“We also are asking that there not be additional rites added to the Mass,” Archbishop Schwietz added.
He noted, for instance, that in some places there has been a desire to add some of the older prayers from the pre-Vatican II form of the Mass into the ordinary form of the Mass.
“The problem is that there is a specific exclusion of mixing the rites from the directives of the church,” Archbishop Schwietz explained. “We are trying to remind people of that also.”
“Basically, we are trying to put into practice three main principles of our tradition in the Latin rite,” he said, “dignity, simplicity and unity. We want to have unity in which we can worship together without confusion, simplicity which the Roman rite is noted for without adding a lot of additions, and we want to preserve the dignity that is due the sacred moment of the church’s worship.”
Other elements in the recent instructions address items such as appropriate attire for Mass, noting that clothing is “an outward sign of reverence for this sacred gathering.”
The instructions also urge parishes to provide instruction on the eucharistic fast, which the faithful should observe one hour before receiving Communion.
For the reception of the Holy Eucharist, the guidelines explain that those receiving the consecrated host on the tongue should do so with “mouth open, tongue outstretched and head still: not with the lips.”
For those receiving Communion in the hand, the document states that the “dominant hand should be placed under the receiving hand with the palm open wide facing upwards.” It also states that after receiving the Eucharist, the communicant should “consume it immediately” to avoid the risk of “dropping the host.”
The document also explains the duties and preparations for deacons, lay liturgical ministers, lectors, altar servers, greeters and musicians during Mass.
In a section on the appropriate postures and actions while in the church building, the document states, “As the faithful enter or leave their pews, they should genuflect in the direction of the tabernacle (if the tabernacle is located in the sanctuary).”
Additionally, the document explains that before Mass, the faithful should “recollect themselves in preparation for the celebration and not disturb those already in prayer.”
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It further notes, “If the tabernacle is not in the sanctuary but in a separate chapel, the faithful, upon entering or leaving the sanctuary should bow towards the altar as a gesture of reverence to Christ.”
Among other items addressed are the construction, treatment and care of the altar, and sacred vessels.
Printed with permission from the Catholic Anchor, newspaper for the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.