Monday, April 26, 2004

USCCB President Wilton Gregory's Comments on Redemptionis Sacramentum

Some Excerpts:
WASHINGTON (April 23, 2004) — Belleville Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), welcomed the Instruction “Redemptionis Sacramentum” issued today by the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
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In his statement Bishop Gregory said: “In response to our Holy Father’s mandate that bishops do all in their power to foster an appreciation of the inestimable treasure which is the Eucharistic mystery, the Congregation has provided us with a carefully developed tool to foster the authentic celebration of the Mass.”
I hope that this is a tool which will be used. I fear that this tool will be ignored in many places just like the 'tools' we have been given for 40 years.
The document addresses a wide range of abuses, or violations of liturgical law with respect to the celebration of Mass and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Sections are devoted to such questions as who regulates the sacred liturgy, how the participation of the lay faithful can be encouraged, the way Mass is properly celebrated, and the distribution of Holy Communion.
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The instruction notes that lay persons “rightly and laudably” serve in a variety of ministries at Mass, such as acolyte, lector, sacristan, and cantor. Like all ministries, these should be the subject of careful preparation and catechesis.
Wait! What about Ministry of Danced Prayer?"
It recalls that Diocesan Bishops may permit young people of both genders to serve at the altar, and says associations of altar servers should be fostered at the parish and diocesan levels.
I must have read a different version. What I read was that the associations are applicable to male altar servers. Basic grammar. It is only after associations are discussed that female altar servers are mentioned, as if in passing, for those places where few males live.

USCCB Link Here.

Actually, I prefer the Adoremus commentary here. A much better read.

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