Concord and Unity

by Rev. Richard Barker

My dear parishioners, in recent weeks, several instances of spontaneous “shout outs” and overly loud voices have occurred in the celebration of daily and Sunday Mass. No one ever has discovered an easy way to approach, sort out and resolve this sort of thing. But as I am appointed to lead and guide, I would deem it a pastoral failure if I didn’t address these concerns clearly and firmly.

First, off-the-cuff “shout outs” are never appropriate in Mass under any circumstances whatsoever. Such outbursts are aggressive and offend the good order of Mass and the heavenly peace which Christ himself gave us. Our Lord intended his Mass to be a glorious celebration, not a platform for personal expression. There is no question but that this sort of conduct must cease. Reflect that Christ has called each and every one of us to eschew contentiousness, to be gentle, and to show impeccable courtesy in the Mass at all times.

Second, when overly loud individuals prevail in Mass, the assembly is deprived of its natural voice, and the prayer of the Mass suffers. Loud voices are distracting, even jarring in a small worship area. No one needs to pray or sing Mass parts conspicuously or be heard by everybody else. As the Body of Christ is one, the voice of the assembly is one. God’s people assist at Mass as one voice, one holy communion praising God in prayer and song.

Third, to clarify, “assembly” refers to the Church gathered as the Body of Christ with the Lord Jesus as its head, in other words, the lay faithful who assist in the celebration of Mass in union with their presiding priest. Configured in the image of Christ in Holy Orders, your unworthy priest is ordained to preside over the whole assembly as alter Christus. Though perhaps lacking in talent, he nevertheless properly cantors the Mass. Apart from himself or lay cantors trained and appointed to assigned liturgies, or a suitable person the presider may delegate on occasion, this role cannot be appropriated by anyone in the assembly.

Fourth, as a way of explanation, when the liturgical choir is absent from the eucharistic celebration, it is fitting for the presiding priest to lead shared Mass parts, for example, the Confiteor, Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Creed and the Our Father. He should not, however, assist the assembly in saying or singing Mass parts reserved to them. As an illustration, in the Communion Rite, the assembly alone responds, “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever”. The assembly alone responds, “and with your spirit” and “amen”. In other words, the presiding priest should not answer himself in the Mass. Nor should he off-load the shared Mass parts to the laity.

Finally, the laity’s assistance in the Mass is time-honored in the Church and worthy of esteem. The “voice” of God’s people is a voice emphasizing solidarity over individuality. The solidarity of the Body of Christ, as experienced in the joyful celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, speaks directly to the “peace and unity” we pray for in the Mass “in accordance with (God’s) will”. [ROMAN MISSAL Communion Rite 2011] May there always be concord and unity in our minds and hearts as we strive for goodness in the midst of an intemperate generation. But let these virtues shine in the sanctity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass always and wherever it may be offered. “In humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [Phi 2:3-4] Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.