Replies

Has it been that long since you have been into a RC church? Again, following the tenets of the GIRM, here are the answers to your absurdly ridiculous questions:

1. What have the Novus Ordo liturgists got against kneeling? It is a posture indicating adoration. Why do they have an interest in eliminating it? Can it be they don't believe in the Real Presence?

At its meeting in November, 1969, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops voted that in general, the directives of the «Roman Missal» concerning the posture of the congregation at Mass should be left unchanged, but that no. 21 of the «General Instruction» should be adapted so that the people kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic prayer, that is, before the Lord's Prayer. They should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by the lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.

2. What have the Novus Ordo liturgists got against communion on the tongue? It is far more reverent than touching the sacred species with unconsecrated hands. Can it be they don't believe in the Real Presence?

On June 17, 1977, the Congregation of Sacraments and Divine Worship approved the request of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops to permit the optional practice of Communion in the hand. The Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, in its catechesis about this optional practice, drew attention to these considerations:

a. Proper catechesis must be provided to assure the proper and reverent reception of Communion without any suggestion of wavering on the part of the Church in its faith in the Eucharistic presence.

b. The practice must remain the option of the communicant. The priest or minister of Communion does not make the decision as to the manner of reception of Communion. It is the communicant's personal choice.

3. What have the Novus Ordo liturgists got against communion rails? The rails allowed the faithful to kneel easily while receiving communion--a posture of reverence and adoration. Can it be they don't believe in the Real Presence?

Due to the increase in numbers of catholics AND reception of communion under both species, standing is more expedient. A proper gesture of reverence is expected, such as making the sign of the cross after placing the host in ones mouth. Since communicants are not kneeling, there is no need for a communion rail. I have been to catholic churches where the communion rails remain intact. Removal is optional.

4. What have the Novus Ordo liturgists got against tabernacles being given pride of place at the center of churches?

The Vatican II document which addresses this issue is "Sacrosanctum Concilium" (The Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy). Issued December 4th 1963, it emphasizes the nobility of the tabernacle in determining its place in a church.

7. An issue closely linked to that of the altar is the tabernacle. We can hardly give here prescriptions of a general and uniform character. An attentive study needs to be made in each case, with due attention to the material and spiritual circumstances proper to each place.

Artists will little by little suggest the best solution. But it is the business of priests to advise them and call attention to the principles that must safeguard the respect and honor due to the Eucharist. It is important to contribute to the development of Eucharistic worship, which should continue under all those genuine forms recognized by the Church as embodying true Christian piety.

Particularly in larger churches, a chapel specially set aside for the reservation and adoration of the Eucharist is advisable and might well be used for the Eucharistic celebration during the week, when there are fewer of the faithful participating.

Whatever the solution chosen .... the greatest care should be devoted to the dignity of the tabernacle. If the local Ordinary agrees to its location away from the altar, the place should be truly worthy and prominent, so that the tabernacle is readily visible and is not hidden by the priest during the celebration of the Mass. In a word, the location should make it possible for the tabernacle to serve unmistakably as a sign and to give a sense of the savior's presence in the midst of his people. (my emphasis) [Letter of Cardinal Lecaro to the Bishops, 30 June 1965, Concilium for Implementing the Decree on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council)

In 1969, revised in 1975, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) said the following:

276. It is highly recommended that the Holy Eucharist be reserved in a chapel suitable for private adoration and prayer. If this is impossible because of the structure of the church or local custom, it should be kept on an altar or some other place in the church that is prominent and properly decorated.

277. The Eucharist is to be kept in a solid, unbreakable tabernacle, and ordinarily there should be only one tabernacle in a church. <> The Code of Canon Law codified these developments in 1983.

Canon 938

º1. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved regularly in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.

º2. The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

º3. The tabernacle in which the Eucharist is regularly reserved is to be immovable, made of solid and opaque material, and locked so that the danger of profanation may be entirely avoided.

º4. For a grave cause, it is licit to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist in another safer and becoming place especially during the night.

º5. The person who has charge of the church or oratory is to see to it that the key of the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is safeguarded most diligently.

Finally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

1183 The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honor." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

5. What have the Novus Ordo liturgists got against ringing bells before the Consecration at Mass.

I've attended several masses where bells were rung; perhaps it's optional.

Now, please stop belly aching and apologize to the posters on this thread for your insensitive comments against the liturgy faithfully followed by them. You have yet to raise a valid complaint.

If anyone is a modernist, it is those who pick and choose from Councils and papal decrees what they like and don't like. That is a quintessentially liberal and modernist attitude.

I'm out of here for a while. See you later. ;)

Do you really expect me to take your responses seriously. Let's look at them one by one.

1. How does one kneel without kneelers? They are being removed faster than I can type this. The bishops have just come out against all kneeling only about a week ago.

2. On communion on the tongue--have you noticed how what begins as being optional winds up being mandatory? Altars facing the people were once optional; so was Mass in the vernacular. Both became mandatory. Communion on the tongue is likewise a fast-disappearing phenomenon.

3. Communion rails were ripped out because of the numbers of communicants? How funny can you get? Back in the 1950s 80% of all Catholics went to weekly Mass. Yet they had no problem distributing communion to kneeling communicants back then.

4. We all know the RATIONALIZATION for shunting aside of the tabernacles. Funny how few Novus Ordo parishes opt for centrality. You may quote a thousand documents on this--it is still a deeply irreverant and insulting practice and it is almost universal now in the concilar Church.

5. You have altar bells rung during the Consecration at your church? --Lucky you! It's practically eliminated everywhere else.

You, like others, avoid the issues I raise by lame excuses. The truth is little reverence is being shown to the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity whom you say you believe is present in the Blessed Sacrament. The Novus Ordo gives lip-service only to a fundamental Catholic dogma, but it will not otherwise acknowledge Christ's Presence in any concrete way.

At its meeting in November, 1969, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops voted that in general, the directives of the «Roman Missal» concerning the posture of the congregation at Mass should be left unchanged, but that no. 21 of the «General Instruction» should be adapted so that the people kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic prayer, that is, before the Lord's Prayer. They should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by the lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.

Our priest brought this to everyone's attention this last summer and we all remain kneeling until the Amen is finished and the elevated host and chalice are lowered. Some people left, but believe me, the Mass is a lot more reverent. God bless his courage!

Canon 938
º1. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved regularly in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.
º2. The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.
º3. The tabernacle in which the Eucharist is regularly reserved is to be immovable, made of solid and opaque material, and locked so that the danger of profanation may be entirely avoided.
º4. For a grave cause, it is licit to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist in another safer and becoming place especially during the night.
º5. The person who has charge of the church or oratory is to see to it that the key of the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is safeguarded most diligently.

1183 The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honor." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

The tabernacle at my church is next to the main altar and lit with and every-burning red candle.

I would like to know what is happening in other parishes............anyone want to let us know????