Posted on 11/28/2005 5:04:19 PM PST by Frank Sheed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LITURGICAL BEAUTY PING!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ping, friends of good liturgical practices!
Follow up comments hy Fr. Fox:
Several thoughts…
Fr Philip: I always sing those prayers for Sunday Mass, figuring that can only make them better. Also, I find some of the alternate prayers better, so I use them.
Anonymoose: If you look at the structure of all the Eucharistic Prayers, what is happening is that the priest is repeating, to the Father, what the Son said at the Last Supper. It does seem a little awkward, unless you keep in mind the whole prayer, from the beginning, which includes the preface. Then, after the Sanctus, each one clearly begins with focus on the Father. I would say that the prayer is offered TO the Father, but not unmindful of those present for whom and, in a sense, with whom (no, I’m not saying the people concelebrate; but they do participate in the Sacrifice), it is offered. Hence, the priest does show the Body and Blood to the people.
For my part, my approach is to gaze upward in the prayer, except when bowing as called for, or to look at the elements when referring to them, and later, at the Victim on the altar. Of course, I have to look down to recall the words, although I am getting better about that (I’ll have to start all over with the new translation!).
I have, in the past, glanced out on the assembly when referring to them — EP I, III and IV specifically mention the people present. What do folks here think of that?
Zadok: if by “moving the host around,” you mean what I call the “pivot,” I can only say I’ve seen our late, beloved holy father, Pope John Paul, do that, and the retired priest who assists here does it, although I don’t.
I also don’t lift the cup and host over my head; I lift them to eye-level, such that they are between my face and the people. I guess I’d lift them over my head if I was celebrating ad orientam, but my reticence is this: I think the strongest gesture is reserved for the Per Ipsum, which seems to function as a summary and exclamation point for the entire Eucharistic Prayer. But that’s not something I am entitled to be dogmatic about.
Something someone said above prompts an idea: even if one is offering Mass facing the people, is there anything wrong with the priest, when offering prayers for the people, turning subtly toward either the altar or the tabernacle? (Our tabernacle is in the apse, and I gesture toward it contantly in my homilies when I talk about Jesus or God being present.)
I would make another suggestion: lower your voice for the Eucharistic Prayer. I do not mean say it silently, as was done in the old Mass, but to say it in a regular speaking tone rather than with a raised voice directed toward the congregation. I will point out that the Holy Father has an entire chapter in his latest book on the liturgy defending that the Eucharistic Prayer does not have to be said aloud.
Duplicate thread! The search engine is our friend!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1529990/posts
Frank
A young new pastor near us in New Jersey came up with a brilliant idea when he came to his new assignment. Faced with an already established precedent of altar girls, he gave them all new habits and made them a parish society called "The Adorers of the Precious Blood." They don't actually serve at the altar anymore, but they are prominent in liturgical celebrations.
They all look like young little nuns--absolutely beautiful site, and meant to encourage vocations. :)
Don't know how I missed this, ping! Absolutely wonderful and timely article.
Great article, thank you.
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It certainly is. Thanks so much for the ping.
I often wonder how you are able to keep track of all the Pings you get! You must be extremely organized! ;-o)
Just a thought but Freeper tax-chick is due any day now so an "Ave" for her new baby and a safe delivery seems in order, don'tcha think?
F
Ave and Salaam to the entire family!
WONDERFUL idea! Is this something that can be exported from NJ? I've never heard of it before. Girls need encouragement for religious vocations, and they're sure not getting it now.
However, I just got back from Spain, where contemplative vocations are booming and even teaching orders that have gone back to serious Catholic teaching are suddenly having young faces bursting out all over, so I think there's definitely a market!
All of his comments are right on target! I particularly liked the part about eliminating the "personality" of the celebrant. I don't care what Fr. Doofus watched on TV last night. Nor do I care about whether he has had his teeth laser whitened or what brand of hair gel he uses.
I'm a pre-VatII Catholic (I was a teenager when the whole thing happened, and saw the absolute collapse of the Church in the US when I was in my 20's) and it is so wonderful to see younger people, particularly priests, urging these changes and, essentially, returns to traditional practice.
Joining you in prayers for Tax-chick and her newest!
You're all too kind! I just saw my Ob., Dr. Something-Polish, this morning, and he said it doesn't look like I'll deliver this week (before next Friday). Of course, one can be surprised, but my intuition says the same thing.
Baby Whosis is looking fine, NOT in a posterior breech position like my #6 was, and we're all looking forward to the arrival around the 24th (although it could be later ...).
Prayers back for all you terrific FReepers!
I would wish you a delay until March 14 but that might be more than you and 'whosis' can tolerate :-). You're all in my prayers. God bless you, tax-chick! Truly! May you be richly blessed and rewarded for your faithfulness in delivering these souls into our world and may they, in their turn, reward you with their devotion to our Lord, His blessed Mother and our Catholic Church. May you be blessed with sainthood! (Lord knows, you have certainly earned it in these miserable times :-).
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