Tuesday, October 25, 2005

The Synod on the Eucharist, Penultimate Act: The Final Propositions

[Pope] Benedict XVI will decide on the basis of these proposals. But he has already shown the world the main outlines of his approach – and the model is the Masses he has celebrated.

by Sandro Magister
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Some short excerpts:
ROMA, October 25, 2005 – The Mass Benedict XVI celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, October 23 closed the synod on the Eucharist in an exemplary manner.

It was exemplary because it offered to all a model of the liturgy which also provides guidelines for the faith, according to the ancient patristic saying: “Lex orandi, lex credendi.”

Benedict XVI chanted the Mass in Latin, in his capacity as bishop of Rome.

The Gospel was chanted in Latin, but then also in Greek immediately afterward...
All emphsis above (and below)is mine.

There is also a discussion of some of the various Propositions, some of which are highlighted below. [taken from the October 21, 2005 edition of “The Word from Rome,” the newsletter by the Rome correspondent, John Allen, for the “National Catholic Reporter”]:
Proposition 11, titled "The Scarcity of Priests," treats celibacy.
Proposition 40 treats the divorced and remarried.
Proposition 41, on "The Admission of Non-Catholic Faithful to Communion," affirms existing discipline barring general inter-communion.
Proposition 46 concerns "The Eucharistic Coherence of Catholic Politicians and Legislators."
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Proposition 23 warns that the way the Sign of Peace is currently offered sometimes goes on too long, or creates confusion prior to communion, and hence suggests the possibility of putting it somewhere else in the Mass, "taking account of antique and venerable customs." Indirectly, that seems to suggest the idea of moving it to just after the Prayers of the Faithful, before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Proposition 36 suggests that in international celebrations the Mass be said in Latin, apart from the readings, the homily, and the Prayers of the Faithful, and that priests be trained from the seminary to use Latin prayers as well as Gregorian Chant. It also recommends that the faithful be educated to do so as well.

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