Catholics Prepare for Changes in Communion Ritual

Crosswalk ^ | David Briggs

[Notwithstanding]

CLEVELAND -- Raising their hands at the Lord's Prayer. Losing the handshake and embracing the person in the next seat at the sign of peace. In an extra act of reverence, bowing before receiving the Communion host.

And undoing a lifetime of tradition by not kneeling in prayer after Communion. Instead, in a sign of the communal nature of the sacrament, worshippers will stand and sing until each person has received Communion.

American Catholics are about to experience major changes in the Communion rite as dioceses begin implementing the updated General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

[ninenot]

By this line of reasoning anything from shuffleboard in the main aisle to throwing the money at the foot of the altar at the collection could be justified.

BINGO!!!

You have passed the exam and are NOW the Director of Liturgy for Cleveland--or Albany, Buffalo, Phoenix, LosAngeles--take your pick!!!

[american colleen]

Oh Yikes! Perhaps you should try to find a different local parish? If you have never been to your diocese indult Tridentine, you might want to attend there for a week - it's beautiful, it's the Mass of our ancestors and they never, ever innovate! Homilies are good, too. These days you see a much younger crowd and lots of young families with kids. And the music! The closest to heaven we can get on earth. Wish my "local" indult was more local and my family would be a wee bit more receptive to attending more frequently than we do.

Honest to God, I've felt alienated from most of the Masses I've attended since about 1973 or so (and I was only a freshman in HS at the time).

[Coleus]

By this line of reasoning anything from shuffleboard in the main aisle to throwing the money at the foot of the altar at the collection could be justified. >>>

The church is very liberal and accomodating, what can I say. That's why the play the guitar and dance.

[Desdemona]

Hey, what's wrong with singing? Okay, I agree with you on one hand, but being a classically trained soprano, I confess to liking a little music and wish it was of a better quality than we seem to get these days. People like me are "too good" to sing at Mass and liturgical types make no bones about stating that.

As for the article, what the bishop did in Cleveland is use all the escape clauses and loopholes. The GIRM, for the most part, says exactly the opposite.

[Desdemona]

[Orans is] a completely extraliturgical hippy innovation.

I am assured by extraliturgical hippies that it is an ancient posture. Personally, I think they made it up and want everyone to join them so they don't feel so stupid while they do it.

[Desdemona]

And why must the singers be up on the altar as if performing instead of in the choir loft?

They are song-leading don't you know. And Mass isn't a performance, I'm told. It always seemed like one to me when I sang, but who am I to argue? Just the soloist.

Seriously, what they did when they moved the choirs to the front was take the focus off the Sacrafice and wreck the acoustics.

[TotusTuus]

I am assured by extraliturgical hippies that it is an ancient posture.

Fair enough. But was it an ancient liturgical posture used by the congregation at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

Or am I to believe that that is what is shown on the walls of the catacombs?

[SengirV]

There is nothing wrong with singing. I would love for you to sing ONE spiritual song at each of my masses.

I really don't want to mix the two(mass/funeral) by my wife's grandmother pasted away a couple months back. We had a funeral with a mass. There was a woman there who sang ONE song. She was an amazing singer and it was a beautiful song. She brought EVERYONE to tears. The mass/funeral continued after she was done, and everyone commented on the amazing singing after all was said and done. We were there for a funeral and the ONE song really complimented the funeral. Had she then gotten up and sung 4 more songs mixed throughout the funeral, then that would detracted from the service.

I don't see that example and a mass any differently. All my regular masses now have like 4-5 songs and it takes away from why we are all there.

[Desdemona]

Or am I to believe that that is what is shown on the walls of the catacombs?

Personally, I'd believe what's on the walls of the catacombs. The problem with the extra-litugical hippies is that they never seem to bother with facts or learning about a subject thoroughly before opening their mouths.

[NeoCaveman]

Nice post. Evidently Pilla was peppered with persnickety questions.

There were lots of pissed of Catholics when that article came out

He's still full of it: the "orans" stuff (imitating Christ) is the proper ONLY to the priest, as the priest is the "alter Christi," NOT THE LAITY.

Sad to say but bishop Pilla is very full of it

But by God, they're going to blur that line as best as possible...

They will try there damnedest (pun intentional)

[Bigg Red]

I attended a Mass last year that was held in the auditorium of a DC high school. The Mass was celebrated on the auditorium stage by the cardinal who heads the DC diocese. In front of the stage was the school's enormous gospel choir. While the singers showed themselves to be a very talented group of young people, when the Mass started, I wanted to run from the place. What was supposed to be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass became a raucous concert involving swaying bodies and waving arms with the backdrop of a stooped, little, elderly man mumbling prayers behind a little table on the altar. Adding to the carnival atmosphere was the reaction of many of the congregants who applauded, whooped, and hollered after each rowdy number as if they were cheering on their favorite sports team. I have never seen such an undignified display of disrespect fom the liturgy. I was furious.

[Bigg Red]

I want to get all touchy-feely, I'll join the Methodists.

%%
LOL

[rogator]

"The Mass was celebrated on the auditorium stage by the cardinal who heads the DC diocese."

Isn't this the same guy who has not approved the Indult at the National Basilica? What a total loser.
No way would I give a dime to that diocese.

[EchoLane]

Several years ago, I was genuflecting, and got in trouble.

We are getting a new Bishop in the Diocese of Charlotte, NC; he is a holy man and obedient. I have high hopes for our area!

This is my first post to Free Republic! Great forums any many good topics.

[Bigg Red]

Thanks for the info.

(I'd hug you, BTW, just not in church. :')

[VermiciousKnid]

Welcome to FreeRepublic, Echo.

Regards,

[Notwithstanding]

With your new bishop: Be kind and loving - but firm in letting him know you expect him to follow AND ENFORCE magisterial doctrine as well as Church law.

Welcome to FR.

[Deo volente]

"I refuse to start hugging people."



Just in case you go to Mass in Cleveland, and somebody tries to hug you at the Sign of Peace, introduce him to your friend "Lowell". In case Lowell's not available, just clobber the guy (peacefully, of course).


Orangutan corners zoo worker to get a hug

By Associated Press, 8/27/2003
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Sometimes even an orangutan needs a hug.
Seneca Park Zoo volunteer Paul Lewis was cleaning out a monkey habitat when he heard something move behind him Tuesday. He turned his head and saw Lowell, a 300-pound orangutan who had escaped from an adjoining cage.
Lewis, 56, an animal lover who took the part-time job three months ago because he always wanted to work at a zoo, says he wasn't afraid.
Lewis tried to slip out through a gate but the orangutan followed him and stopped him from closing it. Then Lowell wrapped his arms around Lewis' legs and held on calmly -- for nearly five minutes.


http://www.boston.com/news/daily/27/odds_orangutan.htm

[Salvation]

But these are not the changes requested by the new GIRM. Cleveland, once again, is doing its own thing here!

[al_c]

Sounds like Cleveland is going off on their own on this. Yeah, there are guidelines that are forthcoming, but I've heard nothing in our parish about the hugging garbage and the standing after communion. I will not stand after receiving the host, I will kneel in adoration of my savior and send praises to His name in thanksgiving of His suffering for my sake.