On Benediction and some other things...
HAPPY 17TH FSSP! :)
On this most beautiful spring day, I thought we might consider an excerpt from the following link:
http://www.litcom.net.au/liturgy_lines/displayarticle.php?llid=383
Revised norms (regulations) governing exposition and Benediction were first published in the 1967 Instruction on the Eucharist and appeared again along with new prayers and rubrics in the 1973 Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM).
These current norms concerning the reserved sacrament emphasise that devotions must be related to the celebration of the Mass. Practices during Benediction have been brought into line with practices during Mass. For example, the former double genuflection has been abolished and reverence is shown by genuflecting on one knee (HCWEOM #84); the number of candles used at Benediction is the same as at a festive Mass, that is, four or six, not seven placed in a special candelabra as in the past (#85).
Hmmm... I think I best forward this one to the Fathers. Firstly, cutting down on our candle consumption from the daily fourteen will surely save money. Secondly, doing away with double genuflection and other useless reverences will certainly be much easier on dearest Father McD's knees.
...
The circumstances which led to the origin and growth of Benediction have changed. We need to find forms of worship that respond to contemporary spirituality, piety and needs and are in the best liturgical traditions of our church.
Yes of course! We could use that line of discussion to create another rite of exorcism! (The following thoughts from over lunch yesterday!) "Now let's all gather round the bed and hold hands. No Father, they are not the afflicted - they are our liturgical dancers! Father, please make sure that you use inclusive language, we don't want to give offence!" We finally decided that the demon would actually cast itself out due to sheer boredom.
Anyway, I have started to come up with a 'you know that you are at home at the Latin Mass when' list. So far:
On this most beautiful spring day, I thought we might consider an excerpt from the following link:
http://www.litcom.net.au/liturgy_lines/displayarticle.php?llid=383
Revised norms (regulations) governing exposition and Benediction were first published in the 1967 Instruction on the Eucharist and appeared again along with new prayers and rubrics in the 1973 Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM).
These current norms concerning the reserved sacrament emphasise that devotions must be related to the celebration of the Mass. Practices during Benediction have been brought into line with practices during Mass. For example, the former double genuflection has been abolished and reverence is shown by genuflecting on one knee (HCWEOM #84); the number of candles used at Benediction is the same as at a festive Mass, that is, four or six, not seven placed in a special candelabra as in the past (#85).
Hmmm... I think I best forward this one to the Fathers. Firstly, cutting down on our candle consumption from the daily fourteen will surely save money. Secondly, doing away with double genuflection and other useless reverences will certainly be much easier on dearest Father McD's knees.
...
The circumstances which led to the origin and growth of Benediction have changed. We need to find forms of worship that respond to contemporary spirituality, piety and needs and are in the best liturgical traditions of our church.
Yes of course! We could use that line of discussion to create another rite of exorcism! (The following thoughts from over lunch yesterday!) "Now let's all gather round the bed and hold hands. No Father, they are not the afflicted - they are our liturgical dancers! Father, please make sure that you use inclusive language, we don't want to give offence!" We finally decided that the demon would actually cast itself out due to sheer boredom.
Anyway, I have started to come up with a 'you know that you are at home at the Latin Mass when' list. So far:
- After talking on the phone, you realise that you have subconsciously transcribed the Gloria on the scribble pad in front of you
- You begin to forget the Ordinary in the vernacular and you don't really mind
- You sing the 'Asperges' in the rain
- You want the Pater Noster ringtone for your mobile phone
- You are proud of the bruises on your knees
And so on, and so forth! They are all true too :)
- Anonymous | 5:04 AM GMT
Comments [2]
How did you know?!! - yesterday I was thinking about programming the solemn Salve into my phone... and I do tend to hum the Asperges a lot (it's really catchy!)...
What a strangely unenthusiastic article on Benediction. One of the survivals of popular piety around here does seem to be that people genuflect on both knees (if you see what I mean) when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. I didn't know anyone had regulated otherwise. It is always so beautiful to see the elderly, especially, make the great effort to get down on their knees and bow before the Lord!
What was that bit about the Rosary not being appropriate? I'm sure I read somewhere in something by JPII (Eccl de Euch?) that the Rosary was appropriate, as long as one emphasised its Christocentric aspect. Anyone have any idea what I think I'm remembering?
I didn't find anything in Ecclesia de Eucharistia, but I did find this in JPII's Rosarium Virginis Mariae:
--
"The Jesus that each Hail Mary recalls is the same Jesus whom the succession of mysteries proposes to us now as the Son of God, now as the Son of the Virgin." (para. 18)
--
which originates in Paul VI's Marialis Cultis. (para. 46)
Perhaps this is what you're looking for?
And the solemn Salve is a truly transcendent melody - particularly when it literally bows at the name of Jesus.
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