
	To review previous writings visit the archive Click here for Bishop Manning's series on "The Year of The Eucharist"	May 2008
	Some changes in the way we celebrate Mass Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Outlook, May 2008 On Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on 11 May, Catholics throughout Australia will be asked to make two minor changes in the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy: firstly, a change of posture; secondly, a new gesture at the time of Holy Communion. This has come about because of some changes to what is known as the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), which sets out liturgical principles and directions that govern the celebration of Mass. In May last year, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments approved an interim English translation of the GIRM for Australia In November last year, the Australian bishops determined that this interim text, together with the adaptations for Australia, will take effect on Pentecost Sunday this year. Change in posture Whereas we have been accustomed to remaining seated after the priest's invitation: "Pray, brethren …", from Pentecost onwards, we will now stand to respond: "May the Lord accept this sacrifice…". This change in posture will indicate our readiness to enter into the Eucharistic Prayer. The posture for prayer, whether it be standing or kneeling, reflects our relationship with God and helps define that relationship, To stand in response to the priest's invitation is a sign of our readiness to enter into the great prayer that will follow i.e. the Eucharistic Prayer, which embodies the sacrifice of praise and glory which the priest prays on behalf of the assembly. To stand is to formally recognise the importance of the invitation. Change in gesture The Communion Procession is a most important ritual act in the celebration of Mass. It is the time when those disposed to receiving Holy Communion come together in procession as God's People to receive the Body of Christ. On approaching the minister of Holy Communion, and before receiving Holy Communion, communicants bow simply in reverence of the Mystery that they are to receive (GIRM 160). In brief, when the person in front of you in the Communion Procession is receiving Holy Communion, you make a simple bow. This can be achieved simply and easily without disrupting those following you in the Communion Procession. If Holy Communion is administered under both species, then the simple bow should be made again before receiving from the chalice. Other gestures of reverence currently practised by some members of the assembly should be replaced by the new gesture. Above all, the Communion Procession should be reverent, ordered, and never rushed. These changes reflect a fine tuning of liturgical practice over the past 40 years since the Mass was reformed following the Second Vatican Council. Work to come In the next two years, the bishops in Australia will complete their work in preparation for voting for a new translation of the third Latin edition of the Roman Missal. When the new Missal is published, some more changes will follow. Work is already underway to prepare the resources needed to help Catholics adjust to the fresh translations and changes. Conclusion It might be said the abovementioned two changes are the first part of that project. As with any change to ritual patterns, it will probably take a few weeks to become familiar with the change in posture and the new gesture. Please read the bulletin insert when it is available in your parish or download a copy from the diocesan website. Click on "Resources" at: www.parra.catholic.org.au

To review previous writings visit the archive

Click here for Bishop Manning's series on "The Year of The Eucharist"

May 2008

Some changes in the way we celebrate Mass

Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Outlook, May 2008

On Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on 11 May, Catholics throughout Australia will be asked to make two minor changes in the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy: firstly, a change of posture; secondly, a new gesture at the time of Holy Communion.

This has come about because of some changes to what is known as the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), which sets out liturgical principles and directions that govern the celebration of Mass.

In May last year, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments approved an interim English translation of the GIRM for Australia

In November last year, the Australian bishops determined that this interim text, together with the adaptations for Australia, will take effect on Pentecost Sunday this year.

Change in posture
Whereas we have been accustomed to remaining seated after the priest's invitation: "Pray, brethren …", from Pentecost onwards, we will now stand to respond: "May the Lord accept this sacrifice…". This change in posture will indicate our readiness to enter into the Eucharistic Prayer.

The posture for prayer, whether it be standing or kneeling, reflects our relationship with God and helps define that relationship,

To stand in response to the priest's invitation is a sign of our readiness to enter into the great prayer that will follow i.e. the Eucharistic Prayer, which embodies the sacrifice of praise and glory which the priest prays on behalf of the assembly. To stand is to formally recognise the importance of the invitation.

Change in gesture
The Communion Procession is a most important ritual act in the celebration of Mass. It is the time when those disposed to receiving Holy Communion come together in procession as God's People to receive the Body of Christ.

On approaching the minister of Holy Communion, and before receiving Holy Communion, communicants bow simply in reverence of the Mystery that they are to receive (GIRM 160).

In brief, when the person in front of you in the Communion Procession is receiving Holy Communion, you make a simple bow. This can be achieved simply and easily without disrupting those following you in the Communion Procession.

If Holy Communion is administered under both species, then the simple bow should be made again before receiving from the chalice.

Other gestures of reverence currently practised by some members of the assembly should be replaced by the new gesture. Above all, the Communion Procession should be reverent, ordered, and never rushed.

These changes reflect a fine tuning of liturgical practice over the past 40 years since the Mass was reformed following the Second Vatican Council.

Work to come
In the next two years, the bishops in Australia will complete their work in preparation for voting for a new translation of the third Latin edition of the Roman Missal.

When the new Missal is published, some more changes will follow. Work is already underway to prepare the resources needed to help Catholics adjust to the fresh translations and changes.

Conclusion
It might be said the abovementioned two changes are the first part of that project. As with any change to ritual patterns, it will probably take a few weeks to become familiar with the change in posture and the new gesture.

Please read the bulletin insert when it is available in your parish or download a copy from the diocesan website. Click on "Resources" at: www.parra.catholic.org.au