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LITURGICAL INNOVATIONS Flavio H. Spora Friday, October 21, 2005

Question:

Is it liturgically and ecumenically correct (and prbably theologically correct) to "mingle" non-Cathooic Christiand "liturgy" with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by a validly ordained Catholic priest: For example the practice of having the Protestant minister and his Congregration conduct the "Litrugy of the Word" and then the Catholic priest continues the Eucharist as usual according to the Roman Rite (Offertory to the Holy Communion) ? And if this happens has a valid Sacrifice of the mass occurred
In the same area is it permissible to act out the Sunday Gospel by Groups of young people using a kind of Drama like setting with different young people playing different parts!
Next is it permissable to change the Good Friday Celebration and introduce new prayers and actions different from that prescribed in the "official" Roman Liturgy?
Finally is it permissable for a priest to "
leave" out the Offertory Prayers and go direct to the Washing of the Hands! Isn the Offertory necessary for Validity?

THank you and God and Ouir lady bless your indispensable ministry!!!
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Flavio,

It is not "correct" to mingle the Holy Mass with anything.  Ecumenical efforts are of course very good, and many parishes have done many things in terms of joint prayer services, however the sacred Liturgy itself should not be touched.  Protestants are welcome to attend mass in catholic churches, but there never should be a "half Catholic half Protestant" service that involves the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

If this were to happen, it would be a valid Mass meaning that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, if of course the minister is a validly ordained priest, the formula of consecration is used and bread and wine is used etc.

Any sort of drama or acting out the Gospel needs to done outside of the context of holy Mass.

The Good Friday service, as is all other Liturgy, is not open to personal innovation.

The priest may NOT leave the offertory prayers.  If he were to leave them out, the Mass would still be valid, but illicitly celebrated.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.