Can Prayers of the Faithful be Omitted at the Mass?

from Catholicexchange.com

Dear Catholic Exchange,

There are times when the priest in our parish omits the prayers of the faithful in the mass. Is it permissable to omit the prayers of the faithful in the mass?

Sol Magat
Philippines

Dear Mr. Magat,

Peace in Christ!

There are times when the prayer of the faithful, or general intercessions, are omitted, usually when there is another rite included in the Mass. The recently celebrated Chrism Mass, for example, omits the general intercessions. Generally, the prayer of the faithful is included in Sunday Mass.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, as it addresses the prayer of the faithful, speaks of its function as well as its use:

In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world (no. 69).

Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy, (SC) states that “the prayer of the faithful is to be restored after the gospel and homily, especially on Sundays and Holy days of obligation” (SC, no. 53).

I hope this is helpful.

United in the Faith,

Eric Stoutz
Director of Catholic Responses
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)

Can Laypeople Bless Religious Articles?

From catholicexchange.com

 

Dear Catholic Exchange:

Is it canonically possible for a layperson to “bless” a religious article, i.e., a rosary, a Miraculous Medal, etc. in the home and is there an approved “book of blessings” available?

In Christ,

Ben Nasca
Santa Ana, CA

 

Dear Ben,

Peace in Christ!

Sacramentals derive from the baptismal priesthood: every baptized person is called to be a “blessing” and to bless. Hence, lay people may preside at certain blessings; the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more is its administration reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priests, or deacons). (CCC no.1669)

The “Book of Blessings” is published by Congregation for Divine Worship and promulgated into law with apostolic authority (i.e., “the Vatican says so” — see Decree). It says that lay persons “may celebrate certain blessings, as indicated in the respective orders of blessings” (no.18). Examples of blessings that may be administered by lay people are the orders for the blessing of a family (no. 44), blessing of children (no.136), blessing of sons and daughters (176), blessing of engaged couples — (no.197), blessing of parents before childbirth (no.217), and so on. Some of these orders stipulate that when a priest or deacon is present, the ministry of the blessing more fittingly belongs to him (no. 176).

The Order for the Blessing of Rosaries stipulates that a priest or deacon may bless rosaries (no.1465).

United in the Faith,

Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)

Ten Facts Most Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!) Part 5

by Gary Zimak

http://catholicexchange.com

10. Catholics Don’t Worship Mary And The Saints – Many Catholics are confused about the role of the Blessed Mother and the Saints.  Should we pray to Mary and the Saints or should we go “right to the top” and pray to God?  In a nutshell, the Catholic Faith teaches that we must worship God alone.  Mary and the Saints are to be honored, not worshipped.  However, their intercession can be extremely powerful and emulating their virtues can put us on the road to Heaven.

While the above list only scratches the surface of the robust Catholic Faith, it provides a glimpse into the depth of Catholic teaching.  Further explanation on these and other topics can be found by examining the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, both of which can be found online at the Vatican website (www.vatican.va).  Not only will studying the teachings of the Catholic Church enable us to better defend her when challenged, it will help us to become closer to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who founded our Church 2,000 years ago.

Ten Facts Many Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!) Part 3 of 5

by Gary Zimak

http://catholicexchange.com

4. The Mass Is The Same Sacrifice As Calvary – The biggest mistake that many Catholics make is treating the Holy Mass as “just another church service”, similar to those held by other religions.  In the Mass, Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross is made present, its memory is celebrated and its saving power is applied.  The Council of Trent teaches that Christ left a visible sacrifice to His Church “in which that bloody sacrifice which was once offered on the Cross should be made present, its memory preserved to the end of the world, and its salvation-bringing power applied to the forgiveness of the sins which are daily committed by us.”  When we attend Mass, we are mystically transported to Calvary, where we can unite ourselves with the Lord’s Sacrifice to the Father!

5. Annulments Are Not Catholic Divorces – Unlike the legal process known as “divorce” (in which a marriage is terminated), a declaration of nullity (annulment) states that a valid marriage never existed.  This decision is based upon the finding that on the day that marriage vows were exchanged, some essential elements were lacking.  This process is completely in conformity with the Catholic teaching regarding the indissolubility of marriage.  Incidentally, the granting of an annulment does not render children illegitimate.

