ASK FATHER: The priest changes many things during Mass

From a reader…

QUAERTUR:

In my parish, the priest is a bit of a progressive type (he recommended Fishwrap as a good Catholic website). Anyway, just wondering whether it’s OK that he never says the Nicene Creed (it’s always the Apostle’s Creed), whether getting the congregation to say the Eucharistic Prayer while standing is acceptable, whether he can omit the Mystery of Faith and finally, whether he can omit one of the readings on Sunday as if it were a daily mass for the purpose of shortening the mass at the suggestion of some of the parishioners. I might also add that he doesn’t use the new translation of the mass. He started removing a reading as of this Sunday, 19th Oct. 2014. The rest he’s always done since he came to my parish over 9 years ago. I’ve only recently started learning my faith and following your most excellent blog, and I’ve not got many people to ask. Thanks.

The Apostles Creed is a legitimate option in the Novus Ordo. The Missal says that it may be substituted “especially during Lent and Easter Time.”   However, substitution with the Apostles Creed is not the norm.  It can be done occasionally and for a good reason.

The Athanasian Creed, as wonderful as it is, is not an acceptable substitute at Mass.

The 1953 Jane Froman song is not permitted, even if it’s projected on the back screen and sung by Tom Jones

“Getting the congregation to say the Eucharistic Prayer…”? If he’s trying to do that, he’s flat out wrong. That’s not good at all. The Eucharistic Prayer is reserved to the priest.  

He may not omit the Mystery of Faith. But, come to think of it, if he truly is messing around this much with the liturgy, one might begin to question if the Mystery of the Faith is truly being made present to the congregation.

He may not chose to use the former, flawed translation of the Mass. That’s over and done with now. Using the obsolete translation is not permitted.

The posture of the people – standing, kneeling, sitting – is not up to him to determine. These postures are determined by universal law, sometimes modified by provisions made by the local bishops’ conferences.

You might be better off learning about the faith somewhere else, at some parish where the Church’s liturgical rites are actually observed and where the priest understands his role as servant of the liturgy.

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The post ASK FATHER: The priest changes many things during Mass appeared first on Fr. Z's Blog.

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