Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
After the Eucharistic Prayer	Ryan	Monday, November 14, 2011
Question: Hi there. I notice something peculiar and interesting in my area. I guess the first thing to say is that when I go to Spanish masses (at a specifically Spanish shrine which pretty much only has masses in Spanish although they speak English too in confession sometimes), it's like entering a whole different world. All of a sudden everything tends to be strictly orthodox in several regards. I am half Cuban myself, so I understand the intricacies of Hispanic culture - but in context to the Liturgy, what I'm talking about is the approach to the Eucharist and whether it is allowed. I am discerning the priesthood so I am wondering if I would be able to do something like this if and when that day comes. Every mass the priest always says just before descending to hand out communion: "Jesus Christ is present right now. This is no longer bread and wine, but His body and blood come down from heaven. Remember there are two conditions for receiving communion. First, you have to go to confession with the priest so that your soul can be clean to receive Our Lord. If you don't believe in confession, sorry, but you cannot receive communion until you do. If you are married, but not in the Church, speak to a priest but do not receive until you have been married in the Church. Second, you must have fasted for one hour prior. All who can properly receive Our Lord, please approach the altar." I understand no priest can add anything to the rubrics of the Mass on his own accord, but does this even count as really "adding" anything, or just saying a quick reminder before handing out communion? Personally, I admire these priests tremendously for emphasizing orthodoxy and recognition of the Real Presence. I think it's great. I often wonder why it is that I never see this happen in American-said Masses (at least not in my lifetime, and not yet).
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek Dear Ryan, I really felt encouraged when you mentioned a possible call to the priesthood, please if you feel at all called then I encourage you to further discern your vocation in a seminary. Regarding the priest's comments... well remember that the priest is given a small amount of liberty in instructing the faithful in how to behave at Mass, and from what you've told me, if in the priest's own judgment the "reminders" are necessary, then everything he has said is a GOOD thing. Technically I wouldn't consider the comments "liturgical" since they are not the prayer of the universal Church but rather instruction to this one particular group. Therefore, it should not be considered "adding to the Liturgy of his own accord". Secondly, I would not consider it an abuse because the priest is not saying "We are going to do it this way, because MY way is better than the Church's way" which is what the intention usually is when an abuse occurs. Your priest CLEARLY is following the intention of the Church in this matter. Finally, I along with you also respect these priests, sounds to me that if you're discerning a vocation then you should be close with them, not only because they will encourage you to follow your vocation with the seminary, but they would also have the courage to admit to you if they feel you are NOT called to the priesthood, if that would happen to be the case. I would trust their judgment along with your spiritual director and seminary staff. :-) 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.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

After the Eucharistic Prayer

Ryan

Monday, November 14, 2011

Question:

Hi there. I notice something peculiar and interesting in my area. I guess the first thing to say is that when I go to Spanish masses (at a specifically Spanish shrine which pretty much only has masses in Spanish although they speak English too in confession sometimes), it's like entering a whole different world.

All of a sudden everything tends to be strictly orthodox in several regards. I am half Cuban myself, so I understand the intricacies of Hispanic culture - but in context to the Liturgy, what I'm talking about is the approach to the Eucharist and whether it is allowed. I am discerning the priesthood so I am wondering if I would be able to do something like this if and when that day comes.

Every mass the priest always says just before descending to hand out communion:

"Jesus Christ is present right now. This is no longer bread and wine, but His body and blood come down from heaven. Remember there are two conditions for receiving communion. First, you have to go to confession with the priest so that your soul can be clean to receive Our Lord. If you don't believe in confession, sorry, but you cannot receive communion until you do. If you are married, but not in the Church, speak to a priest but do not receive until you have been married in the Church. Second, you must have fasted for one hour prior. All who can properly receive Our Lord, please approach the altar."

I understand no priest can add anything to the rubrics of the Mass on his own accord, but does this even count as really "adding" anything, or just saying a quick reminder before handing out communion?

Personally, I admire these priests tremendously for emphasizing orthodoxy and recognition of the Real Presence. I think it's great. I often wonder why it is that I never see this happen in American-said Masses (at least not in my lifetime, and not yet).

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Ryan,

I really felt encouraged when you mentioned a possible call to the priesthood, please if you feel at all called then I encourage you to further discern your vocation in a seminary.

Regarding the priest's comments... well remember that the priest is given a small amount of liberty in instructing the faithful in how to behave at Mass, and from what you've told me, if in the priest's own judgment the "reminders" are necessary, then everything he has said is a GOOD thing.

Technically I wouldn't consider the comments "liturgical" since they are not the prayer of the universal Church but rather instruction to this one particular group. Therefore, it should not be considered "adding to the Liturgy of his own accord".

Secondly, I would not consider it an abuse because the priest is not saying "We are going to do it this way, because MY way is better than the Church's way" which is what the intention usually is when an abuse occurs. Your priest CLEARLY is following the intention of the Church in this matter.

Finally, I along with you also respect these priests, sounds to me that if you're discerning a vocation then you should be close with them, not only because they will encourage you to follow your vocation with the seminary, but they would also have the courage to admit to you if they feel you are NOT called to the priesthood, if that would happen to be the case. I would trust their judgment along with your spiritual director and seminary staff. :-)

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.