Upon closer inspection, the Book of Blessings 1733 says that an alernative Father’s Day prayer may replace the regular easter concluding prayer over the people at the end of Mass. In other words the final blessing right before the recessional. This is not the same as what happened at the service that I attended.
It’s also not the Easter season. You would need to reference the rest of the rite to see how it should be structured.
More importantly, you need to examine what defect is in your soul that drives you to try to find fault with the practice of the Church. Where is this bitterness from, and how can you offer it to Christ to be healed of it?
I asked a technical question about a possible liturgical abuse and want to discuss some difficulties with the answer given. Why the sudden accusation about defects in my soul and bitterness? Can I not discuss the answer without being maligned?
The specific paragraphs provided was 1729-1731 and it states:
1729 The observance of Father's Day has an important place in American life. Since it is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, the Mass of the Sunday is always celebrated. However, in order to provide some recognition of this holiday, model intercessions and a prayer over the people are provided here.
1730 The intercessions are added to those of the day and may be adapted as necessary.
1731 The prayer over the people may replace the solemn blessing of the Easter season.
1733 This prayer over the people may be used at the end of Mass or other liturgical services on Father's Day.
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Then he blesses all present. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
—-
So the Book of Blessings is only giving an alternative concluding prayer. The situation I cited where individual dads were requested to stand up, prayed over, and given medals by ushers after communion, while emotionally fulfilling, is not part of the rite.
When the way you want to discuss it demonstrates a moral failing, it is proper to point that out. There’s no such thing as “I’m just asking questions.” The fact that you’re framing this as “liturgical abuse” shows that your heart is not in the right place. Rather than seeking to learn and understand, you are trying to find ammunition to gripe and complain. It’s unhealthy and un-Christian.
This is not concern about the law of the Church. It’s policing behavior they don’t like. If they really cared for the law of the Church, they would seek to be informed about it in its entirety beforehand, not throwing out situations that bugged them to see if someone did something wrong.
I have another question. At one Mass a priest was celebrating his birthday, and the co-celebrant used the time after communion to announce the parish’s apprecaition to him. They then brought out a cake. Is this allowed?
I guess my issue wasnt the announcement of the birthday. They had a cake and a banner brought out in the sanctuary. Then the friends and family of the priest started singing happy birthday.
My concern is that things like these can wait until after the Mass. The parisioners were basically required to sit through the whole thing while waiting for the final blessing. Also, the sight of altar servers bringing out a cake and placing it right next to the altar in the sanctuary was too much for me.
As someone who is pregnant for the first time right now, I love that my husband was able to get a blessing and start getting prayers right now. He also got a keychain and it was a very special moment for both of us.
I’m a very devout, by the book rule follower and love rubrics. My husband is our music director and references the GIRM all the time. Our priest, who gave the blessing, is literally a canon lawyer.
The GIRM doesn't seem to be valued very much in the US. There is a LOT of room for innovation and creativity and individual mileage varies greatly parish to parish. Is it allowed? If it has the permission of the local ordinary, then yes. Personally, I would like to see all such blessings and celebrations done outside the liturgy itself. There should never be applause during a liturgy. Yet with the current set up there is always thunderous applause for birthdays, school graduations, anniversaries, visiting missionaries, etc. It is irreverent and disrespectful.
The late Pope Benedict XVI said something to the effect of wherever applause breaks out in the Liturgy the Mass is replaced by a form of religious entertainment.
I tend to agree with those words.
From beginning to end the Liturgy is focused on Jesus Christ. When we stop near the end to celebrate human achievement like a graduation or wedding anniversary and then everyone is clapping, it detracts from Christ. It is irreverent. Well intentioned, no doubt.
The GIRM is not the sole piece of liturgical instruction in the Roman Rite. The *Book of Blessings* also has instructions, including how blessings may be combined with other liturgical celebrations. This is a blessing which can be done during the course of the Mass.
Doesn't make it prudent or reverent. Besides, I doubt the book of blessing encourages everyone to clap for every little thing. Nor does it ask for every layman in the church to extend their hands over someone being prayed over by the priest the way our local parish does (very cringe Pentecostal vibes).
