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Dear Catholic Exchange:
I read your website daily, and find it very helpful—especially when you include the latest news and directives from the Holy Father. I have some concerns regarding the new liturgical directives issued by the Pope I read about on your site.
The directive stated several things, but I can recall only a few:
1. The procession opening the Mass must include a crucifix, not any stylized artwork of some cross-type shape, but a crucifix, specifically with a corpus.
2. The fractioning rite must be conducted by the priest or deacon. Laypersons may not perform the fractioning of the Eucharistic Host or place the consecrated hosts in plates for distribution, although they may distribute the Body and Blood of Christ as Eucharistic Ministers.
3. Altar Girls are not allowed.
4. Other breads or bread substances may not be used for consecration into the Body of Christ, only the traditional approved unleavened wafer type.
5. The priest may not leave the altar to shake hands or hug people in the pews during the rite of peace.
The above directives are not being followed in my parish. I would like to know how to find the complete text regarding the Pope's directives that appeared on your website.
Also, due to the irreverence I’ve experienced in most of the local parishes in my community, I am considering attending the Tridentine Latin Mass. I am a convert who came to the Catholic Church because of the irreverence I experienced in many of the Protestant denominations as well. I am in love with Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, and I appreciate the Pope being the final authority and the apostolic teaching authority of the Magisterium. I have read papal directives stating that Latin Mass is to be encouraged, however, some people tell me that going to Latin Mass is forbidden and will result in excommunication! Say What!! Dancing girls, priests acting like party boys, and all sorts of irreverence to the Eucharist are OK, but attending Mass where Christ is honored and reverenced in the most holy and sacred way will get me excommunicated? I can't believe it. Could you shed some light on the current status of a Catholic in good standing attending a Tridentine Latin Mass? The Church I am considering attending states they recognize and follow the Pope, do not follow the Lefebvre group and are of the Pius V traditional movement. I am at a crossroads, and I do not want to take the wrong turn for my family or me! Thanks so much, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
God bless,
Kathryn Torrey
Dear Ms. Torrey,
Peace in Christ! The directives to which you refer come from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS), which is a congregation of the Roman Curia. The Curia is made up of the congregations and institutes that assist the Pope in governing, pastoring, and teaching the Church (cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, Pastor Bonus, June 28, 1988, Art. 1). The CDWDS is the part of the Roman Curia that is responsible for matters regarding liturgy and sacraments.
The directives that address most of the issues you listed are available in the current General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), which was promulgated earlier this year. The official edition is currently only in Latin. A lag time must be expected for the preparation of an approved English translation, which means that we must allow for a gradual implementation of the norms.
A number of documents and other material relevant to your concerns can be found on the website of the U.S. bishops. We recommend reading the summary of the new GIRM provided by the Committee on the Liturgy. It is not comprehensive, but touches on several important issues such as the crucifix for the processional cross and the fraction rite being reserved to a priest or deacon.
Also accessible from the link provided is a new U.S. Bishop's document, Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion, which was approved by Rome and is particular law for the dioceses of the United States. This document affirms many already existing universal norms as well.
The adaptations of the GIRM for the United States should also be read. These adaptations have been approved by Rome as well. One point in particular is the issue of the priest leaving the sanctuary at the sign of peace.
You are correct on the matter for the Host to be unleavened bread. This is confirmed in many places such as the GIRM, the Code of Canon Law, and numerous earlier documents. Inaestimabile Donum, which is an instruction on the worship of the Eucharist, issued by the CDWDS on April 3, 1980, also mentions the traditional form of the Host. It is important to note, however, that the requirement for unleavened bread in the Latin rite of the Church is a matter of liceity, not validity. If leavened bread is used, it is, of course, a serious abuse. Assuming that the requirements for valid matter are fulfilled, a leavened host would be valid, though the leavened form would be illicit in the Latin rite.
If sugar and honey are used in the recipe, the issue is serious, as is excessive fragments, and should be referred to the diocesan bishop using our Effective Lay Witness Protocol.
Regarding altar girls, you might be referring to a statement issued by the CDWDS on July 27, 2001. Altar girls are permitted by the Church at the discretion of each diocesan bishop. The CDWDS statement made a clarification regarding the role of the pastor. While the bishop can permit or forbid altar girls in the diocese, the bishop may not impose the use of altar girls on a pastor. If a bishop chooses to allow altar girls, then it is left up to each parish priest whether they will be allowed in his parish. The full text of the document can be found online through many sources. We provide here a link to the web site for Adoremus. See especially the following articles: Altar Servers — More Than “Helpers of the Parish Priest” and The Question of Altar Girls Revisited.
You also asked about attending the Traditional Mass of the Roman Rite or what is often called the Tridentine Mass. Both the Societies of St. Pius V (SSPV) and of St. Pius X (SSPX) are not in communion with Rome. See our Faith Fact, Archbishop Lefebvre and the Society of St. Paul X. Regarding the SSPV, they declare that “anyone who publicly professes the conciliar religion [that is, accepts Vatican II] does not legitimately hold any position of authority in the Catholic Church” (this and other statements are on the SSPV: www.sspv.org). On this standard, John Paul II possesses no authority. The content of this declaration and many other statements on the website make clear that they have no fellowship with Rome. The current Order of Mass is called an “evil ceremony,” the sacraments since Vatican II are called “doubtful or invalid.” While they profess that they have no authority to settle the disputes caused by the “modernists,” they clearly state that they understand the Tradition and Catholic doctrine better than the Council Fathers. However, to maintain this position, the SSPV must either abandon the traditional teaching that an ecumenical council is governed and guided by the Holy Spirit or assert that it was not a council. We know that the Pope has the authority to ratify a council, but by what authority would the SSPV refuse to ratify it. They have no authority either to ratify or refuse, but should submit in humble obedience to the Supreme Authority of the Church. Further, they make no distinctions between abuses and disobedience to the Council from faithful obedience. The SSPV appears to view it all as one seamless garment. They prefer preserving the Tridentine Mass, in itself a worthy objective, to preserving unity with the Successor of Peter. Wounding the unity of the Church out of reverence for Jesus is a contradiction in terms and the unity of the Church and the truth of the Catholic faith is only ultimately preserved in communion with the bishop of Rome.
A Catholic may attend and fulfill his or her Sunday obligation at a Tridentine Mass that is offered by a parish or individual priest in communion with the bishop and, thereby, with the Bishop of Rome. Some religious orders, such as the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, are in communion with Rome and are devoted to the Tridentine Mass. If you are uncertain about whether a particular Tridentine Mass is being legitimately celebrated, call the chancery office of your diocese. The legitimacy of the celebration means that the priest who celebrates is under the authority of the bishop. “Legitimacy” does not refer to how well or beautifully the Mass is celebrated. What is necessary is the preservation of the bonds of ecclesial communion.
Finally, we encourage the use of our Effective Lay Witness Protocol for guidance in addressing issues in your parish or diocese.
I hope this is helpful. If you have further questions or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please call us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). May God bless your day.
United in the Faith,
David E .Utsler
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
