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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Catafalque and Solemn Requiem Father Smith Friday, November 23, 2012

Question:

The questioner is referring to the custom of erecting a catafalque ("mock coffin" desribes what it looks like) for a solemn requiem in the Tridentine form of the Liturgy. On November 2, for solemn Memorial Masses for individuals, or for Funerals where there were no remains of the deceased a full Funeral Mass, complete with absolutions and commendations, would still be celebrated. The catafalque was used as a "stand in" for the coffin and body. In some places these were irreverently called a "smoke and water" Mass and the cataflaque given a name like "Herbie" or "Uncle Charlie" (As in the pastor telling the sacristan "Put out Uncle Charlie for tomorrow's Mass"). It is possible that the questioner is correct in his remembrances but that would have been a local and not universal practice to carry out the absolutions every day in November



Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Father,

Thanks for your post and for the possible explanation on why this could have been done daily.

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.