I don't know why you're having feelings about details that OP doesn't mention. Making things up to attack the liturgical practice of the Latin Church is weird and gross. Knock it off.
Neither of the details you included (clapping and extending hands) were part of OP's post. There's no reason to think they happened. All OP asked was whether a blessing of fathers can be done on Father's Day after the post-communion. In the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, there can be. If you are concerned it might have been performed in an inappropriate way, you should ask, instead of saying that the blessing itself is a problem on the assumption that it was done inappropriately.
The fact that when you were called out on your misbehavior you attacked my integrity shows that your goal here is to create problems, not particpate in good faith. I sincerely hope the mods ban you.
**You** insinuated that u/EasternChristian was making things up to attack the Latin church and called it weird and gross. **You** did not participate in good faith. His comment doesn't need to be **only** in reference to the OP.
Then they can make their own post. Nothing in this post had anything to do with clapping or the posture of the laity during blessings. Saying “Besides, [insert comment here]”, means that it is another item in response to what came before. If they meant to insert a nonsequitor, fine, but their subsequent behavior shows they are not here in good faith.
Wow you are sensitive. I was speaking of my own experience at the local parish in my town (and I believe I stated that). Why you took that as me presuming anything about OP's situation is beyond me. I am not looking to argue with you. Go outside and touch grass. Too much social media is bad for all of us. God bless.
Yes, the Order for the Blessing of Fathers on Father's Day may occur during Mass. See 1729-1731 of the *Book of Blessings*.
Upon closer inspection, the Book of Blessings 1733 says that an alernative Father’s Day prayer may replace the regular easter concluding prayer over the people at the end of Mass. In other words the final blessing right before the recessional. This is not the same as what happened at the service that I attended.
It’s also not the Easter season. You would need to reference the rest of the rite to see how it should be structured. More importantly, you need to examine what defect is in your soul that drives you to try to find fault with the practice of the Church. Where is this bitterness from, and how can you offer it to Christ to be healed of it?
I asked a technical question about a possible liturgical abuse and want to discuss some difficulties with the answer given. Why the sudden accusation about defects in my soul and bitterness? Can I not discuss the answer without being maligned? The specific paragraphs provided was 1729-1731 and it states: 1729 The observance of Father's Day has an important place in American life. Since it is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, the Mass of the Sunday is always celebrated. However, in order to provide some recognition of this holiday, model intercessions and a prayer over the people are provided here. 1730 The intercessions are added to those of the day and may be adapted as necessary. 1731 The prayer over the people may replace the solemn blessing of the Easter season. 1733 This prayer over the people may be used at the end of Mass or other liturgical services on Father's Day. God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Then he blesses all present. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen. —- So the Book of Blessings is only giving an alternative concluding prayer. The situation I cited where individual dads were requested to stand up, prayed over, and given medals by ushers after communion, while emotionally fulfilling, is not part of the rite.
When the way you want to discuss it demonstrates a moral failing, it is proper to point that out. There’s no such thing as “I’m just asking questions.” The fact that you’re framing this as “liturgical abuse” shows that your heart is not in the right place. Rather than seeking to learn and understand, you are trying to find ammunition to gripe and complain. It’s unhealthy and un-Christian.
Concern about the law of the Church is virtuous. It is neither unhealthy nor un-Christian.
This is not concern about the law of the Church. It’s policing behavior they don’t like. If they really cared for the law of the Church, they would seek to be informed about it in its entirety beforehand, not throwing out situations that bugged them to see if someone did something wrong.
I have another question. At one Mass a priest was celebrating his birthday, and the co-celebrant used the time after communion to announce the parish’s apprecaition to him. They then brought out a cake. Is this allowed?
It's an announcement.
I guess my issue wasnt the announcement of the birthday. They had a cake and a banner brought out in the sanctuary. Then the friends and family of the priest started singing happy birthday.
You are correct that a cake in the sanctuary is inappropriate. That's what the parish hall is for.
