Fr Z Comments On Liturgical Directive In Diocese of Covington

D. Covington: Bp. Foys issues liturgical decrees – No joy for “hand holders”

Posted on 30 November 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There can be no renewal of any aspect of our Catholic lives and identity without first a revitalization of our liturgical worship.

A reader sent me a link to a letter of 18 November 2011 and accompanying decrees concerning the sacred liturgy issued by His Excellency Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, Bishop of Covington.  You can find it HERE.

In the letter and in the decrees, Bp. Foys stresses in particular Sacrosanctum Concilium 22 which states that no on even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.

Among the decrees we find this interesting point:

1. The text of the Roman Missal be used exactly as it is written. As stated in the citation from the Second Vatican Council none of us has the authority to change the text for any reason.

[...]

4. The gestures for the priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful be strictly carried out in accord with the rubrics of the Roman Missal, for “the gestures and bodily posture of both the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers, and also of the people, must be conducive to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, to making clear the true and full meaning of its different parts, and to fostering the participation of all.

Can you say “Say The Black – Do The Red”?

That last point included this:

b. Special note should be made concerning the proper posture during the Eucharistic Prayer. In the United States the lay faithful are instructed to kneel from the end of the Sanctus through the end of the Great Amen (see GIRM 43). Deacons kneel from the epiclesis through the showing of the chalice. Priests remain standing. In addition, “the faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise” (GIRM 43).

i. Please note: Within the Diocese of Covington the Bishop has not determined otherwise so as to remain in accord with the norms set by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

c. Special note should also be made concerning the gesture for the Our Father. Only the priest is given the instruction to “extend” his hands. Neither the deacon nor the lay faithful are instructed to do this. No gesture is prescribed for the lay faithful in the Roman Missal; nor the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, therefore the extending or holding of hands by the faithful should not be performed.

Interesting, no?  People are not to raise the arms, extend their hands or hold hands during the Our Father.  And if that is the case, they should never be directed or encouraged to do so.  In fact, if they are doing so, they must be instructed and encouraged about the proper posture and improper posture.

Am I reading that right?

I also like this:

5. That choirs and other musicians use choir lofts in churches that are structured as such. While this is not mandated, we strongly recommend it.

[...]

b. The sanctuary is reserved for the Priest Celebrant, concelebrants, the Deacon and the other ministers who serve at the Altar. (see GIRM 294)

And this is very good:

6. Sacred Silence be observed in our churches prior to the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy to allow the clergy and the faithful to properly prepare and dispose themselves for the Sacred Mysteries to which they are about to participate. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us: “Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times…. Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence is observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.” (GIRM 45) Silence following the Mass is also encouraged for those who might want to remain in the church to pray.

WDTPRS kudos to the Bishop of Covington, to whom I shall send a New Translation SUPER Special ELITE Edition “Say The Black – Do The Red” coffee mug.

There can be no renewal of any aspect of our Catholic lives and identity without first a revitalization of our liturgical worship.