6. In Vitro Fertilization Is Morally Unacceptable – Many Catholics suffering from infertility utilize this process in the hopes of conceiving children, while remaining unaware that the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) declares it “morally unacceptable”(CCC 2377).  In the Vatican Instruction, Donum Vitae, the Church states “…in conformity with the traditional doctrine relating to the goods of marriage and the dignity of the person, the Church remains opposed from the moral point of view to homologous ‘in vitro’ fertilization. Such fertilization is in itself illicit and in opposition to the dignity of procreation and of the conjugal union, even when everything is done to avoid the death of the human embryo.”

Ten Facts Most Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!) Part 4

Part 4 of 5

by Gary Zimak

http://catholicexchange.com

7. There Is No Salvation Outside Of The Catholic Church – Originally stated by St. Cyprian, the Latin axiom “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” reminds us that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church.  This dogma was declared at the Fourth Lateran Council and is a source of confusion for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  According to the Catechism, all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is His Body.  It does not mean that non-Catholics cannot achieve salvation.  Individuals who are unaware that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church may still achieve salvation through the merits of the Church, despite their lack of knowledge.

8. In An Emergency, Anyone Can Baptize – Although the ordinary ministers of Baptism are bishops, priests and deacons, anyone can baptize in an emergency, even a non-baptized person.  This extraordinary decision can be attributed to the necessity of Baptism for salvation and the Church’s desire to make it readily available to all.

9. Hell And Purgatory Still Exist –  Contrary to the belief of many Catholics, the Church still teaches that “the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin, descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, eternal fire” (CCC 1035)  Furthermore, “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation, but after death they undergo purification, so to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030)  This purification process, formally declared by the Church at the Councils of Florence and Trent, is known as Purgatory.

Ten Facts Most Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!) Part 2 of 5

by Gary Zimak

http://catholicexchange.com

2. Fridays Are Still Days Of Penance – Ask almost anyone and they will tell you that Catholics are no longer required to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year.  However, the current Code of Canon Law (CIC) states that, with the exception of solemnities, “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.” (CIC 1250)  Furthermore, “Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities.” (CIC 1251)  In the United States, the bishops have declared that it is permissible to substitute some other form of penance, but we are still urged to fast from “something” in remembrance of the Lord’s death on the cross.

3. The Bible Is A Catholic Book – Did you ever wonder how the Bible came into being?  A little known, but easily documented fact is that the books of the Bible were compiled by the Catholic Church.  For many years after Christ ascended into Heaven, there was debate about which scriptural writings were inspired by God.  The canon of Scripture (the books of the Bible) was first formally decided at the Synod of Rome in 382.  This decision was upheld at the Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).  At these Catholic Church councils, the same 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books that appear in today’s Catholic Bibles were declared to be inspired by God.  As a side note, approximately 1200 years after this decision was made, Martin Luther and the Protestant reformers removed 7 books from the Old Testament.  As a result, most Protestant Bibles are still missing these 7 books.

Ten Facts Most Catholics Don’t Know (But Should!)

Part 1 of 4

by Gary Zimak

http://catholicexchange.com

Every time I hear someone claim to be an “ex-Catholic”, a sense of sadness comes over me.  In just about every case, people leave the Catholic Faith due to a lack of understanding.  After all, if Catholics truly believed that they were members of the one, true Church founded by Christ (and necessary for their salvation), nobody would ever leave!  In an effort to help clarify what the Catholic Church teaches, I have compiled a list of 10 important facts that every Catholic should know.  More than simply Catholic trivia, these are important concepts that can help us to better understand and defend our beliefs.  In no particular order, these items have been compiled based upon my work at Following The Truth and my own study of the Catholic Faith.

1. Women Will Never Be Priests – Often incorrectly lumped in with the subject of married priests, this is a doctrine that has been infallibly decided and will not change.  In 1994, Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, in which he declared once and for all that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.”  Unlike the issue of married priests (which could possibly change), women’s ordination is an impossibility that will not happen.  It is not a “glass ceiling” or the Church’s attempt to hold back women.  Instead, it is an infallible recognition that men and women have different roles and that Christ instituted a male priesthood.

The Red Mass

On July 7, 2010, Catholic bishops gathered with area judges, lawyers and government leaders to celebrate “The Red Mass”.  The mass which derived its name from the red liturgical vestments traditionally worn to symbolize the tongues of fire which descended on the Apostles on Pentecost is a historical tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the Thirteenth Century.

 

The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in the France in the 1200s where a special mass of lawyers and judges was held in the Chapel of the Order of Advocates built by King Louis IX.  This soon spread to England during the reign of King Edward I when the entire bench and bar would mark the opening of each term of court by attending a mass together.

 

In 1928, the tradition was introduced to the United States at the Church of St. Andrew in New York City and was celebrated by His Eminence Patrick Joseph Cardinal Hayes who strongly advocated the legal community’s part in evangelization.

 

In the Philippines, the Red Mass is scheduled yearly, but this was the first time when national and local leaders were encouraged to attend the gathering at the Manila Cathedral because the Mass is specifically intended for the new leaders of the land and to enlighten those who will continue to serve in the government.  Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, said that while the mass is really for those active in the judiciary, it would be good if some people from the legislative branch of government would attend.  This is why they also invited the president, vice president and cabinet members to the liturgical celebration.

 

Constitutionalist and Jesuit priest Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, said that the gathering is also intended as a unifying factor for all government officials and for those in the judiciary to make wise decisions.

 

 

Sources:

cbcpnews.com

redmass.com

Feasts of St. Peter (Part I of II)

Adapted from www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm

 

As early as the fourth century a feast was celebrated in memory of Sts. Peter and Paul on the same day, although the day was not the same in the East as in Rome.  The Syrian Martyrology of the end of the fourth century places the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on December 28 in connection with Christmas.  On the other hand, the Armenians celebrated the feast on December 27 while the Nestorians celebrate the feast on the second Friday after the Epiphany.  It is evident that the date was arbitrarily selected, and that there is no tradition concerning the date of the saints’ death connected to it.

Nevertheless, the chief feast of Sts. Peter and Paul was kept in Rome on June 29 as early as the third or fourth century.  In fact, documents indicate the year 258 when the memory of the two Apostles began to be celebrated on June 29 in the Via Appia ad Catacumbas, because on this date the remains of the Apostles were translated there.

Later, perhaps on the building of the church over the graves on the Vatican and in the Via Ostiensis, the remains were restored to their former resting-place: Peter’s to the Vatican Basilica and Paul’s to the church on the Via Ostiensis (St. Paul outside the Walls).  In the place Ad Catacumbas a church was also built as early as the fourth century in honour of the two Apostles.  Nevertheless, from the year 258, their principal feast was kept on June 29, on which date solemn Divine Service was held in the above-mentioned three churches from ancient times.

The memory of both Peter and Paul was later associated also with two places of ancient Rome: the Via Sacra, outside the Forum, where the magician Simon was said to have been hurled down at the prayer of Peter and the prison Tullianum, or Carcer Mamertinus, where the Apostles were supposed to have been kept until their execution.  At both these places, also, shrines of the Apostles were erected.  These local commemorations of the Apostles are based on legends, and no special celebrations are held in the two churches.

 

Our Role in the Priests’ Spirituality

The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines offers a genial presentation of the spirituality priests are called to:  (1)  rooted and centered on Christ, (2) ministerial, (3) collegial, (4) lived in the spirit of the evangelical counsels of obedience, chastity and poverty, (5) missionary, (6) Eucharistic, and (7) Marian.

 

Moreover, John Paul II addressed five thousand priests throughout the word telling them that the priestly vocation is essentially a call to holiness, in the form which derives from the Sacrament of Orders.  By holiness, he means that intimacy with God, the imitation of Christ and the unreserved love for persons and for the Church.  The late Pope further stressed that being converted everyday is a fundamental demand of the Gospel for everyone, especially for priests.

 

Because of this, it is essential for us to help our priests maintain, sustain and even better their spiritual lives.  We can do this by praying for the priests so that they may grow spiritually and be converted everyday.  Being converted everyday means:  (1) returning to the grace of the vocation, meditating on the infinite goodness and love of Christ who has called us by name, (2) constantly rendering an account before the Lord of our hearts concerning our service, our zeal and our fidelity, our negligences and sins, our timidity, lack of faith and hope, of thinking only as men think and not as God thinks, (3) seeking again the pardon and strength of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and (4) praying always and not losing heart.

 

Moreover, we are expected to obey and respect ecclesiastical authority especially in the exercise of the priests’ functions.  We are also obliged to contribute towards the expenses of the Divine service and the fitting support of the clergy, in proportion to our means and circumstances.

 

Still, most important among these are our prayers that the priests be granted strength to fight temptation, and the heart to undergo continuous conversion every day so that they may grow in their spirituality.

 

Source:

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

newadvent.org

 

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