemnity that seems to be lost in the OF Mass.

 

[Evania]

It would make no difference to me. Any authorized version of the mass is acceptable. In fact anyone promoting one over the other might be bringing scandal upon the church.

I second this. Any authorized version is acceptable to me as well.

 

[padrepio_2012]

I love it! A novus ordo mass celebrated correctly! Thank you!

 

[jwinch2]

It would make no difference to me. Any authorized version of the mass is acceptable. In fact anyone promoting one over the other might be bringing scandal upon the church.

While some things are allowed in more than one way, the Church does have stated preferences in many areas. Acknowledging this and promoting what the Church herself prefers can hardly cause scandal.

 

[KellyPalmer]

I second this. Any authorized version is acceptable to me as well.

I third this.

Although I definitely would not go out of my way to go to a Mass that had lots of silence due to the fact that I have three young sons and the silence is hard for them and thus hard for me. …and thus hard for those around us. It would be hard for me to imagine a Church full of life (children) with so much silence. I wouldn’t leave my Parish if they instituted these things but just wouldn’t drive out of my way.

 

[FrStevenJones]

It would make no difference to me. Any authorized version of the mass is acceptable. In fact anyone promoting one over the other might be bringing scandal upon the church.

I’m not sure what you mean “promoting one over the other” and how that might cause scandle? Could you elaborate?

 

[MaeganFlinchum1]

I love it!

 

[Neofight]

While some things are allowed in more than one way, the Church does have stated preferences in many areas. Acknowledging this and promoting what the Church herself prefers can hardly cause scandal.

Actually, I said it could, not that it definitively would cause scandal.

More importantly, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, nor any other language of the present or the past is the language of God or His holy Church.

Love is the language of the almighty, and members of the body of Christ should endeavor to make it their language as well!

 

[FrStevenJones]

I third this.

Although I definitely would not go out of my way to go to a Mass that had lots of silence due to the fact that I have three young sons and the silence is hard for them and thus hard for me. …and thus hard for those around us. It would be hard for me to imagine a Church full of life (children) with so much silence. I wouldn’t leave my Parish if they instituted these things but just wouldn’t drive out of my way.

Good to know. I hadn’t considered how children might react to silence.

 

[jwinch2]

Good to know. I hadn’t considered how children might react to silence.

Father,

You are correct in your assessment of the need for sacred silence at Mass. Many, including Pope Benedict have spoken about the need for silence in the liturgy.

As for kids, both they and parents managed to make it for over a thousand years with huge amounts of silence in the Mass. I imagine if parents provide the proper catechesis, they can manage three minutes. Regardless, just because there is no hymn, does not mean it is completely quiet. There are prayers which I believe you have some discretion regarding how loud you say them. In addition, they will see your actions as well as those of the deacon and altar servers, etc. during that time. Its not like they will be sitting in a dark room with nothing happening. Should parents choose to, they can get a missal and teach the kids to follow along with your prayers, etc. during that time. Who knows, understanding what the priest is doing might even foster understanding of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and perhaps even a vocation or two. Also, you do have the option of chanting the proper antiphon during this time as well should you decide that is the most prudent choice.

I think the steps you are taking are important ones, but I imagine you will get significant push back from some of the older parishioners, as well as the choirs, etc. Several parishes in our diocese have tried similar things and all have experienced push back. The ones which have successfully implemented them have seen big time growth and large amount of vocations. One is even building a school while other parishes in the diocese are closing theirs.

 

[Domnall]

I’d be willing to wager that because of the crazy amount of simulus my generation and younger (I’m 21) has been exposed to, they’re very rowdy during silence because it isn’t part of their lives. I think that silence during Mass could be a teaching moment to show that silence is an essential part of life, especially during important times like the Mass.

Also, Father, I would be very willing to attend a Mass such as the one described. It sounds lovely!

 

[Neofight]

I’m not sure what you mean “promoting one over the other” and how that might cause scandle? Could you elaborate?

Certainly. Although I did not mean to say I thought it was your intent to promote one over the other, there are many who are such ardant proponents of one form over the other that in their passion for what they prefer, they make other authorized Masses out to be illicit by implication.

That would surely bring scandal, and that was all I was saying we should be cautious of.

 

[ProVobis]

Right now I am Parochial Vicar in my parish. Probably in a year I will be a pastor and able to make some significant liturgical choices . I would like to offer an OF liturgy that uses legitimate options that are not often used. I am interested if you would be would desire to attending this type of iturgy, and why/why not

1. No hymns: instead we chant the entrace antiphon and communion antiphon. Silence during the offertory.
2. Ad Orientem for Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy of the Word facing the people, of course
3. Use of communion rail (if available) to receive kneeling, on the tongue. Otherwise kneeler for those who wish to use it when receiving
4. Chanted Latin Ordinaries (Gloria, Creed, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), other prayers in vernacular
5. No communion hymn, just chant communion antiphon+ but post-communion reflection sung by choir or cantor
6. Lots of silence (offertory, communion) rather than filling those times with hymns
7. Oh and a really awesome homiily 10-15 minutes with lots of energy and hopefully inspiring

What do you think?

Sounds good. So long as the vernacular isn’t some barbaric language.