The following questions were submitted to me regarding the liturgy of the Holy sacrifice of the Mass and the Good Shepherd Program.

     Q: Is clapping permitted during Mass such as after the announcement of a birthday or anniversary?

     A: No. “The liturgy is to be carried out in the name of the Church by persons lawfully deputed to do so and according to ceremonies approved by Church authority (Author’s note: There is no ceremony allowing clapping anywhere within church law or rubrics). The purpose of the liturgy is diverse. First and foremost, it is to give glory and honor to God through prayer. Second, it is to build up the faith of the people. Third, it is to teach and instruct the faithful in the meaning of Christ’s word through the sacred mysteries. Since the liturgy is the official public worship of the Church, and not the private domain of any one individual or group of individuals, the liturgical norms, ceremonies and texts are to be conscientiously observed by all.”¹ The holy book that regulates Holy Mass is the Sacramentary that has new General Instructions effective this year, 2003. Part of the General Instructions for Holy Mass say: “Moreover, the wondrous mystery of the Lord’s real presence under the Eucharistic species, reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council and other documents of the Church’s Magisterium in the same sense and with the same words that the Council of Trent had proposed as a matter of faith, is proclaimed in the celebration of Mass not only by means of the very words of consecration, by which Christ becomes present through transubstanciation, but also by that interior disposition and outward expression of supreme reverence and adoration in which the Eucharistic Liturgy is carried out (my emphasis).”² Occasionally a priest will defend an illicit action during Mass by saying that ‘it is not prohibited in the rubrics’. We are reminded that The Sacramentary, which contains all of the rubrics (rules) for Holy Mass is written in a style called the positive-affirmative. This means that The Sacramentary includes all that must or can be done during Holy Mass. For instance, The Sacramentary does not say that people cannot smoke during Mass nor does it say that those who are not going to receive Holy Communion may eat a snack during Mass! Lastly, changes (including the addition of clapping) are not permitted. “The liturgical books approved by competent authority are to be faithfully observed in the celebration of the sacraments; therefore no one on personal authority may add (my emphasis), remove or change anything in them.”³ As of this writing (September 2003) two Vatican dicasteries are preparing a liturgical disciplinary document. The rough draft (not yet given final approval) specifically mentions clapping as being prohibited during Mass.

     Q: During the General Intercession Prayers one priest allows people in the pews to ‘blurt out’ their intentions. Is this permitted?

     A: No. Regarding the General Intercessory Prayer part of Holy Mass: “The intentions announced should be sober, be composed freely but prudently, and be succinct, and they should express the prayer of the entire community (my emphasis). The intentions are announced from the ambo or from another suitable place, by the deacon or by a cantor, a lector, or one of the lay faithful (reference here to the general intentions, not the singular intention of an individual). The people, however, stand and give expression to their prayer either by an invocation said together after each intention or by praying in silence.”⁴ If individuals were permitted to ‘blurt out’ personal intentions there could be conflict, disagreement, etc. EXAMPLE: Someone prays, ‘That the Church change its position and allow artificial contraception’.

     Q: May the priest(s) leave the sanctuary to give the sign of peace to people in the pews?

     A: No. “It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.”⁵ As noted in the answer regarding ‘clapping’ above, the sign of peace rite is also addressed in the rough draft currently under consideration at the Vatican. It specifically states that the priest(s) may not leave the sanctuary for this rite.

     Q: Can the priest eliminate the final blessing at the end of Mass and go right into Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?

     A: No. First, common sense prevails. If a priest skipped the final blessing and immediately started leading those present in, for example, the recitation of the rosary, people would be confused and possibly think that the rosary is part of Mass. There should always be even a brief lapse of time between different functions within the Church to allow for ‘changing of the guard’. More specifically, the GIRM goes through all of the rubrics for saying the entire or complete Mass.These include, “90. The concluding rites consist of (a) Brief announcements, if they are necessary; (b) The priest’s greeting and blessing (my emphasis), which on certain days and occasions is enriched and expressed in the prayers over the People or another solemn formula; (c) dismissal of the people (my emphasis); (d) kissing of the altar.”⁶

     Q: What can you tell me about the Good Shepherd Program being offered in some churches? Is it an approved Catholic program loyal to magisterial teachings?

     A: This must be a relatively new program. I have not heard of it and have yet to locate anything about it after considerable research efforts. Maybe readers of this Q&A will be able to point me in the right direction.