Thread: Random Liturgical Questions (answers on a postcard, please) Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Just what the title says. This is the place to ask questions that probably don't need a thread all their own.

If you have a vocabularly question, the Ecclesiantics Dictionary might be a helpful reference. And if your interest runs to "tat" -- all those worship-related items that are worn, swung, or hung -- check out our speciality thread "The Tatler."

Enjoy!

Mamacita, Eccles Host

[updated link]

[ 30. September 2012, 00:53: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
Is there a standard, common or interesting form of words for blessing incense when charging a thurible or censor?

3F
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
IIRC, since Vatican II, incense is put on without any formula, although the priest makes the sign of the cross.
 
Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
Could anyone recommend an online source for the Revised Common Lectionary, with all services (MP, EP and Mass)? I can only find versions with the Mass readings.
 
Posted by Fradgan (# 16455) on :
 
Try this:

http://www.missionstclare.com/
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
IIRC, since Vatican II, incense is put on without any formula, although the priest makes the sign of the cross.

One of the more egregious examples of the desacralisation of the liturgy, IMNSHO. I have noticed that the 'gravitational pull' talked of in Summorum Pontificum appears to have had an effect here, with the Pope appearing to be saying the blessing of incense from the EF at the Mass of the Epiphany yesterday. I'm glad because it's such a lovely prayer:

quote:
Ab illo + benedicaris in cuius honore cremaberis? Amen.
May you be blessed by ahim in whose honour you shall be burned.

[ 07. January 2012, 16:56: Message edited by: Trisagion ]
 
Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fradgan:
Try this:

http://www.missionstclare.com/

[Overused] Thanks!

I actually had that a few days ago, but forgot what it was called. I will receive a book version in the post soon, so that'll do till now.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 3rdFooter:
Is there a standard, common or interesting form of words for blessing incense when charging a thurible or censor?

3F

I find the Byzantine one to be quite beautiful. Tracing the Cross over the incense, the priest says:

quote:
Incense do we offer unto Thee, O Christ, as an aroma of spiritual fragrance. Accepting it upon thy most heavenly altar, do Thou send down upon us the grace of thine All-Holy Spirit.


[ 07. January 2012, 17:10: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rosa Winkel:
Could anyone recommend an online source for the Revised Common Lectionary, with all services (MP, EP and Mass)? I can only find versions with the Mass readings.

Oremus is pretty good for this. They have the lectionary in a format you can load into most calendar applications.

3F
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
Thank-you fellow smokers. I agree saying nothing seems a bit lacking.

I like both Greek and Latin blessings.

3F
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rosa Winkel:
Could anyone recommend an online source for the Revised Common Lectionary, with all services (MP, EP and Mass)? I can only find versions with the Mass readings.

Or this.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:

quote:
Ab illo + benedicaris in cuius honore cremaberis? Amen.
May you be blessed by ahim in whose honour you shall be burned.
Isn't that the blessing of heretics?
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:

quote:
Ab illo + benedicaris in cuius honore cremaberis? Amen.
May you be blessed by ahim in whose honour you shall be burned.
Isn't that the blessing of heretics?
No it's the blessing of deacons when the celebrant gets confused at Gospel time.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Or, being interpreted, "Be thou ble+ ssed in whose honour thou shalt be burned."

The blessing at the offertory in the EF is different:

Per intercessionem beati Michaelis Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus bene+dicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Through the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, who standeth at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all his elect, may the Lord vouchsafe to bl+ess this incense, and to receive it for a sweet smelling savour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:

quote:
Ab illo + benedicaris in cuius honore cremaberis? Amen.
May you be blessed by ahim in whose honour you shall be burned.
Isn't that the blessing of heretics?
No - it was frequently used by a Mirfield monk, who was warden of my student hall of residence, as a grace before meals when we had a dodgy chef who always overcooked things.
 
Posted by Amazing Grace (# 95) on :
 
Question (which may have been more suited to the Christmas thread, but I'll ask it here): how did your churches handle the timing of the Dec 25 services, if you had one or more?

Most years we have ours at 11 am to give clergy and musicians a chance to recover a little from the big midnight wing-ding. But since Christmas was Sunday this year, we had it at 10 am, standard Sunday time slot. We did cancel our 8 am service.

So, the same time as every Sunday? Or different?
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:
Question (which may have been more suited to the Christmas thread, but I'll ask it here): how did your churches handle the timing of the Dec 25 services, if you had one or more?

Most years we have ours at 11 am to give clergy and musicians a chance to recover a little from the big midnight wing-ding. But since Christmas was Sunday this year, we had it at 10 am, standard Sunday time slot. We did cancel our 8 am service.

So, the same time as every Sunday? Or different?

Amazing Grace, I do think the question is better suited to the Christmas thread, so I'm going to copy it over to that thread. Respondents, please reply there. Thanks!

Mamacita, Eccles Host
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:
Question (which may have been more suited to the Christmas thread, but I'll ask it here): how did your churches handle the timing of the Dec 25 services, if you had one or more?

Most years we have ours at 11 am to give clergy and musicians a chance to recover a little from the big midnight wing-ding. But since Christmas was Sunday this year, we had it at 10 am, standard Sunday time slot. We did cancel our 8 am service.

So, the same time as every Sunday? Or different?

I adopted, as you would expect, the carry on regardless policy. Masses, as usual, at 9am and 10.30am. As it happens, if I had cancelled one I would have picked the wrong one and cancelled the 9am. As it was the 9am Low Mass was the better attended of the two!

PD

[ 11. January 2012, 04:46: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Whoops! Read hostly admonition after replying to AG's post.

Sorry!

PD
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
There is one verse of Adeste Fideles that I do not think has been translated into English. Why not? Here is the verse and my very rough translation. If there are any Latinists out there who can correct my translation it would be appreciated.

Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus:
Deum infantem pannis involutum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
venite adoremus Dominum

From the eternal Father, splendor eternal
We now see wrapped in flesh
God as an infant wrapped and clothed.
O come ... etc
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Simple answer is are multiple.

O come all ye faithful's translation is the work of multiple translators. The standard two translators are give on cyberhymnal they for some reason did not include this verse but no clues on Cyberhymnal.

Jengie
 
Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
There is one verse of Adeste Fideles that I do not think has been translated into English. Why not? Here is the verse and my very rough translation. If there are any Latinists out there who can correct my translation it would be appreciated.

Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus:
Deum infantem pannis involutum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
venite adoremus Dominum

From the eternal Father, splendor eternal
We now see wrapped in flesh
God as an infant wrapped and clothed.
O come ... etc

You can find it here. As noted above half the verses were translated by Oakley; Mercer translated all eight. The Mercer version of the 'other' four verses can be found at no. 55 in the second edition of the CoS Church Hymnary.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Thanks! My quick and dirty translation was at least in the ballpark.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Re the blessing of incense, our priest-in-charge uses the words 'Be thou blest by Him in Whose honour thou shalt be burned' - i.e. as per BXVI but in Ye Olde English. Seemly and edifying (at least to those who hear it!).

Ian J.
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
Similar to what I say. Scoop out three spoons, make the sacred sign while saying, "Be blessed by Him in whose name you shall be burned."

I love talking to inanimate objects like that. Sort of like abjuring the salt and water when they are blessed. I often tell baby priests if I catch them saying something like "I bless you in the Name of the F, S, and the HS." "You're blessing it, not baptising it!"
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
Blonde moment: Do we light the paschal candle for confirmation? I can't remember.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
No, unless any of the candidates are also being baptised.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
Anyone know of an online recording of an Epiphany Lessons & Carols Service?
 
Posted by Cruet (# 14586) on :
 
St. Thomas Fifth Ave. NYC has today's L and C service on line.
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
Choral Evensong on Radio 3 was lessons and carols for epiphany on 4th Jan, but unfortunately I-player only has the most recent episode, so that's no help!

Carys
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
I saw St. Thomas' was an "Epiphany Procession" is that the same thing? I'm not quite sure what they mean by that.
 
Posted by +Chad (# 5645) on :
 
Does snyone know of an online source (free) for the Lourdes Hymn (i.e. Immaculate Mary)?

I've found one which is melody only - could do with full score.

Many thankings.
 
Posted by Liturgylover (# 15711) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
Anyone know of an online recording of an Epiphany Lessons & Carols Service?

St. John's Chapel Cambridge will be having their Epiphany Carol services next weekend - 21 and 22 January - which will be then be available on their webcast for a good few weeks.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by +Chad:
Does snyone know of an online source (free) for the Lourdes Hymn (i.e. Immaculate Mary)?

I've found one which is melody only - could do with full score.

Many thankings.

Right there on YouTube
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Carys:
Choral Evensong on Radio 3 was lessons and carols for epiphany on 4th Jan, but unfortunately I-player only has the most recent episode, so that's no help!

Carys

It was extremely good, though, with a thoughtful meditation, by Jeremy Davies, on T. S. Eliot.

[ 16. January 2012, 14:24: Message edited by: leo ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by +Chad:
Does snyone know of an online source (free) for the Lourdes Hymn (i.e. Immaculate Mary)?

I've found one which is melody only - could do with full score.

Many thankings.

Right there on YouTube
Thank you for sharing that,Ceremoniar. I think that Chad is after the sheet music rather than a recording, lovely though it was.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I think, if you correct the words, then this may be what you need.
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
Anyone know of an online recording of an Epiphany Lessons & Carols Service?

It might be worth googling 'the light of God's glory: an Epiphany carol service and Epiphany resources' - Peter Moger, RSCM. There are several choral items, liturgy, hymns and carols. I know you can buy a copy for about £8, but there may be samples online for you to look at before deciding to buy (for example, here is the printed music and liturgy). And several of the carols / anthems featured in the book may well be on youtube to listen to.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
I think, if you correct the words, then this may be what you need.

The same author has written an excellent processional hymn for Candlemas to the same tune. Anyone interested PM me.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
I think, if you correct the words, then this may be what you need.

The same author has written an excellent processional hymn for Candlemas to the same tune. Anyone interested PM me.
[Smile]

[ 16. January 2012, 20:19: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by +Chad (# 5645) on :
 
Many thanks.

I don't believe I forgot that Christingle song. I looked at it when planning this year's service.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
[PDF warning]

Here's a copy too, although I remember different words.
 
Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
Blonde moment: Do we light the paschal candle for confirmation? I can't remember.

But, but, but, it's Affirmation of Baptism, non?
I'd light 'er up.
 
Posted by +Chad (# 5645) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
The same author has written an excellent processional hymn for Candlemas to the same tune. Anyone interested PM me.

It's a Candlemass hymn I want it for - I'm guessing the same one!
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
This is the one we sing (link to Oremus Hymnal) - we sing it from Common Praise - no.80.
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
And this one is fun - you can see the sheet music and sing along (but they've left off the last line when you listen - I like to think it's to check up on my sight-reading skills, but think it's probably more to do with copyright and making sure you buy the full version!).

I had a bit of fun and clicked the melody and harmony versions at different times - it sounds just like our choir when cantoris and decani get out of synch. [Biased]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
This is the one we sing (link to Oremus Hymnal) - we sing it from Common Praise - no.80.

That's the one. I know the author: she's got talent. (Incidentally, antipodean shipmates might like to know that she has written some variant words for those verses that talk about spring coming.)
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Yes - that's a good one - now that we keep Candlemas on the nearest Sunday, it works well with the children, who wouldn't have been with us if we kept it on Feb 2.

But we also sing the Nunc Dimittis (metrical/hymn version)

[ 17. January 2012, 14:03: Message edited by: leo ]
 
Posted by Hennah (# 9541) on :
 
When the debates are raised, people always seem to talk about "women bishops" and "women clergy" rather than "female bishops" and "female clergy".

Is there a reason?
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Actually, "female bishops" gets about 8 million hits on google, versus one and a half for "women bishops" so it seems to be the other way round.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Are all pyxes (for taking hosts to the housebound, not the hanging variety) the same size?

The pyx from my home communion set has gone awol and I want to buy a new one which will fit into the compartment meant for it. (As we reserve in both kinds, I use a kit that has slots for wine as well - it would be easier if I only needed a pyx which would fit into my pocket.)
 
Posted by Hennah (# 9541) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Actually, "female bishops" gets about 8 million hits on google, versus one and a half for "women bishops" so it seems to be the other way round.

"Women bishops" just seems to be the phrase used on news reports and suchlike. I wondered if there was a specific reason, but perhaps it's just the style (in the "BBC house style" sense).
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Are all pyxes (for taking hosts to the housebound, not the hanging variety) the same size?

No. There are several different sizes, in terms of capacity. There is some, though not much, difference in the diameters of various pyxes, but the most significant differences are the height (i.e., depth) of the pyx. Typicaly pyxes can hold anywhere between five and fifty hosts.
 
Posted by maleveque (# 132) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hennah:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Actually, "female bishops" gets about 8 million hits on google, versus one and a half for "women bishops" so it seems to be the other way round.

"Women bishops" just seems to be the phrase used on news reports and suchlike. I wondered if there was a specific reason, but perhaps it's just the style (in the "BBC house style" sense).
Perhaps the preference for 'women' bishops rather than 'female' has something to do with sense that 'female' is a biological term that refers to all female creatures, while 'woman' specifically refers to humans? My alma mater went through a similar discussion 150 years ago. Bits of Vassar Trivia found here
- Anne L.
 
Posted by aig (# 429) on :
 
We should rejoice that the term 'lady bishops' has not trended.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Are all pyxes (for taking hosts to the housebound, not the hanging variety) the same size?

The pyx from my home communion set has gone awol and I want to buy a new one which will fit into the compartment meant for it. (As we reserve in both kinds, I use a kit that has slots for wine as well - it would be easier if I only needed a pyx which would fit into my pocket.)

If you are near an ecclesiastial supplier, best to take the kit and try out which will fit in it. We have several kits in church and not all the pyxes fit in each kit.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zacchaeus:
If you are near an ecclesiastial supplier, best to take the kit and try out which will fit in it. We have several kits in church and not all the pyxes fit in each kit.

Or measure it!
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Thanks - I HAD thought of that but rulers/tape measures have a bit of non-measuring bits at the edge and the aperture is rather pokey but I'll try it.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Thanks - I HAD thought of that but rulers/tape measures have a bit of non-measuring bits at the edge and the aperture is rather pokey but I'll try it.

Don't forget the width and depth of the 'hole' but you also have to think about the amount of clearance needed for the pyx lids etc when the box shuts.
 
Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :
 
Question posed by a friend:
quote:
How does one know which liturgical colour is appropriate for a given weekday? e.g. is 1 Feb white (Epiphany season) or gold (Candlemas on 2nd)?
I would think that it's the same season until the change day, or am I wrong?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zacchaeus:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Thanks - I HAD thought of that but rulers/tape measures have a bit of non-measuring bits at the edge and the aperture is rather pokey but I'll try it.

Don't forget the width and depth of the 'hole' but you also have to think about the amount of clearance needed for the pyx lids etc when the box shuts.
Yes - you've understood how complicated it is.

It is a shame that SPCK has closed. I am not due to visit London until May and can't wait until then - unless I put wafers in an envelope and prepare everything with my back to the recipient.

And as for 'post the host', don't even go there.

Maybe I shall pass on requests to the clergy - it's all very well having layfolk do home communions but i think it's good if a priest goes now and then - especially the more high church folk who might want to make their confession.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
I seriously knew somebody who had a tuppaware container with a cross glued onto it for carrying the wafers around.....

It was a poor church in a poor area and nobody ever quite had the exprobitant price needed, to buy a home communion set..
 
Posted by maleveque (# 132) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cheesymarzipan:
Question posed by a friend:
quote:
How does one know which liturgical colour is appropriate for a given weekday? e.g. is 1 Feb white (Epiphany season) or gold (Candlemas on 2nd)?
I would think that it's the same season until the change day, or am I wrong?
There are various liturgical calendars that can give the correct liturgical color of the day, depending on your tradition. Here's the Episcopal one. At the bottom of the page it says,
quote:
The liturgical color appropriate for the day is indicated, when the color is green, red or purple, by the color of the numeral against a light grey background. When the liturgical color is white, the numeral is black against a white background.
- Anne L.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cheesymarzipan:
Question posed by a friend:
quote:
How does one know which liturgical colour is appropriate for a given weekday? e.g. is 1 Feb white (Epiphany season) or gold (Candlemas on 2nd)?
I would think that it's the same season until the change day, or am I wrong?
In The Episcopal Church, Feb. 1 this year is in a green season, but it's also the lesser feast of St. Brigid (aka Bride), who was an abbess, so the color for the feast is white. Candlemas is white, too. Churches that have gold vestments use them as an extra-festive color on some feast days, and Candlemas might be one of them. But the calendar will show white for that day.
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zacchaeus:
I seriously knew somebody who had a tuppaware container with a cross glued onto it for carrying the wafers around.....

It was a poor church in a poor area and nobody ever quite had the exprobitant price needed, to buy a home communion set..

And in those circumstances, there's nothing at all wrong with tuppaware.
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
It is a shame that SPCK has closed. I am not due to visit London until May and can't wait until then - unless I put wafers in an envelope and prepare everything with my back to the recipient.

Come to Cardiff. Churches Together Bookshop in Windsor Place have at least some pyxes and would be very helpful if you brought the kit with you. It's only 50 mins by train and it's a nice place to visit.

Alternatively would plasticine/play dough help? Form it to a size that fits the hole and measure that.

Carys

[ETA paragraph]

[ 25. January 2012, 21:34: Message edited by: Carys ]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Carys:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
It is a shame that SPCK has closed. I am not due to visit London until May and can't wait until then - unless I put wafers in an envelope and prepare everything with my back to the recipient.

Come to Cardiff. Churches Together Bookshop in Windsor Place have at least some pyxes and would be very helpful if you brought the kit with you. It's only 50 mins by train and it's a nice place to visit.

Alternatively would plasticine/play dough help? Form it to a size that fits the hole and measure that.

Carys

[ETA paragraph]

Two excellent ideas. Thank you. I'll try the latter tonight before i lead a Holocaust mem. Day service.

You must have watched Blue Peter.

[ 26. January 2012, 16:21: Message edited by: leo ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cheesymarzipan:
Question posed by a friend:
quote:
How does one know which liturgical colour is appropriate for a given weekday? e.g. is 1 Feb white (Epiphany season) or gold (Candlemas on 2nd)?
I would think that it's the same season until the change day, or am I wrong?
Most churches have an Ordo Calendar - basically a liturgical calendar hung on the wall in the sacristy. The colour of the numeral (or an abbreviation in the corner) gives the liturgical colour of the day. This week for example is as follows in our Ordo:

Sun 22 - Epiphany III - Green
Mon 23 - St Raymond - white
Tues 24 - St Timothy - Red
Weds 25 - Conv of St Paul - white
Thurs 26 - St Polycarp - Red

...and so on and so forth.

They also carry information about whether or not the Gloria and Creed are to be said, and whether or not there is a proper preface. All handy stuff for the celebrant to know before stepping out of the sacristy.

The entertaining thing about ours is that we publish it jointly with another ecclesiastical jurisdiction and they observe a lot more Octaves than we do. For example, the week after Circumcision (1/1) they were observing the Octaves of St Stephen. etc., whilst we were doing the ferial readings. Why we have never completely standardized calendars I do not know. Probably because that would be too simple!

PD

[ 26. January 2012, 17:41: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
A question to those with experience of Byzantine custom:

In Vespers of Holy Saturday with the Burial Service of the Lord (served on the afternoon of Great and Holy Friday), there is no mention of candles held by the people in any rubric that I can find for the earlier part of the service. Then, all of a sudden, when the burial shroud is carried from the altar in procession, the people are mentioned as having lighted candles in their hands. Obviously, there is an expectation that, at some point prior to this, there will be a distribution and lighting of candles but this is not mentioned.

Last year, we tried to give out lighted candles during the Aposticha, (immediately prior to the shroud being brought out) but this was messy and distracting. The logical sequence, to my way of thinking, is for people to be given candles as they arrive and for these to be lit during the Phos Hilaron by simply passing the light among the people. Is there an established practice which, while not enshrined in rubrics, is widespread and customary, or is it ok to just do what seems convenient?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Quick question/ alert warning (though too late for this year).

Did anybody using the Mowbray's edition of the RCL (NRSV), and using the readings for Epiphany 4 today rather than Candlemas, get tripped up as I was by the glaring typo in the Gospel? v21 says: 'John entered the synagogue and taught', when clearly Jesus is meant?

I got to that point, apologised, and started again! The mistake is in the large lectern edition of the Gospels, and also in the pew edition. It is nearly 15 years since it was published and it's surprising nobody in that church at least has noticed... maybe Epiphany 4 has cropped up less than the 5 times one might expect.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Quick question/ alert warning (though too late for this year).

Did anybody using the Mowbray's edition of the RCL (NRSV), and using the readings for Epiphany 4 today rather than Candlemas, get tripped up as I was by the glaring typo in the Gospel? v21 says: 'John entered the synagogue and taught', when clearly Jesus is meant?

I got to that point, apologised, and started again! The mistake is in the large lectern edition of the Gospels, and also in the pew edition. It is nearly 15 years since it was published and it's surprising nobody in that church at least has noticed... maybe Epiphany 4 has cropped up less than the 5 times one might expect.

Yes, we had that! (Church of Ireland). I half thought I had misheard, then that deacon had misread. That's that one explained!
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
Make a commitment to scratch it out and write in the correct name ASAP. This is one of those moments when writing in the lectionary may seem taboo, but is better than the alternative of always hearing it incorrectly.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I did. Despite being the visiting priest.
 
Posted by anne (# 73) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Quick question/ alert warning (though too late for this year).

Did anybody using the Mowbray's edition of the RCL (NRSV), and using the readings for Epiphany 4 today rather than Candlemas, get tripped up as I was by the glaring typo in the Gospel? v21 says: 'John entered the synagogue and taught', when clearly Jesus is meant?

Thank you - I was just trying to word a post on that exact question - I was in the congregation at 8am and our Gospel reading was "John - no surely they mean Jesus - entered the synagogue". The misprint appeared in both our "Gospel book" and in the lectern lectionary (which has all the readings).

But it did give me a nice illustration on authority to add in to my 10 o'clock sermon - after all, if the big red Gospel book isn't authoritative, what is?

anne
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
A question to those with experience of Byzantine custom:

In Vespers of Holy Saturday with the Burial Service of the Lord (served on the afternoon of Great and Holy Friday), there is no mention of candles held by the people in any rubric that I can find for the earlier part of the service. Then, all of a sudden, when the burial shroud is carried from the altar in procession, the people are mentioned as having lighted candles in their hands. Obviously, there is an expectation that, at some point prior to this, there will be a distribution and lighting of candles but this is not mentioned.

Last year, we tried to give out lighted candles during the Aposticha, (immediately prior to the shroud being brought out) but this was messy and distracting. The logical sequence, to my way of thinking, is for people to be given candles as they arrive and for these to be lit during the Phos Hilaron by simply passing the light among the people. Is there an established practice which, while not enshrined in rubrics, is widespread and customary, or is it ok to just do what seems convenient?

Michael Astley, at the Russian/convert place nearby, we always have them in our hands at least by the time Psalm 118 (119) is starting. I don't know how helpful that might be.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
I'm looking for the list of Psalms and Psalm verses that are omitted in the New Zealand Prayer Book.

I've trawled every which way with google, but I'm coming up empty.

Is there anybody here who can help?
 
Posted by simwel (# 12214) on :
 
When is it normal to “veil” the crosses in Church? For the whole of Lent i.e. after Ash Wednesday or just for holy Week after Palm Sunday
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by simwel:
When is it normal to “veil” the crosses in Church? For the whole of Lent i.e. after Ash Wednesday or just for holy Week after Palm Sunday

Traditionally, and still mentioned in the latest Roman missal, crosses and statues are veiled for the last two weeks of Lent - the season of Passiontide.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
Churches used to be stripped of 'decoration' as far as possible for Lent, with decorative features not easily moved being covered with a veil. The instinct has always been towards simplicity and ancient tradition in 'solemn' seasons (seen at its extreme in the stripping of a church for Good Friday), with elaboration and 'newness' kept for seasons like Easter.

It seems paradoxical to cover the cross, being such a focus of Lenten devotion for us today, but altar crosses were a relatively late innovation, so were treated in the same way as other 'decorations'. This veiling (in unbleached linen) was from Ash Wednesday in the 'Sarum' tradition, and (usually with purple veils) from Lent 5 in the 'Roman' tradition (but optional since the introduction of the current form of the Roman Rite).
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by simwel:
When is it normal to “veil” the crosses in Church? For the whole of Lent i.e. after Ash Wednesday or just for holy Week after Palm Sunday

It depends on the custom followed in your church. The Roman rubrics call for veiling, I believe, from Lent V onwards while Sarum rubrics call for veiling from the beginning of Lent. Customs - even traditional ones - vary. In either tradition, my experience is that real veils are used, and not "veils". [Confused]

Silent Acolyte, thank you. Though I wonder whether we may have a crossed wire. I'm unfamiliar with psalm 118 at this service. We have psalm 103 at the beginning then there is no kathisma appointed. Not to worry. Having now looked properly at the service I realise that lighting the candles at the Phos Hilaron would leave too long a time until the Burial, thus detaching the two events in the minds of the people. The Song of Symeon seems a better time. Then we can get them on their knees when the Burial Shroud cones out.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
In Vespers of Holy Saturday with the Burial Service of the Lord (served on the afternoon of Great and Holy Friday), there is no mention of candles held by the people in any rubric that I can find for the earlier part of the service. Then, all of a sudden, when the burial shroud is carried from the altar in procession, the people are mentioned as having lighted candles in their hands. Obviously, there is an expectation that, at some point prior to this, there will be a distribution and lighting of candles but this is not mentioned.

and
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
Silent Acolyte, thank you. Though I wonder whether we may have a crossed wire. I'm unfamiliar with psalm 118 at this service.

I'm probably the one that's confused.You mention Saturday Vespers that is served on Friday afternoon. Mother Mary and Kallistos Ware's Triodion has Saturday Mattins served on Friday evening in parish churches. They put Saturday Vespers at about 10 or 11 o'clock on Saturday morning. It is the Saturday Mattins service at which I remember holding candles during the verses of Ps. 118 (119) interspersed with troparia.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
Oh, I see. I think it's just a matter of different terminology.

What I'm referring to as Vespers of Holy Saturday is Vespers on Good Friday afternoon. It is technically the first service of Holy Saturday, and commemorates the taking down and burial of the Saviour's body as it was nearing sundown, (so that no work may be done on the Sabbath. I assume this is why the service is called for in the mid-to-late afternoon rather than the more usual evening time of Vespers).

The Vesperal Liturgy called for on Holy Saturday afternoon (but often served in the morning in many parishes - a change introduced in my parish last year and which I hope to see reversed) is actually the old Paschal Vigil. According to Metropolitan Kallistos, this is the older Easter vigil which, when the new one was introduced at night, was simply moved to the afternoon rather than being abolished, because it was loved by the people. These days, the people who go to this tend to be those who would find it difficult to attend the night vigil: elderly people, families with large numbers of children, people who rely on public transport (not readily available in the early hours of Sunday morning to take them home) and so forth. For them, this is their only Easter service and they will often bring their Easter baskets then. Also at this service will be the keenies, who come despite planning to be back again at night.

I don't at all like this being served on the Saturday morning because I think this is far too early for an Easter Vigil. The rubric calls for it at about 4 pm. Yet I can understand that a parish with one priest, who may have to work full time to support himself, may need to allow him time to rest between weekend services. Also, if a decorating party wants to prepare the church for the night vigil, they may be pressed for time if the services were all done at the appointed times.

My parish doesn't have the resources to serve Holy Saturday Matins on top of everything else so I have never experienced it. Perhaps one day.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
Liturgical geekery alert:

The old Paschal Vigil I mentioned is so ancient that it has common roots with the vigil with which Western Christians will be familiar. Some common elements:

 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by simwel:
When is it normal to “veil” the crosses in Church? For the whole of Lent i.e. after Ash Wednesday or just for holy Week after Palm Sunday

The church i attended as a teenager followed 'Sarum' = lenten array/hessian veils on cross and candlesticks, even on the little crosses on top of the churchwardens' staves.

Roman usage used to veil in purple from passion Sunday onwards.

Post Vatican 2, no veiling except for anything that cannot be removed after the Maundy Thursday mass of the last supper
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Post Vatican 2, no veiling except for anything that cannot be removed after the Maundy Thursday mass of the last supper [/QB]

Not quite so; the new missal makes it clear that veiling of crosses and images is still an optional observance from Lent 5 until Good Friday (crosses) and Easter vigil (images). The conference of bishops may decide that this is to be observed.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
There was recently an earthquake in the Philippines, and my congregation has a connection to one of the villages near the epicenter.

I am looking for a hymn that would be well-known to most Christians in the Philippines. It must be something that has an English translation.

There are a couple in our hymnal:

Lord, Your Hands Have Formed (Gayom Ni Higami/Ikalahan)
When Twilight Comes (Dapit Hapon)

but I'm not sure how widespread or well-known they are in the Philippines.

Any information or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Posted by St. Punk the Pious (# 683) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by simwel:
When is it normal to “veil” the crosses in Church? For the whole of Lent i.e. after Ash Wednesday or just for holy Week after Palm Sunday

My somewhat low church Reformed Episcopal Church parish veils for all of Lent. But I don't know how "normal" that is.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
I think the veiling for all of Lent is an old MOTR Episcopalian practice and also one that I've only ever seen in Episcopal churches in Texas, where I believe you are located, St Punk. The other two practices I've seen are veiling from what used to be designated as Passion Sunday - Lent V - the Sunday before Palm Sunday; and alternatively, only on Palm Sunday up to the Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter. The two latter practices I've seen variously in different Anglo-Catholic parishes.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
Isn't the "veiling" the so-called Lenten Array mentioned by Dearmer?
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
Isn't the "veiling" the so-called Lenten Array mentioned by Dearmer?

It's one way to do it. There is a section about halfway down this page which discusses veiling traditions. The "Sarum (English Use)" paragraph speaks to your question. My church has "Lenten Array" vestments (an off-white rough linen trimmed in deep crimson and black) but we don't veil anything. Well, there's a white/homespun drape placed on the cross that's hung over the altar. But nothing covered up.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
I hope this qualifies as a liturgical question!


Background:
I saw in the news that Archbishop Dolan, as part of the process elevating him to the cardinalate will preach a sermon to the pope and other cardinals and then answer questions from them - all in Italian. I assume he speaks the langugage having lived there.

Question:
Do all new cardinals have to preach and answer questions in Italian? I would not think so.
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Perhaps they would employ a translator?
 
Posted by Ecclesiastical Flip-flop (# 10745) on :
 
But it is Latin and not Italian that is the official language of the Church!

Though from a selfish point of view, I like the Italian language, but that is neither here nor there.
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Nonetheless, i think that, for practical purposes, Italian is the working language of Vatican City. The main edition of L'Osservatore Romano (sp?) the official Vatican daily, is in Italian (although it also appears in other languages on a weekly basis I believe)

Official documents, of course, like encyclicals, are published in Latin.

[ 15. February 2012, 18:25: Message edited by: malik3000 ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
What's all this business about bridal chambers?

I am just setting the Holy Saturday canon to music in preparation for the Midnight Office at the Paschal Vigil, and have been reminded of the clause (speaking of Jonah as a type of Christ) "...he burst forth from the beast as from a bridal chamber".

I know about Christ as the bridegroom and understand that a bridegroom figure from before the Incarnation may be seen to typify Christ in some way; I also see how Jonah bursting forth from the whale (yes, I know - let's not go there) is taken as a foreshadowing of Christ bursting forth from the tomb. I just don't see how someone popping out of a sea monster is analogous to a bridegroom. Is there something about the understanding of marriage ceremonies and symbolism in ancient times that is now lost?

I think there are similar analogies in other hymns. Is anybody able to shed light on this?
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
Each day before my morning devotions I pray the beautiful Psalm XIX ('The Heavens declare the Glory of God: and the firmament showeth forth His handiwork'). It includes the line, pertaining to the sun, 'He hath come forth as a bridegroom from his chamber: and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course'. I have always taken this to mean that the exit of the newlywed man on 'the morning after' - no doubt ready for his breakfast - was considered a particularly celebratory moment!

Now, this is the kind of thing I'd get rather embarrassed about in our current culture but I suspect things might have been rather different back then. More... earthy [Cool]

With respect to specific Biblical references, you could consider starting a thread in Kerygmania perhaps?
 
Posted by Alogon (# 5513) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
Psalm XIX...'He hath come forth as a bridegroom from his chamber: and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course'.



Where else have I heard this? Oh yes, in the fourth stanza of Veni, Redemptor, the office hymn for Christmas Eve:

Forth from his chamber goeth he,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now his course to run.


I'd never made the connexion with Psalm 19, but of course it was in the author's mind.

BTW, I love Kenneth Leighton's stunning musical representation of these words (as I hear it) in his valedictory organ work, "Veni, Redemptor: a celebration." It seems to me that the piece builds up gradually to a page or two of dance and fanfare which incorporates a device that Bach had used to symbolize the dual nature of Christ. Leighton underlines this allusion with a clear appearance of the B-A-C-H motive. Then a mighty, descending pedal line (through two octaves) brings home a long-delayed completion of the hymn melody, ending on low C. This musical evocation of Christ's Incarnation is comparable to the opening of Olivier Messiaen's Dieu Parmi Nous in drama and power.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
That makes sense actually, dj_ordinaire. Thank you! Yes, I can see how that might be understood culturally as a celebratory and triumphal emergence, and I'm happy with the explanation without need to delve into the scriptural references further (although, of course, others are free to do so if they wish). That reading would certainly fit with the spirit of the service as well, which has a sort of laid back, no-holds-barred approach to celebrating the Resurrection. In the Paschal canon, (sung a mere few minutes after the line I quoted above), there is one hymn which, calling to mind the freed Israel in the wilderness, goes:

quote:
Come, let us drink, not miraculous water drawn forth from a barren stone, but a new drink from the fount of incorruption, springing from the tomb of Christ, in Whom we are established.
Those who can read the Slavonic and Greek tell me that the noun "drink" is a poor rendering of what, in the original languages, is not merely any old drink but carries the sense of an alcoholic beverage, drunk in social celebration. It's essentially saying, 'Christ is risen! Let's get p*ssed.' I have seen some translations render it as "beverage" or "vintage" to try to capture something of that sense, (although the latter with seeming attempt at respectability).

[ 17. February 2012, 17:09: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Next week is Lent and I loathe replacing the Te Deum with the Benedicite for Morning Prayer because to me, this canticle is not suitably penitential. I am fond of the Prayer of Manasseh in the US Book of Common Prayer. Is there a Cranmerian version of this Prayer? Or am I stuck using the KJV version of it?
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
AB:
As the so-called Prayer of Manassah was not used as a canticle by Cranmer or his 16th & 17th century successors, and if you want to avoid KJV, your best best will probably be The Great Bible, which is IIRC the source of the BCP biblical material of that time.

For me, I always sort of giggle at 'the knees of my heart.' One can only carry a metaphor so far. YMMV.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Next week is Lent and I loathe replacing the Te Deum with the Benedicite for Morning Prayer because to me, this canticle is not suitably penitential. I am fond of the Prayer of Manasseh in the US Book of Common Prayer. Is there a Cranmerian version of this Prayer? Or am I stuck using the KJV version of it?

Is the Benedicte to replace the Te Deum in Lent according to the 1662 BCP?
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
In answer to jordan: In the BCP, at morning prayer, the Benedicite is given as an alternative canticle to the Te Deum, as is the Jubilate Deo to the Benedictus (As is, at evening prayer, the Cantate Domino an alternative to the Magnificat and the Deus Misereatur to the Nunc Dimittis.) But it doesn't specifically say that should happen in Lent - this I think (correct me if I'm wrong) has developed as a tradition - in my old church, where we always sang Mattins as well as Evensong, the tradition was that we should sing the alternative canticles in Advent and Lent. It is certainly good to have a little variety from time to time. According to the BCP, the only written stipulation is that the Venite is replaced by an alternative anthem on Easter Day and that the alternative canticles which are versions of the psalms are not used on the days when this is already the psalm of the day.

If you don't find the Benedicite penitential enough, you could always keep the Te Deum during Lent and, instead of individual prayers, use the Litany - which is extremely 'have mercy upon us miserable sinners' penitential.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
The reason for this slightly odd custom seems to be that the Te Deum is used at the end of Mattins/Vigils/Office of Readings in the Roman Catholic Breviary on any day when the Gloria in Excelsis is used in the Mass. (which is where Cranmer's Morning Prayer took it from - the old Sarum Mattins, with Lauds contributing the Benedictus). Hence, it is used on most Sundays but not on the Sundays in Lent.

This led certain Anglicans to adopt the practice of dropping the Te Deum from Mattins when said or sung during Lent. As the canticle now comes in the middle of the Office rather than the end one can hardly just omit it, so as the Benedicite is provided as an alternative this is used instead. This is despite the fact that, as jordan notes, it is not particularly Lenten or penitential. It just *isn't* the Te Deum!

A curious mangling of traditions, and not one with any obvious answer, especially as the 1662 BCP doesn't drop the Gloria in Excelsis from the Holy Communion during Lent anyway! [Paranoid]
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
The reason for this slightly odd custom seems to be that the Te Deum is used at the end of Mattins/Vigils/Office of Readings in the Roman Catholic Breviary on any day when the Gloria in Excelsis is used in the Mass. (which is where Cranmer's Morning Prayer took it from - the old Sarum Mattins, with Lauds contributing the Benedictus). Hence, it is used on most Sundays but not on the Sundays in Lent.

This led certain Anglicans to adopt the practice of dropping the Te Deum from Mattins when said or sung during Lent. As the canticle now comes in the middle of the Office rather than the end one can hardly just omit it, so as the Benedicite is provided as an alternative this is used instead. This is despite the fact that, as jordan notes, it is not particularly Lenten or penitential. It just *isn't* the Te Deum!

A curious mangling of traditions, and not one with any obvious answer, especially as the 1662 BCP doesn't drop the Gloria in Excelsis from the Holy Communion during Lent anyway! [Paranoid]

Another alternative I have heard is to use the
Salvator Mundi

In my Vancouver parish, the Salvator Mundi is used during Passiontide. Alas neither the Salvator Mundi or the Prayer of Manasseh is in the Canadian Book of Alternative Services. [Waterworks]

The Benedicite is IMHO suitable for use as a Processional hymn for either Harvest Thanksgiving or Francistide.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Unless it is critical to be using a version in C16 English, this (about a third of the way down the page) is the selection from the Prayer of Manasseh that the CofE provides for daily prayer in Lent.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Ps. 51 was given as an alternative to both the Te Deum and Benedicite in the Deposited Book. This also is the fixed psalm in Lauds II in the Pius X Breviary.

PD
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
So, this came up today.

At my local, the priest toddles down the line handing out the bread, and the LEMmings follow behind with the chalice. The priest bestows blessings on kids who don't partake.

What should the LEMmings do when they get to these kidlets?
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
A chalice bearer would breeze blissfully past; a host minister would pray for God to bless them.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
A chalice bearer would breeze blissfully past; a host minister would pray for God to bless them.

See, that's what I thought, but there was some concern the kids would feel 'left out' or something.

Most of 'em are doing backflips on the altar rail by that time, anyway.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
Each day before my morning devotions I pray the beautiful Psalm XIX ('The Heavens declare the Glory of God: and the firmament showeth forth His handiwork'). It includes the line, pertaining to the sun, 'He hath come forth as a bridegroom from his chamber: and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course'. I have always taken this to mean that the exit of the newlywed man on 'the morning after' - no doubt ready for his breakfast - was considered a particularly celebratory moment!


Interesting; I come across this one (psalm 18 in Catholic use) occasionally as I pray the Breviary and the imagery has always appealed to me. I had always taken it as being the bridegroom hurrying from his chamber to his betrothal, though!
 
Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
This question arose at my shack yesterday, after Ash Wednesday service: When is it appropriate to wipe the ashen cross off your forehead?

Quite a few people mentioned that another parishioner (who was not present) had told them that the correct thing to do is to remove the cross before you leave the church. He'd told them that the early Christians had to do so for fear of persecution. I suspect said parishioner was making sh*t up.

Wikipedia agrees with what I'd thought: one leaves the cross on until it wears off on its own. (Section Ritual, second sentence)

But does anyone here have something authoritative that's a little less Wiki and a little more GIRMy? [Smile]

Thanking you in advance.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
The 1979 BCP lists Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as official fasts and then says the following:

quote:
The following days are observed by special acts of discipline and
self-denial:

Ash Wednesday and the other weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week,
except the feast of the Annunciation.

Good Friday and all other Fridays of the year, in commemoration of the
Lord's crucifixion, except for Fridays in the Christmas and Easter
seasons, and any Feasts of our Lord which occur on a Friday.

So the weekdays of Lent and the Fridays of Lent are like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but not necessarily fasts?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
The 1979 BCP lists Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as official fasts and then says the following:

quote:
The following days are observed by special acts of discipline and
self-denial:

Ash Wednesday and the other weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week,
except the feast of the Annunciation.

Good Friday and all other Fridays of the year, in commemoration of the
Lord's crucifixion, except for Fridays in the Christmas and Easter
seasons, and any Feasts of our Lord which occur on a Friday.

So the weekdays of Lent and the Fridays of Lent are like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but not necessarily fasts?
Right. Traditionally they've been days of "abstinence"--from eating meat. The BCP wording here lets us decide whether meatlessness or something else is appropriate for us as an act of discipline or self-denial.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
Sadly, I've never heard this announced in any Episcopal parishes I've been to. But it is a rich system of penitence and self-denial that should be made known!
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
So, this came up today.

At my local, the priest toddles down the line handing out the bread, and the LEMmings follow behind with the chalice. The priest bestows blessings on kids who don't partake.

What should the LEMmings do when they get to these kidlets?

This LEMming looks 'em right in the eye and says, "The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life: drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee and be thankful."

Occasionally, I'll get a child who plaintively says, "I want some, too."

To which I think to myself, "So right that you should; and, who dares put the fence between you and the Mysteries?!" It's one of those times when I feel I've done my job properly.
 
Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
So, this came up today.

At my local, the priest toddles down the line handing out the bread, and the LEMmings follow behind with the chalice. The priest bestows blessings on kids who don't partake.

What should the LEMmings do when they get to these kidlets?

This LEMming looks 'em right in the eye and says, "The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life: drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee and be thankful."

Occasionally, I'll get a child who plaintively says, "I want some, too."

To which I think to myself, "So right that you should; and, who dares put the fence between you and the Mysteries?!" It's one of those times when I feel I've done my job properly.

I would so love it if The Ship had a "like" button right now.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Leaf:
This question arose at my shack yesterday, after Ash Wednesday service: When is it appropriate to wipe the ashen cross off your forehead?

Quite a few people mentioned that another parishioner (who was not present) had told them that the correct thing to do is to remove the cross before you leave the church. He'd told them that the early Christians had to do so for fear of persecution. I suspect said parishioner was making sh*t up.

Wikipedia agrees with what I'd thought: one leaves the cross on until it wears off on its own. (Section Ritual, second sentence)

But does anyone here have something authoritative that's a little less Wiki and a little more GIRMy? [Smile]

Thanking you in advance.

Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation. That way, we kept the command of the gospel which implied that we shouldn't show off our piety.
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Leaf:
This question arose at my shack yesterday, after Ash Wednesday service: When is it appropriate to wipe the ashen cross off your forehead?

Quite a few people mentioned that another parishioner (who was not present) had told them that the correct thing to do is to remove the cross before you leave the church. He'd told them that the early Christians had to do so for fear of persecution. I suspect said parishioner was making sh*t up.

Thanking you in advance.

Yes, that is in fact 'made up,' as the practice of ashing the faithful dates from IIRC the 12th century, well after the times of persecution.
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation.

Sounds ghastly. What about those who didn't want potential strangers stroking their foreheads, whilst no doubt looking a combination of intense and embarrassed?

Thurible
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation.

Sounds ghastly. What about those who didn't want potential strangers stroking their foreheads, whilst no doubt looking a combination of intense and embarrassed?

Thurible

Just be grateful that you didn't misread "ash".
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation.

Sounds ghastly. What about those who didn't want potential strangers stroking their foreheads, whilst no doubt looking a combination of intense and embarrassed?

Thurible

I agree. Under the previous vicar, we always had male AND female priests dong the imposition after a woman confided that she could not kneel in front of a man because she had been abused as a child.

As for wiping off - it was optional and I kept my ashes on - it provokes interesting conversations in the pub afterwards and it's the nearest I'd ever get to 'witnessing'.

Then again, I didn't like having to explain why I wasn't doing what everyone else was doing. They tolerate me for being 'conservative' anglo catholic but I'd rather save my thunder for issues that i consider essential rather than minor.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
Just be grateful that you didn't misread "ash".

[Killing me] Quotes file!
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Leaf:
This question arose at my shack yesterday, after Ash Wednesday service: When is it appropriate to wipe the ashen cross off your forehead?

The best sermon I ever heard on Ash Wednesday (and probably in the top 20 I've heard ever) was last year by our seminarian intern, who said,

quote:
If you are proud that you came here today, if you think anyone is going to be impressed, go wash your forehead as soon as the service is over. Don’t worry it still counts. Consider yourself reminded and move on. If you want to make sure that people know you have fulfilled your religious duty- go wash your face.

On the other hand if you are kind of embarrassed by the thought of going out in the world with a weird dirt smudge on your face, leave it. A little humility will do you good. Its okay, not being clean won’t kill you. Your friends might ask and this is a great chance to tell the truth.

I commend the entire sermon to y'all, it's here.


Anyway, back to my earlier question:

quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
At my local, the priest toddles down the line handing out the bread, and the LEMmings follow behind with the chalice. The priest bestows blessings on kids who don't partake.

What should the LEMmings do when they get to these kidlets?

This LEMming looks 'em right in the eye and says, "The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life: drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee and be thankful."

So, you say this to the kids who haven't had the BoOLJC, and if so, why?

[Edited because one of these days I'll learn to UBB correctly]

[ 24. February 2012, 22:15: Message edited by: Spiffy ]
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
quote:
Originally posted by Leaf:
This question arose at my shack yesterday, after Ash Wednesday service: When is it appropriate to wipe the ashen cross off your forehead?

Quite a few people mentioned that another parishioner (who was not present) had told them that the correct thing to do is to remove the cross before you leave the church. He'd told them that the early Christians had to do so for fear of persecution. I suspect said parishioner was making sh*t up.

Thanking you in advance.

Yes, that is in fact 'made up,' as the practice of ashing the faithful dates from IIRC the 12th century, well after the times of persecution.
While they might well have made it up, it was a consideration for Xns in more recent times and there are Mexican and Czech accounts of wiping off the ash before leaving church so as to avoid difficulty.
 
Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
A chalice bearer would breeze blissfully past; a host minister would pray for God to bless them.

See, that's what I thought, but there was some concern the kids would feel 'left out' or something.

Most of 'em are doing backflips on the altar rail by that time, anyway.

It's funny--I've known grown-ups feel left out when their kids get a blessing and they 'only' receive the sacrament. Kids are meant to think 'I want some of that!' and prepare accordingly.

Re. the church that has people wipe off each other's ash 'as a sign of reconciliation': the ash is a sign of our mortality. Wiping each other's ash off misunderstands this--as well as being icky.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
This "going up for a blessing" thing is odd isn't it, when you think of it?

Perhaps a separate thread?

It's not very protestant is it? And it happens in places where they wouldn't dream of a service of Benediction, but that is what it is.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
This "going up for a blessing" thing is odd isn't it, when you think of it?

Perhaps a separate thread? 

I'd be up for it.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amos:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
A chalice bearer would breeze blissfully past; a host minister would pray for God to bless them.

See, that's what I thought, but there was some concern the kids would feel 'left out' or something.

Most of 'em are doing backflips on the altar rail by that time, anyway.

It's funny--I've known grown-ups feel left out when their kids get a blessing and they 'only' receive the sacrament. Kids are meant to think 'I want some of that!' and prepare accordingly.

Re. the church that has people wipe off each other's ash 'as a sign of reconciliation': the ash is a sign of our mortality. Wiping each other's ash off misunderstands this--as well as being icky.

No - the origin was as a sign of public penance. the mortality thing was a later gloss.

The idea rubbing them off at the peace comes from Richard Giles' Times and Seasons. He argues that leaving church still wearing ashes contradicts the teaching of Jesus in the gospel of the day.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
It is a bit odd not to receive communion with the ash still in place.

Why not use the holy water stoup as you exit to wash the ashes off, and save all those dirty handkerchiefs?
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
So, this came up today.

At my local, the priest toddles down the line handing out the bread, and the LEMmings follow behind with the chalice. The priest bestows blessings on kids who don't partake.

What should the LEMmings do when they get to these kidlets?

This LEMming looks 'em right in the eye and says, "The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life: drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee and be thankful."

Occasionally, I'll get a child who plaintively says, "I want some, too."

To which I think to myself, "So right that you should; and, who dares put the fence between you and the Mysteries?!" It's one of those times when I feel I've done my job properly.

To which Spiffy wants to know
quote:
So, you say this to the kids who haven't had the BoOLJC, and if so, why?
Yes, that's what I do.

They have schlepped up from the pews; they are looking right at the chalice; they are looking right at me.

It seems only hospitable to tell 'em what it is; to tell 'em what it's for. To tell 'em why they should want it.

And, it's a hook. An evangelical hook. I know I've landed a fish when one of them, no doubt stirred by the Holy Spirit, utters the plaint, "I want some, too!"

Let me repeat myself, who dares to forbid these little ones.
 
Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
Richard Giles! [Roll Eyes] Figures. [Disappointed]
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
I'm looking for the list of Psalms and Psalm verses that are omitted in the New Zealand Prayer Book.

I've trawled every which way with google, but I'm coming up empty.

Is there anybody here who can help?

Here is the answer to this question.

Hopefully, google will turn this post up in the future.

Here is the relevant text from A New Zealand Prayer Book He Karakia Mihinare O Aorearoa, page 195f:
quote:
Some omissions have been made on the grounds that we are not making a new translation of the Book of Psalms, but providing psalms suitable for Christian worship. Some verse of the psalms are not suitable for use in the corporate worship of the church.

The passages omitted are:

18:38-43; 21:8-12; 24:4,5; 35:4-8; 54:5,7;
55:16; 58 in toto; 59:5,11-13; 68:21-23; 69:24-30;
79:10, 12; 83 in toto; 101:6,9; 106:34; 109:5-19;
110:5-7; 137:7-9; 139:19-22; 140:9-11; 141:7, 8;
143:13; 149:7-9


 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
The answer was easily contained within the text of the book itself?

Good grief, I could have just walked ten feet for that one... Sorry, TSA!

[For what it's worth, I ended up researching this for twenty minutes or so--an eternity, in the web era of expecting everything to be answered in five seconds. Still, I turned up nothing. This actually restores a hope in me that books are not dead yet.]

[ 27. February 2012, 01:30: Message edited by: Martin L ]
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
I am shocked. Actually omitted, rather than printed with brackets round them or in a different typeface to indicate 'you may decide not to sing these'! I would have thought that puts the individual members of the NZ equivalent of the liturgical commission at risk of the judgement in Revelation 22:19.

Also, their censorship seems either incomprehensible or seriously bad. I can see why they might want to suggest people don't sing Pss 58 and 109:5-19 congregationally. However, we do sometimes feel like that. But censoring Psalm 24:4-5 suggests a liturgical commission that is both doctrinally illiterate and seriously into truth denial. The one who ascends into the hill of the Lord and has clean hands and a pure heart, is Christ, not some of us but not others.
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Being that today is the Commemoration of George Herbert, Priest and Poet:

In the poem "King of Glory, King of Peace", sung as a hymn, what does "cream of my heart" refer to?
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
Annunciation is transfered to March 26th this year as 25th is a Lent Sunday. Is it "right" to sing "Glory be to God on high" at Mass on that Feast?
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
Yes indeed. Also Creed.
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
Thanks.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
With genuflection at "and became man."
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
If one does not already genuflect there regularly.
(Sorry, I got caught up in the momentum)

[ 27. February 2012, 21:04: Message edited by: Martin L ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Being that today is the Commemoration of George Herbert, Priest and Poet:

In the poem "King of Glory, King of Peace", sung as a hymn, what does "cream of my heart" refer to?

You're the cream in my coffee, you're the salt in my stew.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Morlader:
Annunciation is transfered to March 26th this year as 25th is a Lent Sunday. Is it "right" to sing "Glory be to God on high" at Mass on that Feast?

Furthermore, is it correct to say the Te Deum at morning prayer? The psalms set are 111 and 113, which include the a-word. Should that be omitted or spoken?
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Being that today is the Commemoration of George Herbert, Priest and Poet:

In the poem "King of Glory, King of Peace", sung as a hymn, what does "cream of my heart" refer to?

The cream in milk is the richest, highest quality bit, which rises to the top. So the cream of my heart is the very richest, the very best my heart has to offer.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation.

Sounds ghastly. What about those who didn't want potential strangers stroking their foreheads, whilst no doubt looking a combination of intense and embarrassed?

Thurible

Just be grateful that you didn't misread "ash".
And if you do misread it, then maybe we have an idea for Maundy Thursday to replace foot-washing.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
If one does not already genuflect there regularly.
(Sorry, I got caught up in the momentum)

A double genuflection (i.e., kneeling on both knees) would then be in order, as in the EF.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
O how I hate this bl***ed Roman genuflection business (as do my ageing and creaky knees.....)!

I have started a subversive practice at Our Place by making a profound bow (as per Sarum Use) when entering and leaving the Sanctuary.....

Ian J.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by Morlader:
Annunciation is transfered to March 26th this year as 25th is a Lent Sunday. Is it "right" to sing "Glory be to God on high" at Mass on that Feast?

Furthermore, is it correct to say the Te Deum at morning prayer? The psalms set are 111 and 113, which include the a-word. Should that be omitted or spoken?
Yes to Te Deum (used whenever the Gloria is used at Mass, I think). No to Alleluia, however - just say the Psalms without them if it offends your sensibilities!
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Morlader:
Annunciation is transfered to March 26th this year as 25th is a Lent Sunday. Is it "right" to sing "Glory be to God on high" at Mass on that Feast?

Gloria, Credo, and there is a Proper Preface. In our book, it is the same as that for the Purification of the BVM, but your province's liturgy may be different.

If the Gloria is used at Mass then the Te Deum is used at Matins.

That one is, as they say, "Simples."

PD
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Last night, we were asked to wipe off each others' ash during the peace as a sign of reconciliation.

Sounds ghastly. What about those who didn't want potential strangers stroking their foreheads, whilst no doubt looking a combination of intense and embarrassed?

Thurible

Just be grateful that you didn't misread "ash".
And if you do misread it, then maybe we have an idea for Maundy Thursday to replace foot-washing.
[Big Grin] You naughty, naughty folks!
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Next week there is to be a sung Dominican Rite Mass at a parish near me. Briefly, how is a Dominican Rite Mass different from the standard Roman Rite Mass?
 
Posted by acton bell (# 15576) on :
 
Is the Dominican rite mass being celebrated in NYC? If so, when? I think I would like to attend, as it is only something I have ever read about.

The Wikipedia page is quite good on the subject
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Dominican Rite Missa Cantata
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
6:30 p.m.
Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
Lexington Avenue at 66th Street

See here.
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Is this the mass you'll be going to? Tell us how it goes.

What Wiipedia has

Candlemas in the Dominican rite
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
Dominican Rite Missa Cantata
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
6:30 p.m.
Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
Lexington Avenue at 66th Street

See here.

I'm hoping to make the trip up to attend this.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
I went to a local RC parish for a Mass this evening. The priest did not elevate the host or chalice at the consecration, is this normal?
 
Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
No.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
In Albany, it may be normal, sadly.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
It's not even normal by Lutheran standards.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
I know nothing of the RC Diocese of Albany. My Episcopal parish has an elevation.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
I went to a local RC parish for a Mass this evening. The priest did not elevate the host or chalice at the consecration, is this normal?

I don't know precisely what the GIRM says, but often in these parts what happens is what I'd call an "exposition", a showing without elevating.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Paul Turner's book Let us pray (a guide to the rubrics of Sunday Mass) has this to say on the matter:

quote:

The priest shows the consecrated bread to the people (OM 89, 102, 110, 119). He shows the bread; he need not lift it high in elevation. Even before the Council the priest was only instructed to show the bread, not to elevate it. But with his back to the people, the only way he could show it was to elevate it. Today the bread need not be lifted so high. By choosing a medium position for the elements, the priest reserves their elevation for the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer.


 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
That is a bit funny, considering that the elevation during the final doxology was typically referred to as the Minor Elevation, with the implication that the [Major] Elevations occurred during the consecration.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
I went to a local RC parish for a Mass this evening. The priest did not elevate the host or chalice at the consecration, is this normal?

To put it mildly - NO! GIRM says elevate and genuflect at the major elevations. However, a lot of priests donot seem to take GIRM seriously.

[brick wall]

PD
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
You're right about genuflection. I can see no basis in the texts, though, for elevating after the words of institution rather than simply showing. The time for elevating is the final doxology. Could you cite the passage in the GIRM that you were thinking of?
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
... but the 'lesser elevation' at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer is of the paten/ciborium, rather than of just the bread that is on/in it, surely?

[ 05. March 2012, 11:29: Message edited by: Oferyas ]
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
The modern rite knows no such terms as minor / major elevation. That's what's causing all of this conclusion. In the elevation during the final doxolgy, you are correct that the paten and a chalice are elevated (OM 98, 106, 114, 123; GIRM 151). Before the Council, a host was elevated at this point. Now, it is the paten.
 
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St.Silas the carter:
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
Dominican Rite Missa Cantata
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
6:30 p.m.
Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
Lexington Avenue at 66th Street

I'm hoping to make the trip up to attend this.
I believe one of our Mystery Worshippers has expressed his intent to be there too. There should be quite a contingent of Shippies. Perhaps you should all wear white cowls so you'll recognize each other. All I can say is that there had better be a MW report produced from this . . . or else!
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
So the "Reconciliation Room" of the parish I often stop by for confession is now painted a stunning shade of red: walls and ceiling. I was startled when I went in. Formerly it was white. Any liturgical or other reason a reconciliation room would be painted red?
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The modern rite knows no such terms as minor / major elevation. That's what's causing all of this conclusion. In the elevation during the final doxolgy, you are correct that the paten and a chalice are elevated (OM 98, 106, 114, 123; GIRM 151). Before the Council, a host was elevated at this point. Now, it is the paten.

I know that is required by the OF, but to me it lacks the glorious triumph of what to me is one of the most beautiful gestures in the world: the Host over the Chalice at the end of the Eucharitic prayer. To me, that one gesture sums up everything said before in the prayer, beautiful, especially when the whole assembly is facing the same way.

The paten and chalice and I've seen either one in sometimes the celebrant's left or right hands, seems like an offering to the people of the Holy Gifts. I suppose that's what it is.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
So the "Reconciliation Room" of the parish I often stop by for confession is now painted a stunning shade of red: walls and ceiling. I was startled when I went in. Formerly it was white. Any liturgical or other reason a reconciliation room would be painted red?

Perhaps it is painted red and white in alternate years in order to make a scriptural point. [Smile]
 
Posted by Rosa Gallica officinalis (# 3886) on :
 
perhaps it's magic paint that changes to white when the priest pronounces absolution.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rosa Gallica officinalis:
perhaps it's magic paint that changes to white when the priest pronounces absolution.

In that case I'm in trouble!
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
The main feast of St Werburgh is the 3rd of February but does anybody know when the feast of her Translation falls? I have found a discussion on an internet board from a few years ago, when the 1100th anniversary of the event was celebrated, and it mentions the 21st of June as her "festival day", without going into any further specifics than that. Another website also lists the 21st of June as her birthday, (though I'm not sure why they think that St Werburgh's birthday is something that would be celebrated liturgically). However, it does make me wonder whether the 21st of June may indeed be the feast of her translation, without people who observe it realising what it is that they are celebrating.

Unable to find any entry for St Werburgh on that date in the Roman Martyrology, I assumed it would be a local feast (as translations often are) but apparently the kalendar of Sarum isn't quite local enough, as it has no entry at all for the 21st of June. Some sources give the 21st of June as the Translation of St Walburga, who is a different saint, and I wonder whether this may be a source of some confusion with St Werburgh (often spelt Werburga).

Is anybody able to shed any light on this? Many thanks.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
Two questions...

In the 1979 BCP, is it allowed to substitute another daily lectionary for the one provided in the BCP? I'm thinking of the 1662 Lectionary which I like because of the amount of Scripture covered.

Two, I've heard that the 1928 BCP can be authorized for use in parish worship. How does one go about getting this done? (I'm not a priest but I do lead Morning Prayer and I'd like to see if that's a possibility).
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
In the 1979 BCP, is it allowed to substitute another daily lectionary for the one provided in the BCP? I'm thinking of the 1662 Lectionary which I like because of the amount of Scripture covered.

For public worship in church, probably not. The BCP seems to assume the use of the Lectionary given for the Daily Office. For individual use, I don't think there's any problem.

quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
Two, I've heard that the 1928 BCP can be authorized for use in parish worship. How does one go about getting this done? (I'm not a priest but I do lead Morning Prayer and I'd like to see if that's a possibility).

A letter to the Bishop and a response indicating approval, I'd think. Same thing for the 1662 lectionary.
 
Posted by Mockingbird (# 5818) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
Two questions...

In the 1979 BCP, is it allowed to substitute another daily lectionary for the one provided in the BCP? I'm thinking of the 1662 Lectionary which I like because of the amount of Scripture covered.

In, ordinary circumstances of scheduled public services, I would advise not deviating too far from the Prayer Book lectionary. However, "any reading may be lengthened at discretion" (rubric, p. 914), and this might be a back door for more concentrated scripture readings. Also, "on Special Occasions, the officiant may select suitable psalms and readings" (p. 915.)
 
Posted by acton bell (# 15576) on :
 
I was wondering about the Votive Office of the Dead. Would the VOD replace regular morning and evening prayer or said as an addition to? What is its current status? Is it still supposed to be said on the Mondays in Lent?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by acton bell:
I was wondering about the Votive Office of the Dead. Would the VOD replace regular morning and evening prayer or said as an addition to? What is its current status? Is it still supposed to be said on the Mondays in Lent?

Depends on whose set of rules you're bound to follow, or what your preferences are if not bound to a set of rules.

Generally, I think individuals who pray the Office but aren't bound to it would pray the Office of the Dead instead of that of the day when one has just heard of a death of someone close or simply feels led to pray the Office of the Dead. It might be prayed on the day of a funeral of someone close as well.

Some monastic communities in various times and places have prayed the Office of the Dead on specific days (such as All Souls' Day), and I've heard of this being done in place of the office of the day and in addition to the office of the day. Carthusians tend to double up on offices, praying the Little Office of the BVM privately as an addition, hour by hour. I believe they pray an Office of the Dead in this manner on prescribed days.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
I use the Roman Breviary and tend to follow the 1962 rules for reciting it, doing as Oblatus' Carthusians do in that I recite the Office of the Dead in addition to the office of the day, when the occasion seems to call for it. This accords with the rubrics, which say "This office is said in choir on the day of burial and on other days when the custom of the particular church calls for it: Matins together with Lauds after Lauds of the day, Vespers after Vespers of the day..." I hadn't come across the custom of reciting it on the Mondays of Lent before and would be interested to know more.

[ 21. March 2012, 22:02: Message edited by: Manipled Mutineer ]
 
Posted by acton bell (# 15576) on :
 
I got the Mondays in Lent (and Advent) from the Wikipedia entry, under the Practice and Obligation subheading. This claim isn't supported with a citation, so I have no idea if it is correct or no.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by acton bell:
I got the Mondays in Lent (and Advent) from the Wikipedia entry, under the Practice and Obligation subheading. This claim isn't supported with a citation, so I have no idea if it is correct or no.

Reading it, it is talking about the breviary as reformed by the Council of Trent, so is no doubt correct. The Tridentine breviary was subject to a number of reforms over the years (my 1962 breviary being the last of these) and no doubt the Monday obligation dropped out in the course of these.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by acton bell:
I was wondering about the Votive Office of the Dead. Would the VOD replace regular morning and evening prayer or said as an addition to? What is its current status? Is it still supposed to be said on the Mondays in Lent?

Office of the Dead replaces whatever part of it you say. Dead priests from our community get waked in the seminary (so you begin and end in the same place), so we say Office of the Dead whenever there's a dead body physically in the chapel. GILH 245 would suggest that you can say it any day except: solemnites, Sundays of Advent, Lent, Easter, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, 8ve of Easter and 2 November.
 
Posted by Panda (# 2951) on :
 
I went to a choral evensong recently and the priest, in choir dress, carried a mortarboard with him as they processed in, and when he went to the legilium to read a lesson. It looked slightly as though he had a black kitten or bunny in the crook of his arm that he couldn't bear to put down. What's the reasoning behind this?
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
The 'square' can be worn as part of choir dress as an alternative to its near-relative, the Canterbury cap (or its continental cousin, the biretta). It's not that rare for them to be used in this manner, particularly in Anglican cathedrals. On the other hand, they do look a little (whisper it...) silly so it much more usual for people to carry them rather than actually wear them.

Now, what the purpose might be in having a hat that you have no intention of wearing might seem odd behaviour, although this is pretty much happens with academic hoods - actually using one to keep the rain off, anyone?
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Unless you have a bad leak in the church roof, academic hoods are worn by the choir in order to carry heavy books belonging to the person behind you in the procession. Or so I always tell the person in front of me.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Henry Chadwick as Dean of Christchurch, Oxford, always carried a mortar board at Evensong. I can never hear the words "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you" without thinking of him.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
Unless you have a bad leak in the church roof, academic hoods are worn by the choir in order to carry heavy books belonging to the person behind you in the procession. Or so I always tell the person in front of me.

A very good point Chorister, although hardly worth saying three times? [Biased]
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
Unless you have a bad leak in the church roof, academic hoods are worn by the choir in order to carry heavy books belonging to the person behind you in the procession. Or so I always tell the person in front of me.

A very good point Chorister, although hardly worth saying three times? [Biased]
If it's worth saying once...
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
For those who follow the English Use, what would one do for tenebrae during Holy Week? would you use six candles on the altar as in Roman usage or just two?
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
In my parish church, the processional cross has been veiled during Lent, is that a normal practice in TEC?
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Veiling of crosses during Lent is not uncommon in churches that are higher-up-the-candle. The practices can differ in terms of how much is veiled and what color is used. There's a pretty good overview here. Click on "Lenten Customs" on the left column and then scroll down to "The Dance of the Lenten Veils." (Yes, that sounds a little flippant but the content is not.) This source says that in some uses the veil is taken off the cross on Palm Sunday.

In my MOTR place, nothing is veiled but we have just a drape, in oatmeal Lenten Array color, over the altar cross. It does not cover it completely. It's kind of like a shawl.

[ 23. March 2012, 23:50: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Is it acceptable to observe Lent V and the Annunciation on the same day (March 25th)?

Lent V supplants Annunciation for the Sunday morning, but if one transfers Annunciation to the Monday, then it seems acceptable to celebrate it on the Sunday evening as the Vigil.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Is it acceptable to observe Lent V and the Annunciation on the same day (March 25th)?

Lent V supplants Annunciation for the Sunday morning, but if one transfers Annunciation to the Monday, then it seems acceptable to celebrate it on the Sunday evening as the Vigil.

NO! Lent V is a Greater Sunday and displaces Annunciation's I Vespers or I Evensong. So saith Howard Galley (A Prayer Book Office), and some others. But it depends on which authority you're bound to obey. [Smile]
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Is it acceptable to observe Lent V and the Annunciation on the same day (March 25th)?

Lent V supplants Annunciation for the Sunday morning, but if one transfers Annunciation to the Monday, then it seems acceptable to celebrate it on the Sunday evening as the Vigil.

NO! Lent V is a Greater Sunday and displaces Annunciation's I Vespers or I Evensong. So saith Howard Galley (A Prayer Book Office), and some others. But it depends on which authority you're bound to obey. [Smile]
Actually, I think where you are, you would consult the Ordo for your diocese/archdiocese, which I think says the same thing and indicates 2nd Vespers of the Sunday rather than 1st Vespers of the Annunciation. But that Ordo is where the answer is. [Cool]
 
Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Is it traditional that baptisms are not performed during Lent? I thought this was the case but we had a strange situation today at my (anglo-catholic) church where a priest from another diocese visited, gave the sermon and then after the mass the visiting priest baptised his grandchild. Might the fact the baptism was done after the service be because it is Lent, or another reason?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Baptism is permissible at any time. However since Lent is (probably) in origin preparation for baptism at Easter, it is not totally appropriate during that season.


Maybe having the baptism outside mass is recognizing that aspect. Or maybe not. You'd have to ask.

[ 25. March 2012, 06:51: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
Indeed. There is never a time when it is improper to bring somebody into the Church. While Easter is the most appropriate time, as the culmination of the lenten preparation, even the strictest observers of Lent will not refuse baptism if there is pastoral warrant.

My own baptism was on one of the pre-lenten Sundays, for pastoral reasons. It worked out well as it ended up being the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Prodigal? Toi?
Anyway it worked and it's bearing fruit!
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evangeline:
Is it traditional that baptisms are not performed during Lent? I thought this was the case but we had a strange situation today at my (anglo-catholic) church where a priest from another diocese visited, gave the sermon and then after the mass the visiting priest baptised his grandchild. Might the fact the baptism was done after the service be because it is Lent, or another reason?

It is traditional, but nothing compulsory. In my present parish, the basic guideline is: the later in Lent, the more pressing the pastoral need must be. We would never baptize at Sunday mass during Lent, but most of our baptisms happen outside mass anyway.

At a parish I used to be at, we had 4-6 baptisms every week. To not do them during Lent and let them pile up would have been disastrous.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Prodigal? Toi?
Anyway it worked and it's bearing fruit!

You're very kind, Angloid.

Sour fruit occasionally, though.

Still looking forward to your visit. [Smile]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Re The Annunciation, we are transferring its observance to tomorrow (as per Common Worship), when I anticipate a vast crowd of the faithful at Morning Prayer.......

....but we are also celebrating The Annunciation next Saturday, having brought our monthly Mass of Our Lady of Walsingham Mass a week early,so as not to clash with Holy Saturday......we shall have our customary Solemn Low Mass with Hymns and Incense......

Ian J.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.

No - we should transfer Christmas Day to Dec 26
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
This might have been asked/answered before but where does Prayer II in the 1979 BCP Rite I Eucharist come from?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.

No - we should transfer Christmas Day to Dec 26
[Killing me]


quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
This might have been asked/answered before but where does Prayer II in the 1979 BCP Rite I Eucharist come from?

From the typewriters (then, now computers) of those liturgy committee-types--you know the kind--those who like to claim that a text with which they have tinkered is still "substantially the same," but in reality, they are never truly satisfied unless they have gone in and produced at least some alterations (just to leave their mark, one suspects). [Devil]
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
This might have been asked/answered before but where does Prayer II in the 1979 BCP Rite I Eucharist come from?

Marion Hatchett writes that Prayer II "is a revised version of Prayer I, based on a draft by the Very Rev. Dr. Robert H. Greenfield."

Commentary on the American Prayer Book
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Is it acceptable to observe Lent V and the Annunciation on the same day (March 25th)?

Lent V supplants Annunciation for the Sunday morning, but if one transfers Annunciation to the Monday, then it seems acceptable to celebrate it on the Sunday evening as the Vigil.

NO! Lent V is a Greater Sunday and displaces Annunciation's I Vespers or I Evensong. So saith Howard Galley (A Prayer Book Office), and some others. But it depends on which authority you're bound to obey. [Smile]
Depends on whether you are BCP or Missal

Modern BCP useage would be a case of First Class Sunday displaces a First Class feast, but most older authorities would argue that the first Evensong of the Annunciation should be commemorated.

"Missal" useage would be a case of second vespers of a (Greater) Sunday giving place to that of a First Class Double with the Sunday being commemorated.

I think with the older BCP useage the bicycle chains and flick knives would have come out as there is no clear ruling in the Rubrics as to whether the second Evensong of a Greater Sunday, or the first EP of a First Class feast takes precedence.

PD

[ 26. March 2012, 00:42: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
This might have been asked/answered before but where does Prayer II in the 1979 BCP Rite I Eucharist come from?

Marion Hatchett writes that Prayer II "is a revised version of Prayer I, based on a draft by the Very Rev. Dr. Robert H. Greenfield."

Commentary on the American Prayer Book

Dean Robert Greenfield of Portland, Oregon as he then was. Later he went on and became the late Rev. Robert Greenfield, SSJE, of Cambridge, Mass, USA.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.

No - we should transfer Christmas Day to Dec 26
Surely we should have done that last year as Christmas Day fell on a Sunday!
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.

No - we should transfer Christmas Day to Dec 26
Surely we should have done that last year as Christmas Day fell on a Sunday!
Not so, my spikey friend. [Smile]

In the western tradition, the Sundays of Lent are privileged in a way that that they may not be superseded even by such a feast as the Annunciation. That is, to maintain the integrity of the season, the nth Sunday in Lent never disappears, not even to make way for a major feast. The same is true of Advent. However, the Sunday on which Christmas fell last year (in the New Calendar) is not so privileged, and there is no reason not to celebrate a feast on such a Sunday.

[ 26. March 2012, 18:08: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Russian Orthodox Christians (and followers of the Julian calendar generally) are going to be in the interesting position of celebrating the Annunciation and the Raising of Lazarus on the same day, this year.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Is it acceptable to observe Lent V and the Annunciation on the same day (March 25th)?

Lent V supplants Annunciation for the Sunday morning, but if one transfers Annunciation to the Monday, then it seems acceptable to celebrate it on the Sunday evening as the Vigil.

NO! Lent V is a Greater Sunday and displaces Annunciation's I Vespers or I Evensong. So saith Howard Galley (A Prayer Book Office), and some others. But it depends on which authority you're bound to obey. [Smile]
I think with the older BCP useage the bicycle chains and flick knives would have come out as there is no clear ruling in the Rubrics as to whether the second Evensong of a Greater Sunday, or the first EP of a First Class feast takes precedence.

PD

I quite like the idea of the Prayer Book Society settling this vexed question in the traditional Teddy Boy style.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Annunciation is the 26th this year. Mary gets to be pregnant for one less day.

No - we should transfer Christmas Day to Dec 26
Surely we should have done that last year as Christmas Day fell on a Sunday!
Not so, my spikey friend. [Smile]

In the western tradition, the Sundays of Lent are privileged in a way that that they may not be superseded even by such a feast as the Annunciation. That is, to maintain the integrity of the season, the nth Sunday in Lent never disappears, not even to make way for a major feast. The same is true of Advent. However, the Sunday on which Christmas fell last year (in the New Calendar) is not so privileged, and there is no reason not to celebrate a feast on such a Sunday.

In a sense there was no Sunday liturgy to be displaced as Christmas determines the next stage of the liturgical year. It then progresses in an orderly manner through Christmas and Epiphany before Easter again takes over as the determining factor with Septuagesima Sunday. What was a little odd to me was not having that stray Sunday or two after Christmas. This year will be more normal. Christmas I will happen on the 30th, and the Epiphany 2013 will fall on a Sunday, and Christmas II will be omitted altogether.

PD
 
Posted by anne (# 73) on :
 
This may seem like (may be ) a stupid question - but in churches where the Maundy Thursday watch ends at midnight, where does the MBS go between midnight and the Good Friday Liturgy? Remain on the altar of repose 'unwatched'? Into an aumbry or tabernacle? Into the vestry safe (usual practice in one of our churches here)?

I am have only experienced all night watches or no watch at all, so have not faced this question before.

Yesterday I heard about the important symbolism of "Jesus being locked in the safe at midnight to symbolise Him being arrested and thrown in jail" but that doesn't quite sit right with me. My instinct would be to move the ciborium to an aumbry at the end of the watch, but I'd be grateful for guidance.

anne
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
In the Roman Rite at any rate, the Altar of Repose must be one with a lockable tabernacle. The Blessed Sacrament is not "exposed" for the Watch in a Monstrance or even just a ciborium on the Altar. The Mass of the Lord's Supper concludes with the Blessed Sacrament being placed in this tabernacle. There it remains until the Good Friday Liturgy. Any remaining hosts - for the purposes of Viaticum - are then kept in some other secure place.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
In our parish, the urn has a locking lid, and is secured to the altar of repose. Therefore the MBS remains on the altar of repose from the end of the Maundy Thursday Mass to the appropriate moment in the Good Friday Liturgy. The watch is "kind of" incidental in that when it ends does not affect the way in which the MBS is reserved.

PD
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Practice varies with location, as all RC parishes are required to end the Vigil at mdnight. Depending on the parish, I have seen the following:

---in the safe
---locked in priest's office
---locked in another room
---in tabernacle in sacristy (my own parish's practice)
---behind curtain in corner of sacristy
---a variety of very out-of-the-way places
 
Posted by Perkin (# 16928) on :
 
The RCC Directory on Popular Piety says it is
quote:
desirable that on some occasions ... the Angelus be solemnly recited by singing the Ave Maria, proclaiming the Gospel of the Annunciation and by the ringing of bells
What precisely is this solemn form, it seems not to have the three Aves...

And it goes on

quote:
The recitation of the Regina Coeli could sometimes take a solemn form by singing the antiphon and proclaiming the Gospel of the Resurrection
Again what is exactly done in this form?
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
Practice varies with location, as all RC parishes are required to end the Vigil at midnight.

This is a common misconception, but it's not true.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Well, yes and no. Churches are not "required to end the Vigil at midnight", but they are required to end any external solemnity to the period of Adoration - which would mean extinguishing the candles and so on. The rubric for that is in the Missal. In the words of Paschalis Solemnitatis from the Congregation for Divine Worship, "From midnight onwards, however, the adoration should be made without external solemnity, because the day of the Lord's Passion has begun".
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
I just got a new Communion set (chalice and patten), and I seem to recall reading on the Ship about a prayer to consecrate the set. Where would I find it? At what point in the service would it appear?

Many thanks!
 
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
You don't mention denomination, but the ceremony described here might do.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
If it's an Anglican service you're after, there's a blessing in TEC's Book of Occasional Services.

Zach

[ 31. March 2012, 18:53: Message edited by: Zach82 ]
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Thank you, Amanda and Zach. I am indeed looking for an Anglican service, and some Google-fu brought me to a Google Books copy of the 2003 Book of Occasional Services. however, page 201 is intentionally not included in the ebook. So don't know what goes on past "The bread which we break is a sharing in the Body of Christ."

I'm still looking. Thanks for the pointer.

ETA: The Catholic service may yet prove useful.

[ 31. March 2012, 22:29: Message edited by: Padre Joshua ]
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Ha! Found the 1949 Book of Offices online here. I can take the collect and make it work for our country UMC context.

Thanks again, Zach, for pointing me in that direction.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
The copyright allows free use in services, but forbids publication. So while it breaks copyright to post it here, perhaps someone who owns it would be willing to PM it to you? I am afraid I don't personally own a copy.

Edit: Good news, Padre. I think the 2003 version is essentially the same thing with the thee's and thou's edited out.

Zach

[ 31. March 2012, 22:40: Message edited by: Zach82 ]
 
Posted by Wm Dewy (# 16712) on :
 
Do you properly stand or sit for psalms and canticles? Especially at Tenebrae and the readings at the Easter Vigil?

I know that generally, we sit for the psalm at Mass and we stand for a canticle at the Daily Office, but what about when a canticle is used as the psalm response to an OT lesson like Cantemus Domino at the Vigil? Or the Magnificat at Annunciation?
 
Posted by St. Punk the Pious (# 683) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wm Dewy:
Do you properly stand or sit for psalms and canticles? Especially at Tenebrae and the readings at the Easter Vigil?

I know that generally, we sit for the psalm at Mass and we stand for a canticle at the Daily Office, but what about when a canticle is used as the psalm response to an OT lesson like Cantemus Domino at the Vigil? Or the Magnificat at Annunciation?

For the canticles, you stand always. For the Psalms I've seen different customs even among Oxford chapels. So it just depends what church you are in. If they are standing . . .
 
Posted by Wm Dewy (# 16712) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Punk the Pious:
For the canticles, you stand always.

I do not disagree with you.

Yet “always” is a very big word. Is there any occasion when an able bodied person does not stand for a canticle? Why, then, does the Book of Occasional Services not direct standing for the Song of Hezekiah in the Lauds portion of Tenebrae? There is no further rubric than “It is customary to sit for the Psalmody.” Is it simply understood than the people will know to stand for a canticle in the darkness?
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
In Sherborne Abbey, they don't appear to stand for the canticles, as I discovered when I promptly stood up, looked around, realised everyone else was sitting, and sat down again. They did, however, stand for the Gloria, as they did for the Psalms.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Originally posted by churchgeek on the Holy Week thread:

quote:
This may not be the right place to ask - maybe I should ask on random questions - but I'm curious about veiling practices. What do you veil, with what, and when? (And any other details you feel like sharing.)

What we veil seems to vary from year to year. It seems we have to re-think it every year, and by "we" I mean the vergers. We have SO many objects of statuary, art, and icons, as well as crosses and crucifixes, it's hard to find a "rule" for what to veil and what not to veil.

We veil in unbleached linen for Holy Week, and switch to black after the Maundy Thursday service (after the church has closed so we can turn the lights back on! - one year we had people keeping vigil at the Altar of Repose, so we couldn't turn on the lights, and let me tell you trying to place a slippery veil on a larger-than-life crucifix while standing on a ladder in the dark is no fun at all).

I would love to know what sorts of "rules" there are for what to veil (i.e., why). My understanding is that it goes back to some practice of denying ourselves the consolations of the images and crosses; but when you can't veil murals and stained glass images, what makes sense to veil? Especially in a cathedral where there are, for lack of a better word, museum pieces (bust of our first bishop; non-religious or abstract works of art, things to do with the cathedral's and the local history, etc.).

To which Martin L responded:
quote:
There is no statuary in our church. We veiled the brass processional cross, as we do not have any other processional cross to use. We used dark red cloth (matching our paraments), twine, and placed a few palm fronds in, too.

It had an effect. People actually noticed and talked about the processional cross, which typically does not happen. I daresay veiling it drew more attention to it than usual.



[ 01. April 2012, 23:04: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
churchgeek, if you scroll up to 09 February you'll find a series of exchanges about the Lenten veiling customs.

Here is a source that may not be authoritative but is helpful nonetheless.

That source makes reference to "To Crown the Year: Decorating the Church Through the Seasons" which I was able to find on Google Books. Lenten veiling begins at page 64.

All that said, it sounds like a practice for which there is nothing 100% definitive and a lot of room for "do what works." (And please be careful if they make you go up another ladder in the dark!)
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
In a church I formerly attended the usual drill was to cover 'religious' images but leave a couple of surprised looking squires on their monuments unveiled. In that parish I think we veiled in white on Ash Wednesday.

Present parish veils in violet on the eve of Passion Sunday, though I think white veils would be more effectie in that building.

PD
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Thanks for the info and for moving the post over here, Mamacita! That page you linked was really interesting.

I didn't grow up Episcopalian, but some "cradle Episcopalians" I know say their childhood church had pretty much everything veiled during all of Lent. Sounds like Sarum use, then.

My experience in TEC is definitely that we blend various rites/uses. My home church, for example, uses blue for Advent and purple/violet for Lent; here we use blue for Advent and unbleached linen (with oxblood/black trim) during Lent and oxblood & black during Holy Week.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
I my parish we veil only crosses (most of them, not the great Rood) in linen, however in the distant pass they must have veiled every image as we have a large box with fitted veils for a vast assortment of images all in sheer indigo silk!
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I can't understand veiling crosses at the very time of the year the Cross is the focus of devotion. Images of saints is a different matter. It seems odd that you should veil the former and not the latter.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
As I was taught when I was just a baby acolyte, the veiling of crosses derives from the time when crucifixes displayed the Christus Rex - not appropriate before the Passion had been accomplished. The veiling of empty crosses or depictions of the crucifixion certainly doesn't sound like it makes sense...
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
And yet a very powerful part of the Good Friday service in the Roman rite is the solemn unveiling of the crucifix.
Until Vatican 2 it was normal in rc churches to veil all statues and pictures from the beginning of Passiontide ,the last two weeks of Lent, in purple cloth.As a child I was given to understand that the saints were hiding their faces for sorrow at the agony and death of Christ.
The veil on the main crucifix was changed to white on Holy Thursday and back to purple for the Good Friday service.The priest unveils it bit by bit on Good Friday saying 'Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the Saviour of the World' Then the faithful will come to venerate the Cross,traditionally by kissing the feet of the image of the crucified Christ or some just by touching it or by bowing before it.

Since Vatican 2 few rc churches,at least here in Scotland ,veil the various images and pictures but the main crucifix is still veiled.In our parish here now we have an large crucifix affixed to one of the walls which is veiled during Passiontide and which after the solemn unveiling is set up in the sanctuary and then venerated by the faithful.For me it is emotionally one of the most important parts of the Good Friday liturgy.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I'd not quite thought about it like that, Forthview. I'd just assume you would veil the cross for veneration just before the liturgy on Good Friday, but now you mention it it makes sense to have it (and others) veiled before that.

Though if (as in most cases) the other crosses are moveable, why not just remove them from the church during Passiontide? As of course happens in many (maybe especially Catholic) churches these days when altars are only furnished at the time of mass.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Here is a little more info for churchgeek and then a related question about veiling.

I was at an event at St James Cathedral tonight and so I checked out the veil situation to post here. My photos of the interior didn't turn out well, so I'll ask people to use their imaginations. Here is a regular photo of the interior of the cathedral. [It's actually a photo from an MW report, and it turns up on a Google Image search! But I digress.]

The screen behind the altar and the small cross on the table behind the altar were both veiled in purple. The processional cross was veiled, but the large crucifix that hangs very high over the altar was not. I imagine that is strictly a practical consideration.

Also veiled was a small cross (about 4" high) that sat atop a domed metal cover over the font. I've been to the cathedral many times but have never seen the font covered. I was disappointed because I had wanted to touch the holy water and make the sign of the cross. But perhaps that was part of the tradition -- to remove that comfort from us? Are there rules about when the font is supposed to be covered?
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
Another feature of the Triduum (not always observed nowadays) was the emptying of all the holy water stoups after the Maundy Thursday Mass.Since the faithful are accustomed to making the sign of the cross with holy water when they enter a church they are (or were) immediately reminded of the special period of the Triduum where all these 'comforts' are removed from the church. The Holy water stoups would be filled once again with the Easter water blessed at the Vigil.

One of the Catholic churches here in Edinburgh has a custom during Lent (local custom this ,certainly not liturgically mandatory as far as I know)) of removing the holy water and replacing it with ashes during Lent.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Forthview:
Another feature of the Triduum (not always observed nowadays) was the emptying of all the holy water stoups after the Maundy Thursday Mass.Since the faithful are accustomed to making the sign of the cross with holy water when they enter a church they are (or were) immediately reminded of the special period of the Triduum where all these 'comforts' are removed from the church. The Holy water stoups would be filled once again with the Easter water blessed at the Vigil.

One of the Catholic churches here in Edinburgh has a custom during Lent (local custom this ,certainly not liturgically mandatory as far as I know)) of removing the holy water and replacing it with ashes during Lent.

You speak of the emptying of holy water stoups during the Triduum as past practice. It is alive and well in the USA, as it has always been called for in the Roman Missal. I have only once seen this not done. The usual confusion here in the RCC is whether the stoups are emptied for the Triduum only (correct, according to rubrics) or all of Lent (incorrect). I have seen the replacement of holy water during Lent with ashes and also with pebbles (fast in the desert); fortunately both of these trendy novelties seem to be going away.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Last night our CrossWalk procession stopped at Old St Pat's (RC) church on Chicago's west side. Their font is striking because it has a labyrinth inside. The water doesn't show up in the photo, but the font was full. So I imagine, then, that it will be emptied for the Triduum.

Is covering the font, as well as emptying it, standard practice?

[ 03. April 2012, 15:26: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
This is not a question, but a tip I don't know where else to share.

For removing red wine from linens: put them in a tub of hot water with a few denture tablets, and walk away. When you return, they'll be clean!

I just tried it and it works. (We only use red wine during Holy Week.) I learned the tip from an Altar Guild member in the diocese when we had our last Altar Guild Directors' meeting.

I imagine it would work for any other fabrics you can wash. Maybe it would remove coffee too, but that's not a liturgical matter.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Maybe it would remove coffee too, but that's not a liturgical matter.

[Snigger] Well, in some places it might be!

In any event, coffee has a firmly established place within the MW reports.

Thank you for the tip!

[ 03. April 2012, 21:50: Message edited by: Martin L ]
 
Posted by Bos Loquax (# 16602) on :
 
Here's something from last year, but I've been forgetting to answer, until I looked at some writings of mine which I'd saved and realized the imminent timeliness (the Easter Vigil and Morning Prayer of Easter).

http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=021470;p=33

quote:
Originally posted by Bran Stark:
Yeah well that's what I'm wondering about, chiefly. Would you just say MP after the whole Vigil/Eucharist thingie is concluded?

Yes, at least as I interpret the rubrics of the 1979 US BCP and similar books. The US book isn't extremely explicit on the arrangement of certain liturgies around that time of year (specifically Evening Prayer of Holy Saturday, the Vigil, and Morning Prayer of Easter), but there are several clues.

Here are two things that to my understanding suffice to answer this one question as you answered it:

(1) The book makes no provision for inserting an office into the Easter Vigil.
(2) The rubrics from the Vigil (p. 284) begin, "The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first service of Easter Day."

(The Evening Prayer provisions listed under "Holy Saturday" in the lectionary sound to me like, well, Holy Saturday material. I conclude that Evening Prayer should be that of Holy Saturday and not "First Vespers of Easter." The other material chosen for the service should fit accordingly, and Evening Prayer should precede the Great Vigil. On similar grounds, I'd conclude, even if that "first service" rubric were absent, that Morning Prayer should follow the Great Vigil. The three services really flow the best in this order.)

One more bit from the same part of that thread:

quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
In the Roman rite (as revised in the days of Pius XII) after communion 1 psalm with antiphon and the canticle 'Benedictus Dominus Deus' with antiphon and 1 collect were considered to be Lauds of Easter Day, and IIRC the altar was censed as it would have been at Vespers during the Mag. Matins was entirely suppressed and clergy who had been at the Vigil were not required to say Lauds.

Prior to those revisions, the equivalent office folded into the Vigil was Vespers, similarly reduced to (the very short) Psalm 117 (Psalm 116 in Septuagint numbering) with antiphon, the Magnificat with antiphon, a collect, and the dismissal. Compline, Matins, and Lauds (all shortened compared to their usual equivalents, but not by the same degree as with that Vespers) followed in due course, and no office was entirely suppressed.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Denture tablets are the thing to clean decanters, as well. My only concern is that with improved dental health, nobody will be buying denture tablets in future.
 
Posted by Ultracrepidarian (# 9679) on :
 
It has been suggested that we use the Easter Anthems ('Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us') at our (1662 BCP) Evensong on Sunday, probably to replace one of the usual canticles. Would it be better to replace the Magnificat or the Nunc Dimittis, or does it not really matter one way of the other? Or is there a better place in the service to insert the Easter Anthems?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
My gut feeling is that Evensong isn't Evensong without both the Magnificat and the Nunc.

Why not just put it in front of the psalms, as Cranmer did at Matins, or have it as the anthem after the third collect?

(I'm assuming the 1662 BCP, which I realise you may not be using.)
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
If you have Compline as well, the Nunc Dimittis is redundant and could be replaced. Even if not, the Magnificat is the crucial (and incarnational) canticle of the evening office and it would be a shame to omit it.
 
Posted by Ultracrepidarian (# 9679) on :
 
We don't have Compline, and I rather like having both Mag and Nunc. Before the psalm seems like a good idea. Thanks!
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
If you have Compline as well, the Nunc Dimittis is redundant and could be replaced. Even if not, the Magnificat is the crucial (and incarnational) canticle of the evening office and it would be a shame to omit it.

If you use Nunc dimittis at Evensong and then no canticle at all at Compline, you can explain that the traditional Benedictine office has no Nunc dimittis. Personally, that's what I do if I pray both Evening Prayer and Compline: Nunc at EP; no canticle at Compline.
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Maybe it would remove coffee too, but that's not a liturgical matter.

Certainly the 8th sacrament is a liturgical matter?
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St.Silas the carter:
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Maybe it would remove coffee too, but that's not a liturgical matter.

Certainly the 8th sacrament is a liturgical matter?
[Killing me]
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
I find myself in need of a grey (or possibly light blue) clergy shirt. I prefer tab collar over dog collar, but either will do. I also prefer long sleeve to short.

Where may I find a quality product at a reasonable price? I'm in the US, so I would think shipping from this side of the pond would be cheaper than purchasing from sites in the UK, but I'm happy to be shown otherwise.

Thanks.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
Do any English shipmates know why the volume of Common Worship was made unnecesarily large by the repetition of collects in both traditional and modern language? Surely only one set is necessary - they can be made old by changing 'your' to 'thy' and so on. It only takes half a brain to be able to do that.

Or were the compilers only too aware of the diminution in theological training and therefore included both to be on the safe side?
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sebby:
Do any English shipmates know why the volume of Common Worship was made unnecesarily large by the repetition of collects in both traditional and modern language? Surely only one set is necessary - they can be made old by changing 'your' to 'thy' and so on. It only takes half a brain to be able to do that.

Or were the compilers only too aware of the diminution in theological training and therefore included both to be on the safe side?

Well, the changes are a little more complex than that. For instance, the proper post-communion for Easter Day:

quote:
God of Life,
who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son
to the death of the cross,
and by his glorious resurrection
have delivered us from the power of our enemy:
grant us so to die daily to sin,
that we may evermore live with him
in the joy of his risen life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

quote:
God of Life,
who for our redemption didst give thine only-begotten Son
to the death of the cross,
and by his glorious resurrection
hast delivered us from the power of our enemy:
grant us so to die daily unto sin
that we may evermore live with him
in the joy of his risen life:
through Jesus Christ our Lord

So as well as changing you to thee, you also need to change your to thine (except when you change it to thy instead), gave to didst give, have delivered to hast delivered and die to to die unto.

And this is just one prayer!

Traditional language is a bit more than just thees and thous...
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Quite. And the volume isn't unwieldy in size. There was a good deal of consultation following trial use before Common Worship was finalized, (unlike some churches producing translations I could think of) and presumably this was what the punters wanted.

I thought you liked keeping in touch with the Cranmerian heritage. Why criticize CW when it is doing just that? (Apologies if I'm confusing you with someone else.)
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
The quibbles I have are over the (expensive) altar edition where nothing seems to be in a logical place. It is very easy to find yourself amongst the 'traditional' collects when you want the others, and no doubt vice versa. And collects, proper prefaces and other seasonal bits and pieces are all over the place.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
If communicants kneel at the altar rail for communion does it matter from which end the priest begins to administer communion? Any tradition in this?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I'm sure it doesn't matter. Most churches seem to go from (the priest's) left to right (i.e. south-north) : it's probably natural if you're right-handed. Some evangelical churches work the other way, probably because the priest was already at the 'north end'. Even when they have abandoned that particular tradition, the north-south direction for communion stays.
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
If communicants kneel at the altar rail for communion does it matter from which end the priest begins to administer communion? Any tradition in this?

I don't think it matters. For us, if one priest is giving communion, they start all the way at the end to their left, if two, one starts at their left and the other starts at their right and they criss-cross across the rail.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
Just as it is natural to drive on the left hand side of the road, it is natural for the distribution to take place from left to right.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Who says it's natural to drive on the left? Most of the world doesn't seem to think so.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Quite. And the volume isn't unwieldy in size. There was a good deal of consultation following trial use before Common Worship was finalized, (unlike some churches producing translations I could think of) and presumably this was what the punters wanted.

I thought you liked keeping in touch with the Cranmerian heritage. Why criticize CW when it is doing just that? (Apologies if I'm confusing you with someone else.)

You are confusing me with someone else.

I can't seriously believe that anyone would have difficulty in adding the 'thine' changes or a little syntax and sentence structure. It is perfectly possible to do it sight reading at normal speed with someone of moderate education and intelligence.

I remember in the 1980s a school chaplain often reading collects in good modern English, and later we discovered that he was sight reading from a Latin prayer book. As he pointed out, there were a number of students at his theological college who would read the lessons from the lectern at morning or evening prayer in English at normal reading speed, although they were reading from the Hebrew or Greek texts. This was not considered particuarly unusual or unduly difficult for them. I believe that chaplain is a cathedral canon at present.

Therefore a few collects shouldn't present a problem.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Who says it's natural to drive on the left? Most of the world doesn't seem to think so.

I thought you had! Surely it is if most people are right handed. Most countries drove on the left originally. You'll have to ask them why they changed.

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
I'm sure it doesn't matter. Most churches seem to go from (the priest's) left to right (i.e. south-north) : it's probably natural if you're right-handed.


 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
I hesitate to put in my 2p in this erudite company, but!:

Isn't it a matter of authorised texts? IMHO if it is said "these are the authorised texts" then you have to print those texts in the versions that are authorised. To miss out either "old" or "modern" versions on the grounds that it is easy to modify one to the other is, in the end, approving any variation at all.

I have heard peculiar combinations of language - (starting with 'You' and 'your' and finishing with 'who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost', for example so I don't believe it is that easy.

[ 09. April 2012, 16:42: Message edited by: Morlader ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
One of the frustrations of using the 'traditional' version of CW is that many of the new texts, such as the often excellent extended prefaces, are only available in modern English. I've officiated in a church which uses the old version and found myself translating some of these into Cranmerian. But it's not easy and you can easily miss the odd 'thine' or 'hast'. In the end I settled for using the modern version and hoping that people either don't notice or don't care. (Nobody bats an eyelid when you sing hymns in one register in the context of a service in the other.)
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
One of the frustrations of using the 'traditional' version of CW is that many of the new texts, such as the often excellent extended prefaces, are only available in modern English. I've officiated in a church which uses the old version and found myself translating some of these into Cranmerian. But it's not easy and you can easily miss the odd 'thine' or 'hast'. In the end I settled for using the modern version and hoping that people either don't notice or don't care. (Nobody bats an eyelid when you sing hymns in one register in the context of a service in the other.)

If the Prayer Book society wanted to be more than a preservation trust, then this sounds like a way it could do something useful.
 
Posted by jordan32404 (# 15833) on :
 
Anybody know why the 1979 BCP inverted the order of the traditional Morning canticles? Canticle 4 is the Benedictus and Canticle 7 is the Te Deum. If I'm with a clergyman, I can get away with doing it in the right order but that just confuses lay people, so I end up doing OT - Benedictus - NT - Te Deum. Second, why does it include evening canticles in MP (Magnificat and Nunc)? Third, why was the last part of the Te Deum cut off and made into "Suffrages B"?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jordan32404:
why was the last part of the Te Deum cut off and made into "Suffrages B"?

Because it always was? (not structurally part of the original hymn)

[ 10. April 2012, 14:43: Message edited by: Angloid ]
 
Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :
 
Can anyone point me in the direction of a list or index of the non-scriptural readings used in the Roman Office of Readings (at least in the England & Wales edition, if other bishops' councils have different cycles of readings)?

Every now and then, I remember reading "something about..." and want to check it out again, but with there being no index in my copies of the breviary, I find it very hard to track things down.
 
Posted by JSwift (# 5502) on :
 
Is there a tradition among German Lutherans of painting the church doors red?
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I don't know the answer to that but I do know in the URC we paint all paintwork blue, Presbyterian blue if we are being fussy.

It goes with selling orange marmalade, having a a walking groups etc. These are things congregations think they must do.

Jengie
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by JSwift:
Is there a tradition among German Lutherans of painting the church doors red?

This is a tradition in many denominations, especially Episcopal churches of a certain vintage. The red represents the blood of Christ, through which one enters heaven.
 
Posted by JSwift (# 5502) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by JSwift:
Is there a tradition among German Lutherans of painting the church doors red?

This is a tradition in many denominations, especially Episcopal churches of a certain vintage. The red represents the blood of Christ, through which one enters heaven.
I know at least some Episcopalians do. I also know that Buddhists do as well, althought I imagine not for the same reason. I asked about German Lutherans because I came across a Lutheran church building that had been converted into a Buddhist temple. I was trying to figure out whether or not the doors would have been red when used by the original occupants.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
I don't know the answer to that but I do know in the URC we paint all paintwork blue, Presbyterian blue if we are being fussy.

It goes with selling orange marmalade, having a a walking groups etc. These are things congregations think they must do.

There's a particular type of red carpet that says Church of Scotland to me. It's both a particular shade of red and a particular texture. Is there a Scottish equivalent of Witney that has a monopoly?
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
I'm often asked why so many church doors are painted red.I've never been able to give a satisfactory answer,but now I can.
I still don't think that there is any ruling about it.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by JSwift:
Is there a tradition among German Lutherans of painting the church doors red?

This is a tradition in many denominations, especially Episcopal churches of a certain vintage. The red represents the blood of Christ, through which one enters heaven.
Or, the Presbyterians of my youth would quote Exodus 12:7:
quote:
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the house, wherein they shall eat it [the passover].
which amounts to much the same thing. However, for a six year old, the echoes of the Destroying Angel certainly upped the ante over the wee cuppies.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Which side is the pulpit supposed to be on? North, or south?

I'm under the impression that the north side is the Gospel side, while the south side is the Epistle side. Am I right?

I've seen it on both sides in Anglican churches, so I'm wondering if it's a case of "it doesn't matter" or if it's a case of "we don't know or care so we'll put it here."
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Which side is the pulpit supposed to be on? North, or south?

I'm under the impression that the north side is the Gospel side, while the south side is the Epistle side. Am I right?

I've seen it on both sides in Anglican churches, so I'm wondering if it's a case of "it doesn't matter" or if it's a case of "we don't know or care so we'll put it here."

The mid-Victorian ecclesiologists, who were a bit OCD about such things, thought that the plpit should go on the north, or Gospel, side of the Church. The produced the reaction from the more fanatical low churchmen of putting it on the south side "just to show we ain't into that catholic tosh." Before that it seemed to be regulated by commonsense and convenience. The old pew plans for the two churches in my home parish show the pulpit halfway down the north arcade in one church, and by the south pier of the chancel arch in the other. In both cases it was a matter of placng it where the folks could best see and hear.

In my own church the pulpit is placed a little to the north side of the centre line of the church as that is the easiest place to preach from in that it does not conspicuously obstruct the altar, nor have the preacher banging his hands on the wall. Of course, in the eighteenth century a lot of churches had their pulpits front and centre in the middle of a broad aisle. This arrangement ensured you could see the altar from your pew, and also that the preacher was unobstructed.

PD
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Which side is the pulpit supposed to be on? North, or south?

Indulge me for a minute. My sense of direction inside a church is challenged. Could someone please answer Padre Joshua's question in terms of "to the congregation's left, as they are facing the altar" or "to the congo's right, as they are facing the altar"?

[If I picture someone celebrating east-facing, i.e. back to the congo, then north would be to the congregation's left, correct? The pulpit in my current church and nearly all the others I can think of have the pulpit to the congo's right. Please bear with me, this makes my brain hurt.]
 
Posted by Amazing Grace (# 95) on :
 
We have the pulpit on the north side (the congregation's left) and the lectern on the south side (congo's left).

Altar = actual East instead of "liturgical East" chez nous.
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
I have spent more time in churches with the pulpit on the north/left of congo and the lectern on the south/right of congo, but I think that might just be coincidence, as I can think of plenty of examples of churches that I've seen where that positioning is reversed.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Which side is the pulpit supposed to be on? North, or south?

Indulge me for a minute. My sense of direction inside a church is challenged. Could someone please answer Padre Joshua's question in terms of "to the congregation's left, as they are facing the altar" or "to the congo's right, as they are facing the altar"?

[If I picture someone celebrating east-facing, i.e. back to the congo, then north would be to the congregation's left, correct? The pulpit in my current church and nearly all the others I can think of have the pulpit to the congo's right. Please bear with me, this makes my brain hurt.]

Yes. East is where the congregation faces, toward the altar. West is behind their backs. Whether or not the building was actually built to face a compass bearing of 90 degrees is irrelevant.

North, then, would be to the congregation's left; south to the congregation's right.

And thanks for the responses.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Given the fact that the church in question is laid out so that people needing to excuse themselves mid-service to, ahem, "wash their hands" must pass behind the pianist and the pulpit, I suspect it would then make sense to put the pulpit on the side away from that exit, i.e. put it on the south side. That way, people aren't expected to approach the pulpit during the sermon. (That could get scary if I were making a potentially controversial remark and someone started toward the pulpit!)
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
One time, when this topic came up, we got into quite the kerfluffle about right and left.

In the "Tridentine" rite, the Epistle was read on the liturgical south side of the altar. To the congregation and the priest facing the altar, this would be the right side. The Gospel was read on the liturgical north side of the altar, the left side from the congregation's and priest's standpoint.

Naturally, one would think that the Epistle should thus be read from a lectern to the liturgical south/right side of the congregation, and the Gospel from the liturgical north/left side.

However, this potentially gets a bit iffy when one pulls the altar away from the wall, and the priest now stands behind it. In the interim rite of the 1960s, did the priest move to the right (now liturgical north) side of the altar for the Epistle, and the left (now liturgical south) side of the altar for the Gospel? If so, should the corresponding lectern and pulpit be flip-flopped to opposite sides?

[Hosts, I bought one of those oversided novelty postcards that flips open to write my response on this thread...my apologies]
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
However, this potentially gets a bit iffy when one pulls the altar away from the wall, and the priest now stands behind it. In the interim rite of the 1960s, did the priest move to the right (now liturgical north) side of the altar for the Epistle, and the left (now liturgical south) side of the altar for the Gospel? If so, should the corresponding lectern and pulpit be flip-flopped to opposite sides?

I believe Ritual Notes suggests that very thing: that the epistle/gospel sides flip around when the altar does. That might be used to explain why the credence table should be on the north side for use with a freestanding altar (but perhaps the better explanation is that it's best for the credence table to be to the celebrant's right).

In our parish, which has the celebrant face eastward at the high altar for some Masses and westward at a freestanding altar for others, I think rather than flipping the epistle/gospel side terminology, such terms become irrelevant, as we no longer read those readings from particular sides. North and south are the more useful terms.

Our pulpit, sedilia, and sacristy door are all on the south side (liturgically and geographically). At solemn Mass the epistle and Gospel are both sung from the center; at low Mass the epistle is read near the south portion of the Communion rail, which might correspond to the epistle side of the high altar we're not using at that Mass. [Roll Eyes] Mainly, though, that spot is convenient to the sedilia and not chosen for being on the epistle side of anything.
 
Posted by Gashead (# 15296) on :
 
I remember reading that in the early churches in Rome the Gospel was read not only on the north side but actually facing North. The idea being that the Gospel was thus being proclaimed towards the various barbarian tribes of Huns, Visigoths etc beyond the Empire’s northern boundary. Anyone else come across this?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gashead:
I remember reading that in the early churches in Rome the Gospel was read not only on the north side but actually facing North. The idea being that the Gospel was thus being proclaimed towards the various barbarian tribes of Huns, Visigoths etc beyond the Empire’s northern boundary. Anyone else come across this?

I, too, have heard this and have often seen it in photographs and video footage of the Roman Rite. I have witnessed this at an Orthodox Mass at which I was cantor. One explanation that I have been given is that the catechumens were customarily placed to the north of the church prior to their dismissal, although I have no written source for this.

[ 17. April 2012, 10:11: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Utrecht Catholic (# 14285) on :
 
My Orthodox friends have told me several times that the proper word for the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church is not the western word Mass but the Holy Liturgy.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Utrecht Catholic:
My Orthodox friends have told me several times that the proper word for the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church is not the western word Mass but the Holy Liturgy.

Various terms are used in the Orthodox Church for the celebration of the Eucharist. That most common in the Byzantine Rite is the "Divine Liturgy", although "Holy Liturgy" is not uncommon. However, the Eucharist at which I experienced seeing the Gospel proclaimed towards the north was not at a Byzantine Liturgy, and I carefully chose the word "Mass" in order to avoid giving the impression that it was.

That isn't to say that "Divine Liturgy" isn't used in the Western Rite as well but my experience is that "Mass" is more commonly associated with that rite.

[ 17. April 2012, 14:29: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by Gashead:
I remember reading that in the early churches in Rome the Gospel was read not only on the north side but actually facing North. The idea being that the Gospel was thus being proclaimed towards the various barbarian tribes of Huns, Visigoths etc beyond the Empire’s northern boundary. Anyone else come across this?

I, too, have heard this and have often seen it in photographs and video footage of the Roman Rite. I have witnessed this at an Orthodox Mass at which I was cantor. One explanation that I have been given is that the catechumens were customarily placed to the north of the church prior to their dismissal, although I have no written source for this.
The explanation given by Gaslight is the one I've always heard. Saint Clement's Philadelphia still follows this practice at High Mass. I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.

Everybody loves a parade.
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.

Everybody loves a parade.
This 'parade' into the nave has become quite a 'thing' in TEC congregations. The one which I attend has become so wedded to it that even when there are no congregants in the rear half of the nave the parade still goes exactly halfway down the aisle!
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
One time, when this topic came up, we got into quite the kerfluffle about right and left.

In the "Tridentine" rite, the Epistle was read on the liturgical south side of the altar. To the congregation and the priest facing the altar, this would be the right side. The Gospel was read on the liturgical north side of the altar, the left side from the congregation's and priest's standpoint.

Naturally, one would think that the Epistle should thus be read from a lectern to the liturgical south/right side of the congregation, and the Gospel from the liturgical north/left side.

However, this potentially gets a bit iffy when one pulls the altar away from the wall, and the priest now stands behind it. In the interim rite of the 1960s, did the priest move to the right (now liturgical north) side of the altar for the Epistle, and the left (now liturgical south) side of the altar for the Gospel? If so, should the corresponding lectern and pulpit be flip-flopped to opposite sides?

[Hosts, I bought one of those oversided novelty postcards that flips open to write my response on this thread...my apologies]

It always seems helpful to me to remember that the ceremonies of the Low Mass in the Roman Rite prior to the introduction of the novus oro missae were essentially a constricted form of the choreography of the 'norm' of the Solemn Mass. Essentially what happened in the Solemn Mass throughout the church was imitated in the Low Mass in an attenuated form on the top step and on the mensa of the Altar, with the Sung Mass occupying a mid-point. The choreography doesn't really work versus populum.

[ 17. April 2012, 16:06: Message edited by: Trisagion ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.

I agree with you. We only do it when the bishop is serving but I wish it were a regular thing. You can see it at about 7.00 in this video.
 
Posted by maleveque (# 132) on :
 
Oh, georgiaboy, have you ever tried to train acolytes? I'm amazed yours go exactly halfway every time! They've probably been told to go as far as a particular pew, and by golly, that's where they'll go!
- Anne L.

quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.

Everybody loves a parade.
This 'parade' into the nave has become quite a 'thing' in TEC congregations. The one which I attend has become so wedded to it that even when there are no congregants in the rear half of the nave the parade still goes exactly halfway down the aisle!

 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
When we have a Gospel procession here we do it the old way. They go to just inside the communion rails on the north side. This is about as far as one can go as the alleys between our pews are a little too narrow to cope with three abreast. I am of the opinion that there should be no cross in a Gospel procession, but the MC occasionally has a brain fart and grabs the cross as that was what he was used to before he came to our shack.

