NOTES ON THE GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

Are there a lot of changes in what we have to do?
It may seem that there are a lot of changes if your parish has never read, studied and implemented the earlier versions of the General Instruction. Otherwise, it's more like the updated manual that you might get for a new version of your operating system. The consequences are similar: If you didn't read the original version of the manual, there may be basic things that you're missing.

Take, for instance, the issue of silence. The GIRM always specified silence after the first and second readings, after the homily, and after communion, as well as each time the priest invites us, "Let us pray." If you think back over your experience of the Mass, you may realize that these have been rarely observed. The revised GIRM asks for an additional brief silence just before Mass begins, at the very beginning of the Liturgy of the Word, as well as retaining the silences just described. If parishes haven't already been observing those silences, it will feel like the silences are all new. Parishes that have been observing these silences will have little difficulty adding these two more. The same will be true of most of the other changes. If we've already been observing the GIRM, integrating new practices will be relatively simple.

Do the different postures have different meanings?
Standing is a traditional posture for those who share in Christ's resurrection. It expresses reverence and active participation. Kneeling is a sign of humility and supplication. A common posture helps to unify the assembled people.

Why does the Church issue so many directives about how we should celebrate Mass?
Mass is a communal activity, somewhat like playing on a sports team. To really play the game well, everyone needs to be playing from the same rule book. You don't play hockey with a football, or lacrosse with a baseball bat. But within a given sport, there can be differences from country to country. For example the size of a football field is different in Canada and the United States, and even the size of the ball is different. Any community that wants to successfully do something together needs to be playing the same game, with the same rules. But it's also important to remember that we don't play the rules, we play the game. So we don't celebrate the rules, but the Eucharist, guided in our celebration by these rules.

Is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) the same everywhere in the world?
Almost! The local bishops' conferences are tasked by canon (Church) law with deciding on certain adaptations for the Church in a particular geographical area, in our instance, the whole of Canada, English and French. This was no easy task, given the differences in practice and spirituality that exist in the different parts of the country. Among these adaptations are the posture for the Eucharistic prayer, the gesture of reverence before each person receives Holy Communion, the materials that can be used for making furnishings for the sanctuary and vessels that will hold the Lord's Body and Blood.

What about our posture during the Eucharistic Prayer? I see lots of different practices when I travel.
Over the years different regions of Canada have developed different practices for the posture for the Eucharistic Prayer. Here the best thing is to quote the GIRM directly: "The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the Priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated here below.

"In the dioceses of Canada, the faithful should kneel at the Consecration, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. Where it is the practice for the people to remain kneeling after the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and before Communion when the Priest says Ecce Agnus Dei (This is the Lamb of God), it is laudable for this practice to be retained." (no. 43, emphasis added).

What about a teaching Mass? Are we allowed to do that?
The Church has actually designated points in the liturgy where the priest may make comments about what's happening:
o he can give an introduction to the Mass after the greeting and before the Penitential Act
o he can give an introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
o he can give an introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
o he can make concluding comments before the dismissal (GIRM, 31)

The GIRM specifies that the priest has to use very few words and adapt what he says to the age and ability of the assembled worshippers.

Celebrations of the Eucharist should always be well prepared. Not only should readers and musicians, as well as any other ministers, practise, but it is really helpful to prepare participants by setting aside time for them to read and listen to the readings before the celebration, learn the music and even prepare the prayers before the celebration begins. This applies to people of any age, and to celebrations of Mass in any context.
© Novalis, 2011. All rights reserved.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW POSTINGS ON THE BULLTIN BOARD:
Journée de récitative biblique; nouveaux horizons à la Maison du Renouveau; collecte de sang le 9 février; amis de St-Benoît-du-Lac

DID YOU KNOW
that "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed," the words we say just before receiving communion, is inspired by the experience of a pagan? A Roman Centurion, asked some Jewish officials to approach Jesus and ask for his son, who was at home, to be healed and saved from death. As Jesus approached the Centurion's house he sent word to Jesus saying: "Do not put yourself to any trouble because I am not worthy to have you under my roof, and that is why I did not presume to come to you myself; let my boy be cured by your giving the word." Luke 7:1-10. (Jerusalem Bible)

FRIDAY FAITH INQUIRY GROUP:
This group continues to meet with Fr Savage in McMahon Hall after the 11:30 a.m. Mass for an hour. The present topic centres around the new Eucharistic Prayers which will be introduced on the First Sunday of Advent 2011. Participation is open and attendance is on a casual basis. Bring a bag lunch. Coffee and tea are provided.

COLLECTIONS:
Collections for the weekend of January 28-29, 2012 for St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's Home were $833.50. Thank you for your continuing and generous support.