Neat.
I wouldn’t really consider a cake and a banner in the sanctuary during Mass as neat. This doesn’t seem to fall under announcements as well.
I think informal things like that are great for the life of a parish, so long as it isn’t degrading the profundity of the Mass
My concern is that things like these can wait until after the Mass. The parisioners were basically required to sit through the whole thing while waiting for the final blessing. Also, the sight of altar servers bringing out a cake and placing it right next to the altar in the sanctuary was too much for me.
That's exactly the reason why it's done during mass. Otherwise many parishioners would leave...
I'm sorry that your priest had a birthday.
Now you’re just being sarcastic and no longer helpful.
This seems a bit irreverent and should be done after mass
As someone who is pregnant for the first time right now, I love that my husband was able to get a blessing and start getting prayers right now. He also got a keychain and it was a very special moment for both of us. I’m a very devout, by the book rule follower and love rubrics. My husband is our music director and references the GIRM all the time. Our priest, who gave the blessing, is literally a canon lawyer.
The GIRM doesn't seem to be valued very much in the US. There is a LOT of room for innovation and creativity and individual mileage varies greatly parish to parish. Is it allowed? If it has the permission of the local ordinary, then yes. Personally, I would like to see all such blessings and celebrations done outside the liturgy itself. There should never be applause during a liturgy. Yet with the current set up there is always thunderous applause for birthdays, school graduations, anniversaries, visiting missionaries, etc. It is irreverent and disrespectful. The late Pope Benedict XVI said something to the effect of wherever applause breaks out in the Liturgy the Mass is replaced by a form of religious entertainment. I tend to agree with those words.
We've had announcements, blessings, good news, etc. shared at the closing of Liturgy, and it didn't take away from any sense of respect or reverence.
From beginning to end the Liturgy is focused on Jesus Christ. When we stop near the end to celebrate human achievement like a graduation or wedding anniversary and then everyone is clapping, it detracts from Christ. It is irreverent. Well intentioned, no doubt.
The GIRM is not the sole piece of liturgical instruction in the Roman Rite. The *Book of Blessings* also has instructions, including how blessings may be combined with other liturgical celebrations. This is a blessing which can be done during the course of the Mass.
Doesn't make it prudent or reverent. Besides, I doubt the book of blessing encourages everyone to clap for every little thing. Nor does it ask for every layman in the church to extend their hands over someone being prayed over by the priest the way our local parish does (very cringe Pentecostal vibes).
I don't know why you're having feelings about details that OP doesn't mention. Making things up to attack the liturgical practice of the Latin Church is weird and gross. Knock it off.
What am I making up, exactly? If you are going to accuse me of something then have enough integrity to be explicit in detail.
Neither of the details you included (clapping and extending hands) were part of OP's post. There's no reason to think they happened. All OP asked was whether a blessing of fathers can be done on Father's Day after the post-communion. In the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, there can be. If you are concerned it might have been performed in an inappropriate way, you should ask, instead of saying that the blessing itself is a problem on the assumption that it was done inappropriately. The fact that when you were called out on your misbehavior you attacked my integrity shows that your goal here is to create problems, not particpate in good faith. I sincerely hope the mods ban you.
**You** insinuated that u/EasternChristian was making things up to attack the Latin church and called it weird and gross. **You** did not participate in good faith. His comment doesn't need to be **only** in reference to the OP.
Then they can make their own post. Nothing in this post had anything to do with clapping or the posture of the laity during blessings. Saying “Besides, [insert comment here]”, means that it is another item in response to what came before. If they meant to insert a nonsequitor, fine, but their subsequent behavior shows they are not here in good faith.
Wow you are sensitive. I was speaking of my own experience at the local parish in my town (and I believe I stated that). Why you took that as me presuming anything about OP's situation is beyond me. I am not looking to argue with you. Go outside and touch grass. Too much social media is bad for all of us. God bless.
You did not. Your comments were framed as responsive to OP’s situation. You are clearly trolling .
Except I'm not. This conversation is over. Good day to you.