I am not a fan of the halfway down the nave approach unless the preacher is not the same minister as is appointed to read the Gospel. This is mainly because I do not like awkward pauses in the liturgy, as people seem to take any pause as their opportunity to yak! We consigned the sermon hymn to well deserved oblivion years ago along with the fourth verse of America at the Offertory. ISTT that I chopped both at the same time, which produced a minor backlash from the Low Church folks.

On normal Sundays the celebrant reads the Gospel from the altar as we are a 1928 parish. When I was in a parish that used the revised liturgy - in that case the English ASB - the Gospel was read from the pulpit and then the minister ploughed into his sermon. I think we used to do that with the BCP as well, with the minister staying up there for the Creed.

PD

[ 17. April 2012, 19:16: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
That could get scary if I were making a potentially controversial remark and someone started toward the pulpit

"Your sermon really takes the p**s, Padre" [Big Grin]
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by maleveque:
Oh, georgiaboy, have you ever tried to train acolytes? I'm amazed yours go exactly halfway every time! They've probably been told to go as far as a particular pew, and by golly, that's where they'll go!
- Anne L.

quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I frankly think the Gospel Procession out into the midst of the congregation is more apt symbolism in the present context and is now very widespread amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and even other mainline Reformation churches.

Everybody loves a parade.
This 'parade' into the nave has become quite a 'thing' in TEC congregations. The one which I attend has become so wedded to it that even when there are no congregants in the rear half of the nave the parade still goes exactly halfway down the aisle!

Yes, I've tried to train 'em. It greatly increased my consumption of gin!
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
In the "Tridentine" rite, the Epistle was read on the liturgical south side of the altar. To the congregation and the priest facing the altar, this would be the right side. The Gospel was read on the liturgical north side of the altar, the left side from the congregation's and priest's standpoint.

It is still that way in the Tridentine rite. See 18:00 of this.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
In the "Tridentine" rite, the Epistle was read on the liturgical south side of the altar. To the congregation and the priest facing the altar, this would be the right side. The Gospel was read on the liturgical north side of the altar, the left side from the congregation's and priest's standpoint.

It is still that way in the Tridentine rite. See 18:00 of this.
Still the way we do it as well!
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I can't off hand think of any RC churches with an ambo on the South/right-as-you-look-at-it.

I realise the Vatican 2 insistence that all the readings take place from the same position is a fine theory, and in accordance with early Roman practice. (I have known it work impressively.)

As a result, no gospel procession and no need for a seperate pulpit. (RCs will correct me if necessary.)

Gospel processions are no pretty much de rigeur in C of E churches, who wouldn't have done so in the past.

On the other hand, C of E churches following Rome who used to have gospel processions, not have everything read from the lectern/ambo/legillium.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I can't off hand think of any RC churches with an ambo on the South/right-as-you-look-at-it.

Too many to number but the three that I serve most frequently (St John's Cathedral, Portsmouth; St Anne's, Brockenhurst; and Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph, Lymington) all have South/right ambones. The pulpit at Westminster Cathedral is also on the liturgical South.

quote:
I realise the Vatican 2 insistence that all the readings take place from the same position is a fine theory, and in accordance with early Roman practice. (I have known it work impressively.)
Lazy. The Council had nothing to say on the subject anymore than it uttered a word on altars arranged to facilitate versus populum celebration. Furthermore, early Roman practice seems to have been far from univocal. There is certainly evidence of two places being used quite early.

quote:
As a result, no gospel procession and no need for a seperate pulpit. (RCs will correct me if necessary.)
Pleased to oblige. Again, it happens at Westminster Cathedral.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
Pleased to oblige. Again, it happens at Westminster Cathedral.

Thank you.

We may be at cross purposes. I've seen a procession at Westminster Cathedral (and what a wonderful building it is) from the sanctuary to the ambo on our left, where the previous readings have taken place.

What I meant by "gospel procession" is a walk to the middle of the nave where the book is held by a server with two acolytes either side, whereas the non-gospel readings have been read from a lectern at the front.

By "Vatican 2" I meant the GIRM issued subsequently, on which I am rusty.

[ 18. April 2012, 16:54: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
We may be at cross purposes. I've seen a procession at Westminster Cathedral (and what a wonderful building it is) from the sanctuary to the ambo on our left, where the previous readings have taken place.

What I meant by "gospel procession" is a walk to the middle of the nave where the book is held by a server with two acolytes either side, whereas the non-gospel readings have been read from a lectern at the front.

That is, I think, as rare as hens teeth this side of the Tiber. What I have seen regularly at Westminster Cathedral is a procession - thurifer, acolytes, deacon - to the pulpit on the right hand side of the nave, the other readings having taken place at the Ambo on the left hand side of the sanctuary.

quote:
By "Vatican 2" I meant the GIRM issued subsequently, on which I am rusty.
Yes, I thought you did.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
What I meant by "gospel procession" is a walk to the middle of the nave where the book is held by a server with two acolytes either side, whereas the non-gospel readings have been read from a lectern at the front.

But that isn't the only thing it can mean. What I usually hear it referred to by this title is the following (and doing this is pretty much de rigeur at Sunday Mass in most parishes around here): The Gospel book, having been brought in my a reader in the opening procession and displayed on the altar, is picked up by the gospeller and carried to the ambo, accompanied by candle bearers.* Some parishes go by the most direct route, some by a more circuitous path.

--
* Except without candle bearers in the Easter season, as the paschal candle is then the only candle by the ambo.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
That is, I think, as rare as hens teeth this side of the Tiber. What I have seen regularly at Westminster Cathedral is a procession - thurifer, acolytes, deacon - to the pulpit on the right hand side of the nave, the other readings having taken place at the Ambo on the left hand side of the sanctuary.

Almost correct [Big Grin]

The Cathedral practice for Solemn occasions is for all the readings to be from the pulpit, with a Gospel Procession from the sanctuary at the appropriate moment.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Almost correct [Big Grin]

The Cathedral practice for Solemn occasions is for all the readings to be from the pulpit, with a Gospel Procession from the sanctuary at the appropriate moment.

I thank you.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
I think everyone who has posted on the topic has seen this but if not, there's now a dedicated thread for it, so if you would like to continue the conversation, it has moved over here: Where can the Gospel be read? Many thanks!

Mamacita, Eccles Host

[ 19. April 2012, 13:20: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?

I think that the APCK would ask the reverse question, i.e., why another Continuing Anglican province does not join with them? The labrynith of Continuing Anglican jurisdictions is a complex tale, indeed. I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures). They were originally the Diocese of Christ the King, one of the dioceses originally set up after TEC began ordaining women in 1977, but then they ultimately did not ratify the constitution of the newly-formed group, and went off on their own. Part of their group joined the Anglican Catholic Church, another high continuing jurisdiction.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?

The APCK is one of three in the Chambers succession. Albert Chambers, a retired Episcopal bishop, consecrated 4 bishops to head what was then known as the Anglican Church in North America (yes, really)--Robert Morse, James Mote, Charles Doren, and Francis Watterson. There were squabbles over churchmanship and canons, following which Morse founded the Diocese (later Province) of Christ the King, Mote and Watterson the Anglican Catholic Church, and Doren the UECNA. Watterson left the continuing Anglican movement soon after to become a RC priest.

Currently the three jurisdictions are in communion with each other (this is a fairly recent development), and I expect organic unity is not too far off. The APCK's website is
here .

It's fair to say that the APCK is generally Anglo-Catholic, but parishes run the gamut from Prayer Book Catholicism to full-on Fortescue. PM me if you'd like more information; this post is probably already too long for this thread!
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?

I think that the APCK would ask the reverse question, i.e., why another Continuing Anglican province does not join with them? The labrynith of Continuing Anglican jurisdictions is a complex tale, indeed. I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures). They were originally the Diocese of Christ the King, one of the dioceses originally set up after TEC began ordaining women in 1977, but then they ultimately did not ratify the constitution of the newly-formed group, and went off on their own. Part of their group joined the Anglican Catholic Church, another high continuing jurisdiction.
 
Posted by fabula rasa (# 11436) on :
 
I know that Eccles is more about tat/GIRM than alternative liturgy(!), but hope that someone here might have suggestions about incinerating one's sins. (A cliche, I know, but my congregations's never done it...). So, what is the best way of doing this indoors? What kind of paper will burn quickly, without flying up in a flaming mass, and without producing black smoke? If I'd like a big, quick, dramatic whoosh of flame (the Christmas pudding effect), how can I do this in a way that's spectacular but safe?

All suggestions gratefully received!
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
Incense charcoal burning well, in a metal pan at the bottom of a really solid terracotta plant pot. Not on carpet, please: stone step in front of altar works fine. Any paper will do!
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:

I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures).

Sorry to double post, but I've just see this, and it has aroused my horticultural curiosity. I can imagine a rosary hanging from a cincture, but why would hanging a rosary from a late summer flowering semi-hardy bush be a sign of advanced churchmanship? Please enlighten me!
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:

I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures).

Sorry to double post, but I've just see this, and it has aroused my horticultural curiosity. I can imagine a rosary hanging from a cincture, but why would hanging a rosary from a late summer flowering semi-hardy bush be a sign of advanced churchmanship? Please enlighten me!
[Killing me]

My guess is that Ceremoniar's post fell victim to "corrective" text, which tends not to recognise church-related terminology.

It isn't for nothing that so many of my posts end up being edited. [Hot and Hormonal]

[ 01. May 2012, 18:26: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
My guess is that Ceremoniar's post fell victim to "corrective" text, which tends not to recognise church-related terminology.

Yes, that is what happened, thanks. [Overused]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?

Huntsville was a particularly bloody mess. St Charles was a moderate parish in the old DSE under +Watterson in ACNA(E) days but was eventually Missalized with the consequence that a large group departed and started Christ Episcopal Church (UECNA) as a Low Church alternative. The ACC poked their oar in at some point, but their little group eventually merger with the UECNA parish. Twenty-five years later there is some talk of merging Christchurch with St Charles, but I am not at all sure how that will turn out.

Of the three churches that came directly out of St Louis, the Anglican Catholic Church is the largest and tends to be middle to high in churchmanship. It has what the rest of us call 'the Cons and Cans from hell' which the Diocese of Christ the King, and Bishop Doren did not, in the end, sign off on.

APCK is the old Diocese of Christ the King writ large and tends to be Anglo-catholic in churchmanship, but APCK Spikes tend to be less exotic than the ACC type. They use a modeified version of the 1964 PECUSA Cons and Cans.

The United Episcopal Church is very similar in terms of organisation to APCK but tends to be Middle to Low in Churchmanship. There is a strong Evangelical streak in UECNA which came in with +Albion Knight. +Gramley and +Rober, Presiding Bishops 1991-1996 and 1996-2010 tried to move the church up the candle. However, the present PB is a BCP and 39 Articles man.

Chances of mergers in the Continuum are pretty high, but probably will not happen along obvious historical lines.

PD
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
My guess is that Ceremoniar's post fell victim to "corrective" text, which tends not to recognise church-related terminology.

Yes, that is what happened, thanks. [Overused]
Tis ok. You and I have a common affliction, brother. [Smile]
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Heheh Michael, I just noticed your signature. You do know what Pope St Gregory the Great was going on about, don't you?
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Does anyone know anything about the Anglican Province of Christ the King? Their website is here.

Looks like they're an offshoot of TEC in 1977, and there is a congregation here in north Alabama ( St. Charles Anglican Church). They use the 1928 BCP.

That may well be more info than anyone else has, but I wanted to see what else I could learn about them. Why didn't they join one of the other offshoots, such as the UECNA? Do they have any dealings at all with other offshoot Anglican provinces?

Huntsville was a particularly bloody mess. St Charles was a moderate parish in the old DSE under +Watterson in ACNA(E) days but was eventually Missalized with the consequence that a large group departed and started Christ Episcopal Church (UECNA) as a Low Church alternative. The ACC poked their oar in at some point, but their little group eventually merger with the UECNA parish. Twenty-five years later there is some talk of merging Christchurch with St Charles, but I am not at all sure how that will turn out.

Of the three churches that came directly out of St Louis, the Anglican Catholic Church is the largest and tends to be middle to high in churchmanship. It has what the rest of us call 'the Cons and Cans from hell' which the Diocese of Christ the King, and Bishop Doren did not, in the end, sign off on.

APCK is the old Diocese of Christ the King writ large and tends to be Anglo-catholic in churchmanship, but APCK Spikes tend to be less exotic than the ACC type. They use a modeified version of the 1964 PECUSA Cons and Cans.

The United Episcopal Church is very similar in terms of organisation to APCK but tends to be Middle to Low in Churchmanship. There is a strong Evangelical streak in UECNA which came in with +Albion Knight. +Gramley and +Rober, Presiding Bishops 1991-1996 and 1996-2010 tried to move the church up the candle. However, the present PB is a BCP and 39 Articles man.

Chances of mergers in the Continuum are pretty high, but probably will not happen along obvious historical lines.

PD

I knew Bishop Mote and some of the Colorado (Diocese of the Holy Trinity) clergy back in the early days of the ACC. They were good folks and Bishop Mote was a sweet, sincere man, if perhaps over-enthusiastic and a little ingenuous. I think they tried to solve perceived problems in the Con and Cans of TEC with a sledgehammer, when a much smaller instrument would have done fine. The attempt, if you think about it, was a bit like the recent drive for the Covenant across the worldwide Anglican Communion -- bound to be more devisive than unifying. By the time we moved back to Texas from Colorado, the Diocese of the SW, which included Texas, had gone spinning out of the ACC and on a prolonged, bumpy journey. Anyway, there seems to have been a tendency in the early Continuing Church movement to ignore the polity and culture of the Episcopal Church, from which they all had, after all, come. This might have been fine for clergy on a lark, but didn't fly with the laity, and also led to terrible infighting amongst the small episcopate that was already made up of men who were somewhat difficult personalities (i.e. not always inclined to play well with others).

Just some of my reflections on those days. I subsequently returned to TEC and have little sense of Continuing Anglicanism lo these many years.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
Sorry, I'm afraid I got a bit side-tracked and failed to make my point that Bp Mote, one of the original four of the Chambers consecrations, stated to me that he was quite keen on the 1979 BCP, and liked its Rite II material and various options. The only real issue for him and those like him was OoW. Maintaining the 1928 BCP only seemed to be a strong issue mostly amongst some lay-folk. This might thus give some insight into the early priorities of the wing of the orignal ACNA that subsequently became the ACC.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I met +Mote a couple of times when I was at seminary and I would agree with your assessment. He always seemed to be 'pig-in-the-middle' in the ACC House of Bishops in those days between the hawks and the doves. The hawks eventually left in 1996/7, which made the place a whole lot more peaceful, but the general trend in the ACC still seems to be away from historic Anglicanism - or at least towards an assertive sort of Biretta Belt Anglo-Catholicism.

PD
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Heheh Michael, I just noticed your signature. You do know what Pope St Gregory the Great was going on about, don't you?

I don't and I'd love to know, if a slight tangent could educate Michael and me.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
If you put "precursor to the Antichrist" into a Google search the main candidates seem to be Barack Obama, Adolf Hitler, and Ophrah Winfrey. [Eek!]

Add in "Gregory the Great" and most of the high-ranking references are to this Ship.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
"Universal Bishop" is a translation into English of the Latin Patriarcha universalis, which in turn was a translation of the Greek o‘ikoumenikòs patriárches. We now usually render that into English as Ecumenical Patriarch. Pope Gregory was taking issue with the Bishop of Constantinople, John the Faster, for assuming for himself such a title.

Pope Gregory went on to say: "As regards the Church of Constantinople, who can doubt that it is subject to the Apostolic See? Why, both our most religious Lord the Emperor and our brother the Bishop of Constantinople continually acknowledge it" and "I know of no bishop who is not subject to the Apostolic See". One of the issue that sparked this was the Bishop of Constantinople convening a Synod to discuss charges against the Patriarch of Antioch. Pope Gregory was reminding the Bishop of Constantinople that he had no right to judge another bishop, for that was the prerogative of Rome.

The quote in Michael's signature has often been employed by Protestant and Orthodox polemicists as a way of suggesting the Bishop of Rome has false pretensions to universal jurisdiction and "Look! even a saintly pope said that was akin to being the Antichrist!" The full story says something quite the opposite, however.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
the Bishop of Constantinople, John the Faster

As opposed to John the Extremely Slow, or John the Glutton? [Biased]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Heheh Michael, I just noticed your signature. You do know what Pope St Gregory the Great was going on about, don't you?

Oh dear.

I had been aware of the origins.

Indeed, the point wasn't about the specifics of what was actually going on back then but rather about perception and reaction. As this was presented to me, perceiving a bishop to be claiming universal authority, the Pope of Rome found the very idea abhorrent.

Therefore, the point wasn't to attack the present Pope of Rome but rather to suggest that his claim to universal jurisdiction isn't as unequivocally supported by history as some often claim. What seemed important wssn't so much the sentiment alone but also the person who expressed it.

Seeing your excerpts from the remainder of what was said, I shall seek to read it myself rather than relying on the book that claimed not to be a polemical work and with whose author I am acquainted.

Thank you for highlighting this.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
The quote in Michael's signature has often been employed by Protestant and Orthodox polemicists as a way of suggesting the Bishop of Rome has false pretensions to universal jurisdiction and "Look! even a saintly pope said that was akin to being the Antichrist!" The full story says something quite the opposite, however.

Bless you, Father.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
On his blog, Fr Z has an article on a discussion by Bishop Sample of Marquette discussing the liturgy. He provides an audio link that I have not had time to listen to yet.

However, in Fr Z's written comments, it appears that Bishop Sample said that the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite are the same rite. Fr. Z questions this.

Huh?

Why would they not be the same rite? Maybe different uses, but the same rite. Right?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Pope Gregory went on to say: "As regards the Church of Constantinople, who can doubt that it is subject to the Apostolic See? Why, both our most religious Lord the Emperor and our brother the Bishop of Constantinople continually acknowledge it" and "I know of no bishop who is not subject to the Apostolic See".

Clever editing, Triple Tiara.

Having read this, it seems the fuill sentence from which your latter quotation is an excerpt actually reads:

quote:
If any fault is found among bishops, I know not any one who is not subject to it (the Apostolic See); but when no fault requires otherwise, all are equal according to the estimation of humility.
This does seem to qualify Pope St Gregory's understanding of Rome's primacy in a way with which I don't think many Orthodox would have any argument. This is, of course, a separate (but related) issue to the question of universal jurisdiction, which is what is addressed in my signature.

Granted, I should have read the correspondence myself rather than taking someone else's quotation of a single sentence in isolation but I see nothing so far that suggests I misunderstood or used it incorrectly. I remain, of course, open to correction.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
It's a purgatorial discussion of course and we are unlikely to resolve it.

I did not intend any clever editing and was not making any exalted papal claims. As I said, the issue was to do with the Bishop of Constantinople trying to decide on a matter relating to the Patriarch of Antioch - a disciplinary matter.

However, the line from Gregory does not lend itself to the way you are arguing it. Use the actual phrase of Gregory and what he was objecting to and it reads rather differently: 'Whoever calls himself ecumenical patriarch, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor to the Antichrist.'
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I think that if the discussion of Gregory the Great's views on the universal primacy or otherwise of the Pope is to continue, it needs to do so on its own thread which belongs in Purgatory.

Much obliged.

seasick, Eccles host
 
Posted by crunt (# 1321) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:

I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures).

Sorry to double post, but I've just see this, and it has aroused my horticultural curiosity. I can imagine a rosary hanging from a cincture, but why would hanging a rosary from a late summer flowering semi-hardy bush be a sign of advanced churchmanship? Please enlighten me!
Not only is predictive text crap at ecclisiology, it is rubbish at horticulture, too. That semi-hardy, late flowering bush that gives its name to a reddish-pinkish colour is called a fuchsia
Edited to ask - what was the original term supposed to be; cinctures and ... ?

[ 04. May 2012, 07:43: Message edited by: crunt ]
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Fascias was what it was meant to say, I would imagine.

[ 04. May 2012, 08:34: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
But according to that link, if you're a Patriarch, Archbishop, Bishop, protonotary apostolic, honorary prelate, or chaplain of his holiness you can have a fuchsia fascia.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I'll make a note! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by crunt:
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:

I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures).

Sorry to double post, but I've just see this, and it has aroused my horticultural curiosity. I can imagine a rosary hanging from a cincture, but why would hanging a rosary from a late summer flowering semi-hardy bush be a sign of advanced churchmanship? Please enlighten me!
Not only is predictive text crap at ecclisiology, it is rubbish at horticulture, too. That semi-hardy, late flowering bush that gives its name to a reddish-pinkish colour is called a fuchsia
Edited to ask - what was the original term supposed to be; cinctures and ... ?

I stand corrected on the spelling, can only point readers to my sig, and beg to ask 'what is "ecclisiology"?'
[Devil]
 
Posted by crunt (# 1321) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
quote:
Originally posted by crunt:
Edited to ask - what was the original term supposed to be; cinctures and ... ?

I stand corrected on the spelling, can only point readers to my sig, and beg to ask 'what is "ecclisiology"?'
[Devil]

Ha-ha my bad! Can I wriggle out of it by saying my mouse doesn't work and I'm using the finger thingy? No? Thought not.

[fixed code]

[ 04. May 2012, 16:45: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by fabula rasa:
I know that Eccles is more about tat/GIRM than alternative liturgy(!), but hope that someone here might have suggestions about incinerating one's sins. (A cliche, I know, but my congregations's never done it...). So, what is the best way of doing this indoors? What kind of paper will burn quickly, without flying up in a flaming mass, and without producing black smoke? If I'd like a big, quick, dramatic whoosh of flame (the Christmas pudding effect), how can I do this in a way that's spectacular but safe?

All suggestions gratefully received!

The Ecclesiantics board began as a merger between the old Mystery Worshipper discussion board and one called Small Fire which was all about alternative liturgies. Your question is welcome here. One of my friends who is in youth ministry recommends Flying Wish Paper. The ending effect is different from the big conflagration you're thinking of, but the youth at her confirmation retreat are always impressed.

(Sorry for the delay in responding -- I had to chase down the name of the product.)

ETA: An entirely different approach, but I have done a similar type of thing where one's sins are written down on a type of dissolving paper and placed in the baptismal font. Also effective.

[ 04. May 2012, 15:01: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I thought of 3 questions I wanted to ask here, but right now I can only remember 2. (Typical me.) So here goes:

1. Do you cross yourself at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis? I've seen it done (and it fits the rule of crossing yourself at canticles etc. drawn from Gospel text, such as the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis), but there are already lots of gestures in that particular hymn. I'm just curious if anyone here has seen it done, or can give a good reason one way or the other.

2. Recently, I was at a weekday Mass where there were a total of 5 of us present (including the presider). The presider had really bad allergies, and was coughing and blowing his nose all through the service. In a situation like that, should/could the presider slip in some mention of it to the congregation (e.g., at the Peace somewhere, or even before his homily) so they know he's not contagious? If so, when? I know it seems tacky, but the weekday services are kinda informal. To all you priests out there: what would you do, especially if you couldn't get another clergy person to cover for you? Luckily, in this instance, no one refrained from receiving Communion, but it's conceivable someone might.

I'll ask the third question later if I think of it!
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures). They were originally the Diocese of Christ the King, one of the dioceses originally set up after TEC began ordaining women in 1977, but then they ultimately did not ratify the constitution of the newly-formed group, and went off on their own. Part of their group joined the Anglican Catholic Church, another high continuing jurisdiction.

I have never found the APCK to be that extreme. They are Missal orientated for the most part, but they are not "crazy high." In a way I cannot imagine +Morse allowing anyone to get that way, though, as we (Fr Weber and I) were discussing after their Western Diocese's Synod yesterday, they did have more than their share of sanctuary swans in times past (i.e. 1977 until they retired/shuffled off this mortal coil). In my experience, sound Anglo-Catholic theology tends to militate against being "crazy high" because of the pressure to do things correctly - i.e. that the liturgy is the Church's not yours. It is the half trained; half formed types that tend to do the crazy stuff. I have general seen more OTT stuff in upper slopes of middle of the road places than I ever have in "full Faith" parishes.

PD

[ 06. May 2012, 21:17: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
I thought of 3 questions I wanted to ask here, but right now I can only remember 2. (Typical me.) So here goes:

1. Do you cross yourself at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis? I've seen it done (and it fits the rule of crossing yourself at canticles etc. drawn from Gospel text, such as the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis), but there are already lots of gestures in that particular hymn. I'm just curious if anyone here has seen it done, or can give a good reason one way or the other.

2. Recently, I was at a weekday Mass where there were a total of 5 of us present (including the presider). The presider had really bad allergies, and was coughing and blowing his nose all through the service. In a situation like that, should/could the presider slip in some mention of it to the congregation (e.g., at the Peace somewhere, or even before his homily) so they know he's not contagious? If so, when? I know it seems tacky, but the weekday services are kinda informal. To all you priests out there: what would you do, especially if you couldn't get another clergy person to cover for you? Luckily, in this instance, no one refrained from receiving Communion, but it's conceivable someone might.

I'll ask the third question later if I think of it!

Crossing yourself at the Gloria in Exclesis is usually done at the end rather than the beginning. At the 'Gloria Patri' one bows.

If I am having a bad allergy attack I will usually make mention of the fact in the notices. Older/liberal Anglicans can be a bit wonkie on the Real Presence, but they all believe in microbes.

PD
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures). They were originally the Diocese of Christ the King, one of the dioceses originally set up after TEC began ordaining women in 1977, but then they ultimately did not ratify the constitution of the newly-formed group, and went off on their own. Part of their group joined the Anglican Catholic Church, another high continuing jurisdiction.

I have never found the APCK to be that extreme. They are Missal orientated for the most part, but they are not "crazy high." In a way I cannot imagine +Morse allowing anyone to get that way, though, as we (Fr Weber and I) were discussing after their Western Diocese's Synod yesterday, they did have more than their share of sanctuary swans in times past (i.e. 1977 until they retired/shuffled off this mortal coil). In my experience, sound Anglo-Catholic theology tends to militate against being "crazy high" because of the pressure to do things correctly - i.e. that the liturgy is the Church's not yours. It is the half trained; half formed types that tend to do the crazy stuff. I have general seen more OTT stuff in upper slopes of middle of the road places than I ever have in "full Faith" parishes.

PD

Who said anything about "crazy high"? I do not know why you are saying that. I simply recalled my recollections of them (a bit dated, admittedly, from the eighties). Nothing that I said implied that they were crazy; I rather liked seeing priests with rosaries. I remember when +Tillman Williams left the ACC for the APCK.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
I thought of 3 questions I wanted to ask here, but right now I can only remember 2. (Typical me.) So here goes:

1. Do you cross yourself at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis? I've seen it done (and it fits the rule of crossing yourself at canticles etc. drawn from Gospel text, such as the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis), but there are already lots of gestures in that particular hymn. I'm just curious if anyone here has seen it done, or can give a good reason one way or the other.

2. Recently, I was at a weekday Mass where there were a total of 5 of us present (including the presider). The presider had really bad allergies, and was coughing and blowing his nose all through the service. In a situation like that, should/could the presider slip in some mention of it to the congregation (e.g., at the Peace somewhere, or even before his homily) so they know he's not contagious? If so, when? I know it seems tacky, but the weekday services are kinda informal. To all you priests out there: what would you do, especially if you couldn't get another clergy person to cover for you? Luckily, in this instance, no one refrained from receiving Communion, but it's conceivable someone might.

I'll ask the third question later if I think of it!

1. I have never heard of crossing onself at the beginning of the Gloria, only at the end, which is the traditional signing, not typically followed in the contemporary rite.

2. I will admit to being a bit curious as to the use of the words Mass and presider in the same sentence. Why the aversion to the word priest, which goes so perfectly with Mass? That is the word that the liturgical books themselves use, along with celebrant.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
I can say that the APCK is extremely Anglo-Catholic (not uncommon to see rosary beads hanging from their fuschias and cinctures). They were originally the Diocese of Christ the King, one of the dioceses originally set up after TEC began ordaining women in 1977, but then they ultimately did not ratify the constitution of the newly-formed group, and went off on their own. Part of their group joined the Anglican Catholic Church, another high continuing jurisdiction.

I have never found the APCK to be that extreme. They are Missal orientated for the most part, but they are not "crazy high." In a way I cannot imagine +Morse allowing anyone to get that way, though, as we (Fr Weber and I) were discussing after their Western Diocese's Synod yesterday, they did have more than their share of sanctuary swans in times past (i.e. 1977 until they retired/shuffled off this mortal coil). In my experience, sound Anglo-Catholic theology tends to militate against being "crazy high" because of the pressure to do things correctly - i.e. that the liturgy is the Church's not yours. It is the half trained; half formed types that tend to do the crazy stuff. I have general seen more OTT stuff in upper slopes of middle of the road places than I ever have in "full Faith" parishes.

PD

I don't know if this makes any difference, but I happened by the church in Huntsville today, and I noticed that on the sign board the principle Sunday morning service is billed as "Holy Communion". I seem to have seen around here that HC = low to MOTR, Eucharist = MOTR to high, and Mass = AC.

I may have to just break down and go check them out this week.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Thanks, guys!

I'm used to crossing oneself at the end of the Gloria Patri, because when the Spirit is mentioned, it's now a reference to the Holy Trinity. At least that's what I've always been told - nothing to do with the first lines coming from the Gospels. I'm also used to bowing at "receive our prayer" and of course at the Name of Jesus; I've also seen bowing at "we worship you" - and now that you mention it, I've seen bowing at the beginning.

"Presider" is simply the language we use here. Most people say "Eucharist;" some of us say "Mass," although it's not in any of our printed literature. I have no aversion to saying priest (don't read so much into it!), but in any Eucharist service we generally have several priests vested in the service, doing different tasks (many are paten administrators; another might be the homilist). So saying "priest" seems too vague. I would say "celebrant," and sometimes do, but you get used to the general usage around you, you know?

I've thought of my third question!

3. Why is the deacon sometimes blessed by the...um, celebrant before s/he goes to proclaim the Gospel? Doesn't her or his ordination give him/her everything s/he needs to proclaim the Gospel? No other participant in the service gets the celebrant's blessing before doing their thing. The only reason I can think of is the importance of the Gospel proclamation in the liturgy - and the only other participants in the service doing something so important are Communion administrators, who will have just received the Sacrament - blessing enough.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Thanks, guys!

I'm used to crossing oneself at the end of the Gloria Patri, because when the Spirit is mentioned, it's now a reference to the Holy Trinity. At least that's what I've always been told - nothing to do with the first lines coming from the Gospels. I'm also used to bowing at "receive our prayer" and of course at the Name of Jesus; I've also seen bowing at "we worship you" - and now that you mention it, I've seen bowing at the beginning.

I think you're talking about the Gloria in Excelsis, rather than the Gloria Patri ("Glory to God in the highest"/"Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit").

Traditional practice is to bow at the Gloria Patri ("Glory to the Father") and to stand at the Sicut Erat ("as it was in the beginning") at the end of canticles and psalms. The Gloria Patri is generally used at offices, rather than at the Eucharist.

In the Gloria in Excelsis (generally used at the Eucharist), traditional (and now somewhat old-fashioned) practice would indeed have you crossing yourself at the trinitarian invocation at the end, along with a bow at the name of Jesus and "receive our prayer". I have seen bowing at "we worship you", but I think it's probably an incorrect assumption that we should mirror the bow during the creed ("who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified").

I don't think I've seen people bowing at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Why is the deacon sometimes blessed by the...um, celebrant before s/he goes to proclaim the Gospel? Doesn't her or his ordination give him/her everything s/he needs to proclaim the Gospel? No other participant in the service gets the celebrant's blessing before doing their thing. The only reason I can think of is the importance of the Gospel proclamation in the liturgy - and the only other participants in the service doing something so important are Communion administrators, who will have just received the Sacrament - blessing enough.

You could just as easily ask why we receive a blessing at the end of Mass when we've all received the gifts of the Holy Ghost through Confirmation. [Smile]

Traditionally, in a Solemn High Mass, the subdeacon is blessed after reading/singing the Epistle; the deacon is blessed before reading/singing the Gospel. Why the diaconal blessing has hung on through changes of rites, while the subdiaconal one has withered away, I'm not sure. I imagine it's a function of the Gospel being the core of the faith. The words which are said over the deacon by the celebrant are : "The LORD be in thy heart and upon thy lips, that thou mayest worthily and fitly proclaim His Gospel: in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON and + of the HOLY GHOST."

Note the similarity to a similar form of words used in Confession...
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
I don't know if this makes any difference, but I happened by the church in Huntsville today, and I noticed that on the sign board the principle Sunday morning service is billed as "Holy Communion". I seem to have seen around here that HC = low to MOTR, Eucharist = MOTR to high, and Mass = AC.

I may have to just break down and go check them out this week.

In Alabama it's likely that it will be MOTR or slightly lower. In conversation I will use "Holy Communion," "Eucharist," and "Mass" interchangeably--but when I celebrate the ceremonial is Missa Cantata according to Ritual Notes (or as much as my parish will tolerate).

Please do report back if you go; I've never been to St Charles, nor met Fr Victory, and would be curious to know what the place is like!
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
The two Anglican parishes in Huntsville are St Charles (APCK), which was MOTR-High the last I heard, and supplements the 1928 BCP from the Missal. The other is Christ Episcopal Church (UECNA), which is MOTR-Low, though the supply priest there might be trying to move things higher (again!)

PD
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
The two Anglican parishes in Huntsville are St Charles (APCK), which was MOTR-High the last I heard, and supplements the 1928 BCP from the Missal. The other is Christ Episcopal Church (UECNA), which is MOTR-Low, though the supply priest there might be trying to move things higher (again!)

PD

It was St. Charles to which I was referring, although I'd like to visit both churches. But I begin my own appointment on Father's Day, so time is limited.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
Thanks, guys!

I'm used to crossing oneself at the end of the Gloria Patri, because when the Spirit is mentioned, it's now a reference to the Holy Trinity. At least that's what I've always been told - nothing to do with the first lines coming from the Gospels. I'm also used to bowing at "receive our prayer" and of course at the Name of Jesus; I've also seen bowing at "we worship you" - and now that you mention it, I've seen bowing at the beginning.

I think you're talking about the Gloria in Excelsis, rather than the Gloria Patri ("Glory to God in the highest"/"Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit").

Traditional practice is to bow at the Gloria Patri ("Glory to the Father") and to stand at the Sicut Erat ("as it was in the beginning") at the end of canticles and psalms. The Gloria Patri is generally used at offices, rather than at the Eucharist.

In the Gloria in Excelsis (generally used at the Eucharist), traditional (and now somewhat old-fashioned) practice would indeed have you crossing yourself at the trinitarian invocation at the end, along with a bow at the name of Jesus and "receive our prayer". I have seen bowing at "we worship you", but I think it's probably an incorrect assumption that we should mirror the bow during the creed ("who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified").


Not an incorrect assumption at all. It's straight from the Tridentine rubrics : inclinatio (bow of the head, not a bow from the waist) at "Adoramus te" and at "Gratias agimus tibi".
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Complete tangent, Fr Weber, but apropos your sig: don't you agree that Fr Chantry-Pigg should be the patron saint of Ecclesiantics?
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
I think you're talking about the Gloria in Excelsis, rather than the Gloria Patri ("Glory to God in the highest"/"Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit").

Yes, of course; I had a minor brain fart. [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
Traditional practice is to bow at the Gloria Patri ("Glory to the Father") and to stand at the Sicut Erat ("as it was in the beginning") at the end of canticles and psalms.

(Please excuse the lack of ascription, I get so confused with the coding on multiple quotes on quotes!)

Standing at 'Sicut erat' in the older practice was nothing to do with the Gloria Patri per se. This was about standing for the Chapter (brief reading) that followed the psalms in Lauds and Vespers.

One was, of course, standing in any case for a Gospel canticle, so there would be no change of posture after the bow during 'Glory (be) to the Father..Holy Spirit'.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
1. Do you cross yourself at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis? I've seen it done (and it fits the rule of crossing yourself at canticles etc. drawn from Gospel text, such as the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis),

The other canticles are gospel texts, and we cross ourselves at the start as we (or at any rate some of us) do at the start of a gospel reading. The Gloria is not a gospel text.

I've never crossed myself at the end, as I learnt my ritual gestures from Vatican 2.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
Standing at 'Sicut erat' in the older practice was nothing to do with the Gloria Patri per se. This was about standing for the Chapter (brief reading) that followed the psalms in Lauds and Vespers.

Sorry, imprecise wording. I meant to say "unbowing" at the Sicut Erat.


quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
Not an incorrect assumption at all. It's straight from the Tridentine rubrics : inclinatio (bow of the head, not a bow from the waist) at "Adoramus te" and at "Gratias agimus tibi".

Thanks for the correction. I'll clearly have to adopt the practice :-p
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
The Tridentine rubrics (used in EF today) call for bowing at:

the Deo in Gloria in Excelsis Deo
adoramus te
gratias agimus tibi
Iesu Christe (twice)
suscipe deprectaionem nostram

The crosings comes at the end.

These are all mentioned in Ritual Notes, as well.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Complete tangent, Fr Weber, but apropos your sig: don't you agree that Fr Chantry-Pigg should be the patron saint of Ecclesiantics?

Absolutely!
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
I'm looking to buy a hassock. I'll be spending a lot of time next year in a chapel where the regulars (all college students) like to kneel on the wooden floor, which severely limits by ability to concentrate on what's going on. Can anyone recommend a good place to buy one? Watra's doesn't have them.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
I'm looking to buy a hassock. I'll be spending a lot of time next year in a chapel where the regulars (all college students) like to kneel on the wooden floor, which severely limits by ability to concentrate on what's going on. Can anyone recommend a good place to buy one? Watra's doesn't have them.

Embroider one yourself, why not?
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
I've taken old couch pillows and recovered them, or made a simple slip cover for them. They're usually stuffed firmer than a bed pillow, so they're about perfect for kneeling when there are no kneelers. I bet you could find one in a thrift store, or perhaps a deep discount retail store. Or even your granny, or someone else's granny.
 
Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
A prayer stool takes a lot of the weight from the knees onto the purpose-designed body part. [Cool]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Qoheleth.:
A prayer stool takes a lot of the weight from the knees onto the purpose-designed body part. [Cool]

and is much more comfortable than a hassock IMHO. Especially if there is no bench or prie-dieu against which to lean.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Qoheleth.:
A prayer stool takes a lot of the weight from the knees onto the purpose-designed body part. [Cool]

They place too much strain on the ankles, resulting in considerable pain after a few minutes.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I have never seen the point of prayer stools. You might as well just sit down properly and get rid of that intolerable and distracting pain in the ankles. Or am I built differently to other folks?

PD
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
No. You aren't. You're exactly right. They're designed in such a way that the feet have to be stretched out. After a couple of minutes with force placed on them in that angle, they do hurt.

It's a ridiculous invention. Much better would be something like those kneeling office chairs. They keep the knees and bottom in the same relative position to each other as the kneeling stool but because they place the knees at least a foot off the floor, the ankles aren't subjected to the same sort of pressure.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Maybe it depends on the size of your feet. Large ones would tend to push your ankles uncomfortably high. IYSWIM.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Maybe it depends on the size of your feet. Large ones would tend to push your ankles uncomfortably high. IYSWIM.

The height of the ankles itself isn't uncomfortable. Normal kneeling without a kneeling stool allows for this and there is no discomfort, (unless people have bad knees, but that's a different matter). The problem, at least with the kneeling stools that I have encountered, is that the seat is just too low to allow the feet to stand upright (with the toes to the floor and heel in the air, if you follow). So in order to fit your feet under the bum-rest, you have to stretch them out ballerina style. Holding that position with weight on the feet for anything more than a short length of time is painful.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Just what I said. You must have big feet! [Biased]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Just what I said. You must have big feet! [Biased]

I'll have you know that my feet are quite proportionate to my height. [Razz]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
So are everybody's. It depends what proportion.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
So are everybody's. It depends what proportion.

There seems to be the start of innuendo.

I tried prayer stools - we used to have an evening meditation when everyone used them.

I was less uncomfortable by being the odd man out than by the pain of using the stools.

(Size 11 feet. Height 6'5 - all in proportion)
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I wouldn't be without my prayer stool. How do they put weight on the ankles? They raise your bum just high enough to clear them. (I've never thought about it, but I suppose I lay my feet sideways.)

Far more comfortable than full lotus.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I wouldn't be without my prayer stool. How do they put weight on the ankles?

The bum-rest only supports some of the body weight. The knees and ankles take the rest. Granted, with the prayer stool, there is much less weight on the ankles than without, but there is still enough so that, when forced to stretch them out like this and this, it causes pain after a while.

quote:
They raise your bum just high enough to clear them.
As the pictures I just grabbed from googling show, for at least some people, they don't. In kneeling without a stool, I would never have my feet at that angle because it's easier to kneel upright.

quote:
(I've never thought about it, but I suppose I lay my feet sideways.)
I think I'd have the same problem doing that. You're clearly fitter and more flexible than I am. [Smile]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've used my stool a few times since posting. Actually I leave my ankles in the air and my feet face forward (if you see what I mean) on the floor. But it's for private prayer and that's what I find helpful. Others may not.

(I always take it on Maundy Thursday to use for the vigil.)

PS. It supports all the weight of my upper body.

[ 13. May 2012, 19:41: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I've used my stool a few times since posting. Actually I leave my ankles in the air and my feet face forward (if you see what I mean) on the floor.

Oh my, I completely forgot about this thread's most recent focus, and took that post entirely out of context!
 
Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Actually I leave my ankles in the air and my feet face forward (if you see what I mean) on the floor.

I'm finding that difficult to picture or to test.
[Confused]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Qoheleth.:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Actually I leave my ankles in the air and my feet face forward (if you see what I mean) on the floor.

I'm finding that difficult to picture or to test.
[Confused]

Imagine the noamrl positioon of the feet when kneeling upright, (that is, not sitting on the calves). The toes touch the floor and the feet are roughly perpendicular to the floor, with the ankles in the air and the top of the feet facing forward rather than towards the floor.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
noamrl positioon of the feet

Is this an Orthodox term with which I am unfamiliar? [Big Grin]
 
Posted by +Chad (# 5645) on :
 
Was it noamrl in 19th Century Russia?

No! Is "ecumenical" position.

Is outrage!
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Qoheleth.:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Actually I leave my ankles in the air and my feet face forward (if you see what I mean) on the floor.

I'm finding that difficult to picture or to test.
[Confused]

Feet flat on the floor with the soles of the feet facing upwards (and the front of the feet - the face as I called it - on the floor).

I'm even more confused by feet perpendicular to the floor. Surely they're parallel?

It reminds me of a Thom Gunn poem.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've just clicked as to what Michael means: toes on floor, sole sloping upwards and instep stretched.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I must have funny feet then. Because I find Michael's position more natural, and comfortable, than VenBede's.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I suppose if I were to kneel with a back and thighs straight up from the knees, I suppose I would lift the ankles, as per the Astley position. (In church the knees are raised by a kneeler.)

But using my prayer stool, my feet are flat on the floor. Maybe it's years of practice.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
noamrl positioon of the feet

Is this an Orthodox term with which I am unfamiliar? [Big Grin]
I love my Methodist friends but you really need to get up to speed with the Ecumenical Councils.

Canon XIX 1/2 of the half dozen or so holy fathers gathered at the Holy and Oecumenical Synod of Birkenhead:

quote:
Forasmuch as the description of positions of the feet during the supplication of the Almighty has in sundry places been subject to the passing times and seasons, it seems good to us, for the avoidance of confusion and that all things may be in all places the same, that during these fifty days of Pentecost, the placing of the feet while standing upon the knees shall henceforth be referred to as the "noamrl positioon". If any, having adopted any other phrase or description up until this first day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve, repent of his mistake, let him retain his position and come to communion as one of the brethren. If any reach such a state of mindlessness as to adopt such phrase after this first day of May and dare to call it canonical, if he be among the clergy, he shall be deposed, but if he be a layman, let him be anathema.
(Much more edifying than, 'Sorry: it was a typo', don't you think?)
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
[Killing me]
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Is it customary to have the congregation stand for a reading from the Gospel at Morning or Evening Prayer? What about at Eucharistic services with really long pericopes? (Palm Sunday comes to mind.)
 
Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :
 
Until our new Vicar arrived I had never stood for the Gospel in Morning or Evening Prayer(in 50ish years of churchgoing). We now stand for the Gospel in all services both the formal and informal.

Palm Sunday was the exception.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Is it customary to have the congregation stand for a reading from the Gospel at Morning or Evening Prayer? What about at Eucharistic services with really long pericopes? (Palm Sunday comes to mind.)

[1] No, but I know a church which does. [2] Standing is supposed to be the rule, but many churches are sensible about this. Either allow those who wish to sit, or suggest all sit throughout, or stand simply for the final passage (crucifixion).
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
I don't think it is proper to stand for a lesson from the New Testament that happens to be from one of the Gospels at Morning or Evening Prayer.

I've seen, to my horror, an Evening Prayer service where the officiants trotted out a fully vested deacon to read the lesson from Gospel as if we were at a Mass. Very disconcerting.

Using the Eucharisitic lectionary for the office seems to confuse many officiants. Sometimes they'll even use the Order of the Eucharist, Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel even at a celebration of the Office. I suppose this comes from being unfamilar with the Office, which in the BCP is Psalm, OT Lesson, Canticle, New Testament Lesson, Canticle, or CW, Psalm, Canticle, Lesson, Lesson, responsory, Gospel Canticle (which should be said standing. I was taken aback once when the priest told the congo to remain seated for the Magnificat).

Some churches have hybrids of a service that's half office, half Mass, but in those I've usually seen people stay seated for the New Testament Lesson, even if it is from one of the first four books of it.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Padre Joshua:
Is it customary to have the congregation stand for a reading from the Gospel at Morning or Evening Prayer? What about at Eucharistic services with really long pericopes? (Palm Sunday comes to mind.)

In my experience it's customary to be seated for readings in the Office.

Since the Passion is a Eucharistic Gospel reading, it would be appropriate to stand (with a short pause for kneeling after the death of our Lord is narrated). Anyone who is going to have difficulties standing can stay seated, of course.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I have never seen the point of prayer stools. You might as well just sit down properly and get rid of that intolerable and distracting pain in the ankles. Or am I built differently to other folks?

I'm with you on this. Best seating for me would be a sturdy chair. I'd love one of the white-oak chairs the guests sit on in Saint Meinrad Archabbey's church in Indiana: very solid (no creaking, no movement), and somehow well shaped to provide a comfortable sit even though it's a hard material. Good book-racks on the side, too.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've never known prayer stools used for corporate worship, where I don't think they'd work very well (except for Taize style stuff). I find them the best thing for me for private prayer.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Transferred from the closed Prayers of Intercession thread:

quote:
Originally posted by iamchristianhearmeroar:
At High Mass for Ascension Day at St Gabriel's Pimlico this evening the prayers of intercession were omitted.

I don't think I've ever been to mass/eucharist/holy communion at any anglican church whether high, MOTR or low and found the intercessions omitted. Is this usual practice? If so, when?

quote:
Originally posted by PD:
Did the Eucharistic Prayer contain some intercessory material? If so, it would not be unheard of to omit the intercession on a weekday, but in my experience, it is pretty uncommon. The danger with the Eucharistic Prayers which have some intercessory material in them is that you end up doing the same thing twice.

PD

quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
Common Worship omits the Intercessions on various occasions - or rather substitutes some other material such as the Thanksgiving for Baptism on the Feast of the Baptism (page 170)


 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Common Worship is inconsistent in that some eucharistic prayers include (very brief) intercessions; others don't. I understand that it is common at RC weekday masses to omit the prayers of the people because intercession is always included in the EP. 1662 and similar rites always demanded the 'prayer for the whole state of Christ's Church', but in 1549 (and in the Scottish liturgy, I think) this was part of a long, long prayer equivalent to the Canon of the Mass.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
It seems to be common in Europe; I've never known them skipped in the US.

['page-turn': I'm referring to RCs skipping the intercessions at daily Mass]

[ 18. May 2012, 13:00: Message edited by: Hart ]
 
Posted by Adrian1 (# 3994) on :
 
Yes the 1549 Canon consisted of Prayer for the Church + Consecration + Prayer of Oblation. It's a very good arrangement, although it makes for a rather long prayer. At plain celebrations on weekdays I sometimes omit the Prayer for the Church and all that follows up to the Sursum Corda, but then go one to use Consecration + Prayer of Oblation as a single uninterrupted prayer. The Prayer of Thanksgiving is then used invariably on those occasions as the post communion, its normal alternative having already been said.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
Transferred from the closed Prayers of Intercession thread:

quote:
Originally posted by iamchristianhearmeroar:
At High Mass for Ascension Day at St Gabriel's Pimlico this evening the prayers of intercession were omitted.

I don't think I've ever been to mass/eucharist/holy communion at any anglican church whether high, MOTR or low and found the intercessions omitted. Is this usual practice? If so, when?

quote:
Originally posted by PD:
Did the Eucharistic Prayer contain some intercessory material? If so, it would not be unheard of to omit the intercession on a weekday, but in my experience, it is pretty uncommon. The danger with the Eucharistic Prayers which have some intercessory material in them is that you end up doing the same thing twice.

PD

quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
Common Worship omits the Intercessions on various occasions - or rather substitutes some other material such as the Thanksgiving for Baptism on the Feast of the Baptism (page 170)


I happened to go to church on Ascension Day and discovered with feelings of relief and delight that the prayers of intercession were omitted (but not the creed or the gloria). I have to admit that it is the part of the service that fills me with boredom and makes me reach for my phone to check texts and Facebook.

At the offertory a basket containing the written prayers dropped into it during the week was placed on the altar in lieu. A very sensible development, I thought.
 
Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
Well, it was anglocatholic rather than RC, but it did really surprise me not to have intercessions. The eucharistic prayer had no sections that I would have described as being particularly intercessory in the sense that they could have replaced the prayers of the people.

Maybe it was just an omission when the order of service booklet was prepared?! Unfortunately us dreadful members of the choir dashed straight off to the pub before I could ask the Vicar about it.
 
Posted by SFG (# 17081) on :
 
In today's Tablet there is a letter which includes the words 'if he looks at the calendar for the ordinariate'

Has anyone seen the calendar mentioned?

Is it online?
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SFG:
Is it online?

Have you looked for it online before asking here?
 
Posted by SFG (# 17081) on :
 
Yes I have tried, I did not succeed. All I found lists of events.

That is why I asked this as a random quick question , I thought it may interest other people too.
 
Posted by Clavus (# 9427) on :
 
For the UK Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, see www.ordinariate.org.uk/document.doc?id=13
and
www.ordinariate.org.uk/document.doc?id=43
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
For the Calendar see http://www.ordinariate.org.uk/document.doc?id=44
 
Posted by SFG (# 17081) on :
 
Thank you Clavus and stranger.

The calendar seems a very good one and not too focused on the UK.

I see the Ordo mentions Ordinary Sundays but the Calendar calls them after Trinity.
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
The Ordo was issued prior to Rome approvng the new Calendar. I assume they will match in future.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
So hang on, this lot were in the C of E and using the (very sensible) title of the Roman Rite.

Now they've become Roman Catholics, they are reverting to the usage of the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship.

If they called them Sundays after Pentecost, they could be in line with both the Tridentine Rite and the dear old ASB.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
So hang on, this lot were in the C of E and using the (very sensible) title of the Roman Rite.

Now they've become Roman Catholics, they are reverting to the usage of the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship.

Evelyn Waugh's Advice Applies.

[ 21. May 2012, 12:47: Message edited by: ken ]
 
Posted by SFG (# 17081) on :
 
Please tell me! What is his advice [Smile]

The office lessons given in the ordinariate Ordo seem quite long. Certainly longer than the Divine Office.

Does the Ordinariate use the Divine Office or BCP?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
From memory, in the first volume of Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy, the narrator at Oxford is warned by his boring cousin to avoid the Anglo Catholic as "they are all sodomites with unpleasant accents".

As an Anglo Catholic gay man I may have a lack of any sense of humour here.
 
Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :
 
Brideshead Revisited, actually, though the quote is correct as is the setting.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
You're quite right, gallit, Brideshead it is. I find bits of Brideshead wonderful despite a suspicion of pretentiousness, and Waugh may be sending up the boring cousin as much as anything.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Can anyone assist in identifying a religious order? At a local parish church last week, during Mass, a religious was in attendance. He looked like a Franciscan (beard and sandals) but he work a black or navy blue cassock with a red cincture. Anyone know what order that is?
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
Sometimes I see people in unfamilar habits in church. Once I asked someone what order he was in and he said in an English accent that he belonged to no order, but God told him to wear the habit. Very similar to the time a red-headed man kitted out like a Hasidic Jew who after Mass told me he had been a once been Carmelite in Mexico City.
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SFG:


Does the Ordinariate use the Divine Office or BCP?

We may use either the Divine Office or an approved office based on BCP. The latter is currently only available in PDF form - the
book is due at the end of June.
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
Can you use the Anglican Breviary? It is really good and deserves SOME use.
 
Posted by jerrytheorganist (# 4720) on :
 
Hi all, I have a quick question.

In a United Methodist installation service we present a stole to new pastor as a "yoke" to the church . blah blah blah,, and so forth take care of the people .. sheep shepherd stuff . . .

OK

So, what is the name of the service where we take the stole off and say you are no longer the pastor . . blah blah go on, get out of here. . . ??

[ 29. May 2012, 01:51: Message edited by: jerrytheorganist ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mama Thomas:
Sometimes I see people in unfamilar habits in church. Once I asked someone what order he was in and he said in an English accent that he belonged to no order, but God told him to wear the habit. Very similar to the time a red-headed man kitted out like a Hasidic Jew who after Mass told me he had been a once been Carmelite in Mexico City.

That sounds like one of those occasions when one can feel a really large vodka and tonic coming on...

PD
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jerrytheorganist:
Hi all, I have a quick question.

In a United Methodist installation service we present a stole to new pastor as a "yoke" to the church . blah blah blah,, and so forth take care of the people .. sheep shepherd stuff . . .

OK

So, what is the name of the service where we take the stole off and say you are no longer the pastor . . blah blah go on, get out of here. . . ??

I can't speak for Methodism, or indeed for all of Lutheranism, but I can say that the general attitude in Lutheranism is that the stole is a yoke to the Church--capital C--and not to the individual congregation thereof. It is a sign that the person has been ordained to the ministry, and this is not something that ends when one ceases to serve at the congregation to which the pastor is called.

This from the UMC seems to explain a bit about it.

If you are referring to the removal of an ordained cleric from the roster of your denomination, I suppose a common term used is "defrocking," but typically a special service is not held to remove the garments of the ordained ministry.

If you are simply referring to a service at a local church wherein a pastor takes leave of your local church in order to go and serve at another church, then there are many different possible terms: Farewell & Godspeed and Service of Leave-Taking are two that I have encountered. I've never seen a pastor give back a stole at these, though. I suppose if the church had given him/her a symbolic stole of the congregation to use, that it might make sense, but it really doesn't convey the idea of stole=ordained that the General Board of Discipleship from the UMC seems to support at the link above.
 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
jerrytheorganist

I am sensing you are having difficulty with your current pastor. Is it just you? Or does it include the majority of your congregation? If it involves the congregation, I suggest your leadership consult with your local bishop. Bishops can fairly easily move a minister to another place. If it involves something more serious (like being grossly incompetent or teaching gross heresy or living in gross sin) the bishop will work through the process with your congregation.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jerrytheorganist:
Hi all, I have a quick question.

In a United Methodist installation service we present a stole to new pastor as a "yoke" to the church . blah blah blah,, and so forth take care of the people .. sheep shepherd stuff . . .

OK

So, what is the name of the service where we take the stole off and say you are no longer the pastor . . blah blah go on, get out of here. . . ??

Induction > Deduction or subtraction?
Installation > Uninstallation?
Yours sounds a bit like an expulsion, though it could also be a deliverance ..... (might be mutual for pastor and people...?) [Big Grin]
 
Posted by jerrytheorganist (# 4720) on :
 
The two services are found somewhere in the book of worship but I don't have one of those handy,,,

The installation service is just that, when the pastor is installed in a pastoral relationship with the church which is symbolized by the placing of a stole on the pastor by the head of the SPRC committee.

The (still don't remember the name ) service is a way to say farewell, goodbye, you are released from your pastoral duties to this congregation and then the same person who put the stole on takes it back off, bye bye see you later.


The go away service is usually the last service the pastor preaches and then they get installed at their new church.


So,,, anyone else have a clue what the go away service is?

[ 30. May 2012, 16:48: Message edited by: jerrytheorganist ]
 
Posted by Clavus (# 9427) on :
 
At our church on Tuesday 5 June we are showing the Thanksgiving Service from St Paul's on a big screen, then a Gospel reading, the Peace, Offertory Hymn and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 
Posted by Clavus (# 9427) on :
 
Sorry - that was for the Jubilee thread!
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Do any of the Lutheran denominations in the USA still have a Eucharistic Prayer that consists of just the Verba?

Do they preserve the old

Preface and Sanctus
Lord's Prayer
Verba
Pax

way of doing things?

Ta!

PD

[ 31. May 2012, 23:24: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Episcoterian (# 13185) on :
 
I don't know, but if I have to guess, it'll be the LCMS. At least as an option in their book.

Their mission church in Brazil (IELB) follows this exact pattern.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
Do any of the Lutheran denominations in the USA still have a Eucharistic Prayer that consists of just the Verba?

Do they preserve the old

Preface and Sanctus
Lord's Prayer
Verba
Pax

way of doing things?

Some traditional Lutheran churches in the LC-MS and Wisconsin Synod (maybe some other denoms) still use The Lutheran Hymnal, which has the order you give.

One of the options in the current ELCA book, Evangelican Lutheran Worship, is Preface/Sanctus, Verba, Lord's Prayer.

The Wisconsin Synod hymnal, Christian Worship, has in The Common Service the order Preface/Sanctus, Verba, Pax, Agnus Dei; the Lord's Prayer has already been said at the end of the Prayer of the Church, just before the Sursum Corda.

Setting 3 of the Divine Service in the current LCMS hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, has the order as you have listed it. Other settings add a Prayer of Thanksgiving before the Verba.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Cheers!

I was just wondering whether the traditional form had been completely displaced or whether it is just the pastors around here. I recently passed a comment in a new members class that 1662, like the traditional Lutheran liturgy, placed all the emphasis on the Verba. An ex-Lutheran who was there looked at me as though I had arrived from Mars on the last wagon train, and then proceeded to argue!

PD
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
Cheers!

I was just wondering whether the traditional form had been completely displaced or whether it is just the pastors around here. I recently passed a comment in a new members class that 1662, like the traditional Lutheran liturgy, placed all the emphasis on the Verba. An ex-Lutheran who was there looked at me as though I had arrived from Mars on the last wagon train, and then proceeded to argue!

PD

I was very glad to have a chance to put my excessive collection of hymnals to good use. Wish I could have checked the Evangelical Lutheran Synod's hymnal, but I appear to have given it away or sold it. I have no doubt that they used the bare order you listed.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
One of the things I sometimes get into is the similarities between the 1552 Order of Communion in England and Luther's two Orders of 1523 (Latin) and 1526 (German) which both seem to have influenced the 1552 revision. I wish I could get hold of a copy of Bucer's Strassburg (Liturgical) Agenda which I suspect may have had an influence too. Then of course there is Abp. Hermann of Koln's Ordnung of 1546, which gets a lot of 'play time' in certain histories of the BCP. It is another one of those historical things I like to wrap my head around when my parish and my diocese are not bugging me too much.

PD
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jerrytheorganist:
Hi all, I have a quick question.

In a United Methodist installation service we present a stole to new pastor as a "yoke" to the church . blah blah blah,, and so forth take care of the people .. sheep shepherd stuff . . .

OK

So, what is the name of the service where we take the stole off and say you are no longer the pastor . . blah blah go on, get out of here. . . ??

I'm not exactly sure what context you're wanting to use this in, so I may be way off the mark.

For one thing, a local congregation cannot vote to fire the preacher. For another, the ceremony in the BOW is intended for changing pastors, where one is on his/her way out and the new one is on his/her way in. In that case, it's not a confrontation, but simply an acknowledgement of pastoral change.

If you're having problems with your pastor, the first step is the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Another good first step is to talk to the pastor directly. If neither of those works, one can then move on to the district superintendent. Around here, all of the DSs will ask if you've talked to the pastor and PPRC, and if you answer no, they'll refer you back to them -- and that is how it should be.

If you can convince the DS that something is amiss, there is a process by which a pastoral change is effected. Sometimes this means that the pastor will stay put until the next regular change in appointments, although mid-year moves are becoming less uncommon in many annual conferences. If it is something dire, such as misappropriation of money, sexual impropriety, etc., it may be immediate. But that is at the discretion of the Bishop, in conversation with the cabinet (all of the DSs, along with a few other Conference staff members).

If the DS decides it's just a personality conflict, you're stuck. The intent will be for the pastor and congregation to work through the problem, rather than running away from it.

In all of it, much responsibility lies on the PPRC. They're the go-betweens, the ones who try to medate between pastor and congregation. It's a tough, thankless job.

(Sorry for the length of this post... It was a rather large postcard.)
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
Posted by sebby on a thread now closed:

quote:
Did any shipmates attend or hear about a service on Oak Apple Day (28th May) to celebrate the return of His late Majesty King Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy and the English church in 1660? This was only removed from the BCP with its special readings and propers as recently as 1859.

If so, what was it like?


 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
My information says Oak Apple Day was on the 29th, not the 28th, of May. Some of the customs, though go back to pre Christian nature rites. Will have to ask my pastor--he seems to be an expert on English cults.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
Apologies - 29th
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
Posted by sebby on a thread now closed:

quote:
Did any shipmates attend or hear about a service on Oak Apple Day (28th May) to celebrate the return of His late Majesty King Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy and the English church in 1660? This was only removed from the BCP with its special readings and propers as recently as 1859.

If so, what was it like?


This web page has links to a lot of old prayer books. Any from before 1859 should include it. It usually comes after the psalter and ordinals, between the service for 30th January and the Accession Day service for whoever was king or queen at the time of publication (Victoria was 20th June). If you find yourself in metrical psalms, you've gone too far.

I've never heard of anywhere still using the service. It is just possible it may be celebrated at Great Wishford as part of the Grovely ceremonies. I can't think of any other context where it might still take place. There have been too many other historical events since.

After all, we still commemorate the 11th November, and I think we should, but doubtless a time will come when people no longer see why we should use that date to remember our war dead. There yet remains a residual sense, just about, of Trafalgar Day, but it has faded. There must have been a time when people remembered 18th June as the end of the war against Napoleon.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Enoch beat me to it. It is there in my George I prayer book for 29 May, giving thanks for God's "unspeakable mercies".

I would certainly give thanks for the restoration of the episcopacy and sacramental liturgy (or do I mean liturgically celebrated sacraments?)
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Enoch beat me to it. It is there in my George I prayer book for 29 May, giving thanks for God's "unspeakable mercies".

I would certainly give thanks for the restoration of the episcopacy and sacramental liturgy (or do I mean liturgically celebrated sacraments?)

The original impetus was very much more the Restoration of Charles II after the hiatus of what it calls "the Great Rebellion". The restoration of episcopacy and the BCP would have been seen as no more than a consequential benefit.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
incense question/s, help please!

How do you make incense less smokey and more smelly (in the best cense of course)

Is it to do with the heat of the coal, and the type of incense?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've often wondered. If the charcoal isn't hot, there won't be much smell, but there will be smoky fumes when the incense burns out. If you pile on the incense, the charcoal goes out, and you get no smoke.

There's a sermon in there somewhere.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
My bishop insists on high scent:smoke output when he is serving, and requires one or maybe two grains of incense at the most, placed beside rather than on the charcoal. While I generally agree about excessive amounts of incense, I find that placing the incense directly onto the charcoal doesn't make too much of a difference, and at least stops the grains from bouncing around inside the censer.

The above, of course, assumes use of the larger grains of incense and one or two brickets of charcoal. If the tiny-grained variety is used, the necessary adjustment will need to be made. Overfilling the censer with upwards of three pieces of charcoal can also be problematic.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
Thanks. Answers often bring more questions with me - sorry!

Michael, The incense I have in mind is like 'Basilica' it is small grains.

I see the spoons for boats are often smaller than tea spoons. Is that deliberate? Is three teaspoons simply too much?

And finally, for now at least, what is a good not smokey but nicely scented incense available in UK?

[Smile]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
I see the spoons for boats are often smaller than tea spoons. Is that deliberate? Is three teaspoons simply too much?

Almost certainly, in my opinion. If you have a larger church, I would suggest two pieces of charcoal at most with just enough incense to cover the recess in the middle of each one. Again, this is based on an assumption: that you use the 2.5 cm diameter brickets, which seem most common. If you use a smaller or larger size, again, you'll need to make adjustments. I prefer the 3.5 cm ones as they last longer, but the enormous ones are too big to light properly without some sort of large flame source, which I suspect most parishes don't have. The very tiny ones seem to be prone to absorbing moisture, then they explode when you try to light them. [Help]

quote:
And finally, for now at least, what is a good not smokey but nicely scented incense available in UK?

[Smile]

Just about anything from the Brookwood Monastery.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
And a link.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
Thanks Michael, but I think their fragrances may be more at home in an Orthodox church than a western one. [Smile]

Correct me though if I am wrong.

They also seem a bit pricey. But I realise that maybe less is used so they may turn out more economical.

Do Hayes and Finch or someone do a good less smokey fine smelling blend?
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
The very tiny ones seem to be prone to absorbing moisture, then they explode when you try to light them. [Help]


Indeed they do. I had this very problem at an Epiphany procession about three years ago. [Ultra confused]
 
Posted by aig (# 429) on :
 
Originally posted by Fr Raphael
quote:
How do you make incense less smokey and more smelly (in the best cense of course)
The charcoal needs to be lit well in advance and be very hot before the incense is imposed: lighting the charcoal 20 minutes before needed will work. Adding new charcoal after the gospel will keep the thurible at furnace level.
I'm not sure about little spoons. On Pentecost we were using huge lumps of incense; the president got frustrated with the spoon to lump ratio and tipped the boat contents - all of them - onto the charcoal, which being white hot, did not go out.
I also have exploding charcoal stories with the bonus of involving small children. You have to be careful...
[Smile]
 
Posted by Devils Advocate (# 16484) on :
 
I always light the charcoal with a Kitchen blow torch. It also pays to keep the lid up when you aren't using the Thurible.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
Is rosa mystica a good one for smokeless zones?

It seems to be nice in odour and low in smoke when I have come across it.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by aig:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael
quote:
How do you make incense less smokey and more smelly (in the best cense of course)
The charcoal needs to be lit well in advance and be very hot before the incense is imposed: lighting the charcoal 20 minutes before needed will work. Adding new charcoal after the gospel will keep the thurible at furnace level.
I'm not sure about little spoons. On Pentecost we were using huge lumps of incense; the president got frustrated with the spoon to lump ratio and tipped the boat contents - all of them - onto the charcoal, which being white hot, did not go out.
I also have exploding charcoal stories with the bonus of involving small children. You have to be careful...
[Smile]

I'm not a thurifer in our shack; I've only observed the work of our thurifers. They blast the coals to life on a gas ring that's set into a niche. The smoke from the coals goes up a flue from there. Only when the coals are covered with white ash are they taken off the ring with tongs and placed in the thurible bowl, where they are then mashed a bit with a fork (to expose more hot surfaces). The incense itself seems to be a mix of powdery, chunky, and broken bits, and consists of frankincense and something more floral depending on the thurifer. I think I'd stick with frankincense as being less irritating and more churchy-smelling, but that's my personal preference. The celebrant uses a small spoon to charge the thurible, being careful not to cover all of the coals' hot surfaces and thereby smother them.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
A new query.

In the UK, church weddings are weddings. CofE ones take effect automatically, and everyone else's do because their priests and ministers are made deputy registrars.

In many countries though, e.g. France, weddings are done by the state and people who want a church wedding have to have a separate ceremony.

In Common Worship, there's a separate service for blessing a civil wedding. Historically, this has usually - but not exclusively - been used where one of the couple has been divorced.

However, two questions:-

In the Diocese of Europe, and other places where all church marriages have to be preceded by a civil marriage, are all marriages done as blessings?

In many such countries, the default church is RC. Does the RC church in, say, France, do weddings as blessings or does it pretend the couple aren't already married, and do what we'd regard as the full show?
 
Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
The civil marriage and the church marriage are both the full show, if I recall correctly - even in the Roman Catholic Church.

The civil marriage takes place the day before and is usually a quiet affair. The church wedding is where the hoopla is, if hoopla is desired.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
The RC Church does not have a service of Blessing. What we do is called a convalidation. It is just the usual marriage service, with no alterations. The only thing missing is the signing of the civil register.

The name convalidation indicates what it is doing: recognising the civil marriage, but making it equally a Christian marriage. So not a "validation" (which would suggest the civil marriage was not valid) but a CONvalidation - making it valid for both Church and State.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
In the C of E the full marriage service (save for the legal bits) may be used after the civil ceremony. This is, I understand, more popular than the Service of Dedication which has a penitential feel to it. For a century or so until the latter was introduced this was the only way of having a liturgical 'blessing' after a civil marriage.

[ 07. June 2012, 17:40: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
What do you mean by the 'legal bits'? I assume the vows ("I N take you N to be my...") are unrepeatable in that form. On a couple of occasions I have amended that to '..have taken...'. But I wonder what the official position is, especially that of the Diocese in Europe.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
What do you mean by the 'legal bits'? I assume the vows ("I N take you N to be my...") are unrepeatable in that form. On a couple of occasions I have amended that to '..have taken...'. But I wonder what the official position is, especially that of the Diocese in Europe.

No, you can have the vows as they stand (and they probably should not be amended) and the declaration. The legal bits are the enquiry about objections (too late) and the signing of the register.

[ 08. June 2012, 07:45: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
What do you mean by the 'legal bits'? I assume the vows ("I N take you N to be my...") are unrepeatable in that form. On a couple of occasions I have amended that to '..have taken...'. But I wonder what the official position is, especially that of the Diocese in Europe.

Have a look here on page 57

http://www.churchofengland.org/media/35588/complete.pdf
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
On the basis of that Canon, e.g.
quote:
use such form of service, as may be approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2,
I would deduce that one must use the service in CW for the blessing of a civil marriage and may not cut and paste bits of the ordinary wedding service to make up something else that looks more like an imitation wedding. Am I correct?

However, do the Canons apply in full in the Diocese of Europe?
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
On the basis of that Canon, e.g.
quote:
use such form of service, as may be approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2,
I would deduce that one must use the service in CW for the blessing of a civil marriage and may not cut and paste bits of the ordinary wedding service to make up something else that looks more like an imitation wedding. Am I correct?

However, do the Canons apply in full in the Diocese of Europe?

No. It says clearly the form for the Solemnization of Matrimony ie the Marriage service .

The Diocese of Europe is a diocese of the Church of England - and canon law applies.

[ 08. June 2012, 10:58: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:


The Diocese of Europe is a diocese of the Church of England - and canon law applies.

But surely not when canon law conflicts with the law of the particular country. And that particular canon seems ambiguous in any case.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:


The Diocese of Europe is a diocese of the Church of England - and canon law applies.

But surely not when canon law conflicts with the law of the particular country. And that particular canon seems ambiguous in any case.
No of course not, but how would that be the case here? Nor do I see the ambiguity in the canon.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
It didn't seem that ambiguous to me. There's an authorised book with a prescribed service in it. But Sacred London tells me I've misunderstood it and am wrong.

Incidentally, on this, suppose a couple marry civilly at a time when they have no faith, and subsequently come to faith. If one takes the high view that a church marriage is sacramental and a civil one is not, does the blessing service convert the one into the other?

I'm assuming that what Triple Tiara says about convalidation states the RC position, but I don't think we have that anywhere - or if we do, I've never heard of it.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
It didn't seem that ambiguous to me. There's an authorised book with a prescribed service in it. But Sacred London tells me I've misunderstood it and am wrong.

Only wrong in the sense that the marriage service is permitted after a civil marriage. The canon is about adding a service of Solemnization of Matrimony after a civil marriage (rather than what is popularly called a 'blessing'). It states only an authorized service may be used. The BCP Marriage service is permanently authorized. The Service of Dedication is not a form of Solemnization of Matrimony.

[ 08. June 2012, 15:29: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:


Incidentally, on this, suppose a couple marry civilly at a time when they have no faith, and subsequently come to faith. If one takes the high view that a church marriage is sacramental and a civil one is not, does the blessing service convert the one into the other?


I am not sure that is the high church view. A civil marriage might be sacramental. There is really no such thing as a service of blessing. An authorized form of the Solemnization of Matrimony could be added at any time after the civil marriage. This is a matter of choice for the couple. It does not affect the status of the marriage so it's not a form of convalidation.

[ 08. June 2012, 15:39: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
But apart from the Blessing one, is any form of service currently
quote:
approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2,
for this purpose? And apart from the Blessing service, is there any other service in this context which would currently comply with?
quote:
the Canons and regulations of the General Synod for the time being in force.
I'd find it difficult to be persuaded otherwise than that the default conclusion has to be that the existence of a different form of service means that unless the full marriage service has also been explicitly approved for this purpose, it isn't.

It perhaps doesn't matter too much. If the couple are already married in law, using the wrong form of service is only a canonical error, with no legal consequences. But what prompted my original question was what the practice is where there is no legal alternative to having a church wedding in two stages.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
But apart from the Blessing one, is any form of service currently
quote:
approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2,
for this purpose? And apart from the Blessing service, is there any other service in this context which would currently comply with?
quote:
the Canons and regulations of the General Synod for the time being in force.
I'd find it difficult to be persuaded otherwise than that the default conclusion has to be that the existence of a different form of service means that unless the full marriage service has also been explicitly approved for this purpose, it isn't.

It perhaps doesn't matter too much. If the couple are already married in law, using the wrong form of service is only a canonical error, with no legal consequences. But what prompted my original question was what the practice is where there is no legal alternative to having a church wedding in two stages.

I am not sure I completely follow your reasoning, but I think the answer is that no service has been approved for what Canon 36 envisages.

The notes to the Service of Prayer and Dedication state quite clearly that it is not a marriage service. It cannot therefore be a service of the Solemnization of Matrimony such as the Canon permits may be added after a civil marriage.

In the absence of a specially approved service the Canon can only be referring to the Marriage services of the BCP and presumably CW.

The origins of the Canon lie in the years after the introduction of civil marriage in England in 1837. Its purpose is to permit those validly and 'fully' married in a civil marriage to 'change their mind' and have a church service "added" - presumably at any point later. It therefore comes close to addressing the original question here about having a church service after a civil marriage where the latter is obligatory (as in the Diocese of Europe).

The Service of Prayer and Dedication was devised to deal with a different issue, namely marriage after the breakdown of a previous marriage when the former partner is still alive. That's why it has a penitential feel to it and wording which clearly distinguishes it from a marriage service. It was never envisaged as a service to follow an obligatory civil marriage.

Where the marriage service is "added' after a civil marriage it does not mean the marriage is happening in "two stages". The civil marriage is the marriage, and the addition is a kind of 'celebration' of it. That's why the vows are used but there is no signing of the register.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
More of a random question than a random liturgical question, but...

Was the Brotherhood of St Andrew - the old TEC men's organisation associated with a particular churchmanship (High, Low, or Broad) or non-aligned? My assistant wants to start a chapter here, and I will not do anything that screams 'X. churchpersonship' if I can avoid it.

PD

[ 10. June 2012, 14:13: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
But apart from the Blessing one, is any form of service currently
quote:
approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2,
for this purpose?
For the sake of completeness and clarification (and before we leave the topic), it should be pointed out that the Order of Prayer and Dedication After a Civil Marriage (presumably what is meant here by the 'Blessing' service) is not a service approved by the General Synod under Canon B2", but is a service "commended by the House of Bishops as being suitable for use by ministers in exercise of their discretion under Canon B5".

The General Synod has not approved any service for use after a civil marriage, but Canon B 36 permits the addition of a service of Solemnization of Matrimony after such a marriage.
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
More of a random question than a random liturgical question, but...

Was the Brotherhood of St Andrew - the old TEC men's organisation associated with a particular churchmanship (High, Low, or Broad) or non-aligned? My assistant wants to start a chapter here, and I will not do anything that screams 'X. churchpersonship' if I can avoid it.

PD

While I have no personal experience with BoSA, I know that chapters of it were found throughout the Diocese of Kentucky, which at that time was somewhat lower than MOTR, so I would guess non-infectious for 'catholic tendencies'.
The organization slipped out of sight in Ky sometime in the late 1950s IIRC.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
The Brotherhood of St Andrew was still found in various Texas dioceses perhaps into the first decade of the 21st Century (certainly in the Diocese of Texas, and in the Diocese of Northwest Texas into at least the late C20). I think I recall it from the Diocese of Dallas and the area that subsequently became the Diocese of Fort Worth into the 1980s, though it had less presence in that Anglo-Catholic/High Church territory than in the aforementioned dioceses. I always perceived it as being an artifact of low to MOTR churchmanship and typically existing where you also had Daughters of the King (DoK). I never knew much about them.
 
Posted by sonata3 (# 13653) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
The RC Church does not have a service of Blessing. What we do is called a convalidation. It is just the usual marriage service, with no alterations. The only thing missing is the signing of the civil register.

The name convalidation indicates what it is doing: recognising the civil marriage, but making it equally a Christian marriage. So not a "validation" (which would suggest the civil marriage was not valid) but a CONvalidation - making it valid for both Church and State.

My wife and I had a convalidation, not after a civil marriage, but after being married in an Episcopal Church (which, as far as the Catholic church was concerned, was apparently a civil marriage). My wife was perfectly happy with our Solemn High Nuptial Mass at an Episcopal Church, but then insisted on convalidation about a year later when she realized that her marriage in an Episcopal Church might make it more difficult for our children to get into Catholic elementary schools. Apparently the diocesan office that must approve these things became somewhat apoplectic when looking over the order of service of our marriage.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
The Brotherhood of St Andrew was still found in various Texas dioceses perhaps into the first decade of the 21st Century (certainly in the Diocese of Texas, and in the Diocese of Northwest Texas into at least the late C20). I think I recall it from the Diocese of Dallas and the area that subsequently became the Diocese of Fort Worth into the 1980s, though it had less presence in that Anglo-Catholic/High Church territory than in the aforementioned dioceses. I always perceived it as being an artifact of low to MOTR churchmanship and typically existing where you also had Daughters of the King (DoK). I never knew much about them.

That will fit in nicely with the prevailing churchmanship around here then!

PD
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Does anyone know of a funeral prayer that reads, more or less, something like this:

"Give us grace, O Lord, to use well that time that is left to us in this world, that in the world to come we might have life eternal."

I seem to recall it being from one of the BCPs but am certainly not sure of that.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
The conclusion of the intercessions in the (C of E) Common Worship Funeral service reads:
quote:
Give us the wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth, to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life.
That may of course be adapted from a stand-alone prayer which might be the one you are looking for.

[ 12. June 2012, 17:31: Message edited by: Angloid ]
 
Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
There's also this one, which fulfils the same function in the service:

O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered. Make us, we beseech you, conscious of the shortness and uncertainty of life, and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days, that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered with those who have gone before us, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the confidence of faith and the comfort of hope, in favor with You, our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
I am reaching back into the cobwebs of years gone by so those may be what I'm thinking of or modern equivalents. Thanks.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
I know it isn't what was requested but what has been shared remind me of the beautiful concluding prayer of the litany for the departed:

quote:
O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death, defeated the devil, and given life to thy world; do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of thy departed servants (N. and N.) in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For Thou art a good God Who lovest mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for Thou alone art without sin, thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word is truth.

For Thou, O Christ our God, art the Resurrection and the Life, and the Repose of thy servants who have fallen asleep, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father, Who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.


 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
When iis the zuccheto worn liturgically?

I have seen a priest remove it for the Eucharistic prayer, but I am not sure when it is on and when off I [Smile]

Is it right that some wear it under the beretta / mitre?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
Is it right that some wear it under the beretta...?

Are you absolutely sure this is what you meant?
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
There are some rough parishes out there, Michael...
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
When iis the zuccheto worn liturgically?

I have seen a priest remove it for the Eucharistic prayer, but I am not sure when it is on and when off I [Smile]

Is it right that some wear it under the beretta / mitre?

It is removed for the EP, yes. Yes, it is worn under a biretta or mitre.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
Thanks.

So is it only taken off for the Eucharistic Prayer? It remains on at all other times?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Correct. It is removed from the start of the preface dialogue and remains off through the end of communion.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
However, if they are Roman Catholics then they do not use the zucchetto at all during the liturgy - that is reserved to those of episcopal rank. Clerics may indeed wear a skull-cap all day long, if they wish, but as soon as they participate in the liturgy, they leave it in the sacristy.

That's not just me being a spoil-sport - them's the rules.
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
However, if they are Roman Catholics then they do not use the zucchetto at all during the liturgy - that is reserved to those of episcopal rank. Clerics may indeed wear a skull-cap all day long, if they wish, but as soon as they participate in the liturgy, they leave it in the sacristy.

That's not just me being a spoil-sport - them's the rules.

Thank you Ceremoniar and Triple Tiara. It seems hen that there are two sets of rules.

Are they rules with current written authority or is it tradition.

I know Triple Tiara, I am sure with knowledge, quotes the rules, but can I ask whe these RC rules about the use of the zuccheto are to be found?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
It seems then that there are two sets of rules.

[Confused]
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
It seems then that there are two sets of rules.

[Confused]
Sorry Ceremoniar, maybe I have puzzled you.

What I mean is you say one thing, with authority, and Triple Tiara says another about the Zuchetto.

I was thinking then that there are either two people's different opinions or thoughts, or maybe two different official rules on this.

Maybe the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite and the modern form have different rules.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
No, it was not used by ordinary clerics in the EF.

It seems that this was one of those things that crept in as a special "privilege" granted to prelates.

This is one of those "rules" that are not often broken so there isn't an authoritative text as such saying "Priests: don't do it!" Rather it's more by way of "Bishops: do it" that the rules are clear.

In other words, the rubrics are silent about the zucchetto for ordinary clerics and very specific for prelates.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:

What I mean is you say one thing, with authority, and Triple Tiara says another about the Zuchetto.

Where?
 
Posted by Fr Raphael (# 17131) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
And a link.

Looking again at the St Edward Brotherhood site. Is there a popular fragrance? I notice the frankincense is least expensive, is that OK?u
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Does anyone know at what point in the Anglican church did lay assistants at the Eucharist became the norm?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Raphael:
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
And a link.

Looking again at the St Edward Brotherhood site. Is there a popular fragrance? I notice the frankincense is least expensive, is that OK?u
It depends on the type of fragrance you prefer. I have never known frankincense to be used neat in an Orthodox church, where sweeter incense tends to be the cultural norm. However, the mustier smelling types of incense that are more customary in western churches smell that way because of their higher frankincense content. To many people, it is this that makes church smell like church.

As sacristan at my old Anglican church, I would simply buy the St Edward's frankincense in the big box (the monastery supplies my local Christian bookshop and church supplies place) and we would just use that. With a mortar & pestle and some essential oils from The Body Shop, I was able to vary the fragrance on any given day (rose oil for the Mother of God, sweet orange for Eastertide nd so forth) without losing that base churchy smell.

My parish now doesn't buy incense. People just donate it when they come back from their holidays in Greece or Eastern Europe so we use whatever comes, keeping the nicer ones for feasts and festal seasons. We do get some of the St Edward's incense too. Someone gave us three sachets of the rather nice Byzantium for Pascha but I forgot so I'm saving it for our patronal feast.

[ 20. June 2012, 05:42: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
Does anyone know at what point in the Anglican church did lay assistants at the Eucharist became the norm?

In the Church of England authorised lay people may distribute Holy Communion under Canon B 12(3) and in accordance with regulations passed by General Synod. In fact, those originally made by the Church Assembly in November 1969 remember in force.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Thank you Sacred London. I thought it might be around that time.

Would I be correct in assuming before that, all those assisting at the Eucharist would have been ordained ministers?

I guess I'm asking because I think I might be more called to serve the distinctive diaconate rather than the priesthood.......perhaps I should start a thread....I have lots of questions that Google is not helping much with. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
Thank you Sacred London. I thought it might be around that time.

Would I be correct in assuming before that, all those assisting at the Eucharist would have been ordained ministers?


That's right. Deacons are specifically authorised by the 1662 Ordinal "to help [the priest] in the distribution [of holy Communion]".

(In my previous post I should have said the 1969 regulations remain in force. )

[ 20. June 2012, 11:25: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Useful information, Sacred London, but Evensong's question asked about this practice 'becoming the norm'. I suspect, apart from licensed Readers, it took a while to catch on in some parishes. There was a parish where I was occasionally called upon to help out in the mid-1970s. The pernickety traditionalist of a vicar refused to allow any lay person to help with the administration even though there was a large number of communicants; I remember rebelling and saying that I was willing to preach and/or celebrate but not travel miles just to do a job lots of other people could. I don't think that changed his mind.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:

Would I be correct in assuming before that, all those assisting at the Eucharist would have been ordained ministers?

I think it would be closer to the truth to say that in the vast majority of parishes nobody at all ever assisted at Communion. The vicar did everything.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
The pernickety traditionalist of a vicar refused to allow any lay person to help with the administration even though there was a large number of communicants; I remember rebelling and saying that I was willing to preach and/or celebrate but not travel miles just to do a job lots of other people could. I don't think that changed his mind.

But remember it's not just a job anyone can do or help with. Only those authorised by the bishop may assist in the distribution of Communion.
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
In TEC there is (or was?) a requirement that lay persons assisting at communion (administering the chalice) be licensed by the Bishop.
I think all that was required was that your priest sent in your name and you got licensed.

I had been licensed in a previous diocese but not in my present one when, acting as server at a well-attended 7 am mass on Ash Wednesday, the celebrating bishop said to me 'Are you licensed to administer the chalice?' At my reply of 'No sir.' he said 'You are now!'
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:

Would I be correct in assuming before that, all those assisting at the Eucharist would have been ordained ministers?

I think it would be closer to the truth to say that in the vast majority of parishes nobody at all ever assisted at Communion. The vicar did everything.
I was confirmed in the 1960s, and that's my recollection, though if there was a curate, he would probably assist. Most Communion Services in those days were at 8am, with fairly small congregations. As I've quoted on another thread, even the devout usually only communicated once a month.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
But remember it's not just a job anyone can do or help with. Only those authorised by the bishop may assist in the distribution of Communion.

Quite. But only the vicar's stubbornness prevented him from submitting names of such people to the bishop.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:

Most Communion Services in those days were at 8am, with fairly small congregations. As I've quoted on another thread, even the devout usually only communicated once a month.

Except, of course, at those churches where it had been the main service for decades, or at least since the Parish Communion movement. At the church I was brought up in the 1960s mass was said every day and several times on a Sunday, but then I cannot remember there not being three or four priests on the staff.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
The regulations on the licensing of lay persons are permissive rather than mandatory, so if the incumbant (or for that matter, the bishop) is bloody-minded enough the whole thing can be derailed.

I have a dim recollection fro my teenage years of being told that the bishop kept an eye on how many licenses to administer the chalice being issued to each parish. I seem to think we usually had 3 or 2 EEMs assisting 1 or 2 clergy for an average of 120 communicants on any given Sunday, and the pool being about 6 or 7 EEMs.

In the jurisdiction where I serve as a bishop, which is traditionalist, the Canons are silent on this issue, but the practice has grown up of allowing the lay readers in larger parishes to administer the chalice in the absence of a deacon. The rule of thumb is that the parish has to have an average of at least 25 communicants, and/or the priest is elderly or infirm.

PD
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
At a couple of times in my life I've been exploring ordination and found myself regularly administering the chalice, never with AFAIK a licence from the Bishop. However, one was a Missions to Seamen chapel (in England) which effectively ran as a Peculiar, while in both parishes (one in England, one in Wales) where I did this the incumbent happened to be Rural Dean at the time and each said that they could licence me informally under some kind of delegated authority. I don't know whether this is legally correct, though.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
At a couple of times in my life I've been exploring ordination and found myself regularly administering the chalice, never with AFAIK a licence from the Bishop. However, one was a Missions to Seamen chapel (in England) which effectively ran as a Peculiar, while in both parishes (one in England, one in Wales) where I did this the incumbent happened to be Rural Dean at the time and each said that they could licence me informally under some kind of delegated authority. I don't know whether this is legally correct, though.

The regulations allow the bishop to delegate the power to authorise to the archdeacon, but not the rural dean. The application has to be made, and is granted, in writing - so it can't really be made informally (and you'd know if you had it).
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
The application has to be made, and is granted, in writing - so it can't really be made informally (and you'd know if you had it).

Though in my experience the bishop (or archdeacon) just sends a letter to the incumbent listing the names: individual EMs don't get anything in writing. Practice clearly varies between dioceses.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
And in my experience, any lay Eucahristic ministers have to have the approval of the PCC before being put forward.
 
Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
So that's different from being authorised to take home communion, where you get a nice certificate signed by the bishop - I suppose in case the communicant wasn't sure that it was all official, though no one ever asked to see mine.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
No in my diocese they are done in the same way and there is no shiny certificate at all..
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
Just been to the 1000 mass where I asked the vicar about this. Of course he immediately thought I was volunteering, so I had to quickly think of an excuse.

He showed me some letters of authorization to distribute communion issued by the bishop. They were quite formal, with the diocesan coat of arms, and looked like licences or certificates. It seems that in our episcopal area copies are given to the incumbent (to be kept in the safe), to the person authorized, the area dean, and another is kept by the bishop. The authorization is only for the parish and the incumbent's copy is to be returned if the person moves or 'steps down'.

I pointed out the one he was showing me was for someone who died several years ago, and then thought it best to get back to being pedantic on the internet
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Polly Plummer:
So that's different from being authorised to take home communion, where you get a nice certificate signed by the bishop - I suppose in case the communicant wasn't sure that it was all official, though no one ever asked to see mine.

The rule about 'extended communion' (is that what is meant here?) seems to be that "that the service should be led only by a person who has been specifically authorized for this purpose by the bishop . . . normally a deacon, Reader or lay worker licensed under Canon E 7. . .

Those who have been given permission (under the provisions of Canon B 12) to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion may assist in that way, but the minister who leads the service must have a more specific authority from the bishop, and be appropriately trained'.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
No I think 'extended communion' refers to services held in church in the absence of a priest. 'Home communion' I would take to mean the Blessed Sacrament being taken to the homes of the sick and/or housebound (in this context: 'house masses' are different).
As I understand it, the bishop's permission to administer the sacrament applies both to administering in church during the eucharist and to taking it to the sick. Leading formal worship in church is a different matter and would imply more restrictions.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
No I think 'extended communion' refers to services held in church in the absence of a priest. 'Home communion' I would take to mean the Blessed Sacrament being taken to the homes of the sick and/or housebound (in this context: 'house masses' are different).
As I understand it, the bishop's permission to administer the sacrament applies both to administering in church during the eucharist and to taking it to the sick. Leading formal worship in church is a different matter and would imply more restrictions.

Yes, you are quite right (on both points). I think I was wondering what was different from "home communion". As you rightly say the authorization under Canon B 12 is for a lay person to distribute the sacrament in the parish - rather than (only) in the church.

[ 21. June 2012, 12:17: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
Our Diocese no longer requires the Bishop's licence for those who assist with distribution of communion. The parish priest and wardens are supposed to agree and the priest should notify the name(s )and invite any objections to be submitted directly to the bishop or via priest/wardens.

The document detailing this explicitly rules out extended communion.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vulpior:
Our Diocese no longer requires the Bishop's licence for those who assist with distribution of communion. The parish priest and wardens are supposed to agree and the priest should notify the name(s )and invite any objections to be submitted directly to the bishop or via priest/wardens.


I don't think there has ever been a requirement for a licence. What you describe sounds much like the required process of authorization. Of course it's up to the bishop in the end.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
No I think 'extended communion' refers to services held in church in the absence of a priest. 'Home communion' I would take to mean the Blessed Sacrament being taken to the homes of the sick and/or housebound (in this context: 'house masses' are different).
As I understand it, the bishop's permission to administer the sacrament applies both to administering in church during the eucharist and to taking it to the sick. Leading formal worship in church is a different matter and would imply more restrictions.

In my diocese the permission letter from the bishops says whether people are authourised to assist in church or to take communion out to the sick.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
In TEC there is (or was?) a requirement that lay persons assisting at communion (administering the chalice) be licensed by the Bishop.
I think all that was required was that your priest sent in your name and you got licensed.

I had been licensed in a previous diocese but not in my present one when, acting as server at a well-attended 7 am mass on Ash Wednesday, the celebrating bishop said to me 'Are you licensed to administer the chalice?' At my reply of 'No sir.' he said 'You are now!'

If I recall correctly, there is an emergency clause that allows a priest in a pinch to appoint somebody to distribute at that service.

Funnily enough, the only time I ever administered communion was in an Episcopal church.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Thanks all for your responses. Very interesting.

I was wondering if lay assistance at the Eucharist brought about the demise of the Deacon in liturgical function.

But having read a bit more of the history of the diaconate, it looks like it became a transitional order in the middle ages.

But then other places spoke about a kerfuffle in the 4th century when presbyters (priests) started getting stroppy that it was Deacons that became Bishops and not presbyters so things changed then.....
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I have to agree that the (over) use of EEMs has tended to undermine the deacon's ministry, and I am inclined to think that this is a bad thing.

PD
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Except that deacons were as rare as hen's teeth long before EEMs came in.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I have to agree that the (over) use of EEMs has tended to undermine the deacon's ministry, and I am inclined to think that this is a bad thing.

PD

I have seen, more than once, a (RC) deacon sitting on his butt in a chair in the sanctuary as EEMs administer the chalice during Mass.

[Disappointed]
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
The application has to be made, and is granted, in writing - so it can't really be made informally (and you'd know if you had it).

Though in my experience the bishop (or archdeacon) just sends a letter to the incumbent listing the names: individual EMs don't get anything in writing. Practice clearly varies between dioceses.
I get the impression ours is more or less a formality. Itws the voicar who decides, they submit a list of names, and the Bishop says yes.

quote:
Originally posted by Zacchaeus:
And in my experience, any lay Eucahristic ministers have to have the approval of the PCC before being put forward.

On the other hand our PCC has in the past asked the vicar *not* to put some names forward.

quote:
Originally posted by Polly Plummer:
So that's different from being authorised to take home communion, where you get a nice certificate signed by the bishop - I suppose in case the communicant wasn't sure that it was all official, though no one ever asked to see mine.

I've never seen such a certificate!

quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:

I was wondering if lay assistance at the Eucharist brought about the demise of the Deacon in liturgical function.

That didn't really exist in the CofE in the early modern period. Not in parish churches anyway. Some very marked Anglo-Catholic parishes reintroduced it - I guess in the late 19th century though I am not sure - but it was never the norm in the CofE. I have met ordained clergy who have never heard of the practice of "deaconing" at a Communion service.

In fact I've even explained to one or two of them what it meant - which I suppose would horrify some of the more candleiferous among us here, seeing as I'd never heard of it before I read about it on this website a few years ago, even though I'd been going to CofE churches for some years, including some very Anglo-Catholic ones. One of them did sometimes have more than one robed minister at the table, though only when some theology students made a day trip up from Chichester (shows how long ago it was) to Brighton (well, Hove, actually). Tthe parish churches I attended for my first three years in London were markedly Anglo-Catholic (one with clergy of a rather liberal and sensitive disposition, the other a bit more robust and has since gone to FiF) and I've often visited higher-church parishes places as one-offs before and since, but the norm really does seem to be either the civar does everythign, or else lay people read scriptures and the intercessions and assist at communion on a rota.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
The evangelical practice seems to be for the deacon, if there is one, to do all the presidential parts of the liturgy except the eucharistic prayer (and strangely, despite the provision for 'us/our' form of words, the absolution). Which to this liturgical pedant seems odd, and strangely unreformed catholic in its view of the priest's role.

I think most MOTR and MOTR+ parishes with actual deacons use them in the traditional way. It's just that in the nature of things few parishes actually have them.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:

I think most MOTR and MOTR+ parishes with actual deacons use them in the traditional way. It's just that in the nature of things few parishes actually have them.

Yes. And I asked my Bishop if this was a question of cost (i.e. alot of parishes around here can barely afford one ordained minister let alone two). He seemed to think so.

Yet he also said that somewhere in the New Zealand, the common model is Priest and Deacon per parish. And this model works remarkably well because the Deacon works in the community and makes ties to the church.

Makes sense.
 
Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :
 
In the UK, the problem will be not only cost, but there just isn't enough clergy for that model.
The numbers of stipendiary clergy are being reduced and in the next 5-10 years even more are set to retire.

Curates are few and far between and curacies are purely training posts then after the requiered 3-4 years they go on to other posts - if they can get them!!
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:


That didn't really exist in the CofE in the early modern period. Not in parish churches anyway.


There was a requirement at least until latish in the 19th century for fellows of Oxford and Cambridge colleges to be in holy orders. This would be fulfilled by being in deacons' orders. I think Lewis Carroll, for example, never became a priest.

I wonder whether this was also the case for the headmasterships of some schools and for posts like almshouse masterships.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zacchaeus:
In the UK, the problem will be not only cost, but there just isn't enough clergy for that model.
The numbers of stipendiary clergy are being reduced and in the next 5-10 years even more are set to retire.

Curates are few and far between and curacies are purely training posts then after the requiered 3-4 years they go on to other posts - if they can get them!!

I have a vague memory that in one of the London Areas all the Readers were recently asked whether they would like to 'upgrade' to the Distinctive Diaconate.

There may be legal implications to being in holy orders - apart from having to dress in a way that is a sign and mark of their holy calling.

[ 23. June 2012, 07:52: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:

There was a requirement at least until latish in the 19th century for fellows of Oxford and Cambridge colleges to be in holy orders. This would be fulfilled by being in deacons' orders. I think Lewis Carroll, for example, never became a priest.

Yes of course. But that sort of "diaconate" is very different in practice from the "diaconate" of trainee priests. And those academics would have been very unlikely to have functioned as liturgical deacons at Holy Communion. At the begining of the century they would probably not have known what such a thing was, unless they were ecclesiastical historians, and even by the end of it only the more catholic-moinded would have attended churches where it was done.

What they almost certainly would have done from time to time is to preach. And if particularly keen they might have presided at Morning and Evening Prayer in their college chapels, which would have been their normal round of worship.

And as most Anglicans only attended Holy Communion three or four times a year there would not have been much opportunity for liturgical deaconing even if they had wanted to. Which they probably didn't. The chances are that if they had even heard of it most of them looked on it as a rather dubious innovation, suspiciously Papistical, a somewhat camp new fashion imported from Italy. (Not that they would have used the word "camp" before the 20th century. But they might have made knowing remarks about sensistive, over-excitable, and artistic-minded young men)


quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
I have a vague memory that in one of the London Areas all the Readers were recently asked whether they would like to 'upgrade' to the Distinctive Diaconate.

We Readers were all asked that. Or rather asked our opinion on whether it was a good idea. I think they even sent us a form to fill in. It was even discussed at General Synod. Most of us said "no" rather firmly. If we had wanted to be ordained we would have asked to be ordained. Some of the clergy seemed surprised. It was as if they had assumed tht Readers were some kind of wannabe clergy (like the bloke in "The Rev") all deeply lomnging for ordination and somehow deficient without it. Looked at that way its mildly insulting.

quote:

There may be legal implications to being in holy orders - apart from having to dress in a way that is a sign and mark of their holy calling.

Lots of clergy don't dress differently anyway so I doubt if that would be an issue.

Though there seem to have been recent changes in the CofE. You see a lot more clerical dress on the street than you used to. Isuspect its to do with ordainign women - many of them went for distininctive clerical dress in a big way, maybe its encouraged some of the men to follow suit.
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
"... maybe its encouraged some of the men to follow suit..."
[Killing me]
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:

There was a requirement at least until latish in the 19th century for fellows of Oxford and Cambridge colleges to be in holy orders. This would be fulfilled by being in deacons' orders. I think Lewis Carroll, for example, never became a priest.

Yes of course. But that sort of "diaconate" is very different in practice from the "diaconate" of trainee priests. And those academics would have been very unlikely to have functioned as liturgical deacons at Holy Communion. At the begining of the century they would probably not have known what such a thing was, unless they were ecclesiastical historians, and even by the end of it only the more catholic-moinded would have attended churches where it was done.

Yes, I agree. My point was that there were presumably a few more 'permanent' deacons around than we assume, and that the order (rather than the liturgical role) might have been better known than it is today.



quote:

There may be legal implications to being in holy orders - apart from having to dress in a way that is a sign and mark of their holy calling.

Lots of clergy don't dress differently anyway so I doubt if that would be an issue.

I was being facetious about dress, but wondering whether there might be other legal implications of, say Readers, becoming Deacons and therefore entering holy orders - along the lines of not being able to serve on juries, be MPs etc.

[ 23. June 2012, 11:13: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
I was being facetious about dress, but wondering whether there might be other legal implications of, say Readers, becoming Deacons and therefore entering holy orders - along the lines of not being able to serve on juries, be MPs etc.

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 removed the disqualification from jury service and The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 repealed the provisions of The House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801. Lords Spiritual are still disqualified for sitting in the House of Commons.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
I was being facetious about dress, but wondering whether there might be other legal implications of, say Readers, becoming Deacons and therefore entering holy orders - along the lines of not being able to serve on juries, be MPs etc.

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 removed the disqualification from jury service and The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 repealed the provisions of The House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801. Lords Spiritual are still disqualified for sitting in the House of Commons.
But aren't there other things like not being allowed to bear arms? And wouldn't they also come under the clergy discipline regulations.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
But they might have made knowing remarks about sensistive, over-excitable, and artistic-minded young men)

Many of them might have been sensitive, over-excitable and artistic minded young men.

[ 23. June 2012, 12:58: Message edited by: Angloid ]
 
Posted by Bos Loquax (# 16602) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
1. Do you cross yourself at the beginning of the Gloria in Excelsis? I've seen it done (and it fits the rule of crossing yourself at canticles etc. drawn from Gospel text, such as the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis), but there are already lots of gestures in that particular hymn. I'm just curious if anyone here has seen it done, or can give a good reason one way or the other.

I have never done it, have never seen it done, and had never conceived of doing it--not, of course, that Doing So Is Wrong, just that I've neither seen it nor thought through all the possible places where I could conceivably cross myself.

Here I wonder if there's a difference because (1) those "Gospel canticles" have historically been used differently and (2) those canticles are more directly taken from Scripture (cf. venbede's post).

quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
The other canticles are gospel texts, and we cross ourselves at the start as we (or at any rate some of us) do at the start of a gospel reading. The Gloria is not a gospel text.

Is either of my points part of the historical reasons for the difference in crossings?

Many people in my parish, including me, will cross ourselves at the beginning of those Gospel canticles within the offices and cross ourselves at the end of the Gloria in excelsis when we use it elsewhere. Our 1979 US prayer book gives us the option of using the Gloria in excelsis as an office canticle, and it appears in the table of suggested morning usage on p. 144, but I have yet to see it as an office canticle in corporate prayer.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sacred London:
But aren't there other things like not being allowed to bear arms?

That hasn't stopped them from blessing battleships. [Disappointed]
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
On one or more threads the topic has come up of what different folks call the mass or eucharist or holy communion or the Lord's Supper. This is especially discussed in anglican contexts the term one uses is usually considered to indicate how high or low on the candle one is.

However i just came across a usage i have never before encountered. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Cincinnati Ohio calls it Eucharistic Mass! [Ultra confused] ... like what other kind of mass is there?

Has anyone else heard this particular term?

Edited for punctuation

[ 02. July 2012, 23:41: Message edited by: malik3000 ]
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
I haven't, but I wouldn't be surprised if somebody here had.

It really is Textbook Episcopanglican Doublespeak, isn't it, like "Sacramental Rite"?
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Except that (and i am open to correction) while all sacraments are rites, not all rites are sacraments. (I am thinking of both RC and the various Angl. uses of the term sacrament here)

ETA that of course you are right that sacramental rite is, in any case, redundant.

[ 03. July 2012, 00:17: Message edited by: malik3000 ]
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by malik3000:
<snip> i just came across a usage i have never before encountered. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Cincinnati Ohio calls it Eucharistic Mass! [Ultra confused] ... like what other kind of mass is there?
Has anyone else heard this particular term?

I am going to go out on a limb here and hazard a guess: that the parish in question serves a community where the entire Episcopal/Anglican lexicon is itself a foreign tongue, and that the good folks at St Andrew's are trying to be as clear as possible on the style of worship that one can expect at their shack. And for that good effort I am happy to grant them a lot of slack.

As to sacraments/rites/sacramental rites, I'm no expert, but I find it convenient, when talking with the children and the yoots at our place, to refer to "big-S Sacraments" and "small-s sacraments." People pretty much "get" that, at the basic level of things. (If they wish to go to seminary some day, or to post in Ecclesiantics, of course, they'll need to ratchet things up a notch).
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
And if they read their Luther carefully (or their Schillebeeckx for that matter), they'll learn there's only really-big-S SACRAMENT: Jesus Christ.
 
Posted by uffda (# 14310) on :
 
FWIW I agree with Mamacita on this one. Over the years I have presided over many non-eucharistic funerals or weddings, or weekday services, only to have a Roman Catholic approach me and say "I really enjoyed your Mass." I think "Mass" is just a word that some use to mean "service."
Although the wording is a bit awkward, a Eucharistic Mass seems to be a way to let folks know that Holy Communion will be offered.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
And if they read their Luther carefully (or their Schillebeeckx for that matter), they'll learn there's only really-big-S SACRAMENT: Jesus Christ.

Hart, thank you for that. I will be using it.
 
Posted by jlav12 (# 17148) on :
 
Why does the 1979 Prayer Book place the Benedictus before the Te Deum in Morning Prayer?
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
Why does the 1979 Prayer Book place the Benedictus before the Te Deum in Morning Prayer?

I would speculate that the Te Deum makes for a bigger final canticle, being a really big doxology. Putting the Benedictus after might seem a bit anti-climactic. Now some would say that in the full-blown medieval office (and its modern Roman descendants) the Te Deum should come first because it was/is in the office of Matins, which preceded the office of Lauds, which has the Benedictus. Personally IMHO i think the '79 BCP order is better. Morning Prayer is not 2 offices run one after another as is the case when Matins and Lauds are celebrated together. The BCP Morning Prayer is one office in and of itself, containing elements of not just 2, but 3 offices (Matins, Lauds and Prime). Thus having its own structure as a single office, there is no reason IMHO that it should painstakingly put those elements in the precise order that they would appear if one if one were using those 3 separate offices.

That's, as i say, just my opinion, mostly on the grounds of aesthetic structure. As always YMMV.
 
Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
I spent some of today doing some research into some parish records of a small church in the Southwell diocese - I came across a faculty from 1902 which was presented to the bishop, on behalf of the parish, by a person titled "Vicar General'. What does this mean in this Church of England context? Would he be the Chancellor today?
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
Ultimately somebody English will pop by here and clear it up, I'm sure.

Until then, here appears to be a clue.

quote:
In 1770 he was appointed Vicar-General of the Southwell College of Canons, and had jurisdiction over 28 Churches for all purposes, except Confirmation and Ordination.
When I have encountered the term in Catholic situations, it has meant a person who assisted the bishop in administrative affairs. When the late Archbishop of Chicago passed away, it was the Vicar General who basically filled in. (In this case, the Vicar General was one of the auxiliary bishops.)
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Southwell was a bit of an oddity in the old days. Like Ripon it was a collegiate Church, but it had a Vicar-General rather than a Dean. The V-G also administered a peculiar belonging to the Archbishop of York in which the non-sacramental functions of the Bishop were delegated to the V-G.

IIRC, the peculiar appertaining to Ripon disappeared in 1540s and was not reinstated with the Dean and Chapter in 1604. However, the Peculiar of Masham remained in existence until the 19th century and is referenced in the name of one of Theakston's Brewery's products.

PD

[ 04. July 2012, 21:09: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
Why does the 1979 Prayer Book place the Benedictus before the Te Deum in Morning Prayer?

Because it is the gospel canticle - linking OT to NT - like the mag. at evensong.,

1662 was a bad mistake (in more ways than one!)
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Whoops - I should have said a Peculiar within the Diocese of York in which all Episcopal functions except for Confirmation and Ordination belonged to the V-G not the Archbishop. There were quite a few of these peculiars before the 19th century.

The Masham Peculiar belonged to the Dean of York and was a relic of the old Masham Collegiate Church.

Ripon was Collegiate 1604-1836 and had quite a few chapelries within its boundaries.

quote:
Originally posted by PD:
Southwell was a bit of an oddity in the old days. Like Ripon it was a collegiate Church, but it had a Vicar-General rather than a Dean. The V-G also administered a peculiar belonging to the Archbishop of York in which the non-sacramental functions of the Bishop were delegated to the V-G.

IIRC, the peculiar appertaining to Ripon disappeared in 1540s and was not reinstated with the Dean and Chapter in 1604. However, the Peculiar of Masham remained in existence until the 19th century and is referenced in the name of one of Theakston's Brewery's products.

PD


 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Southwell Minster in its collegiate days also had its own choir and choir school which the cathedral inherited.
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Southwell Minster in its collegiate days also had its own choir and choir school which the cathedral inherited.

Southwell Cathedral is called Southwell Minster - at least it was when I sang there in a visiting choir a couple of summers ago. No 'inheritance' necessary. ISTM that minsters can be cathedrals or not: York and Beverley, examples of each.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
Why does the 1979 Prayer Book place the Benedictus before the Te Deum in Morning Prayer?

Because it is the gospel canticle - linking OT to NT - like the mag. at evensong.,

1662 was a bad mistake (in more ways than one!)

As far as I recall the same reversal was done in the UK in the slightly earlier Series 2 version: a justification put forward then was that in the choral tradition the Te Deum to a 'setting' was such a 'climax' to the whole service that it belonged later in the service than after the first reading. Of course the same argument would put the Magnificat later than after the first reading at Evensong, but catholick conservatism would have resisted a change much more strongly in that instance.

If 1662 was a 'mistake', it was only repeating what Cranmer had set out in 1549. Cranmer was conflating the mediaeval offices, and kept the material in the chronological order of the traditional liturgical day: Te Deum from Matins, Benedictus from Lauds, Creed and one of the set Collects from Prime.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I believe it was customary to reverse the Te Deum and the Benedictus at St Paul's Cathedral even before the Alternative Services came on stream. I dimly remember the Series 2 Office. Not bad, as I recall, mainly due to the fact that it changed things without chucking the baby out with the bath water. Quite frankly, if they had not gone beyond Series Two (except to put it into Modern Language) I would have been happy with the process of Liturgical Reform.

Since Series 3, I have gradually lost interest in their monkeying about. I seem to think that the introduction of the ASB in my then home parish - about 1987 as I remember it - started my drift back to the BCP. Working in a parish that had basically dumped the pilot liturgically speaking completed it.

Funnily enough, I also liked both the old 1926 Irish BCP and their Alternative Prayer Book, but they managed to bugger them both up in formulating their new "BCP."

PD

[ 05. July 2012, 16:55: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
Why does the 1979 Prayer Book place the Benedictus before the Te Deum in Morning Prayer?

I think we're free to do them in reverse (21 and then 16), but I believe our parish custom of using 16 and then 21 (Benedictus and then Te Deum) on Sundays and holy days is simply to avoid paging backward.

On all other days, we use the suggested first canticle and then always 16 (Benedictus) as the second canticle. Which means we miss out 18, 19, and 20 completely, although 20 is used at Mass.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
If 1662 was a 'mistake', it was only repeating what Cranmer had set out in 1549.

Maybe i should have said that Cranmer was a mistake.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Hole big enough yet, Leo?

[Big Grin]

PD
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
Who is entitled to wear preaching bands?
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Ordained ministers of God's Word. For an Anglican that means Deacons presbyters and bishops. I have several sets.

In the UK, and perhaps elsewhere in the Commonwealth, they are worn by barristers. They are also worn at graduation at Cambridge, and perhaps at the establishment by the Isis, but I am not sure.

PD

[ 17. July 2012, 05:52: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
And I think holders, even lay holders, of sundry offices in the older British universities and public schools- the Provost of Eton, that sort of thing. No doubt these would all originally have been held by clergy.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
And I think holders, even lay holders, of sundry offices in the older British universities and public schools- the Provost of Eton, that sort of thing. No doubt these would all originally have been held by clergy.

Add to that list all graduates of the University of Cambridge. The restriction to ordained ministers is wholly fictitious, as far as I can tell.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Morlader:
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Southwell Minster in its collegiate days also had its own choir and choir school which the cathedral inherited.

Southwell Cathedral is called Southwell Minster - at least it was when I sang there in a visiting choir a couple of summers ago. No 'inheritance' necessary. ISTM that minsters can be cathedrals or not: York and Beverley, examples of each.
The word "minster!" seems to have been repurposed in the last twenty years or so by a coalition of uppity Rectors and unimaginative Tourist Boards. For the last five hundred years it has meant a church that is or once was attached to a monastery, or had a college of priests. Now they seem to be trying to make it mean any big old parish church that fancies itself the chief place of worship in a town.

quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
If 1662 was a 'mistake', it was only repeating what Cranmer had set out in 1549.

Maybe i should have said that Cranmer was a mistake.
Why say one nonsense thing when you could say two?
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
And I think holders, even lay holders, of sundry offices in the older British universities and public schools- the Provost of Eton, that sort of thing. No doubt these would all originally have been held by clergy.

Add to that list all graduates of the University of Cambridge. The restriction to ordained ministers is wholly fictitious, as far as I can tell.
I've found the restriction of bands to the ordained asserted in various places but I've never been able to find any back-up for that assertion. As a probationer, I didn't wear bands (lest I cause any weaker brethren to stumble [Angel] ) and now I do but it seems to me to be a custom without foundation. As a graduate of the aforementioned University, I wore bands before I was anywhere near being ordained.

[ 17. July 2012, 16:57: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
church that is or once was attached to a monastery, or had a college of priests. Now they seem to be trying to make it mean any big old parish church that fancies itself the chief place of worship in a town.


Wherever could you be thinking of?
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
A new question.

I've a recollection that about 60 years ago, the intercessions were sometimes taken from a prie-dieu placed half way down the aisle, at which the priest knelt, facing eastwards. I'd only have been quite small at the time. Questions:-

1. Has anyone else ever encountered this or am I imagining it?

2. Why, what decided when it should be done that way? Was it seasonal? Or for special occasions?

3. When and why did it die out?

4. Where did the custome come from and how far back did it go?

5. Is someone going to say, 'O, we do that; it's normal; I didn't know everyone else didn't or didn't any more'?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've never experienced it, but I'm sure I remember litany desks in the position you describe.

My first church (Establishment Matins, with once a month Family BCP Communion) always advertised something midweek called "Intercessions". This was never explained, but I suspect it was in place of the Litany as per the BCP.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
At All Saints', Margaret Street, the intercessions are led (by the Subdeacon — who fulfills few other liturgical roles in that place) from the middle of the nave, but given that it's a modish sort of place, they're done standing.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
A new question.

I've a recollection that about 60 years ago, the intercessions were sometimes taken from a prie-dieu placed half way down the aisle, at which the priest knelt, facing eastwards. I'd only have been quite small at the time. Questions:-

1. Has anyone else ever encountered this or am I imagining it?



I've never seen it - but of course the Litany desk was used for The Litany when I was a boy. I can't think of a reason why it would not be appropriate, however.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
church that is or once was attached to a monastery, or had a college of priests. Now they seem to be trying to make it mean any big old parish church that fancies itself the chief place of worship in a town.


Wherever could you be thinking of?
If it's the same place that I think all three of us may be thinking of, it was originally a Minster in the form that ken describes. That was their trump card when applying to be re-defined as a Minster.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
A new question.

I've a recollection that about 60 years ago, the intercessions were sometimes taken from a prie-dieu placed half way down the aisle, at which the priest knelt, facing eastwards. I'd only have been quite small at the time. Questions:-

1. Has anyone else ever encountered this or am I imagining it?

2. Why, what decided when it should be done that way? Was it seasonal? Or for special occasions?

3. When and why did it die out?

4. Where did the custome come from and how far back did it go?

5. Is someone going to say, 'O, we do that; it's normal; I didn't know everyone else didn't or didn't any more'?

The Litany desk was used for the intercessions in my home parish until the mid-1990s when it was discovered that the combination of intercessor two-thirds of the way down the nave, radio mic, and the placement of the speak resulted in a ear-splitting feed from the new sound system. Thereafter the intercessions were led from the lectern. Another victory for technology!

PD
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
Our Lady of Hardwork has such a litany desk, as can be seen in the old photographs, formerly positioned in the nave's central aisle (is that properly called an aisle?) a few feet away from the steps into the choir. I think at least one of the photographs shows the church greened for Christmas. It currently serves as the prayer desk at the Hardwork shrine.

For the last 30 years or so, the prayers of the people have been led by a disembodied voice coming somewhere from among the congregation in the nave.

We currently pray the Great Litany in procession during the odd numbered Sundays of Advent and Lent.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
The prayer desk in the center aisle was actually a standard piece of furniture in Episcopal churches in the United States, and can be seen in all the old photographs. They get in the way of processions today, but they were usually quite handsome pieces of work, given their prominent location.
 
Posted by Quam Dilecta (# 12541) on :
 
Before Cramner, litanies were customarily sung in procession. Crmner disliked these processions, and directed that the Litany be said "kneeling in the church". Georgian churches often had "kneeling pews" from which the Litany could be read.

The Gothic Revival swept these pews away, along with three-decker pulpits, and reinstated choir and clergy stalls in the chancel. The rubric, however, remained in force, and the litany desk -- a prie-dieu placed in the center aisle -- allowed the clergy to obey it, albeit at the cost of obstructing traffic.

Eventually, Anglo-Catholics revived the Litany sung in procession, rendering the litany desk redundant. In my parish, the desk survives, but it serves as a prie-dieu at a shrine of Our Lady.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
If it's the same place that I think all three of us may be thinking of, it was originally a Minster in the form that ken describes. That was their trump card when applying to be re-defined as a Minster.

I suppose it makes as much sense (which is to say, very little) as places like St Peter's Westminster claiming the title of Abbey when the monks departed long ago.
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
Indeed, along with Bath, Tewkesbury etc, not to mention the churches that call themselves priories.
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
A new question.

I've a recollection that about 60 years ago, the intercessions were sometimes taken from a prie-dieu placed half way down the aisle, at which the priest knelt, facing eastwards. I'd only have been quite small at the time. Questions:-

1. Has anyone else ever encountered this or am I imagining it?

2. Why, what decided when it should be done that way? Was it seasonal? Or for special occasions?

3. When and why did it die out?

4. Where did the custome come from and how far back did it go?

5. Is someone going to say, 'O, we do that; it's normal; I didn't know everyone else didn't or didn't any more'?

I saw this this Sunday at Perth Cathedral, though the prie-dieu was at the front of the congregation.

At Christ Church, Bath, the intercessions were (are?) led from a microphone at the west of the congregation.
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
The prayer desk in the center aisle was actually a standard piece of furniture in Episcopal churches in the United States, and can be seen in all the old photographs.

Really? I've never seen them in churches or photographs of churches in this part of the country. I wonder if it's a regional thing.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
The emphasis is on old photographs. Examples everywhere...

http://ststeve.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/St-Stephens-Altar004.jpg

http://www.booktown.com/Batch34/DSC04263.JPG


http://www.nycago.org/Organs/Brx/img/StJamesEpis1910Int.jpg

http://peabody.yale.edu/sites/default/files/images/exhibits/james-perry-wilson/st_james_2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/St_David%27s_Church_Interior_1907.JPG/300px-St_David%27s_Church_Inte rior_1907.JPG

http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/img/StStephenEpis1901Int.jpg

http://www.saintstephenschenectady.org/Images/Booklet%201975/p%2019%20interior.jpg
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
The prayer desk in the center aisle was actually a standard piece of furniture in Episcopal churches in the United States, and can be seen in all the old photographs. They get in the way of processions today, but they were usually quite handsome pieces of work, given their prominent location.

I would think they'd be in the way of traffic during Communion as well. But then again they pre-date the change to "Communion every Sunday," right? Were they just used during MP/EP? [Sorry, just wondering aloud.]

We have a couple of handsome pries-dieu* stuck in a side chapel. Our interim had one of them placed in the sanctuary during Holy Week, as she was recuperating from knee surgery, and it was a great help to her getting up and down as well as a more comfortable spot to pray.

*assuming that is the correct form of the plural

[ 18. July 2012, 14:25: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
[QUOTE] pries-dieu*
*assuming that is the correct form of the plural

Yes. Prie-dieux would be heresy!
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
The prayer desk in the center aisle was actually a standard piece of furniture in Episcopal churches in the United States, and can be seen in all the old photographs. They get in the way of processions today, but they were usually quite handsome pieces of work, given their prominent location.

I would think they'd be in the way of traffic during Communion as well. But then again they pre-date the change to "Communion every Sunday," right? Were they just used during MP/EP? [Sorry, just wondering aloud.]

We have a couple of handsome pries-dieu* stuck in a side chapel. Our interim had one of them placed in the sanctuary during Holy Week, as she was recuperating from knee surgery, and it was a great help to her getting up and down as well as a more comfortable spot to pray.

*assuming that is the correct form of the plural

Correct.The litany desk was typically used during Morning and Evening Prayer, while the celebration of Holy Communion was not frequent. When it was done, usually at an early Sunday hour, there would not be many communicants, because most parioshoners went to MP later, anyway.

It reminds one that before the Parish Communion Movement of the interwar period and other fruits of the Oxford Movement took hold, liturgical and sacramental life in Anglican parishes was generally quite different than it is today.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
The pictures are in part what I recall. But the intercessions I'm talking about were not taken from just in front of the rail, but in the middle of the aisle about half way down the nave, vaguely just in front of where the cross aisle crosses.

Compared with the photos, English churches tend to have a deeper chancel, which by the late C19 early C20 would be laid out with choir stalls facing each other and priest and curate occupying two more substantial pews at the bottom end of the choir stalls on each side and facing each other - still probably the most usual arrangement.

I don't see any great problem about a prie-dieu getting in the way of a procession. All those shown look fairly movable.

Going back to the Litany, I think - but this is long before my memory - that when there was a proper three decker pulpit, the parish clerk occupied the bottom level, the priest took the service from the middle level, and ascended to the top level to preach. The Litany was done by the priest saying or chanting the prayers and the responses by the clerk, on behalf of or leading the congregation.
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
The emphasis is on old photographs. Examples everywhere...

[lots of cool pictures]

Thanks Zach. I wasn't challenging so much as wondering, as it seemed unfamiliar to me, and I know that in many ways, older Episcopal churches in my area historically are more low church, often looking more like this or even this.

Thanks again.

[ 18. July 2012, 15:20: Message edited by: Nick Tamen ]
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
Thanks Zach. I wasn't challenging so much as wondering, as it seemed unfamiliar to me, and I know that in many ways, older Episcopal churches in my area historically are more low church, often looking more like this or even this.

Thanks again.

That first one has a litany desk. [Razz]
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
That first one has a litany desk. [Razz]

Yes, but not in the center aisle, which is what I thought was being discussed, and not facing the altar. [Razz]

Many Episcopal churches around here still have litany desks. They are invariably in the chancel (outside the altar rail), as shown here.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
[QUOTE] pries-dieu*
*assuming that is the correct form of the plural

Yes. Prie-dieux would be heresy!
[Killing me]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vulpior:
At Christ Church, Bath, the intercessions were (are?) led from a microphone at the west of the congregation.

I do that here during Vhoral Evensong
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
We have a rather fine Litany Desk - it appears as such in old photos of the church - which we recently rescued from the cellar/boiler room, dusted off, and placed at the back of our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It is now used by the officiant at Morning Prayer on Sundays (and, therefore, on Sundays in Lent, for the Litany!).

Ian J.
 
Posted by LostinChelsea (# 5305) on :
 
quote:
Nick Tamen noted:

older Episcopal churches in my area historically are more low church, often looking more like this

Wow, that looks like a scaled down model of the church where I preside! Ours is a Richard Upjohn board-and-batten number from the 1850s.

The original plans for our church did call for a stall and faldstool in the chancel, just about where the one sits in the photograph. Because of the size of the church, that prayer desk never could have fit in the aisle.
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
A new one if I may - now that cassock-albs seem to ubiquitous. What is it that makes it a CASSOCK-alb? Why not just wear an alb instead?
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boat Boy:
A new one if I may - now that cassock-albs seem to ubiquitous. What is it that makes it a CASSOCK-alb? Why not just wear an alb instead?

Cassock albs are made of horrible synthetic materials, look terrible and make Baby Jesus cry. Their supposed advantage is that they don't need to ironed, which is doubtless true, but the same could also be said for antique Belgian lace. Of course, one cannot wear the latter in Lent (save for Laetare Sunday, obviously) or at missae pro defunctis. However, for such occasions, surely a bit or ironing is a godly discipline.
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
I've heard those reasons - is it really just a wish not to iron?

Boat Boy (proud never to have worn a cassock alb)
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I usually find that my (proper) alb does not need ironing every time it is washed provided I get it out of the washer and hung up quickly. However, it is made of heavy poly-cotton shirting material, not linen. It is also far cooler and lighter than a cassock-alb provided one is a little bit naughty and does not wear a cassock underneath.

I find that amices reduce the frequency with which it has to jog around in the washing machine, which is another plus. Also, when I do have to travel, it is a smaller bundle to have to put in the suitcase than a cassock-alb.

PD
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
This should really be a dead horse, but I like cassock-albs. Admittedly there are some hideous designs out there, but a full, well-designed one (worn without girdle) looks, IMHO, better than a traditional girded alb unless the latter is properly worn together with apparelled amice. It's certainly a much more convenient garment [a] for young and maybe slightly scruffy servers, and [b] for priests who might have to rush from church to church with little time between services. It looks equally good worn with stole alone, or with chasuble. And much, much better than lace.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
This should really be a dead horse, but I like cassock-albs. Admittedly there are some hideous designs out there, but a full, well-designed one (worn without girdle) looks, IMHO, better than a traditional girded alb unless the latter is properly worn together with apparelled amice.

Really? You think that this looks better than this or this?

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:

And much, much better than lace.

Again, really?
This mass-produced piece of polycrap you find more tasteful and exquisite than this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?

I'd say de gustibus non est disputandum, but your taste really is very questionable. Very questionable indeed.

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
young and maybe slightly scruffy servers,

Servers, no matter how young, should never be even slightly scruffy. I admit that I've become very lax about wearing a white shirt to serve and that this fault is culpable, but (like most servers and virtually all serious priests) I do at least make sure that my black shoes are always shined. Anything else would show a lack of respect. Don't get me started on servers in trainers [Mad] (although, I suppose, if it means the reintroduction of sanctuary slippers, so much the better).

[ 19. July 2012, 16:44: Message edited by: (S)pike couchant ]
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Again, really?
This mass-produced piece of polycrap you find more tasteful and exquisite than this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?

I think the first looks much better. To me, all that lace looks a bit silly -- rather like a big doily -- and to my mind violates what should be the cardinal rule of vestments because it draws attention to itself rather than drawing attention to the One worshipped. Give me the cassock-alb any day over all that fluff.

But then again, I'm a Presbyterian, so what do I know. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
I think the first looks much better. To me, all that lace looks a bit silly -- rather like a big doily -- and to my mind violates what should be the cardinal rule of vestments because it draws attention to itself rather than drawing attention to the One worshipped. Give me the cassock-alb any day over all that fluff.

But then again, I'm a Presbyterian, so what do I know. [Big Grin]

This Catholic agrees with you entirely.

I've never heard anyone off ship talk about cassock-albs, actually. Do you just mean an alb that substantial enough to be worn without a cassock underneath? If so, since albs are required for saying Mass and cassocks are not, that's what 99% of Catholic priests wear and I have no intention of doing anything different.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:

But then again, I'm a Presbyterian, so what do I know. [Big Grin]

Well, yes, quite.

That's not meant to be insulting. In the context of a Presbyterian service, an alb with that much lace would be ridiculous. In the context of an Anglican or Roman Catholic high mass, wherein three sacred ministers wore albs like that under vestments of rich brocade embroidered with cloth of gold, assisted by a dozen or more servers all clad in lace cottas, with individual details increasingly obscured behind thick clouds of incense — then it would create a somewhat different impression: one of sheer awe at the beauty of holiness and the splendour of the Creator as manifested in his creatures. The sort of feeling that causes one to sing that we shall 'ponder nothing earthly minded'.

Of course, that sense of awe can happen elsewhere (in the quiet of monastery chapel, perhaps), but the splendour of the liturgy is its greatest aid, and that is why the Church, in both East and West, does not (certain post-Vatican II aberrancies) does not and should not embrace a minimalist aesthetic.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
[ If so, since albs are required for saying Mass and cassocks are not, that's what 99% of Catholic priests wear and I have no intention of doing anything different.

I think the rubrics assume that the cassock is the normative clothing of a priest, as indeed it is. I would hope that most priests would wear a cassock at least within the physical space of the parish church, if not everywhere in the bounds of the parish, but this sort of discipline seems to have been neglected by modernists as slovenly standards spread. Interestingly, within Anglicanism, the cassock seems more widespread, not only amongst clerics of a high-church persuasion, but amongst virtually all cathedral canons and even, if the series 'Rev' is to be believed, amongst perfectly ordinary MotR parish priests. Quite right, too.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
This should really be a dead horse, but I like cassock-albs. Admittedly there are some hideous designs out there, but a full, well-designed one (worn without girdle) looks, IMHO, better than a traditional girded alb unless the latter is properly worn together with apparelled amice. It's certainly a much more convenient garment [a] for young and maybe slightly scruffy servers, and [b] for priests who might have to rush from church to church with little time between services. It looks equally good worn with stole alone, or with chasuble. And much, much better than lace.

Hear, hear. I am not suggesting that a cassock-alb is superior to the more traditional and/or ornate vestments. I'm just saying that it works just fine in many circumstances and in many types of parishes and God is glorified regardless.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
young and maybe slightly scruffy servers,

Servers, no matter how young, should never be even slightly scruffy.
Most parishes, dear brother, are in the real world. Where it is a joy to find even one young person who is willing to serve, let alone who can afford to, or is inclined to, dress like a character from Brideshead. It doesn't really matter what one wears underneath, but anyone without the aesthetic sensibilities of a pre-Raphaelite would look like a dog's dinner in a traditional alb and appareled amice. I know, I've seen them. A one-piece garment that covers a multitude of sartorial sins is much the best.

[fixed code]

[ 19. July 2012, 17:31: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Originally posted by Angloid:
young and maybe slightly scruffy servers,

Servers, no matter how young, should never be even slightly scruffy.
Most parishes, dear brother, are in the real world. Where it is a joy to find even one young person who is willing to serve, let alone who can afford to, or is inclined to, dress like a character from Brideshead.[/QUOTE]

There's no need for an elaborate wardrobe (although I know a few servers who have cultivated one). Simply a pair of black oxfords, or half brogues, or monkstraps or even slip-ons. Every man should own at least one of these. As for schoolchildren, don't schools in this country require that their darling little charges wear uniforms that invariably include black shoes? I would have thought that, even those that have gone down the polo shirt and hoodie route would surely maintain something a bit smarter so as not to frighten the lady mayoress when she visits (lady mayoresses having notoriously delicate sensitivities, or so I have been reliably told).
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Again, really?
This mass-produced piece of polycrap you find more tasteful and exquisite than this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?

I think the first looks much better. To me, all that lace looks a bit silly -- rather like a big doily -- and to my mind violates what should be the cardinal rule of vestments because it draws attention to itself rather than drawing attention to the One worshipped. Give me the cassock-alb any day over all that fluff.

But then again, I'm a Presbyterian, so what do I know. [Big Grin]

A lot. That lace is hideous. It looks as though someone raided all the windows in a retirement village and decided to wear the loot. The cassock-alb to which it was compared is nothing for the photo gallery either but would certainly win if the choices were limited to the two.

I'm afraid I've never been won over by "It was a gift from a loving aunt/It was made by the children of the parish" arguments for using something unfit for purpose. I heard that as sacristan in one parish where I inherited a situation where all of the purificators were a nylon-polyester blend. They were so bad that the creases wouldn't even stay along the folds when I ironed them. They just unfolded themselves again. The fact that they were made from entirely non-absorbent material and just served to smear what they were supposed to absorb around the rim of the chalice was not considered sufficient reason to retire them. They each bore a lovely cross in the corner, and had been a gift from a lady - long since left the parish - who had done the embroidery herself. I suggested having a seamstress cut the crosses out and attach them to some linen or at least cotton purificators that I was willing to purchase myself in order to avoid objections from cost, but the PCC (well, one strong character, really) was having none of it. "They were a gift" trumped every argument from good sense and every attempt at compromise.

I couldn't understand why they didn't follow the policy found everywhere else in my experience of making sure that it is known that, while gifts and donations are welcome, in order to ensure that a gift is put to its best possible use, it is best to check with the PCC/priest/some appointed person what is needed. That way nobody's feelings are hurt and situations of a church being lumbered with beautifully-embroidered purificators that are as useful as a lead parachute simply don't arise.

The albs in the picture and Alcuin photograph were lovely, though.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
young and maybe slightly scruffy servers,

Servers, no matter how young, should never be even slightly scruffy.
Most parishes, dear brother, are in the real world. Where it is a joy to find even one young person who is willing to serve, let alone who can afford to, or is inclined to, dress like a character from Brideshead. It doesn't really matter what one wears underneath, but anyone without the aesthetic sensibilities of a pre-Raphaelite would look like a dog's dinner in a traditional alb and appareled amice. I know, I've seen them. A one-piece garment that covers a multitude of sartorial sins is much the best.

[fixed code]

Hear, bloody hear. Ecclesiantics is getting even more previous than usual recently.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?


That is absolutely and utterly hideous.
 
Posted by LostinChelsea (# 5305) on :
 
quote:
Boat Boy wondered:

What is it that makes it a CASSOCK-alb?

I've understood it to mean that it's an alb cut like an Anglican-style cassock. Here is what I'm talking about. I wear one that's 80 percent cotton, so it's not the gicky all-poly things being complained about. It's designed to be worn over clericals, not over a cassock. And it's not like those poofy muumuu-like things that usually get posted about round here.

So whether you like them or not, the answer is: they're cut like an Anglican cassock, so thus likely the name.

Reasons for use, whether you like them or not, have to do with simplicity (one garment with no need of a cassock beneath), appearance (many people like the smooth lines instead of all the gathers in a traditional alb), and ubiquity (some leading suppliers in US don't even carry traditional albs anymore).
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:

But then again, I'm a Presbyterian, so what do I know. [Big Grin]

Well, yes, quite.

That's not meant to be insulting. In the context of a Presbyterian service, an alb with that much lace would be ridiculous. In the context of an Anglican or Roman Catholic high mass, wherein three sacred ministers wore albs like that under vestments of rich brocade embroidered with cloth of gold, assisted by a dozen or more servers all clad in lace cottas, with individual details increasingly obscured behind thick clouds of incense — then it would create a somewhat different impression: one of sheer awe at the beauty of holiness and the splendour of the Creator as manifested in his creatures. The sort of feeling that causes one to sing that we shall 'ponder nothing earthly minded'.

I have traveled outside Presbyterian circles. [Biased] And no insult was noted.

While I see what you are saying and while preferences are certainly often rooted in one's on tradition and in familiarity, I also think it is very dependent on individual taste and culture. What you describe -- "albs like that under vestments of rich brocade embroidered with cloth of gold, assisted by a dozen or more servers all clad in lace cottas" -- is to many, including many Anglicans and Roman Catholics I would wager, more distracting rather than beautiful. Some find the height of beauty in the rich brocade and lace. I would never suggest they are "wrong." Others find more beauty in simplicity. (And I would suggest that in general Americans, of which I am one, often fall more to the simplicity side.) Likwise, I would not suggest they are "wrong." They are just different. Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
I agree with Leo.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
There's no need for an elaborate wardrobe (although I know a few servers who have cultivated one). Simply a pair of black oxfords, or half brogues, or monkstraps or even slip-ons.


Oxfords? Brogues? Please tell me you're not being serious?
quote:
Every man should own at least one of these.

[Killing me]

Oh, sorry, you really are being serious aren't you! I've never worn brogues in my life, although my dad used to, and I don't even know what "Black Oxfords" are.
quote:
As for schoolchildren, don't schools in this country require that their darling little charges wear uniforms that invariably include black shoes?

Maybe, but try getting them to wear them at the weekend. As Angloid said, you should be grateful they are in church in the first place and even more so that they are willing to serve. If you start imposing a dress code, you'll lose them very quickly.

May I ask in which decade you grew up?
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
At a stretch I suppose there is a sense in which slinging on a cassock-alb is similar to those 18thC parsons (and into the 19thC of course) who threw a (long?) surplice on over their street clothes.

Therefore the cassock-alb might just appear acceptable to the Brideshead set as well, for exactly reasons.
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
Hmm, in the OP I didn't mean 'why don't all priests wear cassocks every day and then a lace alb over the top', rather, if you're not wearing a cassock, why wear a cassock alb rather than an alb?
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
There's no need for an elaborate wardrobe (although I know a few servers who have cultivated one). Simply a pair of black oxfords, or half brogues, or monkstraps or even slip-ons.


Oxfords? Brogues? Please tell me you're not being serious?
quote:
Every man should own at least one of these.

[Killing me]

Oh, sorry, you really are being serious aren't you! I've never worn brogues in my life, although my dad used to, and I don't even know what "Black Oxfords" are.


[/QB][/QUOTE]


I was surprised when an assitant in a quality shoe shop recently didn't know either. I have a number of pairs (Plain black lace ups with a toe cap) and black and brown brogues and 'hush puppy' brouges like Ken Clarke.

I dont think one can go wrong with black shoes. Even black brouges go well with tweeds.

But as for expecting servers to wear them, that is another matter. I think I did though - as a reaction to the ghastly dress sense of the previous 70s.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
...I don't even know what "Black Oxfords" are.

As Sebby correctly notes, Oxfords (in British usage) have closed lacing and a plain toecap. I'm surprised that the notion that every man should own a pair of plainish black shoes is so risible to you. You might even find you inadvertently own a pair of such wildly outre things yourself!
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Spike gives up before he even starts:
Maybe, but try getting them to wear [black shoes] at the weekend. As Angloid said, you should be grateful they are in church in the first place and even more so that they are willing to serve. If you start imposing a dress code, you'll lose them very quickly.

May I ask in which decade you grew up?

This, of course, is errant nonsense from beginning to end.

At Our Lady of Hardwork, it's black shoes & black socks. Period. We keep a pair of each in the acolyte closet just in case. The vast majority of acolytes are tweens to teens to early 20s.

The acolyte master's head is not so swelled that she thinks it has anything to do with her: It's all due to the mothers and grandmothers:
quote:
You live in my house. That means you are going to church on Sundays and Holy Days, with the rest of the family. If you're going to church, then you might as well serve. Right?
To which of course there is only one correct answer. Truth be told, there is only one acolyte who makes it known she would rather be scrubbing floors. The rest take a sort of exasperated pride in how well they serve. Heck, the MC is frequently be a college student back home on break.

I'll grant you that we are aided by the sure propulsion of an unassailable West Indian Matriarchal Momentum; but, we are unafraid of our strengths.

 
Now, if only we could inculcate a more German approach to the Clock. Sigh.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I thought brogues were brown. That just shows how much of an oik I am. It's a good job we've got old Etonians back in charge of the country.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sebby:
At a stretch I suppose there is a sense in which slinging on a cassock-alb is similar to those 18thC parsons (and into the 19thC of course) who threw a (long?) surplice on over their street clothes.

Therefore the cassock-alb might just appear acceptable to the Brideshead set as well, for exactly reasons.

Actually some of us still just throw on a surplice over our street clothes. Thank goodness for OE surplices! However, since being kicked upstairs, I throw on a rochet over my street garb.

PD

[ 19. July 2012, 21:52: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
I thought brogues were brown. That just shows how much of an oik I am. It's a good job we've got old Etonians back in charge of the country.

They often are, but brogues can be of any colour. The name refers to the punched decoration as they are descended from the traditional footwear of the highlands, which had patterns of punched holes in the upper to allow water to drain out when walking across boggy land.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
Known by some in the States as "Shotguns" for the pattern of punched holes.

[ 19. July 2012, 22:12: Message edited by: The Silent Acolyte ]
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
I'm surprised that the notion that every man should own a pair of plainish black shoes is so risible to you.

That's not what I said. What I said was I don't know what Black Oxfords are.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?


That is absolutely and utterly hideous.
You're too kind. Personally, I find the pattern to be a wonderful illustration of essential Christian doctrine, akin to Mediæval stained glass. Are those Sacred Hearts (in which case, those parishoners lucky enough to gaze upon such finery should remember the prayer they all presumably utter at Benediction: namely 'Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy upon us') or Immaculate Hearts of Mary (in which case, so much the better). As I recently explained to someone who criticized my humble attire of antique lace and watered silk, this vestiture proves a crucial theological point: namely that we are NOT Protestants (I've had enough claret and port tonight to speak the unvarnished truth).


quote:
Originally posted by Spike:

May I ask in which decade you grew up?

Oh, I suspect that I was born before you and will probably die before you as well. Deo gracias!

If you really find it so hard to get your little darlings to dress like young gentlemen rather than anthropoid apes, may I suggest one of the following options: either provide Eton collars (to hide their hideous 'tee-shirts') and sanctuary slippers for the boat boys and other younger servers (the slippers can match the newly-mandated liturgically coloured spats for the older servers) or alternatively get rid of your romantic attachment to boy servers altogether, and just have adult severs (after all, you're clearly not prepared to to invest any effort in the lads, as salutary as that might be). I can't really see the fault in either of those options, but I'm sure the very wise Angloid will be over soon to enlighten us with his unique wisdom garnered from his unique experience in the rarefied 'real world' to which most of us can never be privy because we don't share his rarefied taste in avant-garde synthetic fabrics for all.
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
Oops...
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
fee fi fo fum, I smell the whiff of Eddy
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
That artorial nightmare is far more likely to make me utter "No Surrender" and throw up!

PD
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
fee fi fo fum, I smell the whiff of Eddy

I kept thinking to myself that I have a strange feeling I've seen this before but I don't know where, thank you for reminding me.

And as a Catholic of a very, very traditional bent, I find anything more than 2 and a half to three inches of lace trimmed on anything ghastly. Better none at all, as Blessed Percy would have it.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
I agree with Leo.

What Leo believes we all believe. Anathema to him who believes anything else. Peter has spoken by the mouth of Leo. [Big Grin] [Killing me] [Two face] [Devil]
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
I'm surprised that the notion that every man should own a pair of plainish black shoes is so risible to you.

That's not what I said. What I said was I don't know what Black Oxfords are.
Prefaced by:

quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
There's no need for an elaborate wardrobe (although I know a few servers who have cultivated one). Simply a pair of black oxfords, or half brogues, or monkstraps or even slip-ons.


Oxfords? Brogues? Please tell me you're not being serious?
quote:
Every man should own at least one of these.

[Killing me]

Oh, sorry, you really are being serious aren't you! I've never worn brogues in my life, although my dad used to, and I don't even know what "Black Oxfords" are.

I can't see what else [Killing me] could mean in the context.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Hear, bloody hear. Ecclesiantics is getting even more previous than usual recently.

For the life of me, I can't understand what 'more previous' means here (or in any other context, for that matter). It's not an English construction I've ever come across in my reading or earthly conversation.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
It wasn't my post, but even I could guess it was a misprint for 'more precious'.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
[QB] more tasteful and exquisite than this lovingly hand crafted work of devotional art, as perhaps made by a pious spinster for a much loved nephew on the ocassion of his first Mass?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCPst8ggKZU

I like a bit of lace now and again. And I have a nice pair of black brogues.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
If you really find it so hard to get your little darlings to dress like young gentlemen rather than anthropoid apes, may I suggest one of the following options: either provide Eton collars (to hide their hideous 'tee-shirts') and sanctuary slippers for the boat boys and other younger servers (the slippers can match the newly-mandated liturgically coloured spats for the older servers) or alternatively get rid of your romantic attachment to boy servers altogether

Hold on tightly to your gin because you're about to be in for a shock.

We have both boys and [shock-horror] girls serving at the altar in our shack. Perhaps we ought to get the girls in brogues and looking like young gentlemen too!
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
Perhaps we ought to get the girls in brogues and looking like young gentlemen too!

The idea that female altar servers should look like gentlemen does not strike me as particularly outrageous, if by that we mean 'well presented in masculine attire'. The cassock and cotta are, after all, originally articles of male attire, and any person (of either sex) wearing them should look well-presented. This does not mean that women need to wear men's shoes: any form of closed-toe black shoe looks respectable enough. Unless the sacristan is willing to alter each cassock to fit each server individually (and I know some diligent sacristans who do this), then it is of vital importance that women wear black tights or stockings and men black socks (or, indeed, black tights, as at least one well-known parish priest in North London is known to do).
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
...it is of vital importance that women wear black tights or stockings and men black socks...

What a novel definition of the word 'vital' you appear to cleave to...
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
...it is of vital importance that women wear black tights or stockings and men black socks...

What a novel definition of the word 'vital' you appear to cleave to...
Liturgically coloured socks should be allowed, but only great solemnities and preferably when wearing matching spats.

The sight of a white athletic sock (not that I own such an item, you understand) under a cassock would, however, be most unedifying.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Given the vital importance of such matters, I beg to report that, although I attire myself each Sunday mostly in black, I do have ties of all liturgical colours (including pink for Gaudate and Laetare Sundays, and Sarum blue for Advent).

On alternate Sundays, however, I am, as a 'blue-scarfed gentleman', vested in alb and blue scarf (or, on high days, alb and tunicle). The vital question, of course, is whether or not I am permitted to wear a coloured tie whilst so vested........

Ian J.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
While I see what you are saying and while preferences are certainly often rooted in one's on tradition and in familiarity, I also think it is very dependent on individual taste and culture. What you describe -- "albs like that under vestments of rich brocade embroidered with cloth of gold, assisted by a dozen or more servers all clad in lace cottas" -- is to many, including many Anglicans and Roman Catholics I would wager, more distracting rather than beautiful. Some find the height of beauty in the rich brocade and lace. I would never suggest they are "wrong." Others find more beauty in simplicity. (And I would suggest that in general Americans, of which I am one, often fall more to the simplicity side.) Likwise, I would not suggest they are "wrong." They are just different. Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.

Well stated, Nick Tamen. I think your observation about individual taste and culture is spot on. And I would even go so far as to say that "bad taste" is not the equivalent of "something I just don't like." In bringing "our selves, our souls and bodies" to worship, we can't help but come with our own needs, understandings, cultural contexts, and ways of receiving/responding to information, visual/aural stimuli, and so on. The diversity of worship in the world is not something to mock (short, perhaps, of snake-handling).

Some time ago, a Shipmate had as her sig a portion of this quote from the Sufi poet Rumi:
quote:
There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground, there are a thousand ways to go home again.

 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
If you really find it so hard to get your little darlings to dress like young gentlemen rather than anthropoid apes, may I suggest one of the following options: either provide Eton collars (to hide their hideous 'tee-shirts') and sanctuary slippers for the boat boys and other younger servers (the slippers can match the newly-mandated liturgically coloured spats

Do you really exist?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Hear, bloody hear. Ecclesiantics is getting even more previous than usual recently.

For the life of me, I can't understand what 'more previous' means here (or in any other context, for that matter). It's not an English construction I've ever come across in my reading or earthly conversation.
Sorry, meant 'precious'.
 
Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Quick query about water used in communion services. (We don't have a sink with a tap, so it's brought in, in bottles.) Any good reasons (practical or theological) why sparkling/fizzy water shouldn't be used in the cruets?
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Dunno about the rest of you Eccles denizens, but ISTM there is a distinct smell of troll (or even sockpuppet) around.........

Ian J.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anselmina:
Quick query about water used in communion services. (We don't have a sink with a tap, so it's brought in, in bottles.) Any good reasons (practical or theological) why sparkling/fizzy water shouldn't be used in the cruets?

Any good reason why it should? I suppose it might be appropriate at Pentecost. But what's the problem with bringing bottles of tap water?
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
I can't really see the fault in either of those options, but I'm sure the very wise Angloid will be over soon to enlighten us with his unique wisdom garnered from his unique experience in the rarefied 'real world' to which most of us can never be privy because we don't share his rarefied taste in avant-garde synthetic fabrics for all.

(S)pike couchant:

In Ecclesiantics, we strive to create at atmosphere of respect for the many and various traditions represented here. In your rather brief time with us so far, you have attracted the attention of the hosts of this board for rather the wrong reasons. The quote above is sailing extremely close to the wind on personal attacks (forbidden by Commandment 3). Taken together with your other contributions, the picture is not favourable. I advise you to reacquaint yourself with the 10 Commandments of the Ship and with the guidelines of this board (and indeed of others on which you may choose to post). The hosts and the admins will be watching closely.

seasick, Ecclesiantics host
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
Perhaps we ought to get the girls in brogues and looking like young gentlemen too!

The idea that female altar servers should look like gentlemen does not strike me as particularly outrageous, if by that we mean 'well presented in masculine attire'.
Some churches believe it is the other way round. they dress their men in so much lace that you'd think they wanted to feminise them.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Anselmina:
Quick query about water used in communion services. (We don't have a sink with a tap, so it's brought in, in bottles.) Any good reasons (practical or theological) why sparkling/fizzy water shouldn't be used in the cruets?

Any good reason why it should? I suppose it might be appropriate at Pentecost. But what's the problem with bringing bottles of tap water?
The only reason I can think of for avoiding fizzy water is just that it might look a bit peculiar (unless you are in a volcanic region and the water fizzes naturally, and unless Anselmina has moved geology recently, she isn't!)

But as the bubbles will dissipate quite quickly anyway even this isn't much of a concern.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Just decant the fizzy water into the cruet before the service, and it will have gone flat by the time of communion, I'd have thought. But why bother? Even if Irish tap water is undrinkable, (which I can't imagine) still water will be cheaper.

[ 20. July 2012, 16:40: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
I suppose it's a similar question that of the north London Anglo-Catholics who apparently use champagne at Easter. I've not seen it myself, but I have seen a good Sauternes used in Portsmouth.
 
Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.

One of the wardens buys several outers of six at a time; little bottles of water for the vestry which I work my way through, Lidl's finest. And the recent batch is fizzy stuff, which rather surprized me! But I couldn't think of a good reason why I should request still water.

But it is bizaare to ablute with the semi-alcholic bubbles tickling one's nose!

venbede, Irish drinking water is beautiful! Except when it's been flooding, or something's gone funny with the drains.... Always best to check the colour first [Big Grin] .
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
I thought brogues were brown. That just shows how much of an oik I am. It's a good job we've got old Etonians back in charge of the country.

I am sure you are not an oik dear Father. Christianty is, after all, supposed to be a refining religion.

Its good about those Etonians isn't it? I had to vote Labour in 1997 when I saw that the leader had been to Fettes.
 
Posted by jlav12 (# 17148) on :
 
Is the book "Anglican Service Book" authorized for general use in TEC?
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
Is the book "Anglican Service Book" authorized for general use in TEC?

It certainly isn't mentioned in the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

As the foreward goes to great lengths to justify its legitimacy in light of the permissive directions in BCP79, it doesn't really seem necessary for it to be authorized at all.

The only materials that should be iffy would be the ones that clearly do not have a comparison in the BCP79.

I await to hear from TEC Shipmates "in the know."
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
I can't say except that the '79 book itself would seem to authorize it.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
The Anglican Service book is a great resource. We have a copy in our parish library. Given the way in which it subtly corrects some of the more, um, eccentric choices of the 1979 as well as including a great deal of useful material not found in that book, I think there might actually be a market for a 'modern-language' version of it. That, taken with the existing Anglican Service Book, would be a pretty good start for the next Prayer Book revision. I can't see that happening, though. Not in the near future, at least.
 
Posted by JSwift (# 5502) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
It certainly isn't mentioned in the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

As the foreward goes to great lengths to justify its legitimacy in light of the permissive directions in BCP79, it doesn't really seem necessary for it to be authorized at all.

The only materials that should be iffy would be the ones that clearly do not have a comparison in the BCP79.

I'm curious as to why the material that does not have a comparison with the BCP '79 would be iffy. I would think the opposite since any repetition would defeat the purpose of having common prayers.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by JSwift:
I'm curious as to why the material that does not have a comparison with the BCP '79 would be iffy. I would think the opposite since any repetition would defeat the purpose of having common prayers.

The material that does not have a comparison is unauthorized material. Some of it is probably justifiable under "Rite 3" and other open-ended rubrics, and this is why I left it at "iffy" instead of "forbidden."

I am disappointed in the lack of a Eucharistic Prayer C option, so here it goes:

quote:

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right so to do.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the celebrant proceeds

O God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, thou art worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to thee for ever and ever.

At thy command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
By thy will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements thou broughtest forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. Thou madest us the rulers of creation. But we turned against thee, and betrayed thy trust; and we turned against one another.
Have mercy, O Lord, for we are sinners in thy sight.

Again and again, thou called us to return. Through prophets and sages thou revealed thy righteous Law. And in the fullness of time thou sent thine only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill thy Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise thee, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all thee in every generation who have looked to thee in hope, to proclaim with them thy glory, in their unending hymn:

Celebrant and People

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy Glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.

Here may be added

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people kneel or stand.

Then the Celebrant continues


And so, O Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before thee these gifts. Sanctify them by thy Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to thee this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
We celebrate his death and resurrection,
as we await the day of his coming.


Lord God of our Fathers: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Accept these prayers and praises, O Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, thy Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.


 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I think the lack of the Star Wars Canon has something to do with the fact that most Anglo-Catholics have a slight down on it. I also have a dim recollection that the Anglican Service Book was a Good Shepherd, Rosemont, PA production.

PD
 
Posted by JSwift (# 5502) on :
 
Wikipedia confirms it is published by them.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I think the lack of the Star Wars Canon has something to do with the fact that most Anglo-Catholics have a slight down on it.

I would think so.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
The principal need for the Anglican Service Book (ASB) is due to the fact that, while the 1979 BCP provided for "traditional" language in its Rite I, the traditional-language parish was marooned on the "contemporary" language island of Rite II when it came to Holy Week services. Thus, the 1979 rite of Holy Baptism, the 1979 ordinal rites, Psalm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Great Vigil of Easter can be celebrated without language whiplash.

The ASB Psalter is from the 1928 Book.

Further, there are additional liturgical tidbits thought necessary to the healthy prayer life of the Anglocatholic shack: Asperges and Vidi Aquam, antiphons on the Benedictus & Magnificat, Stations of the Cross, Benediction, the Marian Anthems throughout the year, and, in a point-size humans can read, the Athanasian Creed.

There's other things, too (weird and ordinary), but this pretty much summarizes the situation.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I think the lack of the Star Wars Canon has something to do with the fact that most Anglo-Catholics have a slight down on it. I also have a dim recollection that the Anglican Service Book was a Good Shepherd, Rosemont, PA production.

True. Our A-C shack uses A, B, and D, never C.

Personally, the Star Wars bits annoy me less than the little Galley signature sermonette, "Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal." On its own, it's a well-said thing and a great point for meditation, but that doesn't mean it fits in a eucharistic prayer. I might someday come up with a worthy prayer text about the Sacrament, but that doesn't mean it needs to be said by a celebrant in orans posture at an altar. This particular bit sometimes makes me think a single unchanging classic eucharistic prayer is the best way to go.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
I think there might actually be a market for a 'modern-language' version of it. That, taken with the existing Anglican Service Book, would be a pretty good start for the next Prayer Book revision. I can't see that happening, though. Not in the near future, at least.

No reason to. Something similar already exists.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
I presume the reason that the 'Start Wars' Canon wasn't included is because it sounds bizarre to talk about interstellar space in cod-Jacobean. It's weird enough mentioning amending the Great Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
I don't mind it, apart from the congregation butting in during the prayer. That happens with one of the eucharistic prayers in Common Worship, although the once I heard it used the congregational buttings in were omitted in the service sheet.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I think that's Prayer H, sebby, with the Sanctus at the end.

We tried it out at my last church for the children's mass, but since it involves everyone having their head in the service book, and lots of them probably not following it, we gave it a miss.

Acclamations are a nice idea, but Common Worship does go overboard on them, and I'm sure they backfire - as much as involving the congregation, they are likely to confuse.

(The text of Prayer H is OK, and having the Sanctus at the end was a theory in Dixian liturgical circles, I believe. I still think all those responses are confusing.)
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
 
Posted by american piskie (# 593) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
I think if you travelled by air in C16 England your next journey was up-and-down on the ducking stool.

Sorry. [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:

(The text of Prayer H is OK, and having the Sanctus at the end was a theory in Dixian liturgical circles, I believe. I still think all those responses are confusing.)

Indeed - Prayer H (and its Irish cousin, Prayer 3) seem to be modeled on how Dix argued the Jewish prayers of Thanksgiving at the Last Supper might have gone, with a common acclamation very similar to the Sanctus as its culmination.

I don't mind this, but like many people I'm not sure about the wisdom of requiring the congregation to keep interjecting. Now that I'm familiar enough to remember the responses by heart it's not so bad, but for a while I spent the whole prayer reading along which was rather distracting.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Thank you, dj.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
Broom sticks?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:

(The text of Prayer H is OK, and having the Sanctus at the end was a theory in Dixian liturgical circles, I believe. I still think all those responses are confusing.)

Indeed - Prayer H (and its Irish cousin, Prayer 3) seem to be modeled on how Dix argued the Jewish prayers of Thanksgiving at the Last Supper might have gone, with a common acclamation very similar to the Sanctus as its culmination.

I don't mind this, but like many people I'm not sure about the wisdom of requiring the congregation to keep interjecting. Now that I'm familiar enough to remember the responses by heart it's not so bad, but for a while I spent the whole prayer reading along which was rather distracting.

I hate, hate, hate any prayers which call on the congregation to join in with unfamiliar words. To my mind it ruins, not enhances, participation. It certainly reduces it to saying words rather than entering into an action: if you need to have your head buried in a book you're not able to see what is going on at the altar. With a congregation of suitable size (i.e., usually, weekday festivals) I've often invited them to stand around the altar and if you have to carry a book (or worse, two or three books) with you it's an additional distraction.

I've just finished doing duty at a church where the custom was for the congregation to say together the collect for the day (and the proper post-communion). You need preparation simply to read words like that, with often complicated syntax, let alone to pray them.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I tick the like box to that one, angloid.

I noticed in the TEC eucharistic prayer printed above the little rubric for the congregation to stand or kneel, which I've recently seen in most of the EPs in the TEC BCP. Nothing about sitting.
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:

(The text of Prayer H is OK, and having the Sanctus at the end was a theory in Dixian liturgical circles, I believe. I still think all those responses are confusing.)

Indeed - Prayer H (and its Irish cousin, Prayer 3) seem to be modeled on how Dix argued the Jewish prayers of Thanksgiving at the Last Supper might have gone, with a common acclamation very similar to the Sanctus as its culmination.

I don't mind this, but like many people I'm not sure about the wisdom of requiring the congregation to keep interjecting. Now that I'm familiar enough to remember the responses by heart it's not so bad, but for a while I spent the whole prayer reading along which was rather distracting.

I hate, hate, hate any prayers which call on the congregation to join in with unfamiliar words. To my mind it ruins, not enhances, participation. It certainly reduces it to saying words rather than entering into an action: if you need to have your head buried in a book you're not able to see what is going on at the altar. With a congregation of suitable size (i.e., usually, weekday festivals) I've often invited them to stand around the altar and if you have to carry a book (or worse, two or three books) with you it's an additional distraction.

I've just finished doing duty at a church where the custom was for the congregation to say together the collect for the day (and the proper post-communion). You need preparation simply to read words like that, with often complicated syntax, let alone to pray them.

Yes! yes! Some people believe in a slightly absurd way that participation means everyone saying everything all of the time. The notion that the congregational should join in the collect particuarly is silly, and could be remedied by a celebrant from outside like yourself saying the collect really quickly to throw them off, as it were. It is just bad liturgy and nothing to do with any shade of churchmanship.

The Exeter diocese had a series of workshops that travelled the deaneries a few years ago and open to all. This Joining In Everything was particuarly mentioned as how NOT to do it. The example mimicked by the archdeacon was the habit in some parishes of getting everyone to say the biddings in the ASB intercessions. In his impersonation he put on the particular rhythm that usually accompanied such a practice, to the amusement of the mixed churchmanship audience.

Personally I can cope with the acclamations, but dilike the congregation butting in what I feel should be said by the president (or I would prefer 'celebrant' but yes, I understand that we all celebrate blah blah).

And anything that makes people stuff their heads into books and not realise that the eucharist is an action to watch and participate in, in another sense, would be frustrating. I'm often a little surprised at seeing everyone buried in a booklet when the dominical actions are being performed at the altar, as if totally ignoring what is going on.

The vicar here brings the children up to the altar and tells them to WATCH very closely what is happening.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
There's nothing wrong with the prayer, and I don't object to its inclusion. I just think it would have bewildered the composers of the original litany ('what new witchcraft is this?'). It doesn't jarr too much, but I think adding 'and through outer space' would.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
So are you saying that we should not pray for astronauts?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
So are you saying that we should not pray for astronauts?

I imagine it might be a drag to have to figure out every time whether there's someone in outer space at the moment. [Smile]

But maybe I'm showing my age. Used to be when someone was in outer space, just about everyone knew it. Didn't follow all that Apollo coverage for nothing.

[ 21. July 2012, 20:25: Message edited by: Oblatus ]
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I tick the like box to that one, angloid.

I noticed in the TEC eucharistic prayer printed above the little rubric for the congregation to stand or kneel, which I've recently seen in most of the EPs in the TEC BCP. Nothing about sitting.

Is sitting a customary option elsewhere? The bulk of Episcopalians kneel, IME, when the church has kneelers. Around here, they are a virtual given. The elderly sometimes do a Prot Squat, with backside on the edge of the pew and knees in a kneeling position, hovering on the kneeler but bearing little if any weight.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Circuit Rider contends that the use of blue for Advent is not generally Anglican, that it is the Lutherans and Presbyterians who primarily use the color.

I contend that blue is Anglican, that it comes from the Sarum Use, and that while others may use blue, it is primarily an Anglican tradition.

Who is right?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I can't remember seeing blue vestments used in an Anglican church, except possibly some 30 years ago in Advent at Exeter Cathedral, when the Sarum colours were still given in the C of E lectionary. They aren't now.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
There's nothing wrong with the prayer, and I don't object to its inclusion. I just think it would have bewildered the composers of the original litany ('what new witchcraft is this?'). It doesn't jarr too much, but I think adding 'and through outer space' would.
Notwithstanding my facetious response above, I think it would be an inexcusable omission to not include "or by air" in the present translation of the Great Litany (as noted, first included in said litany in TEC's 1928 BCP, to much approbation AIUI.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
There's nothing wrong with the prayer, and I don't object to its inclusion. I just think it would have bewildered the composers of the original litany ('what new witchcraft is this?'). It doesn't jarr too much, but I think adding 'and through outer space' would.
It seems to me the composers of the original litany included those circumstances and those sorts and conditions of folk that they knew needed prayer. I should think that offering prayers for the safety of those who travel in space would not be inconsistent with the intent of the originators and, indeed, would be appropriate.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I think that's Prayer H, sebby, with the Sanctus at the end.

We tried it out at my last church for the children's mass, but since it involves everyone having their head in the service book, and lots of them probably not following it, we gave it a miss.

Acclamations are a nice idea, but Common Worship does go overboard on them, and I'm sure they backfire - as much as involving the congregation, they are likely to confuse.

(The text of Prayer H is OK, and having the Sanctus at the end was a theory in Dixian liturgical circles, I believe. I still think all those responses are confusing.)

I like Prayer H except for the constant interruptions. It ticks all the right boxes for me in that it is short, to the point, and is not speculative in its theology. It rather fits in with my straight forward attitude to religious matters. I tend to prefer the traditional pattern of congregational participation, so I am always a bit horrified when the congregation are asked to join in during the Prayer of Consecration. I am afraid that at that point, when I am in the congregation I prefer to reverently contemplate what is being done and said at the altar.

PD
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I can't remember seeing blue vestments used in an Anglican church, except possibly some 30 years ago in Advent at Exeter Cathedral, when the Sarum colours were still given in the C of E lectionary. They aren't now.

In the USA the blue started appearing in TEC during the original trial use period, in the late sixties and early seventies. Prior to that its use was virtually unknown, even in parishes that had been using liturgical colors since well before the turn of the last century.

You can be well assured that church supply companies had much to do with popularizing the use of blue. But to do that, they had to latch on to someone's academic theory, to sound respectable, and not as if profit was the the true motive. In TEC, that theory became the Sarum blue thesis. For RCs, they latched on to the notion that Advent was not truly a penitential season, as was Lent, and thus needed a different color. Blue became that color, since they were already hawking it to Anglicans; where they were unscuccessful with blue, they pushed lighter hues of violet, maintaining that one could not use the same shade for both seasons.

All of these were theories that had been advanced by certain prominent, reform-minded liturgists, but were by no means universal, and certainly had never been promulgated by Rome. Moroever, church suppliers, missalette and hymnal publishers and vestment makers all had much to do with popularizing many of the styles that followed Vatican II and became associated with the Council.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
I'm sure I've been told this somewhere.

I thought the reason why readers wear blue scarves is because blue isn't used for anything else. So no one would mistake them for anything else, like priests.
 
Posted by Sacred London (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I can't remember seeing blue vestments used in an Anglican church, except possibly some 30 years ago in Advent at Exeter Cathedral, when the Sarum colours were still given in the C of E lectionary. They aren't now.

We have two blue chasubles for feasts of Our Lady (if someone remembers). The older, and more beautiful one, has been in use since the 1920s; the newer one was given to the church a few years ago. We are high, but not really pukka anglo-catholic.

[ 22. July 2012, 08:09: Message edited by: Sacred London ]
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
There's nothing wrong with the prayer, and I don't object to its inclusion. I just think it would have bewildered the composers of the original litany ('what new witchcraft is this?'). It doesn't jarr too much, but I think adding 'and through outer space' would.
"or beyond the air" might work better though. I think it's a question of finding appropriate language to fit once you have identified a need.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
St Percy writes:

quote:
There is good English authority for using blue in Advent and Septuagesima and even for the first four Sundays (not week days) of Lent.
(Parson's Handbook, pg. 116)

quote:
The color sequence of Wells [sic] also prescribes blue for Advent and Lent, with red for Passiontide.
(Pg. 124)

quote:
The 'violet' for Advent does not of course mean the unpleasant colour (so removed from the colour of the violet flower) at present provided by the shops. There is no such restriction as to tints, and a rather dark blue, or even a bright blue, or purple, is equally suitable for Advent.
(Pg. 126)



[ 22. July 2012, 11:50: Message edited by: Padre Joshua ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
We've got a beautiful old Sarum blue chasuble, which is used during Advent and Lent (though not on every Sunday during those seasons, as it is now rather old and frail!).

We also have a cream chasuble with various blue decorations (e.g. fleur-de-lis), and a light blue chasuble (also with fleur-de-lis, in silver), for Feasts of Our Lady. The light blue chasuble comes our at least once a month for the Walsingham Mass.

Ian J.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
My home parish had a blue set for Advent and the 'Gesimas and also a white with blue orpheys for Our Lady. They probably dated from the early 1920s when the parish was going trough a Dearmerish phase.

There was also a church shop purple set that was the same vintage as the "new" high altar and the big six that sat upon it. That would have been about 1950-52. There was a slight change of churchmanship in the late-40s which evidently had its effect.

PD

[ 22. July 2012, 14:12: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by sebby (# 15147) on :
 
As a boy I remember the vicar wearing a blue stole and saying that it was 'Sarum' and a form of purple. He was 94 and had been a pupil of Percy Dearmer when (the vicar) had been a mature student at King's, London in the early 1920s.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, he would wear it for funerals. For some reason I seem to rememebr him saying that it was 'an ancient colour of mourning'.

The same vicar would frequently wear the surplice, hood, and stole combination. The surplice was Warham Guild and happened to have been silk, although rather old and so with many cotton patches. He wore a Warham Guild style AKC hood and occasionally the more usual sort.

The hood and stole combination has been discussed on here, and the conclusions that it was quite common amongst a certain generation bears out the habit of this particular vicar. His churchmanship was said to be 'moderate High' or just over middle.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
Litany to include 'all that travel by land, water, or air'.

That dates from the 1928 BCP and I see nothing weird saying it. People do travel by air, and the word existed in C16 English.
There's nothing wrong with the prayer, and I don't object to its inclusion. I just think it would have bewildered the composers of the original litany ('what new witchcraft is this?'). It doesn't jarr too much, but I think adding 'and through outer space' would.
"or beyond the air" might work better though. I think it's a question of finding appropriate language to fit once you have identified a need.
I agree with your assessment of the problem and think that your solution is an elegant one.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Isn't it the case that liturgical colours were by no means fixed in medieval times and in any case depended on the availability of various coloured dyes which were much more restricted than today?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Isn't it the case that liturgical colours were by no means fixed in medieval times and in any case depended on the availability of various coloured dyes which were much more restricted than today?

I think they were fixed to some considerable degree according to the local cathedral and monastic uses but that once you got out into the parishes and dependencies, the situation was much as you describe.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
Even to this day, I believe there is a provision for Catholic clergy to wear vestments that are a different color, provided that they are more precious.

I think the intent behind it is to cover those special golden or silver sets that churches might have. A prime example of this is the use of those golden chasubles one sometimes sees in Catholic churches on Christmas or Easter, despite the fact that they contain a fair amount of red.

I wouldn't be surprised if some churches buy really nice blue sets, and use them for Marian feasts or Advent under the "precious" exception, even though (I seem to recall) blue is not authorized for Catholics in the US.
 
Posted by St.Silas the carter (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
I wouldn't be surprised if some churches buy really nice blue sets, and use them for Marian feasts or Advent under the "precious" exception, even though (I seem to recall) blue is not authorized for Catholics in the US.

How have I never thought of this? Be right back, going to commission a set of blue vestments.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St.Silas the carter:
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
I wouldn't be surprised if some churches buy really nice blue sets, and use them for Marian feasts or Advent under the "precious" exception, even though (I seem to recall) blue is not authorized for Catholics in the US.

How have I never thought of this? Be right back, going to commission a set of blue vestments.
Don't be hard on yourself. I am Lutheran. It is second-nature for me to find the way out of rubrics... Thankfully I use this power for good.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Isn't it the case that liturgical colours were by no means fixed in medieval times and in any case depended on the availability of various coloured dyes which were much more restricted than today?

In essence the smallest mediaeval parishes would have had a good set of vestments, a this'll do for ordinary set of vestments, and a Lenten set - which might be linen, blue or even black.

The surviving inventories show an overwhelming preponderance of red. IIRC white was in the runner up position, then blue/violet, then green/yellow. The inexorable law of 'we will use the best tat for Easter also applied in spades in the Middle Ages. I guess the real rules back then were 'bright' for feasts; dull for normal; line or dark colours for Lent and Advent.

PD
 
Posted by Papouli (# 17209) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I guess the real rules back then were 'bright' for feasts; dull for normal; line or dark colours for Lent and Advent.

This is still the current practice in the Orthodox Church. The weekdays of Great Lent and Holy Week call for dark vestments; all other days throughout the year are bright vestments. Bright commonly includes white, red, gold, blue or green. I usually wear red vestments for Pascha. Blue is traditional for Epiphany, some priests also wear blue for feasts of the Virgin Mary (but red is more traditional).

It is common to see a variety of colors worn at any feast, as we wear our own personal vestments, so most clergy will wear what they like!
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Anglican still react a little bit that way unless they are doctrinaire Anglo-Catholics or uptight Evangelicals. My present parish has two red sets. One is rather bright and is worn for feasts of the Apostles and Martyrs, the other is a dull red, and comes out for Passiontide. All three green sets are quite bright, the one real disappointment is out festal set, which is white and is a bit of an under-achiever. However, I have a gold cope that I use for Christmas and Easter which manages the right level of "liturgical bling."

PD
 
Posted by otyetsfoma (# 12898) on :
 
At the Grande Seminaire in Sherbrooke PQ in the 1940s they got around the "blue is not allowed for feasts of our lady except in Spain"rule by having a rather diaphonous white set with blue lining that looked entirely blue,
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Papouli:
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I guess the real rules back then were 'bright' for feasts; dull for normal; line or dark colours for Lent and Advent.

This is still the current practice in the Orthodox Church. The weekdays of Great Lent and Holy Week call for dark vestments; all other days throughout the year are bright vestments. Bright commonly includes white, red, gold, blue or green. I usually wear red vestments for Pascha. Blue is traditional for Epiphany, some priests also wear blue for feasts of the Virgin Mary (but red is more traditional).

It is common to see a variety of colors worn at any feast, as we wear our own personal vestments, so most clergy will wear what they like!

While this may be the case in the Greek church, among some of the Slavic churches are to be found a number of local variants of a generally followed colour scheme, which seems to closely resemble that used by the Antiochian church (at least in this country).

The everyday colour is some form of gold, with crimson or purple used during fasting seasons. Green is used at Theophany and on Palm Sunday, with blue for feasts of the Mother of God and red for feasts of martyrs. Black is used on Great and Holy Friday, the first part of the Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil on Holy Saturday, as well as at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on the weekdays of the Great fast. (I dislike the anglophone Orthodox trend of using Lent as a synonym for fasting season for the same reason that I dislike the nonsense word hierodeacon: I just can't make either usage make sense to my little brain.) Pascha gets white/silver, with some places following the local Moscow practice of changing to red for the Liturgy.

There are other specifics and considerable variety but that seems to be the basis of the commonly accepted scheme in places where it is used.

[ 23. July 2012, 16:27: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
I forgot to add that Pentecost usually gets green too, and the church is decorated with greenery. It isn't unknown for some places to actually bring trees into the church for the feast.
 
Posted by Papouli (# 17209) on :
 
Hierodeacon comes from the Greek word ierodiakonos, which is used liturgically for all deacons - it means sacred deacon, or server. I believe Slavs use hierodeacon only for celibate deacons, but that isn't correct as the prefix "iero" doesn't mean celibate, just sacred, holy or priestly. They confuse it with hieromonk, ieromonachos, which is the term for a priest-monk, and necessarily always a celibate presbyter.
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Papouli:
I believe Slavs use hierodeacon only for celibate deacons, but that isn't correct as the prefix "iero" doesn't mean celibate, just sacred, holy or priestly.

Precisely! "Hieromonk" was explained to me as "priestmonk" so when I first encountered monastic deacons referred to as "hierodeacon", it just didn't compute. To my reading, the wrong affix has been applied to "deacon".

Similarly, "Lent" just comes from an old word for spring, and has long become a standard abbreviation for "Lenten fast", which simply means "springtime fast" because of the time of year that it occurs (at least in the northern hemisphere, where the terminology was coined). Yet Orthodox calendars sometimes refer to Dormition Lent, Nativity Lent, and forth, which isn't what they mean at all.

[ 23. July 2012, 21:43: Message edited by: Michael Astley ]
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Glad you are at least being consistent Michael. I am always amused when Orthodox insist on saying Pascha (not an English word) rather than Easter, but then happily use Lent.

I suppose Catholics could insist on saying Pasqua and Quadragesima, but I'm glad they don't!
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Glad you are at least being consistent Michael. I am always amused when Orthodox insist on saying Pascha (not an English word) rather than Easter, but then happily use Lent.

I think I use both interchangeably. I suppose audience comes into play as well but because I don't do it consciously, I cant be sure without thinking about it.
 
Posted by Papouli (# 17209) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Glad you are at least being consistent Michael. I am always amused when Orthodox insist on saying Pascha (not an English word) rather than Easter, but then happily use Lent.

I suppose Catholics could insist on saying Pasqua and Quadragesima, but I'm glad they don't!

Passover, or Pascha, is a fairly easy word for many English speakers to understand. I wouldn't insist on Jews calling their feast Easter, so no reason for the Orthodox to use that word either. I could be mistaken, but I believe more Catholics use the word Pascha (or similar) than Easter throughout the world.

However, we do borrow the English word Lent because Sarakoste or Triodion are not commonly understood in English.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
You make it sound as if the Orthodox are celebrating something entirely different from the rest of Christendom. I wouldn't expect Jews to celebrate Easter because Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord.

Great numbers of other languages have variants of Paschale - paque in French, pasqua in Italian, pascua in Spanish. Similarly those languages have a variant on Quadragesima for Lent: quaresima in Italian, careme in French, cuaresma in Spanish. But I don't know of any English form of the word: the old usage of Pasch or Pace as at the time of Bede just fell into disuse. We do have the use of the word Paschal, of course.

English had its own development through Anglo-Saxon and Germanic influences, and somehow we have settled upon Lent and Easter. I don't think anyone is worshipping Eostre any longer, anymore than they worship Thor on a Thursday, Janus in January or Julius Caesar in July. Easter now means one thing: the Christian Festival of the Resurrection.

Saying Easter is a bit like saying Christmas rather than Nativity, as in Natividad, Natale, Noel in other languages.
 
Posted by Papouli (# 17209) on :
 
Sometimes it does seem we are celebrating a different feast! I get the impression most Western Christians look at Holy Week, and specifically Holy Friday, as very mournful and somber. To us, all of it leads up the greatest feast, the Queen of Feasts, so it is very exciting, happy and triumphant!

Most of the older clergy here in America who immigrated from Greece or Asia Minor, will use the Western terms for the Church, as they were more focused on avoiding persecution from the Americans, than cleaving to the 2000 years of tradition. Things have really changed, thank God, in the last 50 years!
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
Pardon me, but I have a quick question/observation for Ship's ELCA Lutherans:

Did you notice that the Augstress materials for this summer included John the Baptist as the primary option for June 24, but then forcibly moved Mary Magdalene to yesterday? What gives? The festivals are of the same grade, and they both should have usurped the green Sundays. This is nothing new; the exact same was true for both festivals at least since the publication of LBW. I can remember many years past when we have had both JTB and MM on Sundays.

[ 24. July 2012, 18:06: Message edited by: Martin L ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
Pardon me, but I have a quick question/observation for Ship's ELCA Lutherans:

Did you notice that the Augstress materials for this summer included John the Baptist as the primary option for June 24, but then forcibly moved Mary Magdalene to yesterday? What gives? The festivals are of the same grade, and they both should have usurped the green Sundays. This is nothing new; the exact same was true for both festivals at least since the publication of LBW. I can remember many years past when we have had both JTB and MM on Sundays.

It sounds as if there is some Roman influence there, possibly for ecumenical reasons? For us the Nativity of St. John Baptist is a solemnity (a.k.a. first class feast for those following the EF), and thus supercedes a green Sunday. However, St. Mary Magdalene is a (second class) feast and thus would not pre-empt the Sunday.
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
Pardon me, but I have a quick question/observation for Ship's ELCA Lutherans:

Did you notice that the Augstress materials for this summer included John the Baptist as the primary option for June 24, but then forcibly moved Mary Magdalene to yesterday? What gives? The festivals are of the same grade, and they both should have usurped the green Sundays. This is nothing new; the exact same was true for both festivals at least since the publication of LBW. I can remember many years past when we have had both JTB and MM on Sundays.

In Canada, the Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the few feasts that pre-empt a Green Sunday. I suspect that that is because St John the Baptist is perceived by some to be a national saint.

The official rationale for not celebrating saints on Sunday is that every Sunday is by definition a Feast of Our Lord, therefore the Second Person of the Trinity is thus more important than any of the saints. Except when the Saint is the patron of a parish, Saints' days typically should not be celebrated on a Sunday.
 
Posted by Martin L (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
It sounds as if there is some Roman influence there, possibly for ecumenical reasons? For us the Nativity of St. John Baptist is a solemnity (a.k.a. first class feast for those following the EF), and thus supercedes a green Sunday. However, St. Mary Magdalene is a (second class) feast and thus would not pre-empt the Sunday.

That is a thought I had entertained. It is surprisingly inconsistent with past actions, but I suspect you are correct.

We have a fairly simple calendar (a few examples given below):
Principal Festivals (the usuals...Christmas, Ascension, etc.)
Lesser Festivals (John the Baptist, Mary Mag, Mary, etc.)
Commemorations (Patrick, Bonhoeffer, John XXIII)

What seems to be happening is the separation of the Lesser Festivals category into something perhaps like First and Second Class Feasts. Lutheran sensibilities would steer away from overcomplicating things with many different classes, but we have essentially been dealing with this for decades. The conventional denominational wisdom has been:

If a Lesser Festival falls in a "green" season, it supercedes the Sunday (at church discretion). With Lesser Festivals falling in non-green seasons, it depends. Some supercede the Sunday (Name of Jesus-Jan. 1, for instance). Others (Andrew, when coinciding with Advent 1, for instance) do not.

Reformation and All Saints enjoy almost universal use, being transferred to last Sun. of October and first Sun. of November, respectively.

I realize that Catholics and Anglicans less frequently allow feasts to supercede a Sunday, but for us Lutherans, who rarely celebrate on weekdays, it makes a little more sense to observe when there is a coincidence.

I doubt it will ever happen that we will divide out the Lesser Festivals into First and Second Class (or whatever cutesy names we can come up with to make matters even more confusing), but it would sure be easier if we did.

[ 24. July 2012, 19:56: Message edited by: Martin L ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
True, but among the saints, St. John the Baptist has traditionally been considered second only to Our Lady, and as the Holy Forerunner (and cousin to) Our Lord, an integral part of the early earthly life of Our Savior. That is why the Nativity of St. John is considered important enough to trump an ordinary Sunday.

He is the only human than Our Lord and Our Lady, whose nativity is celebrated, rather than the "heavenly birthday," usually the date of death, as with done with other saints. This is related to the tradition that St. John did not sin, having been hallowed in his mother's womb at the Visitation. The Church has never taught John's sinlessness as dogma, but has always placed the Forerunner second to Our Lady, such as in the Confiteor, the litany of saints and many other liturgical prayers, even ahead of Sts. Joseph, Peter and Paul, John the Apostle, etc.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
quote:
Originally posted by Martin L:
Pardon me, but I have a quick question/observation for Ship's ELCA Lutherans:

Did you notice that the Augstress materials for this summer included John the Baptist as the primary option for June 24, but then forcibly moved Mary Magdalene to yesterday? What gives? The festivals are of the same grade, and they both should have usurped the green Sundays. This is nothing new; the exact same was true for both festivals at least since the publication of LBW. I can remember many years past when we have had both JTB and MM on Sundays.

In Canada, the Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the few feasts that pre-empt a Green Sunday. I suspect that that is because St John the Baptist is perceived by some to be a national saint.
In the Middle Ages, the birthday of john Baptist was a major feast that always trumped a Sunday. As Midsummer Day there was a lot of play on the idea of John decreasing and Jesus increased.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
In the old BCP Calendar, the Nativty of St John Baptist was a Red Letter Day and trumped a Lesser Sunday. SMM was Black Letter and therefore was not observed if it fell on a Sunday, but in the BCPs revised between WW2 and 1965 there is a marked rise in the status of St Mary Magdalen's feast. I think South Africa (1954) and Canada (1959) both make her day Red Letter, but I do not have either BCP close enough to check.

The Lutheran Calendars still seem to work the old way - Greater Sundays, Greater Holydays, Lesser Sundays, Lesser Holydays - so there is still a chance of something interesting happening on a Sunday instead of the big Green.

PD
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
In the old BCP Calendar, the Nativty of St John Baptist was a Red Letter Day and trumped a Lesser Sunday. SMM was Black Letter and therefore was not observed if it fell on a Sunday, but in the BCPs revised between WW2 and 1965 there is a marked rise in the status of St Mary Magdalen's feast. I think South Africa (1954) and Canada (1959) both make her day Red Letter, but I do not have either BCP close enough to check.

If by "old BCP," you mean the 1928 BCP in the USA, SMM was not included at all in that book. She was in Lesser Feasts and Fasts, so I am guessing that is what you meant when you said it was a black-letter feast. Many parishes did not use LFF, and so the appearance of her feast in the trial use books and kalendars and ultimately in the 1979 BCP was, to them, a new feast. In the Anglican Missal she was a second class feast.
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Question about the Three James?

Today is the Feast of St James the Greater. Why exactly is the other St James (Son of Alphaeus) associated with St Philip on May 1st as a Feast Day?

As well, when did James of Jerusalem, (James, the Brother of Our Lord) receive his Feast Day?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Question about the Three James?

Today is the Feast of St James the Greater. Why exactly is the other St James (Son of Alphaeus) associated with St Philip on May 1st as a Feast Day?

As well, when did James of Jerusalem, (James, the Brother of Our Lord) receive his Feast Day?

There are different traditions concerning that. Some, including the RCC, consider them two different James, others three. Traditionally St. James the Lesser, whose feast is in May, is the brother (cousin) of Our Lord. What I do not know is how TEC decided to change traditions, after nearly 200 years with two St. James, went with the third in the 1970s.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
The third James appears in the 1963 LFF so far as the USA is concerned.

PD
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
If by "old BCP," you mean the 1928 BCP in the USA,

Bearing in mind PD's pedigree, isn't it likely that by "old BCP" he meant the 1662 version of the same?
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:

Today is the Feast of St James the Greater. Why exactly is the other St James (Son of Alphaeus) associated with St Philip on May 1st as a Feast Day?

I remember reading, probably via the Catholic Encyclopedia, that SS Philip and James ended up on the same day for some historical reason - their churches in Rome were combined or something. I don't think that there is any particular theology behind it.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
If by "old BCP," you mean the 1928 BCP in the USA,

Bearing in mind PD's pedigree, isn't it likely that by "old BCP" he meant the 1662 version of the same?
I tend to default to the English 1662, which was the book of my Yoof, though I was probably as well up on the ASB Calendar at one stage.

PD
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I trust this won't require its own thread...

Currently I'm the only person who cleans our thurible, in part because it involves using acetone.

I've had several of our thurifers, who are all volunteers (I'm on staff), ask if they can help with the cleaning, and I'm trying to figure out if that can be done. Most of the logistics are nothing any of you can help with, obviously, because they have to do with our space & resources.

But here's what I wanted to ask:

I can never get to the thurible right after use. I usually clean it on Saturdays (when I can; not every time it's used, sadly), when the resin's all hardened. I spray acetone on it and use a soft toothbrush and dish soap to remove all the gunk.

If you get to it immediately after use, what's the best way to clean it? Would the acetone still be necessary, or is there a less toxic way available while the thurible is still hot? Our thurible is silver-plated, FWIW.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
An excellent resource
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
That's very helpful, Ceremoniar. Thank you for sharing it.

There are also things that can be done to prevent the solidified resin buildup in the first place, although in churches where there is a deeply-ingrained sacristy culture of incense excess, some of them may prove difficult to implement.

The build-up is a combination of three things: too high a temperature in the censer, too much incens added to the censer, and too infrequent cleaning of the censer.

Unless you're in a church the size of Westminster Abbey, six pieces of charcoal is quite unnecessary and most excessive. My church is small and even two pieces is unnecessary. For Anglo-Catholics, the use of incense has long been a badge of identity, and this often fosters a temptation to create as much smoke as possible. I have not noticed the same thing in Orthodox or Catholic churches (apart perhaps from among ex-Anglo-Catholic converts).

When the censer gets too hot because too much charcoal has been used, the molten incense boils. If too much incense is used,it spreads and sticks to the interior surface of the censer. If this is not mucked out immediately after each censing, it solidifies and adds to the layer of gunk.

For indoors, at my parish, we use one piece of charcoal with three or four grains of I cence placed on top. This is more than enough for a great censing, and the charcoal will last until next time it is needed. When the charcoal needs to be replaced, all of the previous contents are emptied from the censer, and anything caked on is scraped out with an old teaspoon before the new charcoal is added. We never get the sort of build-up commonly seen in censers.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
I trust this won't require its own thread...

Currently I'm the only person who cleans our thurible, in part because it involves using acetone.

I've had several of our thurifers, who are all volunteers (I'm on staff), ask if they can help with the cleaning, and I'm trying to figure out if that can be done. Most of the logistics are nothing any of you can help with, obviously, because they have to do with our space & resources.

But here's what I wanted to ask:

I can never get to the thurible right after use. I usually clean it on Saturdays (when I can; not every time it's used, sadly), when the resin's all hardened. I spray acetone on it and use a soft toothbrush and dish soap to remove all the gunk.

If you get to it immediately after use, what's the best way to clean it? Would the acetone still be necessary, or is there a less toxic way available while the thurible is still hot? Our thurible is silver-plated, FWIW.

We use Mineral Spirits which are less volatile than Acetone and less dangerous to breathe I think. But we will look into the linked suggestions - thanks.

edited to correct a slip of the finger.

[ 29. July 2012, 19:51: Message edited by: Comper's Child ]
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:


Unless you're in a church the size of Westminster Abbey, six pieces of charcoal is quite unnecessary and most excessive.

I disagree. Six should be the upper limit of normal, the lower limit being four. For outdoor processions, we have a thurible (nicknamed 'Balthazar', for obvious reasons) that holds 16 briquettes comfortably. It is truly magnificent to behold in action and I have pushed for it to be used more frequently. In fact, I think I shall specify in my will that it should be used at my Requiem (Missae pro defunctis being notoriously light on smoke in the Western Rite).

As to the original question, I strongly suggest lining the interior of the thurible's bowl so that the charcoal never comes into contact with metal. I was taught to use cheap incense for this purpose, but that is rather naughty and sand works just as well.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
We used to use the sort of foil cases that mince pies come in.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
An excellent resource

Wow, thanks for that!
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by (S)pike couchant:
As to the original question, I strongly suggest lining the interior of the thurible's bowl so that the charcoal never comes into contact with metal. I was taught to use cheap incense for this purpose, but that is rather naughty and sand works just as well.

I've seen aluminum foil used for that, and I've used it that way in a standing censer. Does nothing to prevent the build-up caused by the smoke - inside the top of the thurible (and extending out to the outside of it too, wherever the smoke escapes). Michael Astley, would your method also prevent the build-up from smoke? Does that have to do with the incense boiling? (BTW, I use a small, ceramic potpourri-type burner - i.e., a candle underneath instead of charcoal - at home to burn resin incense virtually smokelessly, so I've seen boiling incense. It's easy to clean - I just have to wipe it out when it's still hot.)
 
Posted by Boat Boy (# 13050) on :
 
I was taught to use a catering-style blow-torch. The congealed resin burns rather well and then, when it burns out, what is left can be wiped away while still hot.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Boat Boy, that method also sounds like the most fun. We're going to try it. (We being the vergers, first. If we're happy with the results and the safety, we'll pass the [fire-breathing] baton.)
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
If only Boat Boy's church had not dispatched the parish dragon for misguided budgetary reasons, then he would not have to fiddle about with a blowtorch.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
A friend of mine just came back from Germany and observed a liturgical practice I'd never heard. I was wondering if anyone here had. As he went in to a church for Mass, there was bread set out in the entrance way. Everyone took a piece and ate it before going to there pew. This was in a Catholic Church. Friend's German is good but not great, so he may have missed some explanation of this. What was going on?
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
Is he sure they ate it? When I went to a Catholic church in Berlin, they had the bread there at the back, but instead of eating it one used a spoon to put a wafer in the ciborium if he intended to take communion.

[ 31. July 2012, 15:38: Message edited by: Zach82 ]
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
That was my first assumption, but apparently it was normal bread (not hosts) and they ate it.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
Did the priest of that parish make a habit of terribly long sermons? Maybe the congregants needed to fortify themselves first. [Snigger]
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
I have never come across such a thing in Germany though it is common practice for people intending to go to Communion to put an unconsecrated Host into a ciborium which is then brought ujp to the altar at the timwe of the Offertory.(It happens occasionally in the UK)

Was your friend a Catholic who would notice the details about Host/ordinary bread ? If he/she were not Catholic it is easily possible that he didn't really understand.It's also possible that the people who ate the bread were not Catholics and were not sure of what to do.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
Is he sure they ate it? When I went to a Catholic church in Berlin, they had the bread there at the back, but instead of eating it one used a spoon to put a wafer in the ciborium if he intended to take communion.

We used to do that at St./ Aidan's Leeds so as to know how many communicants there would be (it changed from a non-communicating high mass to the parish mass so it was a new idea.)

Trouble is - some teenagers used to shovel loads of hosts and there was lots left over.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
A friend of mine just came back from Germany and observed a liturgical practice I'd never heard. I was wondering if anyone here had. As he went in to a church for Mass, there was bread set out in the entrance way. Everyone took a piece and ate it before going to there pew. This was in a Catholic Church. Friend's German is good but not great, so he may have missed some explanation of this. What was going on?

Did you ask your friend what kind of bread (regular bread or hosts) was used for Communion?

Is your friend also Catholic?

How big a piece did people take and eat? (Bite-size? Was it pre-sliced?)

How big was the church? Was it one likely to get visitors?

I can toss out some wild hypotheses, just to get them out of the way [Two face] -

Maybe it was a sample of the Communion bread so everyone would know if it met their culinary standards. This is important to foodies. [Snigger]

Or maybe it was the left-over Consecrated Bread from a previous service, and this is how that congregation consumes it? (Which would surely be a practice frowned upon by the Church!)

An appetizer of sorts? If people have been fasting before Mass, a little bite of bread might make them feel physical hunger for Communion when it comes. Or just the opposite - if people would be receiving a (consecrated) wafer (i.e., not much bread to absorb wine) at Communion, maybe a bite of bread before the service could take the edge off an acidic stomach before they receive the wine.

Maybe it comes from some local non-liturgical practice? Some kind of welcome?

If it was the same bread used at Communion, it could also be there so that non-Catholics and others who shouldn't be receiving Communion won't feel left out or come forward out of curiosity.

Or it's like samples at a bakery, meant to make you want to buy the product.

Or a confusion of Jewish and Orthodox Christian practices of offering bread at the end of a service/after a service to anyone who wants it?

OK, I'll stop now.

Whatever it was, it seems like it would dilute the symbol of the Eucharist in all sorts of ways. I'm really curious to learn if you find out what the practice was!
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Friend is Catholic, but not a liturgy geek. I'm not sure if it was pre-sliced or not. His guess was one of yours, churchgeek: that it was a misunderstanding of the antidoron. Mine was another of yours: that it was the 'fat Tuesday' before the 1 hour communion fast (mark the start of your fast with 'feasting': 'feasting' appropriately scaled down for such a minor fast!)
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
It wasn't a German Lammas Day was it?
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
It wasn't a German Lammas Day was it?
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Friend is... not a liturgy geek.

Oh well. It takes all sorts, I suppose.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Friend is... not a liturgy geek.

Oh well. It takes all sorts, I suppose.
Yes, I'm very ecumenical.
 
Posted by emendator liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I think South Africa (1954) and Canada (1959) both make her day Red Letter, but I do not have either BCP close enough to check.

Anglican Church of Australia has Mary Mag. as a red letter day in both 'A Prayer Book for Australia' (1995) and its predecessor 'An Australian Prayer Book' (1978).
 
Posted by chukovsky (# 116) on :
 
Baby Spouse is to be baptised soon and the vicar (CofE) asked if we want to include a prayer of thanksgiving for his adoption. He says there is a full service for this and he'll extract a prayer from that. We would like to quickly check it is PC enough for us (there are some things that those outside the adoption community say, quite unconsciously and with the best of intentions, which are not messages we wish to convey).

Is he thinking of the Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child which I can see on the Common Worship website, or is there something more specific? In the Thanksgiving service some parts are more appropriate than others, but I know he wouldn't use the whole service.
 
Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
You mean this?

Yes, that would probably be it - unless he has some other material of his own. This service is meant to cover thanksgiving for adoptions as well. I've used it myself for that purpose, as well as thanksgiving after the birth of a child.

You might like to ask him which part he's going to use, though I suppose the prayer of thanksgiving is the likely candidate. If you have any doubts, chukovksy, I'm sure he'd understand your wanting to know what's going to be said.

Congratulations! And I hope you have a fabulous day!
 
Posted by chukovsky (# 116) on :
 
Thanks, yes that is what I mean! We are really looking forward to it (wedding dress has already been refashioned).

Baby Spouse is young enough that the "new life" phrasing is appropriate to him (perhaps if he was Little Boy Spouse aged 8 it wouldn't be) but there are other prayers that don't include that wording, in that liturgy.

I'll check what he was planning to use.
 
Posted by 21stcenturyAnglican (# 17197) on :
 
Does anyone have any opinions about various Ecclesiastical Suppliers? I'm specifically wondering about C. M. Almy, Wipples, R. J. Toomey, Gaspard, and House of Hansen. I'm particularly interested in anyone's experience with their cassocks.
 
Posted by Padre Joshua (# 13100) on :
 
Finally, one I can answer!

I have ordered several items from both Gaspard and CM Almy. I have been impressed with the customer service at both, and also with the quality of the items I purchased. I thought they were fairly priced.

I own a Gaspard cassock which I purchased used on eBay. It is an Anglican-style, and is the cheapest fabric option they have. I think that it's perfect for an entry-level cassock, and I expect it to last for quite a while. It seems to be well made, and since it won't be washed often it shouldn't fade much. But Woolite Dark should take care of any fading that does occur. If I were shopping for another, that's the one I'd get. Except now I'm kind of thinking a wool one might be better. But I'm a natural fibers nut, anyway.

Hope this helps.
 
Posted by Pseudonym (# 16879) on :
 
I'm sure I've missed this somewhere on this site..

I'm trying to put together a kind of primer on the Daily Office (BCP 1979) for some of my friends. They come from a more Evangelical background, so I like to point out, when things come from Scripture, where they come from. So we start "O God make speed to save us; O Lord make haste to help us." Obviously this comes from the Psalms. My question is: why do we say this? What is the theological significance of opening the Office with a plea for God to hurry up and help?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Because that's what St Benedict told us to say. "Come and help" isn't the same as "hurry up", surely? There's a good protestant point to made surely about only worshiping God if God gives us grace to do so.
 
Posted by jlav12 (# 17148) on :
 
How different are the various editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts? I wanted to acquire my own copy of it but couldn't find the most recent version for any decent price but I found a 1997 LF&F for practically nothing at a used bookshop.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
How different are the various editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts? I wanted to acquire my own copy of it but couldn't find the most recent version for any decent price but I found a 1997 LF&F for practically nothing at a used bookshop.

Not sure when the Daily Office Lectionary got added, but if that's in your 1997 LFF, you're fairly up to date with the 2006, which is the latest LFF. You're missing just a few observances.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
Not sure when the Daily Office Lectionary got added, but if that's in your 1997 LFF, you're fairly up to date with the 2006, which is the latest LFF. You're missing just a few observances.

Correction: I meant Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary. Sorry for the error.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pseudonym:
I'm sure I've missed this somewhere on this site..

I'm trying to put together a kind of primer on the Daily Office (BCP 1979) for some of my friends. They come from a more Evangelical background, so I like to point out, when things come from Scripture, where they come from. So we start "O God make speed to save us; O Lord make haste to help us." Obviously this comes from the Psalms. My question is: why do we say this? What is the theological significance of opening the Office with a plea for God to hurry up and help?

In addition to what venbede said, it seems like an invocation that reminds us of our constant need for God's help.

I have to add that it's kinda fun sometimes when I'm "leading" Evening Prayer in a little side chapel at the cathedral on Saturdays, and no one else comes, and there are tourists around, to open with a nice, loud voice... [Two face]
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Because that's what St Benedict told us to say. "Come and help" isn't the same as "hurry up", surely? There's a good protestant point to made surely about only worshiping God if God gives us grace to do so.

Precisely!

There's something very humbling about reminding ourselves as we begin prayer that not even this we can do without the help of God.

A similar sentiment is expressed in the Byzantine Zadostoinik at the Liturgy on Christmas Day, where we poetically express a desire to compose harmonious hymns to honour the Mother of God, yet, acknowledging the difficulty of this, within the very hymn, we ask her to pray for us "that we may fulfil our good intent".
 
Posted by jlav12 (# 17148) on :
 
My priest (TEC) breaks the bread in the "old" position in the Words of Institution and in the "new" place, at the Fraction. Is this breaking the rubrics?
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jlav12:
My priest (TEC) breaks the bread in the "old" position in the Words of Institution and in the "new" place, at the Fraction. Is this breaking the rubrics?

Yes, but I do that too. It is a result of using both the old and new liturgies at various times in my career. I got confused! [Big Grin]

PD
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
In any case, those who use 'real' bread, break it (the bread, not the rubrics) continually when giving communion.
 
Posted by Percy Blakeney (# 17238) on :
 
Can anyone point to a nice downloadable Angelus / Regina Caeli card which could be framed and put near a statue?

A4 or so size
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
In any case, those who use 'real' bread, break it (the bread, not the rubrics) continually when giving communion.

Not necessarily. For small congregations (less than 30 say), I tend to break the bread into the right number of pieces during the Agnus Dei (or prayer of humble access if no Agnus). For larger ones, I tend to return to the Table after dismissing a row of communicants to break more bread before the next lot arrive.
 
Posted by emendator liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pseudonym:
I'm sure I've missed this somewhere on this site..

I'm trying to put together a kind of primer on the Daily Office (BCP 1979) for some of my friends. They come from a more Evangelical background, so I like to point out, when things come from Scripture, where they come from. So we start "O God make speed to save us; O Lord make haste to help us." Obviously this comes from the Psalms.

I gather you know the Scriptural derivation, so let me expand on the basic verses:

Psalm 51:15 “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise”;
Psalm 106:47 “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks
unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise”;
Psalm 22:19 “But be not thou far from me, O
LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me”;
Psalm 38:22 “Make haste to help me, O Lord my
salvation”;
Psalm 40:13 “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me”;
and finally,
Psalm 70:1 “Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.”

Hope this, along with the other inputs, helps you in developing your primer. I don't know whether it is available in any form still, but the old "Tutorial Prayer Book" is a must have for explaining the BCP (1662).
 
Posted by Pseudonym (# 16879) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Because that's what St Benedict told us to say. "Come and help" isn't the same as "hurry up", surely? There's a good protestant point to made surely about only worshiping God if God gives us grace to do so.

Precisely!

There's something very humbling about reminding ourselves as we begin prayer that not even this we can do without the help of God.

This. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
 
Posted by Michael Astley (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pseudonym:
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Astley:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Because that's what St Benedict told us to say. "Come and help" isn't the same as "hurry up", surely? There's a good protestant point to made surely about only worshiping God if God gives us grace to do so.

Precisely!

There's something very humbling about reminding ourselves as we begin prayer that not even this we can do without the help of God.

This. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
You're very welcome.

As it happens, the day after posting, I was listening to Ancient Faith Radio, and one of the pauses in the music was filled with this reading, from an address by Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia:

quote:
Prayer is God — it is not something that I initiate but something in which I share; it is not primarily something that I do but something that God is doing in me: in St Paul’s phrase, ‘not I, but Christ in me’(Gal. 2:20). The path of inner prayer is exactly indicated in St John the Baptist’s words about the Messiah: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’(John 3:30). It is in this sense that to pray is to be silent. ‘You yourself must be silent; let the prayer speak’ — more precisely, let God speak. True inner prayer is to stop talking and to listen to the wordless voice of God within our heart; it is to cease doing things on our own, and to enter into the action of God. At the beginning of the Byzantine Liturgy, when the preliminary preparations are completed and all is now ready for the start of the Eucharist itself, the deacon approaches the priest and says: ‘It is time for the Lord to act.’ Such exactly is the attitude of the worshipper not only at the Eucharistic Liturgy but in all prayer, public or private.

 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
A question about the procession into mass please.

As far as I have experienced the modern Catholic ritual often includes the cross, incense and the book of Gospels being carried in at Mass.

Firast question - can other things also join the procession? For example sacred vessels, book of readings...

Second question - is there a restriction on who can carry these objects in, or more particularly, are any of the objects restricted to the hands of the ordained?
 
Posted by Vaticanchic (# 13869) on :
 
The items carried in a full procession are necessarily limited, otherwise it just becomes a "load of stuff".

The Gospels should only be carried in if the Gospeller is someone other than the celebrant, and it would be a person in orders.

I suppose, really, it's only the Gospel book which would be carried in, because the rest of the objects are specifically for the procession. It's not really a "procession of stuff" - it's a procession of people, signified by the stuff.

I'm not entirely at ease with the Gospels being carried in, as it's a second icon of the Lord, after the processional cross. And I think, strictly, the cross shouldn't be used if there is a procession at the Gospel for the same reason.

On the other hand, servers like carrying stuff about.
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
In a true procession, any number of banners (loosely understood, in some parts of the world they are not made of wood), torches, statues and ikons may be carried. Normally, however, there is a clear focal point — e.g. the MBS (which, of course, must always be carried by a priest and even then not with his bare hands) or a processional statue. At a simple entrance, cross, lights, and gospel book are more than enough.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Couldn't the Missal be carried in procession if there were a bishop in procession? Maybe only if it's the local ordinary?
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Paragraph 120 of the GIRM explains how the entrance procession should work. The order is as follows: incense, cross and candles, other ministers, lector, deacon and priest. Built of Living Stones (2000 USCCB document) allows the use of processional banners, presumably held by the 'other ministers.' It's never quite clear to me who these are. I know some parishes put their EMHCs here. The DMC allows children to join the entrance procession, presumably with the other ministers.

The lector follows, carrying the book of Gospels if there is no deacon, holding it "slightly elevated." The lectionary should not be carried.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
What is the DMC please? Is the suggestion children join the procession simply that children join the procession - or do they do something / go somewhere.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Directory for Masses with Children.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
Certainly it must be okay for someone to carry the missal in the Palm Sunday procession. Expecting the priest standing at his presider's chair to read the Opening Prayer from a missal that is still lying all the way outside is just absolutely unacceptable.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Should the Gospel Book be carried OUT at the end of mass?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Should the Gospel Book be carried OUT at the end of mass?

I don't know what the GIRM says, but my understanding is that the 'procession' out is simply a utilitarian way for all the ministers to leave... hence it is done as simply as possible consistent with reverence. Nothing should be carried ceremonially.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Olaf:
Certainly it must be okay for someone to carry the missal in the Palm Sunday procession. Expecting the priest standing at his presider's chair to read the Opening Prayer from a missal that is still lying all the way outside is just absolutely unacceptable.

Yes, of course, the missal can be carried whenever there are opening rites before the procession.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Should the Gospel Book be carried OUT at the end of mass?

I don't know what the GIRM says, but my understanding is that the 'procession' out is simply a utilitarian way for all the ministers to leave... hence it is done as simply as possible consistent with reverence. Nothing should be carried ceremonially.
It's actually not terribly clear, but I've never seen it. The CB says that on reaching the sacristy, the ministers lay aside the articles they have used in the celebration. Presumably, this means cross and candles. The GIRM calls for the acolyte to leave in procession (193) but never calls for the lector to do so (cf. 194-8). Given that the lector would be the logical person to carry the book of gospels, I guess that's why it's not normally carried. Besides, it has already been set aside.

The IOM says that communion ministers can be in the exit procession if they are taking communion to the homebound. I've never seen this done, but I like the idea.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Just as a matter of interest what should happen to the Gospel book after the gospel? It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place. Shouldn't the altar be left clear until the offertory? (Not that it is in most Anglican joints.)
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
There are a variety of options. In most places I know, it just stays on the ambo. The BLS suggest providing a place for the permanent display of the scriptures in the sanctuary area. As far as I recall, I've only seen this once in a church where the ambo had a space in the front where the book could be displayed after it had been read. The GIRM says that the book may be put on the credence table at this point. The only times I've ever seen that is when the book has been carried to the chair for the bishop to kiss.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Just as a matter of interest what should happen to the Gospel book after the gospel? It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place. Shouldn't the altar be left clear until the offertory? (Not that it is in most Anglican joints.)

Carried by the subdeacon to the celebrant to kiss, then given to the MC, who gives it to an acolyte to place on the credence table (in our case, propped against the east wall). The book should be placed so that it does not have its back (spine) to the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
The book should be placed so that it does not have its back (spine) to the Blessed Sacrament.

[Confused]
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
The book should be placed so that it does not have its back (spine) to the Blessed Sacrament.

[Confused]
So the Gospel book goes on the credence table, behind the Gospel-side candle, leaning against the wall with its spine to the right so the book doesn't "have its back to the tabernacle" (which just above the middle of the altar).

That was one of those rules that wasn't known until it was done wrong. Not necessarily a universal liturgical rule.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
And the back of the book towards the front?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
And the back of the book towards the front?

Right, although it's got an ornate silver cover, so the back looks as good as the front.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Just as a matter of interest what should happen to the Gospel book after the gospel? It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place. Shouldn't the altar be left clear until the offertory? (Not that it is in most Anglican joints.)

Carried by the subdeacon to the celebrant to kiss, then given to the MC, who gives it to an acolyte to place on the credence table (in our case, propped against the east wall). The book should be placed so that it does not have its back (spine) to the Blessed Sacrament.
According to whom?

(Not that I'm dismissing what you're saying, I'm just wondering what kind of claim you're making: is this what you like, what your parish does, what some ritual book stipulates, etc.?)
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
According to whom?

(Not that I'm dismissing what you're saying, I'm just wondering what kind of claim you're making: is this what you like, what your parish does, what some ritual book stipulates, etc.?)

It's what we do, based on a celebrant whose rule about this became known gradually as we did this wrong (putting the book with spine toward the altar). I still haven't heard the rule taught in so many words and with clarity, and now that we're in a transition period, it might change.

My personal take on it: It's a bit much, but the advantage, if people know about it, is that it's a definite way to do it, and I think that's often valuable. I'm not fond of finding out about a rule I didn't know by hearing that someone was annoyed by my doing it wrong.

We do put a lot of emphasis on the Real Presence: genuflexions, avoiding back-to-the-altar at various times, and so on, but having books "face" the altar by having their spine away from it was a new one for me.
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Should the Gospel Book be carried OUT at the end of mass?

Leo, we have instituted this practice with the inference that the Word is being carried out into the world with action matching words. It blends so nicely


We feel that word and action merge faithfully and meaningfully. Might not work everywhere, of course.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Should the Gospel Book be carried OUT at the end of mass?

Leo, we have instituted this practice with the inference that the Word is being carried out into the world with action matching words. It blends so nicely


We feel that word and action merge faithfully and meaningfully. Might not work everywhere, of course.

When in Canberra, we go to St Paul's Manuka. As the final hymn is being sung, those in the Sanctuary recess to the back of the church, with the sub-deacon holding the Gospel Book high. As it passes each row, those standing there turn to keep facing it. The dismissal is done from the back of the church, then there is a short procession outside, the final dismissal of those in the Sanctuary is given, the priest returns to greet worshippers, and the remainder proceed to the vestry.

At home, the dismissal is done from the Sanctuary after the final hymn. The choir and those in the sanctuary then recess down the main aisle and outside, the Gospel Book again being held high by the sub-deacon, and the congregation turning towards it as it passes. The procession moves outside, final dismissal and while the priest and deacon (usually the assistant rector) return to the porch to greet people, the remainder process to the vestry.

Slightly different rules in wet weather of course.

Oblatus - did the rector then pull your other leg to keep you balanced? In all my years, i have never heard of ensuring that the spine is turned away from the MBS; indeed it seems to me to be a much better practice to keep the face of the Gospel Book facing outwards rather than to the wall.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:


I have no real problem with the book being carried out, and I certainly applaud the sentiment, but you've hit on one of my bugbears: if you're going to do the dismissal from the door rather than the sanctuary (which can work quite well), shouldn't you say "come" rather than "go"?
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
I have no real problem with the book being carried out, and I certainly applaud the sentiment, but you've hit on one of my bugbears: if you're going to do the dismissal from the door rather than the sanctuary (which can work quite well), shouldn't you say "come" rather than "go"?

We don't say the final dismissal from the sanctuary. During the final hymn the sanctuary party process down the aisle, the congregation folow, we then gather in the Lady Chapel and say the Angelus, THEn we say the final dismissal from the nearby back door. As the people are already gathered together (andf in the same place where we have coffee/fellowship time), the imperative 'Go' is not lost. I take you point if the people are still in their pews some distance from the door, though.

[ 22. August 2012, 00:43: Message edited by: Emendator Liturgia ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gee D:
When in Canberra, we go to St Paul's Manuka. As the final hymn is being sung, those in the Sanctuary recess to the back of the church, with the sub-deacon holding the Gospel Book high. .

I don't mean to raise the near Dead Horse of whether or not subdeacons exist, but even if they do, why does s/he carry the Gospel book? I would have thought the deacon, as the reader of the Gospel and presumably the one who carries the book in, should carry it out.
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
5 months since last there, but my recollection is that it is the sub-deacon who carries it. We still have sub-deacons here (not a Sydney point, an Aust Anglican point).
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
quote:
Originally posted by Gee D:
When in Canberra, we go to St Paul's Manuka. As the final hymn is being sung, those in the Sanctuary recess to the back of the church, with the sub-deacon holding the Gospel Book high. .

I don't mean to raise the near Dead Horse of whether or not subdeacons exist, but even if they do, why does s/he carry the Gospel book? I would have thought the deacon, as the reader of the Gospel and presumably the one who carries the book in, should carry it out.
The subdeacon carries the Gospel in the procession before the Mass and it is he who proffers it to be venerated by the priest. He holds it while the Gospel is read. Leaving is just leaving and isn't specificall ceremonial but it would follow that he would carry it out too.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
The subdeacon carries the Gospel in the procession before the Mass and it is he who proffers it to be venerated by the priest. He holds it while the Gospel is read. Leaving is just leaving and isn't specificall ceremonial but it would follow that he would carry it out too.

In our shack, nobody carries the Gospel book in or out: it lies flat on the altar until picked up by the deacon and carried to the sanctuary gate and given to the subdeacon to hold during its proclamation; then the subdeacon takes it to the celebrant to kiss and it's handed off twice to be placed on the credence table. There it stays until cleared by the acolytes during the postlude.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place.

If the altar is not a very pedantic place, which parts ofthe church are?
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
The subdeacon carries the Gospel in the procession before the Mass and it is he who proffers it to be venerated by the priest. He holds it while the Gospel is read. Leaving is just leaving and isn't specificall ceremonial but it would follow that he would carry it out too.

In our shack, nobody carries the Gospel book in or out: it lies flat on the altar until picked up by the deacon and carried to the sanctuary gate and given to the subdeacon to hold during its proclamation; then the subdeacon takes it to the celebrant to kiss and it's handed off twice to be placed on the credence table. There it stays until cleared by the acolytes during the postlude.
I'm sorry, Oblatus. I wasn't clear. I was summarising the Sarum rubrics as found in Orthodox practice. Of course, local tradition will vary.

I think the thing to remember is that a subdeacon is just that: an under-deacon. We exist as an extension of the diaconal liturgical ministry. This can be seen in how subdeacons serve in both east and west. In fact, I have seen videos of Episcopal Divine Liturgies in which there were no subdeacons and an overabundance of deacons. The archdeacon/protodeacon plus the two next seniormost deacons concelebrated as deacons after the normal order, while the surplus, more junior deacons did all of the things that I am accustomed to doing as a subdeacon, which is perhaps reflective of ancient practice. For instance, there were two of them attending the bishop, which is usually done by subdeacons in the east, even though this was anciently a diaconal ministry, (and remains so in the west).

While the subdiaconate does go back very far, (St Andeolus was martyred near the beginning of the 3rd century so the subdiaconate must date to some point in the 2nd century at the latest) there seems to be no doubt that it developed as an extension of the diaconal liturgical service, and it continues as such today. It seems not at all out of place, therefore, for the subdeacon to be the one to carry the Gospel Book, even though it is the deacon who reads the Gospel.

[ 22. August 2012, 16:06: Message edited by: The Scrumpmeister ]
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place.

If the altar is not a very pedantic place, which parts ofthe church are?
Ambos in Western churches* are, in my opinion, extremely pedantic, being as they are an attempt to recreated a half-imagined late antique liturgical past rather than accepting tradition as it has organically developed.


*Or should that be 'most' Western churches, I know there are a small minority that have genuine old ambos.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place.

If the altar is not a very pedantic place, which parts ofthe church are?
I think venbede meant that where (s)he used to be wasn't a pedantic place, not that the altar specifically was unpedantic.

[ 22. August 2012, 16:58: Message edited by: Basilica ]
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
Gosh! Who would have guessed?

(Though I've seen some pretty pedantic carvings on or behind the Holy Table in some churches)
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place.

If the altar is not a very pedantic place, which parts ofthe church are?
I think venbede meant that where (s)he used to be wasn't a pedantic place, not that the altar specifically was unpedantic.
I rather suspect that ken was indulging in a spot of mid-week pedantry himself, no doubt for his own amusement and ours. [Smile]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:

(Though I've seen some pretty pedantic carvings on or behind the Holy Table in some churches)

Like 'He is not here'?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Thank you basilica. In SoF parlance I was not at a very pedantic shack. Glad to increase the gaiety of the nations.

[ 22. August 2012, 19:52: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
It got left on the altar where I used to be, but that was not a very pedantic place.

If the altar is not a very pedantic place, which parts ofthe church are?
I think venbede meant that where (s)he used to be wasn't a pedantic place, not that the altar specifically was unpedantic.
I rather suspect that ken was indulging in a spot of mid-week pedantry himself, no doubt for his own amusement and ours. [Smile]
If my sarcasm detector was faulty, it's only because I read venbede's post four times before working it out, and, in my delight at figuring out what he meant, the sin of pride overtook me...
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Does anyone know (under US RC liturgical norms) whether you can say the creed on days in Mass when it's not assigned, just because you like Jesus? More specifically, as part of our observance of the Year of Faith in the seminary I've proposed we start saying the Apostle's Creed in the regular place at our weekday guest Mass. Our director wants me to check that's legit before we roll it out.
 
Posted by Ecclesiastical Flip-flop (# 10745) on :
 
If you are not sure, say the Apostles' Creed outside Mass.
 
Posted by Stranger in a strange land (# 11922) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Does anyone know (under US RC liturgical norms) whether you can say the creed on days in Mass when it's not assigned, just because you like Jesus? More specifically, as part of our observance of the Year of Faith in the seminary I've proposed we start saying the Apostle's Creed in the regular place at our weekday guest Mass. Our director wants me to check that's legit before we roll it out.

The GIRM says a profession of faith is to made on Sundays and solemnities and may be made at 'particular celebrations of a more solemn character'. To my mind that precludes using it at every Mass, to preserve a distinction for the more solemn occasions.

[ 24. August 2012, 12:32: Message edited by: Stranger in a strange land ]
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Why not do something fun like say it after the dismissal, thus after Mass. Then add an Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Prayer to St. Michael.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
I wonder instead if you might say the Apostles Creed directly before Mass -- as a sort of preparatory prayer. Let me also say that I dislike substituting the Apostles Creed for the Nicene within Mass, though interestingly this has been normative in some countries (e.g. Lithuania, IME, where it seems to have been part of the approved liturgy and oft times used at Sunday High Mass at the cathedral in Vilnius). A dogmatic profession of the faith was obviously a relatively late addition to the eucharistic liturgy in the West, and substituting the Apostles Creed for the Nicene symbol just makes one more arguably abberrant innovation. As a preparation before Mass, however, I would find corporate recitation of the Apostles Creed quite salutary.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
When I've been in Italy or Portugal, the daily evening mass is often preceded by the rosary, lead solely by lay women and occasionally laymen. Indeed I came across it at St Anselm's Tooting.

Wouldn't that be a good idea to include the Apostle's Creed?

[ 24. August 2012, 21:20: Message edited by: venbede ]
 
Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
Does anyone know (under US RC liturgical norms) whether you can say the creed on days in Mass when it's not assigned, just because you like Jesus? More specifically, as part of our observance of the Year of Faith in the seminary I've proposed we start saying the Apostle's Creed in the regular place at our weekday guest Mass. Our director wants me to check that's legit before we roll it out.

I don't think you can for the reasons Stranger in a strange land gave. What I think you could do is use it as a devotion immediately before or after mass the way they still recite the St. Michael's prayer after mass on EWTN. Another thing you could do is have it form the basis for the Prayers of the Faithful. You could write up a formula that draws intercessions from the text of the Creed and use that formula at the guest mass. It might go something like this:

"That our Almighty Father, maker of Heaven and Eearth, increase our faith. We pray to the Lord...

R. Lord hear our prayer.

That Our Lord Jesus Christ, his only Son, may X, Y and Z. We pray to the Lord....

R. Lord hear our prayer.

Etc., etc..."
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Stranger in a strange land:
The GIRM says a profession of faith is to made on Sundays and solemnities and may be made at 'particular celebrations of a more solemn character'. To my mind that precludes using it at every Mass, to preserve a distinction for the more solemn occasions.

GIRM 68... thank you! I don't know how I missed that when I was looking through. I think that would probably justify us using it at our once a week midweek guest mass, but not the rest of the week.
 
Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
What is special about your midweek guest mass? If it's merely having a priest from outside the community say weekday mass, I don't think that qualifies as "particular celebrations of a more solemn character". I think it would have have to be something on the order of marking the end of a special novena, or marking the anniversary of someone's entering the community or making their final vows, or marking the anniversary of a priest's ordination, or a renewal of wedding vows, or things of that nature.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
Or, perhaps, wanting to mark the data of Faith throughout the year the Year of Faith, where the Holy Father has asked for us to reflect on precisely the subject of Faith, Jesus Christ. In such circumstances, I think that IGMR68 would certainly permit that which Hart proposes, particularly in the University setting within which it is proposed.
 
Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
Would it be best to mark the solemn character in other ways as well? Like also using chant, incense, etc?
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
Yes.
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
What does the MC do in an RC or Anglican service? I'm guessing MC = Master of Ceremonies?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
What does the MC do in an RC or Anglican service? I'm guessing MC = Master of Ceremonies?

You're right; MC means master of ceremonies. This is a specific role with its own set of tasks and movements, as other roles like thurifer and acolyte and subdeacon have their own.

The MC serves in a solemn Mass, preparing the altar and sanctuary, overseeing the other servers and preparing them for anything different in the Mass about to be celebrated, and then during Mass the MC does specific things like hold the aspersorium (water pail), hold books as the celebrant chants prayers from them, give cues, pass objects from a sacred minister to an acolyte, remind forgetful servers what to do next, solve unexpected problems (Blessed Sacrament dropped/spilled, candle needing relighting, something missing), and be in specific places at specific times in the Mass to do these things.

I know MC brings to mind a guy with a microphone, or a rapper with baggy gold trousers, but the liturgical MC doesn't resemble either of those, at least not during Mass. [Smile]
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
What does the MC do in an RC or Anglican service? I'm guessing MC = Master of Ceremonies?

"MC" or master of ceremonies, in English, is simply a translation of the Latin
ceremonarius or magister ceremonarius.

I think the duties of the MC are explained briefly in another post.
*
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?

There's the prayers Aperi Domine before the office and Sacrosanctae afterwards, which some parishes use::

quote:
Open, O Lord, our lips to bless Thy holy name: cleanse our hearts from all vain, foolish, and wondering thoughts; enlighten our understanding, enkindle our affections, and grant that we may celebrate this Office with devotion, so that we may be heard in the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention with which Thou, whilest on earth, didst Thyself praise God, we offer Thee this office.

quote:
Let every creature give unending praise, honor, power and glory, throughout all eternity, unto the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, to the crucified humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the chaste motherhood of Mary, the ever-glorious and blessed Virgin, and to the entire assembly of the saints; and may we receive the forgiveness of all our sins. Amen.


[ 29. August 2012, 06:52: Message edited by: Edgeman ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
When I was MC at my last church, I spent of most of the time during mass as a human bookstand, and a long time after mass washing up. (Not complaining.)
 
Posted by (S)pike couchant (# 17199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?

There's the prayers Aperi Domine before the office and Sacrosanctae afterwards, which some parishes use::

quote:
Open, O Lord, our lips to bless Thy holy name: cleanse our hearts from all vain, foolish, and wondering thoughts; enlighten our understanding, enkindle our affections, and grant that we may celebrate this Office with devotion, so that we may be heard in the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention with which Thou, whilest on earth, didst Thyself praise God, we offer Thee this office.

quote:
Let every creature give unending praise, honor, power and glory, throughout all eternity, unto the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, to the crucified humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the chaste motherhood of Mary, the ever-glorious and blessed Virgin, and to the entire assembly of the saints; and may we receive the forgiveness of all our sins. Amen.

The second of those prayers is traditionally followed by the following versicle and response:

V: Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.
R: And blessed be the breasts which gave suck to Christ our Lord.

I'm surprised that this prayer isn't more widely used, particularly given the cry for more feminine imagery in worship.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
How does the role of MC in the Latin rite compare with that of Clerk as defined by the Parson's Handbook?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
In suspect clerks are less bossy and don't click their fingers every 5 minutes.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I never clicked my fingers. I just smiled despairingly.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I never clicked my fingers. I just smiled despairingly.

...whilst slowly rolling your eyeballs heavenwards, no doubt!

Been there; done that; no tee-shirt

PD
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
The late Canon Edward N West, ceremonarius altissimus of the Cathedral of StJohn the Divine, NYC, who stage-managed and directed/mc'd many a complicated liturgy, carried a field marshal's baton, within which was concealed a high-intensity flashlight. If a participant in liturgy wasn't watching for his cue, he was likely to get 'flashed' as we called it.
It worked quite well.
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
The late Canon Edward N West, ... carried a field marshal's baton ...

It was a field marshal's baton of a sort but made of silver tipped oak, rather more long the lines of a British officer's swagger stick. However the advent of compact electronic, wireless voice communication gear for use within the cathedral spaces spelled the end of the famed baton.
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
How does the role of MC in the Latin rite compare with that of Clerk as defined by the Parson's Handbook?

Well the two offices are not really the same thing, but they could certainly be combined, or more properly, conflated into the same thing. The care and direction of the more elaborate ceremonial of the Roman rites in both Latin and English could certainly be delegated to the parish clerk or the two roles can remain separate.

I think the Parson's Handbook envisions a moderate amount of English catholic ceremonial that could easily come under the care and direction of the parish clerk.
*

[ 01. September 2012, 06:14: Message edited by: Mr. Rob ]
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?

We use this before Evensong:

quote:
O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Was the Conception of John the Baptist ever celebrated in the western church? If it was, then why was it dropped?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Was the Conception of John the Baptist ever celebrated in the western church? If it was, then why was it dropped?

I do not believe that such a feast was ever observed, because St. John was conceived in original sin. Only Our Lord and Our Lady's conceptions, being free from sin, are observed as feasts. The Church has never specifically taught that St. John was sinless, but has come very close to that teaching, in reminding us that he was sanctified in his mother's womb and received singular graces as a result. It has long been understood by any number of theologians that this means that St. John was conceived in original sin, but not born into it. This is why his Nativity is celebrated, unlike other saints. In either event, there would be no feast of his conception, but of his nativity.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?

We use this before Evensong:

quote:
O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Which are the formal prayers said before Mass? I don't mean the vesting ones. Recently I attended a Mass where the priest said a prayer to Our Lady before mass, but can't find it via google. What comes up is a very long one.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Are there any formal Vestry Prayers for a sung/solemn celebration of the Divine Office? I am familiar with vestry prayers before Mass, I'm wondering if there are any such prayers for Solemn/Sung Matins or Evensong?

This post will overlap a bit with what others have written.

First, I don't believe you are going to be able to ape Roman, Latin, formal vestry prayers before the Anglican invention of Evensong or Morning Prayer. The Latin rite has everything starting in the sacristy for the mass, while for the hours of the office, folk just gather in choir. The processional flounce into the church and out again is just the Anglicans making things up. I'm sure folk will rush to correct me, if I'm wrong.

Nought wrong with making stuff up, though. And, Anglicans have been the best at doing so, though we seem to be off our game in the last half-century.

But, to answer your question, consider getting a copy of the The English Office Book. That's where these translations come from. To me, they come off the tongue much better than the ones from the Anglican Breviary.

The Aperi, Domine is not a vestry prayer, but rather one prayed in the place where the office is to be said:
quote:
Open thou my mouth O Lord to bless thy holy name; cleanse my heart from all vain, froward, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding, enkindle my affection, that I may say this Office worthily, attentively, and devoutly, and my be counted worthy to be heard in the presence of thy divine majesty. Through Christ, our Lord.
The prayer of St. Gertrude can follow:
quote:
O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith thou didst offer praise to God on earth, I offer this Service unto thee.
Then can follow the triple prayer: the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles Creed, though these are usually the first thing I say, followed by the Aperi Domine.

After the Marian antiphon after the office, can come the Sacrosanctae:
quote:
To the most holy and undivided Trinity, to the Manhood of our crucified Lord, Jesus Christ, to the fruitful virginity of the most blessed and glorious ever-Virgin Mary, and to the whole company of the Saints, be everlasting praise, honor, might, and glory from all things created, and unto us the remission of all our sins, for ever and ever.
One should probably replace "Manhood" with "Humanity".

Finally, after the "blessed the breast that fed" versicle/response, one could conclude with:
quote:
O most gracious Jesu, I give thanks to thee with my whole heart. Be merciful to me a most wretched sinner. I offer this act of worship to thy divine Heart, that thou wouldest correct whatever is amiss, and supply whatever is lacking, to the praise and glory of thy most holy Name, and to that of thy most blessed Mother; for the salvation of my soul and for that of all thy holy Church.
I've got all this written in minute type on a card I keep in my BCP/Bible ("The Brick"), though it is now firmly in memory.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Those prayers are an altered version of the prayers offered by altar servers in the sacristy before Holy Mass. We have them posted in English and Latin. They were not designed for the Office.

Orationes ante Missam Prayers before Mass

Aperi, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitateónibus; intéllectum illúmine, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hanc Míssam servíre váleam, et mérear exaudíri ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Open, O Lord, my mouth to bless Thy Holy Name: cleanse also my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding; enkindle my affections; that I may serve this Mass worthily, with attention and devotion, and so may merit to be heard in the presence of thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, hanc tibi Míssam persólvo.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention, wherewith Thou Thyself on earth didst render Thy praises unto God, I desire to offer this Mass unto Thee.

[untangled English and Latin]

[ 04. September 2012, 07:55: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Sorry, but the Latin-English columns did not transfer over to the above post. But you can see by the Latin that the prayer was written to be recited before Mass.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Ceremoniar,

May I commend to you the preview post feature? As a rule of thumb, more 'advanced' formatting features like columns, tables etc. will not work on the Ship's bb software so if you are pasting things like that it's well worth taking a look to see how it's going to turn out. As ever, the UBB practice thread in the Styx is also available to you.

seasick, Eccles host
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
Sorry, but the Latin-English columns did not transfer over to the above post. But you can see by the Latin that the prayer was written to be recited before Mass.

Are you sure? They were included in all versions of the Roman breviary prior to Vatican II, and the first versions of it we have are connected to books of hours and other devotional offices. It didn't become an (optional) part of the Roman office until much later, (I'm not sure when, at least by Pius V's time it was) but I'm almost certain that the prayer was originally connected with the office, and not the mass.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I associate

'Open thou our lips, O Lord,'
The prayer of St Gertrude, and the
Sacrosanctae

with the beginning and end of the daily Office. They are appointed for that use in the old Breviary, and Father did it that way when I woz a kid - so there!

Printed in some Missals are a series of longish prayers for before Mass by St Ambrose and St Thomas Aquinas, and afterwards by St Alphonsus, which I have always assumed were pious additions, rather than anything enjoined by Authority. Personally I think the Prep. - Ps.43, Confiteor, is quite enough - though at St Hardup's we usually do these in the Sacristy, though when I get the chance I avail myself of the prayer of St Alphonsus after Mass.

PD

[ 04. September 2012, 16:24: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I've looked up Percy. Indeed the clerk at a sung service with deacon does what an MC does and may read the epistle as well. S/he is equally at liberty to click fingers if judged appropriate.

MC sounds more show-bizzy, doesn't it?
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I associate

'Open thou our lips, O Lord,'
The prayer of St Gertrude, and the
Sacrosanctae

with the beginning and end of the daily Office. They are appointed for that use in the old Breviary, and Father did it that way when I woz a kid - so there!

Printed in some Missals are a series of longish prayers for before Mass by St Ambrose and St Thomas Aquinas, and afterwards by St Alphonsus, which I have always assumed were pious additions, rather than anything enjoined by Authority. Personally I think the Prep. - Ps.43, Confiteor, is quite enough - though at St Hardup's we usually do these in the Sacristy, though when I get the chance I avail myself of the prayer of St Alphonsus after Mass.

PD

Yes, there was a preparation for mass in the breviary and missal made of psalms and collects and other prayers.I always associated the preparation for mass with these. Interestingly, part of the old preparation was restored in the Roman Missal in 2002 by John Paul II.
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
Getting back momentarily to the Master of Ceremonies, would not that be basically the same role as that of the Verger? (widely used in US Episcopal churches -- don't know about elsewhere)
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by malik3000:
Getting back momentarily to the Master of Ceremonies, would not that be basically the same role as that of the Verger? (widely used in US Episcopal churches -- don't know about elsewhere)

That sounds as if you mean something *very* different by a "verger" from what we mean in England.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by malik3000:
Getting back momentarily to the Master of Ceremonies, would not that be basically the same role as that of the Verger? (widely used in US Episcopal churches -- don't know about elsewhere)

No, the MC in an Episcopal church is the lead lay eucharistic minister.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
quote:
Originally posted by malik3000:
Getting back momentarily to the Master of Ceremonies, would not that be basically the same role as that of the Verger? (widely used in US Episcopal churches -- don't know about elsewhere)

No, the MC in an Episcopal church is the lead lay eucharistic minister.
Well, in the sense that the MC kind of comes next after the subdeacon in terms of doing things up at the altar and handing things to the sacred ministers as well as sort of exchanging positions with the subdeacon (in a traditional solmen mass) at a point during the eucharistic canon. I think you'd do best to call the MC the head server in a solemn high mass or a fully staffed missa cantata. The MC also oversees and directs the action, often by a subtle nod of the head, eye contact and raised eyebrows, or less subtle gestures.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
I take your point, but the solemn mass, with deacons and subdeacons, is not what one finds in the hundreds and hundreds of Episcopal churches who just do their level best to have a decent Rite 2 Eucharist.

Eta: At any rate, whatever we call it, it isn't the same thing as a verger (getting back to malik's question).

[ 06. September 2012, 01:41: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
I've looked up Percy. Indeed the clerk at a sung service with deacon does what an MC does and may read the epistle as well. S/he is equally at liberty to click fingers if judged appropriate.

MC sounds more show-bizzy, doesn't it?

I mentioned to a non-churchgoing friend I was MCing one Sunday, and she said, "I didn't know you deejayed!"

As I understand the difference in modern Episcopalian usage, the vergers direct all traffic up to the altar rail, and the MC directs all traffic behind the altar rail.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
That's a good definition of the verger's liturgical role, but outside worship they traditionally functioned as caretakers for the building, as in the old definition: a good verger always minds his keys and pews.... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 
My parish church, which is MOR, has a decent Rite 2 Eucharist on Sundays. The clergy are all vested with chazzy, dalmatic, etc. The custom is that the presider and the preacher are usually different, and the preacher processes in wearing a cope, which the verger takes from him or her before the gosprl and brings back after communion. But it is in no way a "choreographed solemn high mass" such as higher up the candle churches have, nor is that its goal i would guess. In the weekly listing for upcoming roles the verger seems to have the task of making sure everything runs smoothly, including the sound system, and making sure all the readers have shown up. If one of the readers or the one who lrads the prayers of the people fail to show up, the verger does it. I'm not sure what his/her role is in our parish's very efficient communion distribution system (We also have a "head acolyte")

This seems very different from vergers in England. How does it compare to other U.S. Episcopal churches?

[ 06. September 2012, 10:05: Message edited by: malik3000 ]
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I think the verger/MC thing varies from place to place in the US - it's based on the resources and needs of particular churches, isn't it? My experience is with two cathedrals. At my home church (a cathedral), there are only ceremonial vergers. On staff there's a clerk of the works (who lurks on these boards - hi, if you're reading this!) who does a lot of what we vergers do outside of services at the cathedral where I work - in terms of caretaking, anyway.

But a verger can serve as MC. It's actually a natural fit if you can't spare someone else for MC duties. I'm not sure if that's what they do back home, but when I was a lector, I was supposed to report to the verger when I arrived, so I assume the verger was functioning also as MC.

Where I work, the MC is just someone who is rota'd for that role each week. It's normally a lay person (as clergy are needed for other roles), and one of our canons takes turns at it. The MC writes everyone's role up on the board (we have a chalkboard in the vestry with a diagram of the sanctuary and slots for all the roles, the MC fills names in) and writes out the processional order as well. Then they check off who arrives, and find replacements for roles that aren't filled. During the service, they open the curtain that we process out from (in the choir aisle, as that's where our vestry is), and generally keep an eye on things, especially during the distribution of Communion. I've never been an MC, so I can only say what I observe them doing.

Outside the liturgy, we vergers (where I work, anyway) generally tend to the space, set up for services (marking and setting out books, laying out vestments, moving furniture into place if needed, and, for weekday HE, setting the credence table), assist with weddings (in particular, running the rehearsal, taking care of the paperwork, and getting everyone in place on time for the service), that sort of thing. Lots of little odds & ends, including filling in the Register of Services and tallying up the numbers, doing small mending jobs, doing the laundry and ironing that the Altar Guild doesn't do, and so forth. We take on stuff that we see needs doing sometimes, if it's something we can do - for instance, I did some stop-gap staining and varnishing in the sacristy a few summers ago. Oh, and we serve as lay assistant during weekday masses, and officiate at Evening Prayer if no one else is rota'd. (It used to completely fall to us but our current dean changed that, so there's a rota M-F. We still take Saturday. The head verger does Morning Prayer on Saturday and I do Evening Prayer, generally.) We tend to candles, including the votive candles all around the church, and we polish candlesticks, processional crosses, and other metalware when necessary. We're kinda like the butlers in God's house. [Cool]
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
I'm about to begin looking for a new suit. I wear a grey clergy shirt (tab collar), with no plans to switch to black anytime soon. The ones I have are a rather dark grey for a shirt. What color suit do I need to look for? I would think black or charcoal, and my personal preference would be charcoal. Are there other suit colors I should look at?
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
Our lot don't have such things as MCs. At episcopal services, the bishops deacon (often an archdeacon) will be the one responsible for keeping clergy and servers in order. It seems a natural part of the diaconal role of maintaining the practical orderliness of worship. It is he who gives all of the practical directions both to celebrant and people: "Master, bless the holy bread", "Let us attend", "Let us depart in peace", "Stand upright", "Let us pray to the Lord", "Let us stand well, let us stand in awe, let us attend that we may offer the Holy Oblation in peace". These are all just codified elements of that role but it is not limited to them.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
Our lot don't have such things as MCs.

That's probably a good thing, considering the proximity of the ripidion, and the MC's instinct to "correct."

[ 09. September 2012, 15:53: Message edited by: Olaf ]
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Olaf:
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
Our lot don't have such things as MCs.

That's probably a good thing, considering the proximity of the ripidion, and the MC's instinct to "correct."
[Big Grin]

I very nearly had to use ours for its intended purpose today. We had a wasp in the altar for most of the Liturgy.

[ 09. September 2012, 16:16: Message edited by: The Scrumpmeister ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I have never researched this, but I have a suspicion based on chasing up the skinny a lot of liturgical alterations that happened to come from that period that the MC, like lace, makes a widespread appearence some time after Burchard - say, during the revision of the liturgy that occured after the Council (that's Trent for you Modernists [Biased] )

PD
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
I have never researched this, but I have a suspicion based on chasing up the skinny a lot of liturgical alterations that happened to come from that period that the MC, like lace, makes a widespread appearence some time after Burchard - say, during the revision of the liturgy that occured after the Council (that's Trent for you Modernists [Biased] )

PD

Is this when the Roman Mass became very heavily choreographed? If so, I can certainly understand the introduction of a role for someone able to hold it all together.

It would be interesting to know to what degree Russian practice was influenced by this. Our services are similarly choreographed, which I took for granted until I heard clergy from other Orthodox churches comment on how alien this seemed when they concelebrated in Russian churches.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Sort of, though reading mediaeval texts it was clear that things were quite complex even in 1350. I think the immediate post-Trent period is when they became obsessional about not making cock-ups in the Mass and produced the very precise rubric driven version of the Mass that to a large degree obtained in most places from the 1570s to the 1960s.

PD
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
On bells:

At a celebration of the Eucharist I attended recently bells were rung in the Eucharistic Prayer at the words of consecration.

They were also rung at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.

I seem to remember having come across this extra ringing before, but I'm not sure.

Is it common, and what is it 'saying'?
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
Try this... for some initial ideas.

Or any of the other pages that came up under it on the first page of a Google search.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
First, Paul Turner is The Commentator for me whenever I talk about non-official books about liturgy. This is my beloved commentator, listen to him.

Second, I've never heard bells at the Great Amen, but it's called Great for a reason -- why not emphasize that with some bells?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Yes - that is what many of us do - and it suggests that the whole prayer is consecratory rather than some 'magic words' in the middle.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
I don't think the bell-ringing is meant to suggest that the "magic words" are consecratory; the bell-ringing is meant to call attention to the elevations after the Words of Institution. The bells were rung so that people would look up from their rosaries and see the elements elevated, which was (most of the time) as close as they would come to receiving them.

Of course, the elevations themselves suggest that the Words of Institution are consecratory, and the bell-ringing would tend to support that. But then again, the bells are also rung during the Sanctus (hence the name "Sanctus bells"), and during the priest's Non sum dignus as well.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Thanks for helpful replies, and so quickly too.

I like the emphasis on the whole prayer as being significant and the great Amen with bells could emphasise this. I'd not quite thought of it that way before.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Quick tangent?

Has there been a discussion on whether all or a specific part of the Eucharistic Prayer actually confects the Eucharist?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
On bells:

At a celebration of the Eucharist I attended recently bells were rung in the Eucharistic Prayer at the words of consecration.

They were also rung at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.

I seem to remember having come across this extra ringing before, but I'm not sure.

Is it common, and what is it 'saying'?

My interpretation is that it means "This is a special moment." Doesn't necessarily mean this is the moment of [consecration/transubstantiation/confection], but is at least a moment to pay extra attention, give a moment to contemplation, etc. We do a short ring before the words of institution, ring during each elevation, and a short ring as the celebrant receives the Sacrament (which completes the cycle of actions; it also lets the people know it's time to come forward and receive). We do three short rings at the beginning of the Sanctus as well.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
On bells:

At a celebration of the Eucharist I attended recently bells were rung in the Eucharistic Prayer at the words of consecration.

They were also rung at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.

I seem to remember having come across this extra ringing before, but I'm not sure.

Is it common, and what is it 'saying'?

My interpretation is that it means "This is a special moment." Doesn't necessarily mean this is the moment of [consecration/transubstantiation/confection], but is at least a moment to pay extra attention, give a moment to contemplation, etc. We do a short ring before the words of institution, ring during each elevation, and a short ring as the celebrant receives the Sacrament (which completes the cycle of actions; it also lets the people know it's time to come forward and receive). We do three short rings at the beginning of the Sanctus as well.
That's more or less what we do as well, except that a short ring is done at each of the celebrant's "Lord, I am not worthy"s.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:

Of course, the elevations themselves suggest that the Words of Institution are consecratory, and the bell-ringing would tend to support that. But then again, the bells are also rung during the Sanctus (hence the name "Sanctus bells"), and during the priest's Non sum dignus as well.

Actually, in the modern Roman Rite, they're not elevations but expositions. The only elevation is during the doxology, leading into the Great Amen.
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
As far as I'm aware, we don't have the little bells in church in the Russian tradition. During the Anaphora, there is a ringing of a bell (in the belfry, although in many parishes an indoor bell is rung) twelve times during the hymn to the Mother of God, which follows the epiklesis. During this hymn, the priest continues praying, commemorating the whole communion of the Church: the patron saint of the parish, the saints of the day, and all the saints. Meanwhile, the deacon, who is censing within the altar, commemorates the departed. Immediately, after this, the bishop, the living, and all mankind are commemorated. When the bishop himself is serving, this is the point at which his candles are extinguished. There is very much a feel of climax at that moment, of the whole Church being gathered in communion with each other and the Holy Trinity, and all of the events of our salvation in Christ made present.

Yet, despite this, there are particular moments when the local presence of the risen and glorified body and Blood of the Saviour is emphasised and given due reverence. Among them are the dominical words and, explicitly, the epiklesis, when we all prostrate to the ground. There is a bell rung at the epiklesis in the Serbian tradition, and in some parts of the Russian church, the option is followed of moving the twelve bells from the hymn to the Mother of God to somewhat earlier, at the Creed.

I suppose that all this goes to show is that there is reverence given to the Holy Gifts at various points, even from prior to the Anaphora, and that the whole eucharistic action is seen as something of a whole, although there is consensus that, by the epiklesis, the Body and Blood of the Saviour are present.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:

Of course, the elevations themselves suggest that the Words of Institution are consecratory, and the bell-ringing would tend to support that. But then again, the bells are also rung during the Sanctus (hence the name "Sanctus bells"), and during the priest's Non sum dignus as well.

Actually, in the modern Roman Rite, they're not elevations but expositions. The only elevation is during the doxology, leading into the Great Amen.
Yes I can see that bells could suggest the words of institution are consecratory.

However, from another point of view could it not be argued they draw attention to the words as Dominical, that is to say they draw attention to the definitive moment, as opposed to the consecrative (I doubt there is such a word!).
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
Consecratory, but your meaning was clear. [Smile]

I also agree with your point that bells needn't necessarily imply a moment of consecration.
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:

... the bell-ringing is meant to call attention to the elevations after the Words of Institution. The bells were rung so that people would look up from their rosaries and see the elements elevated, which was (most of the time) as close as they would come to receiving them ...

Quite so. Jingle or Sanctus bells became part of the Mass, especially after the development of the Low Mass, when the words of the liturgy where not only in Latin, but were recited sotto voce in a way that could not be heard by those in church. The practice was thought to be part of the "mystery of the Mass." The people attending had no way of knowing what was happening at the altar unless bell signals called their attention to the important bits.

Fr. Weber mentions the people in church during Mass with their rosaries. Most of those people were illiterate. There were no handy, printed Latin-vernacular missals for them. So that meant the Mass was all visual movement and those bells. There certainly wasn't the participation of Holy Communion for them in the context of the Mass.

All of this means that bells should be a thing of the past for Roman Catholics and Anglicans alike, but the innate conservatism of religion often retains practices, particularly liturgical practices, that have lost usefulness. When that happens, as in the case of Sanctus bells, new meanings must be discovered or conjured for their retention. Hence, the aesthetic and devotional rationales, some of which are posted here.

Actually, Santusbells are long past any usefulness, except perhaps in the mission fields among the semi-literate populations. But of course the bells are still to be heard at Mass in many other places where the only real reason for them is a very traditionalist mind set.
*
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
quote:
Actually, Santusbells are long past any usefulness, except perhaps in the mission fields among the semi-literate populations. But of course the bells are still to be heard at Mass in many other places where the only real reason for them is a very traditionalist mind set.
The "Beauty of holiness" isn't useful anymore?
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
I don't think beauty is useful, no. Or if it is, that's never its purpose.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
I dunno. I think beauty can communicate the grace of God in its own way. We don't have to console ourselves with theology alone.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty' - John Keats.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Rob:
Actually, Santusbells are long past any usefulness, except perhaps in the mission fields among the semi-literate populations. But of course the bells are still to be heard at Mass in many other places where the only real reason for them is a very traditionalist mind set.
*

We are affcath but use bells with our smells. My mind wanders quite a lot so the bells call me back to the matter in hand.

Also, it's a teaching point with the kids.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
I think beauty can communicate the grace of God in its own way.

Of course it can! My problem was a utilitarianism that assesses parts of worship based on whether or not they're useful.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
Seems this is as good a place to answer the closing questions of MW Report 2440 as any, since it's so short and all:

quote:
2 – I enjoyed the style of service, and can imagine coming back again. However, I don't see how one can get involved. There was no announcement as to which liturgy was being used. There was no attempt to make conversation or draw our attention to any other church activities. There is no current information on any activities during the week or even wider social work available on the web. Where would one start?
For the most part, German churches don't do the sort of lay involvement one finds in English speaking countries. Churches are more or less considered to be a service the State provides its citizens like schools or hospitals. The buildings are maintained by the State, and priests are considered to be public employees.

To be fair, coffee hour and bible studies and the like are a fairly new thing in English speaking countries too. After confirmation, one didn't usually hang around church too much outside of services unless one was a vestryman. The wave of "education wing" constructions in the 90's was necessary because most church never needed a space for such at thing before.

[ 18. September 2012, 18:09: Message edited by: Zach82 ]
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
Quick tangent?

Has there been a discussion on whether all or a specific part of the Eucharistic Prayer actually confects the Eucharist?

I don't recall any such thread. It's a lengthy discussion, since there are differing views within and between different Christian traditions. There have been at least three views within Anglicanism alone: the Dominical Words of Institution; the Epiklesis; the entire Eucharistic prayer and action. To my knowledge, classical Lutheranism has the most straightforward view that it is explicitly the Dominical Words - Our Lord's "Word of Promise" - through which the Real Presence is effected within the celebration of Eucharist.

Why don't you start a new thread on the subject?
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:

... coffee hour and bible studies and the like are a fairly new thing in English speaking countries too. After confirmation, one didn't usually hang around church too much outside of services unless one was a vestryman. The wave of "education wing" constructions in the 90's was necessary because most church never needed a space for such at thing before.

I do remember the 1950s when perpetual, every Sunday coffee hours were introduced as a new thing following the main service.

I'm sure you're right about the education wing constructions of the 90s, but that has also been a perennial thing, mostly initiated during the periodic financial booms of the late 19th cen until the present day. No boom, no money for additions. The 1950s saw a boom in new church construction.

The 1920s had a huge boom in church building and in additions constructed for Christian education, with space for the works of the social gospel. In the 1920s we find the general advent of the parish house. as distinct from many an old rectory or church basement.

Further, the first half of the 20th cen saw large parishes such as New York City's St. Georges, Styvesant Sq, St. Bartholomew's, Park Ave, Trinity Wall St; in Boston, Emmanuel, Newbury St and Trinity, Copley Sq; and in Pittsburgh, Calvary Church, that were able to raise big money to build large and complex plants, super parish houses, for multi-purpose use.

Now they have to pay the utility and maintenance bills for a lot of that building still standing and in use. That's a point of course, if possible, to remember in planning.
*
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I think there is potentially rather more to the discussion about the MW report than can be appropriately handled on this thread which is intended for quick questions. I've created a new thread for discussion of the MW report and all further contributions regarding that should now be made on that thread.

Thank you for your cooperation.

seasick, Eccles host
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Why is a Catholic crucifix more likely to have Jesus' body on it than a protestant one that is usually empty?
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
Why is a Catholic crucifix more likely to have Jesus' body on it than a protestant one that is usually empty?

Evensong, the more punctilious of us would say that the question to be asked is: Why do Catholics use a crucifix and Protestants an empty cross in their churches etc.

The cross is often shown in different shapes and sizes, in many different styles. As you have pointed out in your question, the two main variants of it are:

a)crucifix form, that is, with a figure of Christ, often referred to as the corpus (Latin for "body"), affixed to it. Roman Catholic, A-C Anglican and Lutheran depictions of the cross are often crucifixes, in order to emphasize that it is Jesus and his sacrifice that is important, rather than the cross in isolation

b) the cross without the corpus, which in Protestant churches and views reflects that the resurrection is primary rather than as representing the interval between the death and the resurrection of Jesus.

Christians in the first three centuries used crosses for private devotions. But once Christianity was not longer a persecuted religion, the cross became its most visible symbol. The crucifix became more prominent in the fifth century. Scholars suspect that part of the delay was out of sensitivity to Christians who had had relatives executed by crucifixion.

Over the centuries, artists depicted Jesus' death in countless ways. During the Middle Ages, crosses were studded with heavy jewels. Irish crosses were intricately geometrical. Baroque art showed Christ suffering, his head cast back, his mouth open in agony.

The issue of crucifix or cross can be often contentious. Catholics say they prefer crucifixes to remind them of the depth of God's love. Protestants prefer crosses without a body to emphasize the Resurrection. Orthodox have icons that depict the crucifixion but prefer plain crosses to wear as jewelry.

As a personal prefernce, my choice is for a Christus Rex: we have a very fine example mounted behind the altar in our worship centre, and I wear one during many times of the year. For the penitential seasons, however, I prefer the symbolism associated with a crucifix.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Presumably one issue is that strict protestants would argue that a crucifix with carved figure is a graven image and so against the Ten Commandments.
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
In 1956, the then Arhcbishop of Sydney, Howard Mowll, asked the principal of Moore Theological College, Broughton Knox, how he should respond to the request of a number of churches seeking permission to place large crosses (plain, protestant crosses, mind you) on or above their altars. This was not the first time that an Arhcbishop seemed to need the direction or guidance (permission?) of the principal of Moore College in matters liturgical.

Knox replied that such crosses were likely to be used for superstitious worship because idolatry is not he worship of a statue instead of God as much as worship even of the true God by means of materialistic presentations. "If we persistently worship God with the aid of material things, or religious life will be confined to the lowest elements of our soul, the sensuous, and we will never truly know God."

Mamkes one wonder whether the 1950s was an extension of Cromwell's Commonwealth rather than the Anglican Church in the twenith century!
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
So not exactly attuned to, er, the Incarnation, then? Sounds like Gnosticism or Manicheeism to me.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:

The issue of crucifix or cross can be often contentious. Catholics say they prefer crucifixes to remind them of the depth of God's love. Protestants prefer crosses without a body to emphasize the Resurrection. Orthodox have icons that depict the crucifixion but prefer plain crosses to wear as jewelry.

Thank you Emendator Liturgia. I was aware of the theological differences in the expressions but not really sure how they came about historically...?

I spent some weeks in Austria some years ago and was quite taken aback at the gruesomeness of some of the crucifixes!

Interesting you say it's to emphasize God's love. I got the impression it was about emphasizing Jesus' suffering - which (at the time) seemed to me to be a kind of penal substitution atonement theology that was prevalent amongst some protestants.

So needless to say I was a bit confused!. [Big Grin]

So the orthodox emphasis in a church would be a cross with a corpus too?

And why would a protestant emphasize the resurrection more than a catholic?? [Confused]

Too many questions perhaps. [Smile]
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
So the orthodox emphasis in a church would be a cross with a corpus too?

Most of the Orthodox crucifixes I've seen have a painted but flat figure of Christ, rather like the Franciscan one, except that the figure is often raised in the form of a flat cut-out of the body with the figure of Christ painted onto it. This needs input from Orthodox shipmates, but I'm under the impression that Orthodoxy is more comfortable with two dimensional paintings than three dimensional statues.

It sounds as though Broughton Knox was a very appropriate name. Was he any relation?
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
So the orthodox emphasis in a church would be a cross with a corpus too?

Most of the Orthodox crucifixes I've seen have a painted but flat figure of Christ, rather like the Franciscan one, except that the figure is often raised in the form of a flat cut-out of the body with the figure of Christ painted onto it.
Responding firstly to Evensong'a question: I'm not sure that I would call it an emphasis. We depict the Saviour on the Cross in our icons because He was on the Cross. This is unrelated to any difference that may exist between Catholics and Protestants in the reasons for their preferences for a Cross with our without corpus.

On the point of the raised corpus, most Orthodox churches will have a large Cross somewhere in the church. In some places it will be permanently available for veneration by the faithful somewhere in the church, perhaps off to the side somewhere, and in some places it will be stored away.

Its actual liturgical use is on Holy and Great Friday. At Matins on that day (actually served on the Thursday evening) twelve Passion Gospels are read, interspersed with various hymns and antiphons of the Passion. At the point in the readings where they come to Golgotha, the Cross is brought out ceremoniously during the singing of the beautiful fifteenth antiphon, and placed in the middle of the nave for the meditation and veneration of the purple during the rest of the readings and hymns.

A possible reason that you may sometimes see a raised corpus on such a Cross is that, in the Greek tradition, the exists a custom of having a detachable corpus with holes in the hands and feet. The empty Cross is set up at the beginning of Matins, and at the fifteenth antiphon, it is the corpus alone that is brought out. The priest then nails it up to the Cross during the service, with dowels that go into the holes.

According to the rubrics that I have, the Cross is then simply removed prior to Vespers of Holy Friday but a Greek custom seems to involve leaving it up and removing the corpus during Vespers, wrapping it up in a burial shroud, and carrying it around the church in procession.

That said, I know one Greek Orthodox priest who told me this is not Greek custom and that I must be mistaken, while another Greek Orthodox priest told me it most certainly is a Greek custom, and that he strongly disapproved of it because he saw it as a departure from the Orthodox theology of the icon and a reduction of it to mere puppetry. I have seen videos of this in Greek churches but the discrepancy suggests to me that it might be a later custom that never became universal in the Greek church.

The Russian church seems not to know of these customs but simply has the Cross icon as a focus of meditation and veneration. I don't recall having seen the corpus raised on the large Cross in Russian churches as it is generally not detachable. I am sure that variety exists, though.
 
Posted by Utrecht Catholic (# 14285) on :
 
With regard to the use of crucifix or simple cross, I have discovered that Roman-Catholics, the Scandinavian and German Lutherans have always the Crucifix,the Cross with the Body of Christ.
Among Anglicans, some churches have a simple cross on the altar and a crucifix above the pulpit.
With the Anglo-Catholics you will always find the crucifix.
I particularly like the The Christus Rex figure, a beautiful example is found at the high-altar of the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in New-York.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:


And why would a protestant emphasize the resurrection more than a catholic?? [Confused]


I know that the cross sans corpus is often rationalized by Protestants as being about the resurrection rather than the crucifixion, but I suspect the issue is really iconoclasm. Many (though of course, not all) Protestants are very uncomfortable with images in church.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
and placed in the middle of the nave for the meditation and veneration of the purple during the rest of the readings and hymns.

The Freedom Charter was adopted in South Africa by the ANC and other movements at the Congress of the People in 1955. It's slogan "The People shall govern" was often used during protests in the apartheid era, and would appear as graffiti in all sorts of places.

In 1989, in the dark days of heavy-handed state response to anti-Apartheid protests, in addition to the usual tear-gas, sjamboks, batons etc the South African Police made use of a new weapon: they sprayed the protesters with water-cannons containing purple dye. This made it easy for the police to pick up protesters later on.

Immediately a new slogan was daubed across buildings in Cape Town: The purple shall govern!

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:


And why would a protestant emphasize the resurrection more than a catholic?? [Confused]


I know that the cross sans corpus is often rationalized by Protestants as being about the resurrection rather than the crucifixion, but I suspect the issue is really iconoclasm. Many (though of course, not all) Protestants are very uncomfortable with images in church.
I agree - I've heard the argument that the empty Cross symbolizes the fact that Christ is Resurrected but this makes no sense. He got taken down because He was dead, and would still have been had He remained so! Seems to confuse the Cross with the empty tomb, which certainly *could* be interpreted as symbolic in this way.

I agree it is discomfort at making a graven image - a cross is one thing as it 'just' a sign, a depiction of a Divine Person might seem to be inviting of idolatry...
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
and placed in the middle of the nave for the meditation and veneration of the purple during the rest of the readings and hymns.

The Freedom Charter was adopted in South Africa by the ANC and other movements at the Congress of the People in 1955. It's slogan "The People shall govern" was often used during protests in the apartheid era, and would appear as graffiti in all sorts of places.

In 1989, in the dark days of heavy-handed state response to anti-Apartheid protests, in addition to the usual tear-gas, sjamboks, batons etc the South African Police made use of a new weapon: they sprayed the protesters with water-cannons containing purple dye. This made it easy for the police to pick up protesters later on.

Immediately a new slogan was daubed across buildings in Cape Town: The purple shall govern!

[Big Grin]

[Hot and Hormonal]

I have just begun to use TouchPal and am still getting used to its peculiarities. [Smile]

[ 19. September 2012, 19:10: Message edited by: The Scrumpmeister ]
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
So the orthodox emphasis in a church would be a cross with a corpus too?

Most of the Orthodox crucifixes I've seen have a painted but flat figure of Christ, rather like the Franciscan one, except that the figure is often raised in the form of a flat cut-out of the body with the figure of Christ painted onto it. This needs input from Orthodox shipmates, but I'm under the impression that Orthodoxy is more comfortable with two dimensional paintings than three dimensional statues.

Correct, Orthodox churches and the faithful do not use three dimensional images or statues as objects of devotion. Orthodoxy uses icons instead. And it's not merely a preference or a comfort level for the Orthodox, but statuary is explicitly forbidden. That also includes three dimensional crucifixes which, of course are flat, and the corpus of the crucifix is always painted on the cross. The cross part itself is not counted as a three dimensional object.
*
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
What Mr. Rob says is generally right. Statuary is used in Orthodoxy but it is a minority usage and is the subject of disagreement touching on both ancient precedent and canonical propriety.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Can Scrumpmeister or another Orthodox clarify, please? I've heard it written by non-Orthodox that icons are not graven images because they are painted and therefore OK without recourse to John of Damascus' arguments for the use of matter.

On the other hand, I seem to recall Orthodox writers (Kalistos of Dioclea?) saying that was not strictly true: there are Orthodox uses of three dimensional images, although rare.
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
Can Scrumpmeister or another Orthodox clarify, please? I've heard it written by non-Orthodox that icons are not graven images because they are painted and therefore OK without recourse to John of Damascus' arguments for the use of matter.

On the other hand, I seem to recall Orthodox writers (Kalistos of Dioclea?) saying that was not strictly true: there are Orthodox uses of three dimensional images, although rare.

Metropolitan Kallistos is correct. The Greek word icon has come into English with a particular association of "flat, painted picture" because that is what is most commonly seen in churches where icons are in common use. However, the Greek word itself, which is used in the ancient discussions of this matter simply means image, which has a much broader meaning. If you read the decree of the seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicaea II, which condemned the iconoclast heresy), as well as the treatises of St John Damascene and St Theodore the Studite (whose treatise is quite different in tone from those of St John and is well worth the read), on the Holy Images, there is no discussion that focuses in any length specifically on graven images - at least not to my recollection.

Those two fathers affirm the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity - his entering the limited, describable world in the human nature which is contrary to the ulimitable, unfathomable divine nature - and the resultant redemption of matter for holy use, to be put to holy purpose, and to be used as a means of venerating holy people and holy things, and indeed of grace. They distinguish between what is limitable and so can be captured in space/time, represented in matter, and what is unlimitable, and cannot be so represented. They show how a denial of this is, in effect, a denial of the effects of the Incarnation of the Saviour, and thus contrary to the Christian confession of Faith. But they do not seem to focus on graven images as opposed to other types of image. In fact, the fathers of the Council worded it thus:

quote:
We, therefore, following the royal pathway and the divinely inspired authority of our Holy Fathers and the traditions of the Catholic Church (for, as we all know, the Holy Spirit indwells her), define with all certitude and accuracy that just as the figure of the precious and life-giving Cross, so also the venerable and holy images, as well in painting and mosaic as of other fit materials, should be set forth in the holy churches of God, and on the sacred vessels and on the vestments and on hangings and in pictures both in houses and by the wayside, to wit, the figure of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, of our spotless Lady, the Mother of God, of the honourable Angels, of all Saints and of all pious people. For by so much more frequently as they are seen in artistic representation, by so much more readily are men lifted up to the memory of their prototypes, and to a longing after them; and to these should be given due salutation and honourable reverence (ἀσπασμὸν καὶ τιμητικὴν προσκύνησιν), not indeed that true worship of faith (λατρείαν) which pertains alone to the divine nature; but to these, as to the figure of the precious and life-giving Cross and to the Book of the Gospels and to the other holy objects, incense and lights may be offered according to ancient pious custom. For the honour which is paid to the image passes on to that which the image represents, and he who reveres the image reveres in it the subject represented. For thus the teaching of our holy Fathers, that is the tradition of the Catholic Church, which from one end of the earth to the other has received the Gospel, is strengthened. Thus we follow Paul, who spoke in Christ, and the whole divine Apostolic company and the holy Fathers, holding fast the traditions which we have received. So we sing prophetically the triumphal hymns of the Church, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Rejoice and be glad with all your heart. The Lord has taken away from you the oppression of your adversaries; you are redeemed from the hand of your enemies. The Lord is a King in your midst; you shall not see evil any more, and peace be upon you for ever.”
So even the most ardent defenders of the iconographic tradition in the face of its fiercest opposition did not limit themselves to a discussion of paint on wood. To them, the discussion was about holy images and representations more widely understood.

Whether this included statuary is a matter of some disagreement. I cannot claim to be any expert here. I am not an iconographer or church historian. However, from discussions that I have followed and presentations that I have watched, here are some of the viewpoints that I have encountered, particularly concerning statuary among Western Rite Orthodox:


The debate goes on but you get the idea.

Forgetting about western statuary, there is a widespread eastern tradition of relief iconography, which is sort of flat but is nonetheless three-dimensional, and examples of which can be found all over the Orthodox world. There are those who produce icons in this style today particularly with blind people in mind, so that they can feel the holy images and offer their veneration.

My own personal view on the matter of statues is perhaps not dissimilar to a view that exists about Western Rite conformity to the Council of Trullo, with its prohibition on weekday celebrations of the Eucharist during Lent. It is clear that this council had an anti-Roman feel about it and many of the things of which it spoke negatively were things that were well established customs of the western church and had been for centuries. The pre-schism western tradition might have legitimately been that these things were permissible, and the Orthodox Church in the west had a legitimate right of protest at the time to defend its local manifestation of the received tradition. However, as the western church departed from Orthodoxy and the Orthodox view has developed over the course of the past millennium to a universal understanding that these things are not permissible, (indeed, the canons of Trullo were affirmed by the Sixth Ecumenical Council and have become very much entrenched in Orthodoxy since then), western converts to Orthodoxy today, wishing to express their Orthodoxy in a western fashion, should conform to this ecumenical Orthodox mindset where western custom differs from it. They have come back to the family, and the family has been happy for them to practise their western customs insofar as they are in keeping with wider Orthodox understanding, but they are still the great, great, great &c. grandchildren of those who stormed out of the family a thousand years ago. The family's view has since developed and become established, so that right of protest has long gone. That is, people should embrace the Orthodoxy that they find and not the Orthodoxy they they want. New converts can be very good at telling the Church how it should be doing things - I can say that from experience of how I was - but that is not what it is to be open to conversion of heart and mind, and to settling into a new home.

Only last month at ROCOR's Western Rite conference, Metropolitan Hilarion told those convert communities that had been celebrating Corpus Christi and keeping Sacred Heart devotions to knock it on the head until such things could properly be assessed for their conformity with Orthodox understandings. I think that there is wisdom in this.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
I agree - I've heard the argument that the empty Cross symbolizes the fact that Christ is Resurrected but this makes no sense. He got taken down because He was dead, and would still have been had He remained so! Seems to confuse the Cross with the empty tomb, which certainly *could* be interpreted as symbolic in this way.

I agree it is discomfort at making a graven image - a cross is one thing as it 'just' a sign, a depiction of a Divine Person might seem to be inviting of idolatry...

Never thought of it that way.

Thanks all for your insights! Youse are a veritable treasure trove of highly specific info. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
What should one do if, while serving a Mass, the priest skips part of it obviously by mistake? Recently, a priest skipped from the peace to communion, leaving out the Lamb of God and Behold the Lamb of God. Should I have whispered instructions to the priest?
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
In that particular example, New Yorker, I would have not tried to alert/correct the celebrant, as it would be conceivable that he could be engaging in some intentional, if rather odd, shortening of the liturgy. I assume this was a said mass and therefore these brief phrases would not have taken long at all to include, but still, I wouldn't presume. At the risk of embarrassing the celebrant, I might have innocently asked afterward, " Father, did you intend to omit...?" That might then provide an opportunity to ask if in future he would like you to alert him if he skips over something, or preferably he would volunteer his preference in that regard without your having to ask.

If it were a mass in which you had an MC-like role, I think it would be naturally appropriate to try to alert him to any aberration as soon as it occurred, so that he could try to correct it (though sometimes it's more awkward to try to do a mid-course correction than simply to go on as though nothing has been botched).
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
We had that a church I was attending - poor Father got us to make the general confession of our sins in the usual way, then forgot to absolve us [Paranoid]

He added it in after the first reading when a server had pointed it out to him!
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Years ago, while attending the main Sunday Mass at my parish in Atlanta, a new priest, ordained the day before, skipped the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer after the memorial acclamation. That was a head turner!

In my case I should have said something to the priest afterwards, but frankly I did not because I thought it would embarrass him!
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
I was at a priest's first mass where she omitted 'This is my body....'

Surely it's the intention that counts.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
That's what an assisting priest at one's first two masses is for!
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
This happens all the time in my [Lutheran] church. The pastors we have been receiving don't seem to know how to use the Altar Book, and don't seem to be familiar with the order of service*. Most of them seem to have been spoiled in past churches by having 20-page bulletins that have every single word uttered by pastor and congregation printed out. We don't do that, a fact about which they invariably complain.

When a mistake is made, I just "offer it up" and don't say anything.

*Any Catholic or Episcopal priest could easily come into our church and lead a liturgy "cold" using the Altar Book, with about five minutes of prep time to figure out where to set the markers and to set them. It's not exactly rocket science.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Recently, I saw a communicant receive on the tongue with arms outstretched in an orans position. That's a new one on me. Has anyone else ever seen this?
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
Recently, I saw a communicant receive on the tongue with arms outstretched in an orans position. That's a new one on me. Has anyone else ever seen this?

Not for years. There were a few parishioners from a charismatic prayer group at S George's in Ottawa (now SS Peter & Paul in the schismatic Network) who used to do this.
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
What should one do if, while serving a Mass, the priest skips part of it obviously by mistake? Recently, a priest skipped from the peace to communion, leaving out the Lamb of God and Behold the Lamb of God. Should I have whispered instructions to the priest?

This happened to me many years ago, when I was serving the late (and highly-respected, indeed revered) Canon Harry Hobbs. For some reason he had looked in my direction when he turned to face the people and I mouthed "the Lamb of God." He then did the missing bits and I do not know if anyone noticed the glitch. Afterward, he quietly thanked me and told me that he yet again learned the lesson which he was given in seminary decades before, to not trust his memory. He said it was not as embarrassing as forgetting the words of the Lord's Prayer halfway through.

However, I think Lietuvos' advice is fairly sound-- redoing bits can often lead to confusion and, if the accident is of a part generally thought to be essential, one hopes that the fervency of the congregation's devotion will supply any defect.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
That's what an assisting priest at one's first two masses is for!

He told me, when i bought it to his attention afterwards, that he hadn't noticed.

To be fair, there were lots of press photographers in the gallery and lots of flashlights going off because she had been the first woman to be priested in England - done alphabetically and her name begins with an 'A'.
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Is it acceptable for a crucifer to vest in tunicle if it is a Procession at a Solemn Office and not a Eucharist?
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
Only if the priest is wearing a cope.
 
Posted by scuffleball (# 16480) on :
 
When Common Worship was introduced, there were green congregational booklets, called something like "Morning and Evening Prayer," for main Sunday non-Eucharistic services. Was the service in them the same as used in Common Worship daily prayer, or are they a distinct service?

(The tendency for main Sunday non-Eucharistic services in the C of E seems to be increasingly services of the word, making such books somewhat redundant.)

On an unrelated note, am I right in understanding that "Celebrating Common Prayer" was used mainly by Anglicans, but not published or particularly endorsed by the Church of England or any other Anglican church? Or was it more like the ASB version of "Daily Prayer"? Or somewhere in between? I remember someone saying it was Franciscan, not on this chatroom, but I forget who.

[ 08. October 2012, 21:25: Message edited by: scuffleball ]
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
I've been thinking of trying to (re) introduce tunicled crucifers into my parish. Does the person stay in the tunicle the whole service, or do they lay it aside unless they're actually carry the cross? And how often do you use them?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by scuffleball:


On an unrelated note, am I right in understanding that "Celebrating Common Prayer" was used mainly by Anglicans, but not published or particularly endorsed by the Church of England or any other Anglican church? Or was it more like the ASB version of "Daily Prayer"? Or somewhere in between? I remember someone saying it was Franciscan, not on this chatroom, but I forget who.

Yes, probably; no; sort of; yes; yes it was.

To clarify: it was produced by the Society of St Francis as a general version of their specifically Franciscan office book, which had remodelled the ASB offices into a more traditional form and included Midday and Night Prayer. So it was the precursor of Common Worship: Daily Prayer which is very similar. It was not an 'official' C of E publication but it was commended in a very positive foreword by none other than Archbishop George Carey.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
I've been thinking of trying to (re) introduce tunicled crucifers into my parish. Does the person stay in the tunicle the whole service, or do they lay it aside unless they're actually carry the cross? And how often do you use them?

the whole time. Bit cumbersome otherwise.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
it was commended in a very positive foreword by none other than Archbishop George Carey.

Despite him, it is a good resource.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
I've been thinking of trying to (re) introduce tunicled crucifers into my parish. Does the person stay in the tunicle the whole service, or do they lay it aside unless they're actually carry the cross? And how often do you use them?

They remain so vested throughout in my experience.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by scuffleball:
When Common Worship was introduced, there were green congregational booklets, called something like "Morning and Evening Prayer," for main Sunday non-Eucharistic services. Was the service in them the same as used in Common Worship daily prayer, or are they a distinct service? ...

I think I know the answer to that, but am quite happy to be corrected by someone who actually does.

I think the green books contain Morning and Evening Prayer for Sundays from the Sunday, not the Daily Prayer Common Worship book, i.e. the one with a black cover that also has the Communion Service in it. So they provide a full congregational Service of the Word for Sunday Morning or Evening corresponding to Matins and Evensong, rather than the minimal version you can get away with to comply with the Common Worship rubrics.

What is confusing is that the Daily Prayer book also includes daily offices for Sunday, which are quite different.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Comper's Child:
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
I've been thinking of trying to (re) introduce tunicled crucifers into my parish. Does the person stay in the tunicle the whole service, or do they lay it aside unless they're actually carry the cross? And how often do you use them?

They remain so vested throughout in my experience.
Yes, and I've only ever seen tunicled crucifers on major feast days, and a minority of those at that, even in those parishes that sometimes put their crucifers in tunicles. Having said that, I quite like tunicled crucifers.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
We want to throw them into amice, alb, and tunicle on Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christi, Presentation, the Assumption, Feast of Title.

As it turns out, it's usually just for Christmas and Easter.

It means the crucifer must be an older acolyte, at least a teenager. It also means that there has to be a spare adult acolyte to make sure crucifer gets vested properly. Sometimes there just isn't enough brain-width to get that attended to in addition to everything else.

We are not oversupplied with acolytes, so the vested crucifer has to doff the subdeacon's kit and get back into regular cincture and cotta in order to serve as a torch at offertory and the canon.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Can anyone point me to a simple recipe for baking bread for the Eucharist.

Unleavened, please. Like Nan bread, I guess.

If you like just link to it. [Smile]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Can anyone point me to a simple recipe for baking bread for the Eucharist.

Unleavened, please. Like Nan bread, I guess.

If you like just link to it. [Smile]

I've made matzoth in the past for Passover meals -- that's probably the kind of thing you want.

The only necessary ingredients are flour and water, but I add a little salt for flavour. Put a few ounces of flour in a mixing bowl, then gradually add water and mix in until you get a nice dough.

Then split it into however many parts you like and roll them out into rounds, then bake them on a baking tray at a fairly low heat (c. 150C) until they start to brown.

If you want to make kosher matzoth, you have to make sure that no more than 18 minutes passes between the addition of the water to the flour and the dough going in the oven. Note also that they are very brittle and you will have lots of crumbs to clear up. (I personally would not use matzoth for the Eucharist for this reason -- it's just not practical to go around the sanctuary on your hands and knees licking up crumbs with your tongue.)
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Hmm

Not sure that would work for us either.

It's more the nan type than the crispy type I had in mind.

[ 11. October 2012, 19:45: Message edited by: Percy B ]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Hmm

Not sure that would work for us either.

It's more the nan type than the crispy type I had in mind.

Naan bread is leavened (note that unleavened =/= flat).

If you're going for authentic unleavened bread, matzoth is really your only choice -- it is the bread for the Passover meal. If, on the other hand, you just want something vaguely flat and aren't bothered about technicalities, there are dozens of recipes for naan or pitta on the internet: Google is your friend...
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
I do get a little annoyed at times when people say Google is your friend! Sometimes I find it is, sometimes it isn't.

One of the befits of asking here rather than Google is to hear the experience of others and to be able to discuss or ask a little more.

What I am looking for is a simple recipe for communion bread which comes out flat and not crispy and could be given to one or two people to produce for some house Eucharists.
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Hmm

Not sure that would work for us either.

It's more the nan type than the crispy type I had in mind.

I would suggest starting with water, adding a little (olive) oil and salt and then gradually add flour. Stir it and keep adding flour to make a dough. Knead for about 5-10 minutes then either with a rolling pin or by hand flatten the dough (around 5mm is about right) and cut into the size that you want. Put in an oven on a baking sheet around 200-220C for around 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack ASAP.
EDIT: I've not made communion bread specifically but I have made a lot of bread of various types, including naan and pitta. I suggest an experiment first.

[ 11. October 2012, 20:03: Message edited by: Arethosemyfeet ]
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
What I am looking for is a simple recipe for communion bread which comes out flat and not crispy and could be given to one or two people to produce for some house Eucharists.

Percy, if you're looking for something like naan, you might look for recipes for chapati. It is unleavened, and I've known of churches that have used it for communion.
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
But IIRC it's chewy and gets caught in the teeth...
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Maybe Mama T
But I have to say the wafers used on a Sunday sometimes stick to the roof of my mouth.

What's wrong with chewy by the way! It is food after all.
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
We want to throw them into amice, alb, and tunicle on Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christi, Presentation, the Assumption, Feast of Title.

