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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Profession of Faith Patricia Monday, September 15, 2008

Question:

The priest at our parish has, on three separate previous occasions omitted the Profession of faith for no apparent reason. Today, on this Sunday celebrating the Exaltation of the Cross, he has once again eliminated the saying of Creed.

It has been my understanding that on every Sunday and on every Holy Day of Obligation “The Profession of Faith” must be recited by the congregation.

If there are any exceptions that allow the Celebrant to eliminate the Creed could you please make me aware
of them, and, if there are no reasons, please give me the information so that I may present it to our priest
in a manner which will not offend him.

Thank you,

Patricia
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Patricia,

No, there are no exceptions that allow the creed to be omitted.  (note: it can be REPLACED with the Apostle's Creed for Masses with Children)

From the GIRM:

68. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities.

There is nothing in the Liturgy that is "optional" or may be omitted unless it is explicitly stated somewhere in an official liturgical document.  This of course applies to the recitation of the Creed.

As for gently reminding your priest:  I would use text from Vatican II, from "Sacrosanctum Concilium"  (the document that ordered the revision of the Liturgy..  all liturgists should read it) which states that NO ONE including priests may add, remove or change the Liturgy on their own authority.  (n.22)

Finally, I understand that we need to be charitable when it becomes necessary to correct our priests, but personally I find it offensive to leave the Creed omitted.  What a way to honor the saints and martyrs who have died rather than give up that same creed.  It's a great privilege to be able to recite it publicly, and all Catholics should take it very seriously.

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.