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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Is this an issue of pride?	Marija	Saturday, July 5, 2008
Question: Hi Brother Ignatius, Okay, here goes. The priest at my church for a long time has been meddling with the words of the Mass and the rite of Confession. I can give you examples, such as, instead of saying "Happy are those who are called to this supper", he says "happy are those who are called to this Eucharist". There are other examples. But at the moment, I cannot think of them. He also did not follow the correct Reconciliation rite either. He didn't ask for the Act of Contrition. He always seems to be in a major hurry. My problem is that the other priest at my church is amazing. I have no problems with him at all. However, I never know which priest is celebrating Mass or is in the confessional. What do I do? Thank you.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Marija: Sorry for the delay in answering. I had a computer crash and am only now back online. I understand the problem. I have experienced this myself. When the priest does not ask for an Act of Contrition, then when you leave the confessional to do your penance, before doing your penance, say an Act of Contrition. There are lot of priest who omit this. I have no idea why. As for the Mass as long as they are not messing with the words of consecration the Mass is valid. A priest changing the words is illegal, but the Mass is still valid as long as the words of the consecration are said properly. We cannot judge a priest on the face of his altering words like this. It may be that he is having trouble reading the Sacramentary, or has a lapse in memory. We need to give the benefit of doubt. That you can do is to ask the priest about it. See what he says. If the Priest says anything about that it doesn't matter, or gives some other excuse to justify his actions then you can go and talk to the pastor, or if this is the pastor, go to the Bishop with your concerns. In any event, do not let this ruin your peace in Christ. As long as the Mass is valid, Jesus is there. Rejoice in that. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Is this an issue of pride?

Marija

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Question:

Hi Brother Ignatius,

Okay, here goes. The priest at my church for a long time has been meddling with the words of the Mass and the rite of Confession. I can give you examples, such as, instead of saying "Happy are those who are called to this supper", he says "happy are those who are called to this Eucharist". There are other examples. But at the moment, I cannot think of them. He also did not follow the correct Reconciliation rite either. He didn't ask for the Act of Contrition. He always seems to be in a major hurry. My problem is that the other priest at my church is amazing. I have no problems with him at all. However, I never know which priest is celebrating Mass or is in the confessional. What do I do?

Thank you.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Marija:

Sorry for the delay in answering. I had a computer crash and am only now back online.

I understand the problem. I have experienced this myself. When the priest does not ask for an Act of Contrition, then when you leave the confessional to do your penance, before doing your penance, say an Act of Contrition. There are lot of priest who omit this. I have no idea why.

As for the Mass as long as they are not messing with the words of consecration the Mass is valid. A priest changing the words is illegal, but the Mass is still valid as long as the words of the consecration are said properly.

We cannot judge a priest on the face of his altering words like this. It may be that he is having trouble reading the Sacramentary, or has a lapse in memory. We need to give the benefit of doubt.

That you can do is to ask the priest about it. See what he says. If the Priest says anything about that it doesn't matter, or gives some other excuse to justify his actions then you can go and talk to the pastor, or if this is the pastor, go to the Bishop with your concerns.

In any event, do not let this ruin your peace in Christ. As long as the Mass is valid, Jesus is there. Rejoice in that.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum