| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Profession of Faith | Vincent | Monday, April 6, 2009 |
Question: Dear Mr. Slavek, Thank you for you concern regarding my uneasiness with regard to the Profession of Faith being omitted during Sunday Mass. Mr. Slavek, with all do respect to Fr. Smith, although I accept the importance of the RCIA, I do not believe that it should override the GIRM whose sacred responsibility has been, and always will be, what is, and what is not, mandatory, during the Liturgical celebration during Sunday Mass at any Roman Catholic Church. What I am sending is, or is not, for publication leaving that decision solely to your discretion with regard to its importance and whether or not, your readers will benefit by what it states. Mr. Slavek, I would ask that you open this web-site below: Http://wwws.reia.co.nr/ I think you will find this to be exhilarating. Once there, please scroll down until you see, “A PowerPoint Exploration of The Nicene Creed” Once there, right click and read “slide #4” which references RCIA # 147 at the bottom of the page. Slide #4 states the following: “The Creed is very important in the RCIA process and is a wonderful framework around which the Period of the Catechumenate (Instruction) can be based. During the Period of Purification and Enlightenment (Preparation) the Elect are presented with the Creed during the week after the first Scrutiny, preferably in the presence of the community i.e. in public. After the homily a Deacon or other assisting minister says: ‘Let the elect now come forward to receive the Creed from the Church.’ Before beginning the Creed the Celebrant addresses the Elect with these beautiful words: ‘My dear friends, listen carefully to the words of that faith by which you will be justified. The words are few but the mysteries they contain are great. Receive them with a sincere heart and be faithful to them.’ RCIA 147 Your friend in Christ, Vincent. |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Vincent, Thanks for writing. Normally I wouldn't reply to a post such as this one because this is a Q&A forum and not a debate forum. But because fundamentally I don't think there is much about which we actually disagree I'll allow it, also since I'll be able to continue to answer your original question, which was about documentation. Not to mention I'm also learning about the RCIA rite myself. :) Anyway, I agree with you that the profession of faith should always be said when required, however Rome HAS approved the entire rite of RCIA so the priest DOES have the option of omitting it on the first (n.128, RCIA) and third(n. 146) Sundays of Lent. Let me stress: he has the OPTION. It seems that the preference would be to recite the creed as normal, and it's omission would be for unusual "pastoral reasons" (n.137 and 156) What those reasons could be, I HAVE NO CLUE. You could try asking your pastor. Regarding the information and link you provided: that all refers to the presentation of the creed, which takes place usually on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The recitation of the profession of faith is obviously obligatory on that Sunday and onward. Hope this helps, 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. |
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