Workshop 6
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MASS
The celebration of Mass involves the action of
Christ and the People of God; it is the center of
Christian life and has both universal and
individual aspects (Catechism of the Catholic
Church 1110-1187)
 “The Eucharist is the source and summit of
Christian life.” (CCC 1324)
 “As often as the commemoration of this
sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our
redemption is carried out.” Leonine

WHERE WERE WE?
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

Notions of Worship and Sacrifice in the Old
Testament
 Examples:
Melchizedek, King David codifies
Israelite liturgy, King Solomon builds the Temple,
Book of Leviticus
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

Last Supper to 100 A.D.
 The
Institution of the Eucharist / Priesthood
 The early ritual of the Eucharist
 First
Christians in Act, St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians,
St. Clement of Rome
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

From 100 A.D. to 611 A.D.
 Homes,
Halls, Basilicas
 Formalization of Rituals (Didache, St. Justin Martyr,
St. Ambrose, Pope St. Gregory the Great)
 Development of Feasts
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

From 600 A.D. to 1850 A.D.
 First
Missal Developed
 Concern for Rites (Tridentine Mass)
 Some abuses are clarified by
various councils (Council of Trent)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

1850 to Modern Day


Preparations for liturgical renewal
1962 to the Second Vatican Council
Purpose: increase the fervor and energy of Catholics, to
serve the needs of Christian people
 The Mass: A balance between organic development and
getting back to basics
 Rediscovery of ancient sources, Mass in vernacular

- Taken from The Changing Sacraments: Worshipping Wilma: Eucharist.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASS

Today
 Pulling
in the reigns of the implementation of
Vatican II
 Pope
John Paul- promulgates third edition of Roman
Missal in 2000
 2011- New English Translation of Mass to reflect original
Latin text
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
BACK TO BASICS
Back to Basics
 Expressing what we believe
 Liturgical Theology

LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI, LEX VIVENDI
 The Church’s rule of prayer corresponds to her rule of
belief
 Example: “Lord for your faithful people life has
changed, not ended” (Funeral liturgy)
 Example: Actions of priest celebrant; In persona Christi,
In Persona Ecclesiae

WHERE ARE WE NOW?
THE GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF
THE ROMAN MISSAL



The GIRM; the structure of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanie
n.shtml
The rubrics, ministers, etc. should convey what the Mass is
through symbols, gestures, signs, etc.
 “The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon,
and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought
to contribute to making the entire celebration
resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that
the true and full meaning of the different parts of the
celebration is evident and that the participation of all is
fostered” (GIRM 42)
A beautifully ordered celebration allows true full,
conscious, and active participation and provides countless
LITURGICAL MINISTERS AND THE GIRM

Lectors/ Readers


Instituted vs. Appointed
Duties:

Introductory Rites
194. In coming to the altar, when no deacon is present, the lector,
wearing approved attire, may carry the Book of the Gospels, which is to
be slightly elevated. In that case, the lector walks in front of the priest
but otherwise along with the other ministers.
195. Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the
others. If he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he approaches the altar
and places the Book of the Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his
own place in the sanctuary with the other ministers.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS AND THE GIRM

Duties continued:

The Liturgy of the Word
196. The lector reads from the ambo the readings that precede
the Gospel. If there is no psalmist, the lector may also proclaim
the responsorial Psalm after the first reading.
197. When no deacon is present, the lector, after the introduction
by the priest, may announce from the ambo the intentions of the
Prayer of the Faithful.
198. If there is no singing at the Entrance or at Communion and
the antiphons in the Missal are not recited by the faithful, the
lector may read them at the appropriate time (cf. above, nos. 48,
87).
LITURGICAL MINISTERS AND THE GIRM

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion


Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
Duties:

162. The priest may be assisted in the distribution of Communion by
other priests who happen to be present. If such priests are not present
and there is a very large number of communicants, the priest may call
upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, e.g., duly instituted acolytes
or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose.97 In case
of necessity, the priest may depute suitable faithful for this single
occasion.98
These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has
received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of
the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most
Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS AND THE GIRM

Duties continued:

163. When the distribution of Communion is finished, the priest himself
immediately and completely consumes at the altar any consecrated wine that
happens to remain; as for any consecrated hosts that are left, he either
consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the
reservation of the Eucharist.
Upon returning to the altar, the priest collects any fragments that may remain.
Then, standing at the altar or at the credence table, he purifies the paten or
ciborium over the chalice then purifies the chalice, saying quietly, Quod ore
sumpsimus (Lord, may I receive), and dries the chalice with a purificator. If the
vessels are purified at the altar, they are carried to the credence table by a
minister. Nevertheless, it is also permitted, especially if there are several vessels
to be purified, to leave them suitably covered on a corporal, either at the altar or
at the credence table, and to purify them immediately after Mass following the
dismissal of the people.
CRAFTING THE ART OF LITURGY

The noble simplicity of the Roman Rite

A particular manifestation of this unity is found in the
faithful’s uniformity in gesture and posture. (IG 96) Not only
do gesture and posture manifest the dignity and simplicity
and meaning of liturgical rites (42), they foster the common
participation of all. Posture and gesture should never be
seen, therefore, as a matter of “personal inclination or
arbitrary choice” (42) by a common action which expresses
and fosters the common spiritual dispositions of all who are
present. (42) (The Theological Vision of Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Roman Missal;
http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/resources-reflections.shtml)


IG = Instruction Generalis
The Roman Rite properly followed is noble simplicity!
CRAFTING THE ART OF LITURGY


The “full, conscious, active participation” of the liturgical
assembly. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 14)
“Full participation certainly means that every member of
the community has a part to play in the liturgy; and in
this respect a great deal has been achieved in parishes
and communities across your land. But full participation
does not mean that everyone does everything, since this
would lead to a clericalizing of the laity and a laicizing of
the priesthood; and this was not what the Council had in
mind. The liturgy, like the Church, is intended to be
hierarchical and polyphonic, respecting the different
roles assigned by Christ and allowing all the different
voices to blend in one great hymn of praise.”
CRAFTING THE ART OF LITURGY

“Active participation certainly means that, in gesture, word,
song and service, all the members of the community take
part in an act of worship, which is anything but inert or
passive. Yet active participation does not preclude the active
passivity of silence, stillness and listening: indeed, it
demands it. Worshippers are not passive, for instance, when
listening to the readings or the homily, or following the
prayers of the celebrant, and the chants and music of the
liturgy. These are experiences of silence and stillness, but
they are in their own way profoundly active. In a culture
which neither favors nor fosters meditative quiet, the art of
interior listening is learned only with difficulty. Here we see
how the liturgy, though it must always be properly
inculturated, must also be counter-cultural.”
CRAFTING THE ART OF LITURGY

“Conscious participation calls for the entire community to be properly
instructed in the mysteries of the liturgy, lest the experience of worship
degenerate into a form of ritualism. But it does not mean a constant
attempt within the liturgy itself to make the implicit explicit, since this often
leads to a verbosity and informality which are alien to the Roman Rite and
end by trivializing the act of worship. Nor does it mean the suppression of all
subconscious experience, which is vital in a liturgy which thrives on symbols
that speak to the subconscious just as they speak to the conscious. The use
of the vernacular has certainly opened up the treasures of the liturgy to all
who take part, but this does not mean that the Latin language, and
especially the chants which are so superbly adapted to the genius of the
Roman Rite, should be wholly abandoned. If subconscious experience is
ignored in worship, an affective and devotional vacuum is created and the
liturgy can become not only too verbal but also too cerebral. Yet the Roman
Rite is again distinctive in the balance it strikes between a sparceness and a
richness of emotion: it feeds the heart and the mind, the body and the soul.
It has been written with good reason that in the history of the Church all true
renewal has been linked to a re-reading of the Church Fathers. And what is
true in general is true of the liturgy in particular.”
(Discourse of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the United States
of America (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska) at their Ad Limina Visit October
9, 1998.)
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL

What has changed?
 Introductory
Rites
 Gloria and The Liturgy of the Word
 Profession of Faith
 The Liturgy of the Eucharist
 The Eucharistic Prayer
 The Mystery of Faith
 The Communion and Concluding Rites
THE GREETING AND RESPONSE
2 Timothy 4:22: The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you.
Galatians 6:18: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Philippians 4:23: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philemon 25: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
French: Et avec votre espirit.
Spanish: Y con tu espiritu.
German: Und mit deinem Geiste.
Italian: E con il tuo spirito.
THE GREETING AND RESPONSE
Judges 6: 11-12: While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to save
it from the Midianites, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “
Ruth 2:4: Boaz himself came from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters,
and they replied,
2 Chronicles 15: 1-2 : Upon Azariah, son of Oded, came the spirit of God. He went forth
to meet Asa and said to him: “Hear me Asa and all Judah and Benjamin!
when yuou are with him, and if you seek him he will be present to you.”
Luke 1: 26-28: In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph…. And coming
to her, he said, “Hail, favored one!
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters
that I have sinned through my own fault
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do.
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin
all the Angels and saints
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
PENITENTIAL ACT - FORM A
PENITENTIAL ACT - FORM B
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you.
Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All:
All: For we have sinned against you.
Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Priest: Show us , O Lord, your mercy.
All:
All:
And grant us your salvation
And grant us your salvation.
GLORIA
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify
you, we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King
O God, almighty Father.
Lord God, heavenly king,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
you are seated at the right hand of the
Father
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
CREED - PART 1
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the
Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and
became man.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with
the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
CREED - PART 2
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in
fulfillment of the Scriptures:
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
CREED - PART 3
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the
giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the
Son.
With the Father and the Son he is
worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and
apostolic Church
We acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the
Son.
who with the Father and the Son is adored
and glorified.
who has spoken through the prophets.
And one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness
of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of
the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PREFACE DIALOGUE
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Priest:
The Lord be with you.
Priest:
The Lord be with you.
All:
And also with you.
All:
And with your spirit
Priest:
Lift up your hearts.
Priest:
Lift up your hearts.
All:
We lift them up to the Lord.
All:
We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Lord
our God.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Lord
our God.
All:
It is right to give him thanks and
praise.
All:
It is right and just.
SANCTUS
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes I the name of
the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes I the name of
the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
INSTITUTION NARRATIVE
CURRENT TRANSLATION
Take his, all of you, and eat it:
this is my body which will be given up for
you.
Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting
covenant
It will he shed for you and for all
so that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in memory of me.
NEW TRANSLATION
Take this, all of you, and eat of it,
for this is my Body,
which will be given up for you.
Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my Blood,
the Blood of the new and eternal
covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for
many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of Me.
MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Dying your destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
When we eat this bread and drink this
cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.
When we eat this Bread and drink this
Cup,
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Lord, you your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Savior of the world.
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection,
you have set us free.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Priest:
Priest:
This is the Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world.
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the
sins of the world.
Blessed are those called
to the supper of the Lamb.
Happy are those who are called
to his supper.
All:
Lord, I am not worthy
to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall
be healed.
All:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
DISMISSAL
CURRENT TRANSLATION
NEW TRANSLATION
Go in the peace of Christ.
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
The Mass in ended, go in peace.
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
God in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your
life.
Go in peace.
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL

Why did it change?
 New
words, deeper meaning, same Mass
 A more literal translation of the original Latin
 An increase in depth
 Fidelity to Sacred Scripture
 A more formal translation
 The beauty of the language portrays the beauty of
God
 A change in tone; a change in attitude
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?
LEADERSHIP AND LITURGY

Implementing the new translation of the
Roman Missal
 Familiarize
yourself with appropriate texts and
resources
 Help the pastor, help the people
 Educate
various committees, fellow ministers, and
parishioners
 Hold training sessions to update various
 Prayer
and PATIENCE!
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?
LEADERSHIP AND LITURGY

The role of the Liturgical Committee, minister,
etc.
 Familiarity
with the current structure of the Mass
(GIRM)
 Familiarity with the new translation and the reasons
for it
 Catechesis
 Bulletin
announcements, resources for the pews, training
sessions, homilies.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?
LEADERSHIP AND LITURGY

Important guidelines to remember, particularly
for planning of liturgies
 lex
orandi, lex credendi, lex viviendi
 Expressing what we believe
 Noble simplicity of the Roman Rite
 The Church’s liturgy
 Ministries at the service of the Church
 Transcending personal taste and likes or dislikes
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?
LEADERSHIP AND LITURGY

Some Resources
 Various
Vatican II documents, particularly
Sacrosanctum Concilium
 GIRM
 Redemptionis Sacramentum
 LTP Revised Roman Missal Series
 usccb.org