Liturgical abuses

[Guest Liturgically Horrified]

I know that eucharistic ministers should not be on the altar until after the priest has taken communion... but where is this?

At my parish, the EMs divide the hosts into their separate bowls, and pour the blood into the separate chalices, but I seem to recall hearing that the bread and wine should be divided up before the consecration... should this happen before mass? what are the rules for that?

Can the words to the gloria or the agnus dei ever be changed?

And finally, how should one go about bringing up such liturgical abuses to the pastor?

[Cam42]

[quote name='Liturgically Horrified' date='Oct 30 2005, 07:14 PM']I know that eucharistic ministers should not be on the altar until after the priest has taken communion... but where is this?

At my parish, the EMs divide the hosts into their separate bowls, and pour the blood into the separate chalices, but I seem to recall hearing that the bread and wine should be divided up before the consecration... should this happen before mass? what are the rules for that?

Can the words to the gloria or the agnus dei ever be changed?

And finally, how should one go about bringing up such liturgical abuses to the pastor?
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Well, first off....we should probably call them by their proper name, which would be the Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion. (cf. Redemptoris Sacramentum #156)

Secondly, EMHC's can be on the altar before the priest makes his Communion. The EMHC may not, however, receive until the priest celebrant has communicated himself. (cf. General Instruction of the Roman Missal #268-69 and Redemptoris Sacramentum #97)

As far as separating the Sacred species, this is clearly stated in Redmptoris Sacramentum #106:

[quote] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.[/quote]

And as far as the wording of the Mass, it is clear in Sacrosanctum Concilium #22:

[quote]. Regulation of the Sacred Liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.

2. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the Liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established.

3. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the Liturgy on his own authority.[/quote]

No words can be changed.


Can you lodge a complaint? You bet. Look to Redemptionis Sacramentum #184:

[quote]Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.[/quote]


I think that answers your questions.



Here are links to the various documents I quoted:
[url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter%20IV"]Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum[/url]
[url="http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml"]General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)[/url]
[url="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM"]Code of Canon Law (CIC)[/url]
[url="http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html"]Sacrosanctum Concilium[/url]