As it turns out, it's usually just for Christmas and Easter.

It means the crucifer must be an older acolyte, at least a teenager. It also means that there has to be a spare adult acolyte to make sure crucifer gets vested properly. Sometimes there just isn't enough brain-width to get that attended to in addition to everything else.

We are not oversupplied with acolytes, so the vested crucifer has to doff the subdeacon's kit and get back into regular cincture and cotta in order to serve as a torch at offertory and the canon.

This was the main reaosn I asked. At one parish I used to attend, the crucifer removes their tunicle after the gospel and does regular serving duties till the prayer after communion, where they put it back on for the exit. Since at our place, the crucifer has duties at the offertory, I think the only way I'll be able to convince the powers that be to reintroduce it is if we do the same. I can only see us using one a couple times a year, Christmas, our feast of title, and Easter. Possibly Corpus Christi if we're spared the usual summer heat.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
Glad to oblige by telling you our custom.


[At our prayer shack, the crucifer has no part in the gospel procession.]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
For those of us who have to be mindful of such considerations, I am trying to work out when the 'invalid matter' alarm bell should go off for bread for the Eucharist. I know that Anglican rubric and custom allow either leavened or unleavened bread, but at what point does adding stuff to it make any claim that it is 'the best and purest wheaten bread that may conveniently be gotten' invalidated?

Given the amount of conditioners, favour enhancers and preservatives in modern shop bought bread I have become a bit loathe to use it for the Eucharist. As we have no-one who can regularly commit to baking loaves for use at the Eucharistic I have reverted to commercially produced waferbread to make sure we are on the safe side. It is also very convenient to just order a couple of boxes from the nearest church supply house as required.

PD

[ 12. October 2012, 04:23: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
I suspect "conveniently be gotten" is your let out for using shop bought bread. You should just buy Taste The Difference rather than Warburtons.

Realistically though, wafers have a number of advantages, not least if you plan to reserve some of the elements.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
We are looking for the simple recipe so that different people can make it for a weekday fellowship. Some of the people are not particularly articulate and we encourage participation in different ways.

A simple recipe would help
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Percy B

Daisymay has posted a recipe a while ago for what you want.

Jengie
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
That's great. Thank you Jengie J

[ 13. October 2012, 14:03: Message edited by: Percy B ]
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
We are looking for the simple recipe so that different people can make it for a weekday fellowship. Some of the people are not particularly articulate and we encourage participation in different ways.

A simple recipe would help

I thought I'd already posted one. Was it unclear?
 
Posted by recklessrat (# 17243) on :
 
Hi all,

Have noticed recently that whilst my priest genuflects at the breaking of the bread, at Westminster Abbey, the priest usually seems to just bow. Am I right in attributing my priest's genuflection to her Catholic background or might there be some other explanation for the difference?
Thanks!
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by recklessrat:
Hi all,

Have noticed recently that whilst my priest genuflects at the breaking of the bread, at Westminster Abbey, the priest usually seems to just bow. Am I right in attributing my priest's genuflection to her Catholic background or might there be some other explanation for the difference?
Thanks!

Perhaps the other cleric's knees no longer permit him (or perhaps never did) to execute a genuflection. As well, a few Sarum-inlcined clerics prefer a bow, and some of the orthophiles do a profound bow (at the waist). As they are all forms of reverence, I see no problem in this with the possible exception of there being a row of clerics, all reverencing in varying ways, which might confuse people.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Which way is s/he facing at the altar? If it's 'versus populum' it seems to many more reverent to bow, as genuflecting makes one look like a jack-in-a-box. Though why one should do either at the breaking of the bread seems odd. Words of institution, or the end of the eucharistic prayer, more appropriate.

[ 16. October 2012, 21:15: Message edited by: Angloid ]
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
Well, if the bread's broken at the words of institution, then the genuflection is happening at both the verba and the fraction, right? [Big Grin]
 
Posted by recklessrat (# 17243) on :
 
Both priests were facing towards the congregation.
I must admit I hadn't considered knee/mobility problems, but the Abbey priest doing the bowing appeared to be able to walk/move around without difficulty, although that doesn't mean he doesn't have knee problems of course.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by recklessrat:
Both priests were facing towards the congregation.
I must admit I hadn't considered knee/mobility problems, but the Abbey priest doing the bowing appeared to be able to walk/move around without difficulty, although that doesn't mean he doesn't have knee problems of course.

There's a tradition reflected in Percy Dearmer's writings (and is probably much older) in which genuflexions are rare or non-existent and bows are done instead. In many Episcopal churches in the USA, I'd not be surprised to see some people bow and nobody genuflect (except me, maybe). I don't think there's anything peculiar (heh, heh) about the priest at Westminster Abbey bowing.
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
For those of us who have to be mindful of such considerations, I am trying to work out when the 'invalid matter' alarm bell should go off for bread for the Eucharist. I know that Anglican rubric and custom allow either leavened or unleavened bread, but at what point does adding stuff to it make any claim that it is 'the best and purest wheaten bread that may conveniently be gotten' invalidated?

Given the amount of conditioners, favour enhancers and preservatives in modern shop bought bread I have become a bit loathe to use it for the Eucharist. As we have no-one who can regularly commit to baking loaves for use at the Eucharistic I have reverted to commercially produced waferbread to make sure we are on the safe side. It is also very convenient to just order a couple of boxes from the nearest church supply house as required.

PD

There are lots of Eucharistic bread recipes and links to sources here

Ecumenical Altar Bread Recipes (OSB sourced)

Account is taken of the various traditions among Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox and Protestants. But since Google is our friend, you can find lots of other recipes online with baking instructions to suit your altar bread needs and preferences.

I bake my own bread from scratch, and I have also baked lots of Eucharistic breads. Both are wonderful things to know and to do. For a parish church, make a devotional project of learning how because familiarity with a baking process, the ingredients and the finished results makes it much easier over time.
*
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
I am a big advocate of using hosts in the Eucharist, but a reoccurring question hereabouts is how to handle Eucharistic adoration with leavened bread. You can't put a muffin in a monstrance, but how about the asterisk?
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
PD, that site that Mr. Rob linked to you looks ok, although a couple of the links are broken. But one in particular, the "Pennsylvania Altar Bread" link, is a recipe I've used before. Make a test batch first, because I found it to be a bit too crumbly. I hate vacuuming up bits of Jesus, so I try to be careful about such things. Anyway, I've tinkered with the recipe a bit, and I've decided that it's the whole wheat flour that's to blame. But I don't really know a good answer, aside from maybe putting in white flour.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
I've always said that bread is 90% technique, 10% recipe, but I'm surprised to see a recipe for wheat bread without at least some white flour to hold it all together.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
I am a big advocate of using hosts in the Eucharist, but a reoccurring question hereabouts is how to handle Eucharistic adoration with leavened bread. You can't put a muffin in a monstrance, but how about the asterisk?

When is this adoration taking place? I wouldn't have thought it was terribly practical to reserve leavened bread as it would go dry and not be able to be consumed afterwards. If adoration is taking place as part of the Eucharist, or immediately after it, I don't see why you couldn't simply expose the consecrated bread on the paten.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
In the Roman rite, leavened bread is not permitted for eucharistic use.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
I don't have my resources handy, so some quick questions:

Can RC deacons or laypeople ever sprinkle holy water? Can they bless the water?

I think I know the answers, but am wary enough to ask for confirmation.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Anyone can splash holy water about. Laypeople cannot but Deacons can bless the water (The Book of Blessings 1390: "But when the blessing of water takes place outside Mass, the rite given here may be used by a priest or deacon.")
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
Thanks, Triple. Chalk it up to a blond moment.
 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
While it is obvious that Jesus probably used some form of Matzo when he gave us the Eucharist, it is very interesting that all references to the bread that is used in the New Testament is the Greek word for leavened or ordinary bread.

Seems that the writers realized not everyone is going to have unleavened bread available.

That said, if there is any unleavened bread left over from the Eucharist, it should either be consumed by the congregants or spread out for birds to eat it since it will likely go stale or get moldy if it is adored.
 
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
It won't go stale or moldy in a day or two. If left for weeks, yes. And surely not set out for the birds. Why am I reminded of the fate of poor Prometheus whenever I hear of this custom?
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gramps49:
That said, if there is any unleavened bread left over from the Eucharist, it should either be consumed by the congregants or spread out for birds to eat it since it will likely go stale or get moldy if it is adored.

What a fascinating thought - that the consecrated bread will go mouldy if it is adored. I wonder, though, why no Catholic Church has ever had this problem.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
Where did the bird idea come from?

I sort of assumed that RC rules say it is to be reserved until eaten. Anglicans have traditionally eaten all the consecrated bread there and then, until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

So who thought up the birds?
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
I think it started with the idea of spreading the leftover host on consecrated ground. I don't understand it m'self. If you're going to be High Church in the same church as Low-Churchers, you're going to have to pretend to not see things from time to time.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
I think it started with the idea of spreading the leftover host on consecrated ground.

I was recently told that this is allowed under the rubrics/canons of the Church of England. I have been unable to find anywhere that says this is so: the BCP and CW both seem to me to say that the remaining elements are to be consumed.

Can anyone confirm this?
 
Posted by teddybear (# 7842) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
I am a big advocate of using hosts in the Eucharist, but a reoccurring question hereabouts is how to handle Eucharistic adoration with leavened bread. You can't put a muffin in a monstrance, but how about the asterisk?

In the days before the Second Vatican Council, up to the short time afterward, the Eastern Catholic Churches that used leavened bread would do Benediction using a special monstrance that was made to hold the square Lamb. I tried to find a picture of one, but couldn't find one. I'm sure they are very hard to find now, except maybe in Ukraine.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
. I have been unable to find anywhere that says this is so: the BCP and CW both seem to me to say that the remaining elements are to be consumed.

CofE rule is to consume all the elements, always has been. How that squares with "communion by extension" is beyond me. If I didn't know better I'd suspect that the rules were deliberatly vague and self-contradictory in order to allow people to argue that whatever it is they happen to do is legal. [Biased]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
CofE rule is to consume all the elements, always has been. How that squares with "communion by extension" is beyond me. If I didn't know better I'd suspect that the rules were deliberatly vague and self-contradictory in order to allow people to argue that whatever it is they happen to do is legal. [Biased]

CW rubric (page 182): 'Any consecrated bread and wine which is not required for purposes of communion is consumed at the end of the distribution or after the service.' [my italics] That answers your question surely. Whether 'communion by extension' , let alone Benediction, should ever become a norm is a different question, but most people have no objection to taking the sacrament thus consecrated to the sick.
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
It won't go stale or moldy in a day or two. If left for weeks, yes. And surely not set out for the birds. Why am I reminded of the fate of poor Prometheus whenever I hear of this custom?

quote:
Originally posted by ken:
Where did the bird idea come from?

I sort of assumed that RC rules say it is to be reserved until eaten. Anglicans have traditionally eaten all the consecrated bread there and then, until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

So who thought up the birds?

Obviously based in a different attitude toward the nature of the elements, especially after the conclusion of the Eucharist, but setting the left-over bread out for birds is, in my experience, a common Presbyterian practice. I always found it quite reverent, in a something of Franciscan sort of way.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
quote:
Obviously based in a different attitude toward the nature of the elements, especially after the conclusion of the Eucharist, but setting the left-over bread out for birds is, in my experience, a common Presbyterian practice. I always found it quite reverent, in a something of Franciscan sort of way.
John Knox would, I am sure, find it all to be ridiculous sentimentality and would take the leftovers home for lunch.
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
John Knox would, I am sure, find it all to be ridiculous sentimentality and would take the leftovers home for lunch.

No doubt he would find it overly sentimental, though I would hope he'd give the leftovers to the poor for lunch. [Big Grin]

Though now I'm curious what the historic practice in the Kirk was.
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
The clerk would take it home for lunch.
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
Perhaps arising from the practice, if I recall correctly, that the clerk was responsible for providing the elements.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

I think most C of E churches reserve, even some evangelical ones.

The predominance of Lay Ministers/Readers and delegation, by presbyters, to them of home communions means that a presbyter celebrating a mini-eucharist in people's homes happens less often these days.
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

I think most C of E churches reserve, even some evangelical ones.


Most 'active' ones perhaps, but statistically Ken is probably right. Think of all those country churches with only occasional services.
 
Posted by Custard (# 5402) on :
 
If you exclude reserving for purposes of HC by extension (and Good Friday, and so on), I'd be very surprised if most active C of E churches reserve the sacrament.

I guess that shows that our experience of different bits of the C of E in different bits of the country is different!
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

I think most C of E churches reserve, even some evangelical ones.


Most 'active' ones perhaps, but statistically Ken is probably right. Think of all those country churches with only occasional services.
Yes - OK - but those churches are likely to be grouped into a united benefice where ONE, probably the one nearest the vicarage, reserves 'on behalf of' the rest.

[ 22. October 2012, 17:23: Message edited by: leo ]
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
until reservation came in in the late 19th century - and many, I'd guess most, CofE churches don't reserve.

I think most C of E churches reserve, even some evangelical ones.


Most 'active' ones perhaps, but statistically Ken is probably right. Think of all those country churches with only occasional services.
Yes - OK - but those churches are likely to be grouped into a united benefice where ONE, probably the one nearest the vicarage, reserves 'on behalf of' the rest.
Maybe most benefices; probably not most churches.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I'm sure a lot more churches reserve than used to even 10 or 20 years ago. And apart from Bradford (? ) I'm pretty sure that all cathedrals do. I wonder if there are any statistics available? (still talking C of E of course: apologies to others)
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
In all of the churches I have served over the past 25 years, the sacrament has been reserved; whether for home communions of for extended communion services in the absence of the priest/s.
 
Posted by KevinL (# 12481) on :
 
Thurification Question: three triple swings for the Body and Blood, from whence does this custom come? Modern RC practice, at least in the U.S., is three doubles (ductus). But three triples is persistent in the memory and instinct of many. I'm interested in opinions from various traditions. Thanks!
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by KevinL:
Thurification Question: three triple swings for the Body and Blood, from whence does this custom come? Modern RC practice, at least in the U.S., is three doubles (ductus). But three triples is persistent in the memory and instinct of many. I'm interested in opinions from various traditions. Thanks!

I'm not sure where it comes from, but the instruction in the current version of Fortescue, O'Connell and Reid's Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, which describes the Tridentine rite and its associated ceremonies, requires three double swings. One presumes, therefore, that this is the old custom.

I agree, however, that three triples for the sacrament is widely practised...

[ 28. October 2012, 11:57: Message edited by: Basilica ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by KevinL:
Thurification Question: three triple swings for the Body and Blood, from whence does this custom come? Modern RC practice, at least in the U.S., is three doubles (ductus). But three triples is persistent in the memory and instinct of many.

Three triples was never the RC custom pre-1970, and the post 1970 books do not specify the precise number of swings.

People's natural instinct is to assume that the Blessed Sacrament must receive more swings than anyone or anything else, so the three triple thing comes naturally from that line of thinking. This is not a new thought, as Fortescue himself says that there is no such thing as a triple swing, which suggests that even in his day, people were doing it erroneously. Since the newer books doe not specify, the triple swing has earned a larger foothold. But three doubles is the Church's tradition in this rehard.
 
Posted by KevinL (# 12481) on :
 
Thanks Basilica and Ceremoniar; was three triples ever the authorized custom anywhere?
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by KevinL:
Thanks Basilica and Ceremoniar; was three triples ever the authorized custom anywhere?

Nope. Seen in places, but never authorized.
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
I'm pleased to learn that it isn't just an Anglican affectation. It's still forbidden in my sanctuary, though!

Thurible
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
I'm pleased to learn that it isn't just an Anglican affectation. It's still forbidden in my sanctuary, though!

Thurible

Same here. One of the things that drives me nuts is the way in which some folks cannot resist juicing up Fortescue-O'Connell or Ritual Notes 11. Both date from a time when some reform and simplication of ceremonies had taken place. Although I am not an Anglo-papalist who perpetually looks over my shoulder at what Rome is doing, I do see the point that if one is going to do the so-called Western ceremonial one should adapt it to the Anglican Rite from a living form - either that of the Liturgical Books of Pope John XXIII's era, or from the present edition of the Novus Ordo.

Just my 0.02

PD
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
I know that the US edition of the GIRM has its own rules on when to kneel and stand during the Eucharistic Prayer which are different from the editio typica. I remember the e.t. being followed in Rome (at least on this point... most of the time), but as far as I recall England, Mexico and Haiti all do it the "US way." Can anyone confirm my recollection or have other info on international practice?
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
... Although I am not an Anglo-papalist who perpetually looks over my shoulder at what Rome is doing, I do see the point that if one is going to do the so-called Western ceremonial one should adapt it to the Anglican Rite from a living form - either that of the Liturgical Books of Pope John XXIII's era, or from the present edition of the Novus Ordo.

Why? If you allow that people can adapt things at all, the starting point isn't 'what somebody else might have been doing once' or even 'be doing now' but 'what you're doing at the moment'.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
I know that the US edition of the GIRM has its own rules on when to kneel and stand during the Eucharistic Prayer which are different from the editio typica. I remember the e.t. being followed in Rome (at least on this point... most of the time), but as far as I recall England, Mexico and Haiti all do it the "US way." Can anyone confirm my recollection or have other info on international practice?

That's one of those things that the local Episcopal Conference can decide on. The editio typica says:
quote:
the faithful should kneel at the Consecration, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause.

However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. Where it is the practice for the people to remain kneeling after the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and before Communion when the Priest says
Ecce Agnus Dei (This is the Lamb of God), it is laudable for this practice to be retained.

Many continental countries have people kneel only for the Consecration and then standing again for the rest of the EP as per the editio typica. I think Canada repeats the e.t. passim, but I know England and Wales and Australia say what the US edition says.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
I know that the US edition of the GIRM has its own rules on when to kneel and stand during the Eucharistic Prayer which are different from the editio typica. I remember the e.t. being followed in Rome (at least on this point... most of the time), but as far as I recall England, Mexico and Haiti all do it the "US way." Can anyone confirm my recollection or have other info on international practice?

That's one of those things that the local Episcopal Conference can decide on. The editio typica says:
quote:
the faithful should kneel at the Consecration, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause.

However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. Where it is the practice for the people to remain kneeling after the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and before Communion when the Priest says
Ecce Agnus Dei (This is the Lamb of God), it is laudable for this practice to be retained.

Many continental countries have people kneel only for the Consecration and then standing again for the rest of the EP as per the editio typica. I think Canada repeats the e.t. passim, but I know England and Wales and Australia say what the US edition says.

Do you have a copy of the Tertia Typica (before the "altera" came into being)?

I could be mistaken, but if I recall correctly, the original GIRM for the Tertia Typica did not have the provision. When it was released in English, there was a bit of a panicked freak-out.

Of course, the Dubium was posed at that time, and the response almost made it seem like those in the CDW were surprised that anybody still knelt at those points, and basically said "go for it." In fact, the response used almost exactly the same text as appears to be included in the new English missal GIRM.

I wouldn't be surprised if this Dubium (driven by Americans, of all people) might have been what prompted the change in the GIRM altera.

Then again, I could be wrong, but I do distinctly recall a version of the "new" GIRM being released about a decade ago and freaking people out about standing during the EP.

(One standing issue that seems to be disappearing is the old pop-up for the Prayer over the Gifts. In the "olden" days...pre 2000ish...people seemed to remain seated for the
Orate Fratres and response, and then popped up immediately thereafter. Now, it seems people stand at the beginning of the Orate Fratres more commonly.)
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
I only know of the one edition of the tertio editio typica of the Roman Missal, no altera. Therein is the GIRM and the relevant instruction as part of it:
quote:
Ubi mos est, populum ab acclamatione Sanctus expletausque ad finem Precis eucharisticæ et ante Communionem quando sacerdos dicitEcce Agnus Dei genuflexum manere, hic laudabiliter retinetur.

 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
My apologies, as my Latin obviously stinks. There must have been some reason for the Dubium. Ah,
here it is explained that the part you quoted in the most recent post was added later.

My confusion was the update to the missal about 4 or 5 years ago that added in additional saints. I had thought the "laudably retained" passage was added then, too. Sorry about the mix up.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Ah, different moment. That particular dubium I remember well because of the brouhaha. There were some bishops in the US who issued an instruction that all the faithful should remain standing after receiving communion - that is no kneeling. It was a daft instruction and not part of the GIRM at all. But that's not about kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Ah, different moment. That particular dubium I remember well because of the brouhaha. There were some bishops in the US who issued an instruction that all the faithful should remain standing after receiving communion - that is no kneeling. It was a daft instruction and not part of the GIRM at all. But that's not about kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer.

You're right. It's all coming back to me. They also demanded standing for the Ecce, Agnus Dei as well. In any event, the phrasing of the GIRM was similar to the dubium's response, which crossed my brain wires. (Brain wires? Time for bed.)
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
... Although I am not an Anglo-papalist who perpetually looks over my shoulder at what Rome is doing, I do see the point that if one is going to do the so-called Western ceremonial one should adapt it to the Anglican Rite from a living form - either that of the Liturgical Books of Pope John XXIII's era, or from the present edition of the Novus Ordo.

Why? If you allow that people can adapt things at all, the starting point isn't 'what somebody else might have been doing once' or even 'be doing now' but 'what you're doing at the moment'.
The trouble is what you are doing at the moment may be a complete shambles due to several generations of priests and MCs adding their own little bits and pieces. That is usually a really good time to reset the clock so that there is a reasonable chance that someone from outside might be able to follow what you are doing. It has also been my experience that at least in mod.-Catholic circles in the USA there is much less variation than one would find in the UK, or for that matter in the RCC in the US.

PD
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Sainted Percy on a now closed thread:
I don't know if I should just add this to my Sarum Use thread, but it is a seperate book and strictly speaking not a part of the Sarum Use - I've found a copy of the 'Altar Book' by a 'Committee of Priests' which apparently contains a heavily Sarum-interpolated Order of Mass with the Gelasian Canon, full rubrics and private prayers. It sounds, forgive me, a Godsend, but the bookseller would like nearly two hundred pounds, which, although liturgical books always run to the expensive; and it's a beautiful book, could be put towards something else out of tight budgets!

Does anyone have a copy and is it suitable? To what extent to the Sarum interpolations run? if it's merely the BCP with a small selection of Prayer Book Catholic propers, well , there are less expensive ones and I will press on with the Sarum Missal, but from the description it sounds far fuller and I'm very, very strongly inclined to buy it, but I can't see it in person.


 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
For your description it sounds a lot like an altar version of the 'People's Missal' which was sort of an English Use version of what Dearmer described as 'the worst sort of liturgical book.' i.e. the sort that included all sorts of interpolations! [Biased] My pew version is even worse for additions than the English Missal or the Anglican Missak and seems to work o the theory that if there are three ways of doing something, let's include all of them! To my mind this makes it inferior to Dearmer's The English Liturgy and its "Western Use" counterpart The English Missal. It appeared just before World War 1, which probably ensured its obscurity, as that was not a time when liturgical books were on everyone's mind, and the 'back to Baroque' movement after WW1 probabl killed it completely. This was much the same as the original English Missal (1908), and the SSPP version of the Anglican Missal (1921) and it kind of got lost in the shuffle.

Of course, without pix, I could be completely wrong as to the identity of the book.

PD
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
It's one of the books on this page - try searching for (capitals important) Altar Book.

Hah! Blessed Percy would have loathed it, I'm sure. As you know bodging and patching has always been very Anglo-Catholic!

I agree that the sort of attitude showed by Knott and the Committee of Priests can lead to a bit of a hash (there is a spectacularly strange Missal (The Missal and People's Missal by G.A.L. Clark) of sorts from the Edwardian period with Ambrosian Use and Eastern admixture to a BCP Order!, if I could get a copy of Dearmer's English Liturgy I certainly would, but I can't find one anywhere. Nevertheless, I'm rather fond of this sort of thing and do feel [I know you'll disagree with me] that the Communion (i.e. Mass) Order in the 1662 BCP is rather inadequate in theological terms more for it's omissions than any outright heresy.

Anyway,I'm digressing. Thank you very much - your description sounds pretty good, I think I will buy it, notwithstanding anything more you can tell me about it from there.

[ 04. November 2012, 13:49: Message edited by: The Sainted Percy ]
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
Sorry - read Its for It's. Bad grammar is inexcusable. You can get a picture of the book here.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Well it isn't the altar version of the People's Missal, that would have been printed about 1913 or 1916. However, it seems to be a twentieth century book in the same vein as Directorium Anglicana. That is, basically BCP, but heavily supplemented from Sarum rather than Roman sources. If it floats your boat go for it.

I am actually a bit more of 'a patcher and mender' than you might think. I learned to say Mass using a large 1662 (with notes in the margin), altar cards and the English Hymnal for the Introit and Gradual. If you want a one phrase description think "Interim Rite Plus" and you won't be far off. The thing I was careful to do was to keep it BCP enough that it did not cause a major meltdown in the congregation, so there were quite a few added bits I kept in the 'mystical voice.'

PD
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
Ah, the Anglo-Catholic 'mystical voice'. [Razz] Thank you - I happened to find Percy Dearmer's English Liturgy last night so I might well buy both.It's a far more coherent liturgy, and I hope the question below will settle it.

If the Hosts would allow me to ask a completely different question on one post (sorry!, it's semi-theological and a bit long, so feel free to move it, I don't know where else to put it.

The great 'problem', the inadequacy I was talking about, with the Common Prayer Book Order of Holy Communion is this passage, the Prayer of Oblation
quote:
Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble
ſervants entirely deſire thy fatherly
goodneſs, mercifully to accept this our ſacrifice
of praiſe and thankſgiving; moſt humbly beſeeching
thee to grant, that by the merits and
death of thy Son Jeſus Chriſt, and through
faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church
may obtain remiſſion of our ſins, and all other
benefits of his paſſion. And here we offer and
preſent unto thee, O Lord, ourſelves, our ſouls
and bodies, to be a reaſonable, holy, and lively
ſacrifice unto thee; humbly beſeeching thee,
that all we who are partakers of this holy Communion,
may be fulfilled with thy grace and
heavenly benediction.

It's long been the practice amongst Prayer Book Catholics to restore this to its proper place in the Canon of the Mass (in fact, the Non-Jurors did just that in the 1700s as did certain Caroline Divines. Percy Dearmer makes no mention of this practice; and I cannot but feel he would have disapproved. However, wherever you place the Prayer of Oblation is irrelevant (well, it isn't, but the meaning does not alter even if the Roman Canon position is adopted). The problem is in the words 'sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving' and 'we present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies'.

Percy Dearmer assures us that the English Church retained a deep faith in the Real Presence, but how can 'an offering of praise and sacrifice' and 'our souls and bodies' imply a sacrificial Mass?

Let us take the Prayer of Oblation from the Use of Sarum:
quote:
Quam oblationem tu, Deus, in omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris: ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi
The translation (by Warren) runs 'Which oblation, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that thou wouldest vouchsafe in all respects to bless, approve, ratify, and make reasonable and acceptable, that it may become to us the Body and the Blood of thy most dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ'

I hope other shipmates can see the problem - the 'oblation' of the Canon of the Mass is quite plainly the spotless, immaculate, sinless Lamb of God, while the 'offering' of the BCP Prayer of Oblation seems to be 'ourselves', the spotted, stained, sinful body and soul of Man.

It seems difficult to defend the Prayer Book Communion Order from this point, even if, as Percy suggests, it might be possible to append the Prayer of Thanksgiving at all times (a suggestion made by the Archbishop of York, although Dearmer questions his authority to disregard the rubrics.

Am I simply heavily misinterpreting the Prayer of Oblation? Can a sacrificial Mass be given, as Percy Dearmer's English Liturgy suggests, from the Prayer Book alone, (for, after all, the English Liturgy leaves the Prayer Book 'Canon' untouched)?
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
Sorry, I ran out of time to edit - the practise I am referring to is the Interim Rite, It's long been the practice amongst Prayer Book Catholics to restore this to its proper place in the Canon of the Mass and pray the Lord's Prayer before the distribution of the elements before communion - that is, the Interim Rite - Percy Dearmer makes no mention of this practice; and I cannot but feel he would have disapproved. The Prayer Book of 1549 and the Scottiah [rayer Book of 1929 both retain a sacrifical emphasis, with a Canon, albeit one cunningly constructed so that either a Catholic or a very High protestant opinion can be taken.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
I don't see how acknowledging that the Mass is, at least in one of its facets, a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, changes the basic facts of what is being done, i.e. re-presenting before God the Father Almighty the one,full,perfect and unrepeatable oblation made by Christ, in order that through this anamnoesis we may be united in the one oblation of Christ, thus continually appropriating unto ourselves the merits of Christ's self-oblation, this grace and unity being made most particularly manifest as we take the full and real presence of Christ into ourselves through physical reception of the consecrated elements. The words of the BCP prayer of oblation - restored to the consecratory canon, as it has always been in the American liturgies - convey the presentation of ourselves in union with the oblation of Christ and thus covering ourselves in this "one, true, pure, immortal sacrifice" (as a well-known hynm puts it). IOW, again to quote from the same hymn, "between our sins and their reward, we set the passion of...Our Lord". ISTM that, rightly understood, this is what the words of the BCP prayer of oblation are indicating.
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
Well, I don't think the phrase offering a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving or offering must be an entirely different offering anyway. As long as I have known this prayer, I have always thought the offering of praise and thanksgiving to be the offering of Christ and his passion, and that's without any instruction. I just read it and thought to be the meaning.

And the second half of that prayer has a corresponding prayer in the Roman canon, one section of which says:

"Remember, O Lord, thy servants and handmaids, and all here present whose faith and devotion are known to thee, on whose behalf we offer to thee, or who themselves offer to thee, this sacrifice of praise"

And indeed, the congregation's response to the priest's bidding before the prayer over the offerings;

"The Lord receive the sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of his name".
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
Well, I don't think the phrase offering a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving or offering must be an entirely different offering anyway. As long as I have known this prayer, I have always thought the offering of praise and thanksgiving to be the offering of Christ and his passion...

Yes, this is how I see it: we thankfully plead Christ's sacrifice and self-oblation, likewise praising God for the infinite grace thereby offered us. The praise and thanksgiving are offered in context of the re-presentation of Christ's sacrifice, made truly - but sacramentally - present in the Mass. The very word, "Eucharist", meaning "thanksgiving", encapsulates this whole notion of the Holy Sacrifice. The BCP language is entirely congruent with the notion.
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Dean Wace, the Evangelical Anglican scholar who was Dean of Canterbury early in the last century critiqued the Gregorian Canon and said that there was nothing in it that conflicted with Evangelical theology. Fr Echlin SJ looking at the American BCP of 1928 said there was nothing in it that conflicted with Roman doctrine, and I have heard pretty similar opinion expressed by scholars on both sides.

The great defect of the English 1662 BCP as written is that by placing Communion in the middle of the Canon Cranmer disassociated the Consecration and the Communion from the Sacrifice. It is a somewhat a Gneiso-Lutheran solution to getting rid of the 'abomination' of the sacrifice of the Mass. This is why even the most moderate of Anglo-Catholics added to the Prayer of Consecration the Prayer of Oblation either silently or aloud depending on preference.

The bulk of the sacrificial furniture of the old Roman Mass lies not in the Canon or even to a large extent in the 'aloud' parts of the Mass but in the Private Prayers of the Celebant (hereafter, PPCs), which are often quite late additions to the text. Now before one runs away with the idea that the Roman doctrine of the Mass was originally weak in its sacrificial aspect, it has to be remembered that in a sense the PPCs provide a running commentary on the Mass. The development and organisation of the PPCs definitely show that there was an attempt to give a liturgical form to the Church's doctrine of the Mass in the 11th to 15th centuries, so that any reasonably devout and literate celebrant would have no doubt what the Mass was about even if he had no better theological education than the 14th C. version of 'The Catholic Priesthood for Dummies.'

In my opinion, any attempt to make the doctrine of the BCP Mass more explicit has to concentrate on what the celebrant says by way of private prayers, and what is taught in the catechism class than on modifying the public liturgy.

PD

[ 05. November 2012, 15:38: Message edited by: PD ]
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
PD et cetera thank you very much - write off the theological botching to the early morning! You expressed it very eloquently indeed - indeed, the 'sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving' can indeed, is very fitting as, Christ in his Passion and sacrifice. Lieutvos (a thousand apologies if I spelled that wrongly) likewise - I really took a very crude look at things. PD - I'm, guilty of reading the whole Mass and then applying that to 'the Canon'. I quite agree after a good day's thought that the Private Prayers and proper catechesis emphasize the sacrificial Mass. The text of the Common Prayer Book, properly arranged, does likewise, and far more elegantly than interpolating the Gelasian Canon, which, as you say, is no more explicit and, after all, Percy Dearmer heavily criticised; and rightly so, such interpolations.

Thank you all,
Percy
PS: Dear me, I sometimes realise how very young I am - a LOT to learn. Or, more accurately, a lot of experience required so I can use what I know properly and not leap in without thinking - the chap who taught me Theology always said I leapt to conclusions...

[ 05. November 2012, 18:13: Message edited by: The Sainted Percy ]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
I'd like to get hold of the various propers (especially the introit, offertory and communion texts) for the Mass according to the modern Roman rite.

Are these available online? If not, what volumes do I need to buy?
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
Wouldn't you find these in any copy of the Missal ? - for example the Sunday Missal published by Collins which you can probably get from Amazon at a knock down price.
However you will find that the Introit is called the 'Entrance Antiphon',that there is no Offertory and that you have also the 'Communion Antiphon' - that is ,if you are interested in the modern Roman Rite.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Forthview:
Wouldn't you find these in any copy of the Missal ? - for example the Sunday Missal published by Collins which you can probably get from Amazon at a knock down price.
However you will find that the Introit is called the 'Entrance Antiphon',that there is no Offertory and that you have also the 'Communion Antiphon' - that is ,if you are interested in the modern Roman Rite.

Hmm, interesting – I'm definitely familiar with a church that uses all three texts in an Anglican Eucharist. I wonder where they got them from. The English Missal, perhaps?

(The fact that I'm talking from a CoE perspective may have been useful information in my original post: apologies.)
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
The Roman Gradual contains all of these for the Roman rite. The missal includes only the introit and communion antiphons. The Gradual includes offertory and alternate gradual psalms.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
A "What If" Scenario that came to me while counting sheep last night:

Imagine there was a seminarian in the 1950s or 1960s who was a subdeacon. And then, for whatever reason, it was realized that the priesthood was not for him. What happened to such a person? Would he have been allowed to carry on as a subdeacon, liturgically? Would he just have "poofed" into non-existence when the subdiaconate was suppressed? Surely this must have happened somewhere, somehow.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
I'd like to get hold of the various propers (especially the introit, offertory and communion texts) for the Mass according to the modern Roman rite.

Are these available online? If not, what volumes do I need to buy?

You can find the chants for any given Sunday at Corpus Christi Watershed.
 
Posted by Mama Thomas (# 10170) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Olaf:
A "What If" Scenario that came to me while counting sheep last night:

Imagine there was a seminarian in the 1950s or 1960s who was a subdeacon. And then, for whatever reason, it was realized that the priesthood was not for him. What happened to such a person? Would he have been allowed to carry on as a subdeacon, liturgically? Would he just have "poofed" into non-existence when the subdiaconate was suppressed? Surely this must have happened somewhere, somehow.

I have met subdeacons. For some reason i remember them. One, an RC I recall from the 80s, said he was ordained a subdeacon in the 60s. That was that. His wife and kids were also active in their parish. Back then, there were no "high Masses" except in a few retro Anglo-Catholic parishes or SSPX.

There was no liturgical role except perhaps acolyte or reader.
 
Posted by Edgeman (# 12867) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Forthview:
Wouldn't you find these in any copy of the Missal ? - for example the Sunday Missal published by Collins which you can probably get from Amazon at a knock down price.
However you will find that the Introit is called the 'Entrance Antiphon',that there is no Offertory and that you have also the 'Communion Antiphon' - that is ,if you are interested in the modern Roman Rite.

Well, you can certainly get a missal for the modern Roman rite containing all of these with the same terms- Introit, offertory, and communion-
The Gregorian Missal.
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mama Thomas:
quote:
Originally posted by Olaf:
A "What If" Scenario that came to me while counting sheep last night:

Imagine there was a seminarian in the 1950s or 1960s who was a subdeacon. And then, for whatever reason, it was realized that the priesthood was not for him. What happened to such a person? Would he have been allowed to carry on as a subdeacon, liturgically? Would he just have "poofed" into non-existence when the subdiaconate was suppressed? Surely this must have happened somewhere, somehow.

I have met subdeacons. For some reason i remember them. One, an RC I recall from the 80s, said he was ordained a subdeacon in the 60s. That was that. His wife and kids were also active in their parish. Back then, there were no "high Masses" except in a few retro Anglo-Catholic parishes or SSPX.

There was no liturgical role except perhaps acolyte or reader.

He would have continued as subdeacon, with the clerical obligations of celibacy, saying of offices, clerical dress as locally determined etc. The suppression was not universal (the subdiaconate continued in several Eastern Catholic churches and was later revived in some traditionalist peculiars). I would be surprised that Mama Thomas' friend was not laicized but it's not impossible that the authorities decided that they need not bother with it or even that the specific procedures died with the suppression.
 
Posted by The Sainted Percy (# 17388) on :
 
For everyone who helped me with my questions about the Book of Common Prayer, I'd best apologise and say, like Jerome Aleander in the tediously Protestant film 'Luther' ''just one word... revoco*''!

Although, in fairness, this isn't about interpolations from Sarum into the BCP but about reviving the Use of Sarum itself, rather like the English Missal (anyone who read my post in the New Members thread knows this is my deepest interest and ideal and what, in such spare time as I have, I work at), so I hope I'm not breaking the Ship rules about crusading as virtually everything I have posted has been, in one way or another, about the Use of Sarum. The 'Ship might call itself a humour magazine but it's a wonderful serious forum as well.

Anyway, I wanted to ask a question about Sarum again, so I might as well do it. Simply, in the Dominican Rite, the Pax-Brede is presented to the people on feasts of the class simplex (in the Missale Romanum, semi-double - the Dominican and Sarum classifications for feasts are not that of the Missale Romanum) and above, might any Dominicans or others know if this the same according to Sarum?

Dear me, that was long!

* Latin for 'I recant'.

[ 06. November 2012, 16:40: Message edited by: The Sainted Percy ]
 
Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edgeman:
quote:
Originally posted by Forthview:
Wouldn't you find these in any copy of the Missal ? - for example the Sunday Missal published by Collins which you can probably get from Amazon at a knock down price.
However you will find that the Introit is called the 'Entrance Antiphon',that there is no Offertory and that you have also the 'Communion Antiphon' - that is ,if you are interested in the modern Roman Rite.

Well, you can certainly get a missal for the modern Roman rite containing all of these with the same terms- Introit, offertory, and communion-
The Gregorian Missal.

The Gregorian Missal combines elements of the Roman Missal and of the Roman Gradual. It includes a Kyriale (collection of Gregorian chant settings for the Mass) and the antiphons of the Missal are replaced in this book with the (Gregorian chant) antiphons of the Gradual. In place of the Responsorial Psalm it gives the Gradual for that Sunday or feast,a legitimate option at Mass. This is why the Gregorian Missal includes a Sunday or feast's offertory antiphon and gradual chant but the typical missal or missalette does not.

What's nice about the Gregorian Missal is that music is given for the chants and so are English translations as well as translations for the other Latin texts. This means it can be used both as a choir book and as a pew missal/missalette for the faithful.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
I'd like to get hold of the various propers (especially the introit, offertory and communion texts) for the Mass according to the modern Roman rite.

Are these available online? If not, what volumes do I need to buy?

You can find the chants for any given Sunday at Corpus Christi Watershed.
Forgive my ignorance, but are those on that website modern roman rite, as in the Missal?
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Actually I didn't come to this thread to ask the last question, it just came to me as I was reading the posts and the links.

What I came to ask is about Anointing.

Can laypeople anoint or is the sacrament reserved to the priest or deacon or whoever?

In a friends C of E church he tells me the lay people anoint, and the Biblle does seem to suggest that's OK if we take the elders to include laity - Epistle of James.

However, I don't know the official position/s
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Actually I didn't come to this thread to ask the last question, it just came to me as I was reading the posts and the links.

What I came to ask is about Anointing.

Can laypeople anoint or is the sacrament reserved to the priest or deacon or whoever?

In a friends C of E church he tells me the lay people anoint, and the Biblle does seem to suggest that's OK if we take the elders to include laity - Epistle of James.

However, I don't know the official position/s

In the RCC, only a priest can annoint.
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Actually I didn't come to this thread to ask the last question, it just came to me as I was reading the posts and the links.

What I came to ask is about Anointing.

Can laypeople anoint or is the sacrament reserved to the priest or deacon or whoever?

In a friends C of E church he tells me the lay people anoint, and the Biblle does seem to suggest that's OK if we take the elders to include laity - Epistle of James.

However, I don't know the official position/s

In the Church of England elders = presbyters = priests and only they can anoint (Canon B. 37).
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Thanks. It brings to my mind ough more questions about this.

Firstly I suspect not all in the C of E would say elders=presbyters=priests. [Smile] and further I don't see that as an official equating.

Secondly, why only priests anointing? Aren't they in fact administering the sacrament in the way that Eucharistic ministers administer communion. If the oil is blessed or consecrated by a priest why can't the lay person administer?

It seems to me that this could put church rules above the availability of the sacrament. E.g. I am taken suddenly ill taken to hospital where a lay chaplain only is available. Oil of Healing is available but I am denied it because an ordained person is not available. However, I could receive Holy Communion.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I think whether elders=presbyters=priests is true for the Church of England or indeed any other tradition would be a question for Purgatory.
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
Canon B37 has:

quote:
If any such person so desires, the priest may lay hands upon him and may anoint him with oil on the forehead with the sign of the Cross using a form of service authorized by Canon B 1 and using pure olive oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese or otherwise by the priest himself in accordance with such form of service.
Which, interestingly, seems to imply that the oils consecrated by the PEVs or other suffragans won't do. Hmm.

Thurible
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Thanks. It brings to my mind ough more questions about this.

Firstly I suspect not all in the C of E would say elders=presbyters=priests. [Smile] and further I don't see that as an official equating.

Secondly, why only priests anointing?


(Firstly) I don't think there are any other 'elders' in the Church of England.

(Secondly) Those are the rules!
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
Canon B37 has:

quote:
If any such person so desires, the priest may lay hands upon him and may anoint him with oil on the forehead with the sign of the Cross using a form of service authorized by Canon B 1 and using pure olive oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese or otherwise by the priest himself in accordance with such form of service.
Which, interestingly, seems to imply that the oils consecrated by the PEVs or other suffragans won't do. Hmm.

Thurible

The relevant 'Introductions' to the Common Worship services e.g. to the Chrism Eucharist have 'bishop' without 'of the diocese'. The Wholeness and Healing service envisages the bishop or priest who is presiding consecrating the oil during the service - which makes you wonder what the Maundy Thursday oil is for.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
Canon B37 has:

quote:
If any such person so desires, the priest may lay hands upon him and may anoint him with oil on the forehead with the sign of the Cross using a form of service authorized by Canon B 1 and using pure olive oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese or otherwise by the priest himself in accordance with such form of service.
Which, interestingly, seems to imply that the oils consecrated by the PEVs or other suffragans won't do. Hmm.

Thurible

The relevant 'Introductions' to the Common Worship services e.g. to the Chrism Eucharist have 'bishop' without 'of the diocese'. The Wholeness and Healing service envisages the bishop or priest who is presiding consecrating the oil during the service - which makes you wonder what the Maundy Thursday oil is for.
The notes suggest this is deliberate:

quote:
The oil to be used at this celebration should be pure olive oil and normally be consecrated during this service by the bishop (or priest) who presides, rather than having been previously blessed. This will not only ensure an adequate supply of oil, but provide a prayer of thanksgiving at the heart of the rite. If preferred, the prayer may be used in the responsive form on pages 46–47. If oil which has previously been blessed is used, then the form of thanksgiving in the rite for Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing at a Celebration of Holy Communion (page 33) may be used.

(This does, of course, suppose that the oil has in fact been blessed either in this rite or in the Oils service on Maundy Thursday. The CW formula does not involve blessing the oils themselves.)
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Can laypeople anoint or is the sacrament reserved to the priest or deacon or whoever?

I have looked into this before and seem to remember that in TEC deacons and Readers can also anoint.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
With different prayers -- I don't have time to look it up at the moment, but it's in the 1979 BCP rubrics for the sacrament.
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
When I was an undergraduate at a theological college, the seminarians anointed during one College Communion.

Charles Read, of this parish, might remember how they got round the canons.

Thurible

[ 07. November 2012, 12:46: Message edited by: Thurible ]
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Firstly I suspect not all in the C of E would say elders=presbyters=priests. [Smile] and further I don't see that as an official equating.

(Firstly) I don't think there are any other 'elders' in the Church of England.
I assume that the elders=presbyters=priests comment is a reference to James 5:14: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord." The word translated "elder" is presbuteros, from which we get the English word "priest."
 
Posted by St. Stephen the Stoned (# 9841) on :
 
Our choir (not a church choir) will soon start rehearsals for the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which we give in a local church (CofE). Is it necessary for the readers to say “This is the word of the Lord” after each reading? It seems to interrupt the flow of the service, as I remember it from my youth.

If the interjection is optional, is it a matter for the Musical Director, the vicar of the church where the service takes place, or somebody else?
 
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
The word translated "elder" is presbuteros, from which we get the English word "priest."

So most sources say. I've often wondered, though (and I ask out of ignorance, so please don't jump on me) why "priest" is not considered to have come from "proistamenos", which is the word that Orthodoxen use today to refer to their priests and which seems to my admittedly untrained eyes and ears to be more closely cognate to "priest".
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I think you have to factor in that Priest entered the language via Latin from Greek quite early. You also have to factor in the 16th C. vowel shift in English.

PD
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Stephen the Stoned:
Our choir (not a church choir) will soon start rehearsals for the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which we give in a local church (CofE). Is it necessary for the readers to say “This is the word of the Lord” after each reading? It seems to interrupt the flow of the service, as I remember it from my youth.

If the interjection is optional, is it a matter for the Musical Director, the vicar of the church where the service takes place, or somebody else?

It is in fact wholly unnecessary. This formula is prescribed only in the order for Holy Communion. It is not necessary at morning or evening prayer, or indeed at any other service.

Various other formulas are used ("here ends the lesson" is common), but are also wholly unnecessary.

I agree with you that it interrupts the flow of this kind of service and would omit it. I'd suggest you discuss it with the people who are preparing the service: it seems quite unlikely that there would be any disagreement if such a request was made for aesthetic reasons..
 
Posted by Nick Tamen (# 15164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
The word translated "elder" is presbuteros, from which we get the English word "priest."

So most sources say. I've often wondered, though (and I ask out of ignorance, so please don't jump on me) why "priest" is not considered to have come from "proistamenos", which is the word that Orthodoxen use today to refer to their priests and which seems to my admittedly untrained eyes and ears to be more closely cognate to "priest".
As I understand it, proistamenos means "presider" and is the [Greek] Orthodox equivalent of "pastor" or "rector," not of "priest." I refer to the OrthodoxWiki for proistamenos and for presbyter.
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Stephen the Stoned:

Our choir (not a church choir) will soon start rehearsals for the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which we give in a local church (CofE). Is it necessary for the readers to say “This is the word of the Lord” after each reading? It seems to interrupt the flow of the service, as I remember it from my youth.

If the interjection is optional, is it a matter for the Musical Director, the vicar of the church where the service takes place, or somebody else?


In a word, no!

But your idea that The word of the Lord or This is the word of the Lord interrupts the "flow" is nonsense. After all, those words don't interrupt the "flow" at the Eucharist or other services, do they?

Actually the words always used after the readings in Nine Lessons & Carols are not This is the word of the Lord, at all. As originally written and still performed at King's College, Cambridge, the words used by the reader after each of the lessons is Thanks be to God. No response to those words is made. The words merely conclude the end of each lesson with a bit of praise.

Those are the words after each of the lessons written into the service in 1918 by Eric Milner-White, chaplain of Kings, when he put the service together. The same words have been used at Kings for the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols ever since. I would say that to be authentic, the words Thanks be to God, spoken only by the reader of each lesson are not, as you have it, "an introjection," but rather a small, but significant part of an authentic performance of the service.

By the way, as you may know, the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols was put together by Milner-White to be used on Christmas Eve in the great and glorious Kings College Chapel. The service was a very imaginative way of bringing the solace of great music within reach of the college and people of Cambridge who had sacrificed so very much in the Great War (WWI).

Milner-White took the ancient, pre-reformation model of the church's night time service of Matins, with it's interplay of lessons, psalms, hymns and canticles, and fashioned it into something completely accessible to the modern mind. The staying power of the service over many years has proved that.

Best of luck with your rehearsals and performance.
*
 
Posted by St. Stephen the Stoned (# 9841) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Rob:
quote:
Originally posted by St. Stephen the Stoned:

Our choir (not a church choir) will soon start rehearsals for the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which we give in a local church (CofE). Is it necessary for the readers to say “This is the word of the Lord” after each reading? It seems to interrupt the flow of the service, as I remember it from my youth.

If the interjection is optional, is it a matter for the Musical Director, the vicar of the church where the service takes place, or somebody else?


In a word, no!

But your idea that The word of the Lord or This is the word of the Lord interrupts the "flow" is nonsense. After all, those words don't interrupt the "flow" at the Eucharist or other services, do they?

Actually the words always used after the readings in Nine Lessons & Carols are not This is the word of the Lord, at all. As originally written and still performed at King's College, Cambridge, the words used by the reader after each of the lessons is Thanks be to God. No response to those words is made. The words merely conclude the end of each lesson with a bit of praise.

Those are the words after each of the lessons written into the service in 1918 by Eric Milner-White, chaplain of Kings, when he put the service together. The same words have been used at Kings for the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols ever since. I would say that to be authentic, the words Thanks be to God, spoken only by the reader of each lesson are not, as you have it, "an introjection," but rather a small, but significant part of an authentic performance of the service.


Having "Thanks be to God" said after each reading would be preferable to the interjection (our MD's word) and response we used last year, and which according to Basilica is only prescribed for Holy Communion.

The form of service for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is printed at the back of Carols For Choirs 1 (the Green Book), and does not indicate what is to be said after the readings. Our readers' cards are being checked as I write.

It looks as if it is our tradition to do it our way, and that is what we will do.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by St. Stephen the Stoned:
The form of service for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is printed at the back of Carols For Choirs 1 (the Green Book), and does not indicate what is to be said after the readings. Our readers' cards are being checked as I write.

It looks as if it is our tradition to do it our way, and that is what we will do. [/QB]

For what it's worth, Common Worship Times and Seasons has an order for the service as well. It's not a very detailed one: it gives three bidding prayer options, three patterns for the readings, an instruction to use a seasonal blessing, and, well, that's about it.

It's the kind of service where there is a very wide degree of latitude to do what is appropriate for your particular circumstance.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
The word translated "elder" is presbuteros, from which we get the English word "priest."

So most sources say. I've often wondered, though (and I ask out of ignorance, so please don't jump on me) why "priest" is not considered to have come from "proistamenos", which is the word that Orthodoxen use today to refer to their priests and which seems to my admittedly untrained eyes and ears to be more closely cognate to "priest".
According to the OED, priest comes from presbyteros. It seems to have been in the English language by 600, i.e. from the time of our conversion, and definitely by 805.

What is perhaps odder is that English has no word corresponding to hiereus, sacerdos, or cohen. If there was a pagan word meaning 'a person who sacrifices' it hasn't survived. Nor has any indigenous word survived that means 'sacrifice', which clearly has a Latin root. Whatever words Coifi (Bede, History, II:13) used to describe his functions seem to have vanished from the language with no descendants.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
With different prayers -- I don't have time to look it up at the moment, but it's in the 1979 BCP rubrics for the sacrament.

That's good to know. With a shortage of priests, more and more of us lay ministers are getting asked to do things in extremis that is forbidden by canon but seems pastoraly essential.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
With different prayers -- I don't have time to look it up at the moment, but it's in the 1979 BCP rubrics for the sacrament.

That's good to know. With a shortage of priests, more and more of us lay ministers are getting asked to do things in extremis that is forbidden by canon but seems pastoraly essential.
"In cases of necessity, a deacon or lay person may perform the anointing, using oil blessed by a bishop or priest." is the rubric in question.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Sainted Percy:
It's one of the books on this page - try searching for (capitals important) Altar Book.

Hah! Blessed Percy would have loathed it, I'm sure. As you know bodging and patching has always been very Anglo-Catholic!

I agree that the sort of attitude showed by Knott and the Committee of Priests can lead to a bit of a hash (there is a spectacularly strange Missal (The Missal and People's Missal by G.A.L. Clark) of sorts from the Edwardian period with Ambrosian Use and Eastern admixture to a BCP Order!, if I could get a copy of Dearmer's English Liturgy I certainly would, but I can't find one anywhere. Nevertheless, I'm rather fond of this sort of thing and do feel [I know you'll disagree with me] that the Communion (i.e. Mass) Order in the 1662 BCP is rather inadequate in theological terms more for it's omissions than any outright heresy.

Anyway,I'm digressing. Thank you very much - your description sounds pretty good, I think I will buy it, notwithstanding anything more you can tell me about it from there.

MMm - I was going to quote myself, but you have saved me the trouble! I rather liked the book, although my copy has long since passed into other hands.

You might also find the SSJE "Cowley Missal" here of interest.

The Altar version of The People's Missal is simply known as "The Missal"; alas I have never seen a copy although I believe Aa shipmate (Albertus?) may have both seen and possessed one at some point.

I remember reading in one of his books (although I cannot now trace the reference) Dr Dearmer's approving use of another's words about the perfection of the Prayer Book Rite, I am therefore inclined to concur that he would not have approved of the Interim Rite.
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
The Altar version of The People's Missal is simply known as "The Missal"; alas I have never seen a copy although I believe Aa shipmate (Albertus?) may have both seen and possessed one at some point.

No, not me, I'm afraid, MM.
 
Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Tamen:
The word translated "elder" is presbuteros, from which we get the English word "priest."

So most sources say. I've often wondered, though (and I ask out of ignorance, so please don't jump on me) why "priest" is not considered to have come from "proistamenos", which is the word that Orthodoxen use today to refer to their priests and which seems to my admittedly untrained eyes and ears to be more closely cognate to "priest".
According to the OED, priest comes from presbyteros. It seems to have been in the English language by 600, i.e. from the time of our conversion, and definitely by 805.

What is perhaps odder is that English has no word corresponding to hiereus, sacerdos, or cohen. If there was a pagan word meaning 'a person who sacrifices' it hasn't survived. Nor has any indigenous word survived that means 'sacrifice', which clearly has a Latin root. Whatever words Coifi (Bede, History, II:13) used to describe his functions seem to have vanished from the language with no descendants.

True, as far as 'priest' goes, but one might speculate as to what it might have been from Germanic cognates such as Gothic gudja or Old Norse goði which look to be cognate with the word for 'God'. There is a word for 'sacrifice' as a noun in Old English - husl - which was adopted into Christian usage and as a word survives (sort of) in as much as houseling cloths do. Another apparently pagan survival is 'bless' - OE bletsian, cognate with 'blood', so to sprinkle with the blood of a sacrificial victim - a bit like 'blooding' in foxhunting circles.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
The Altar version of The People's Missal is simply known as "The Missal"; alas I have never seen a copy although I believe Aa shipmate (Albertus?) may have both seen and possessed one at some point.

No, not me, I'm afraid, MM.
As a search of Oblivion has not brought up any references either, I am just going to chalk the whole thing up to my vivid imagination.
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
quote:
Mr Rob wrote:
Those are the words after each of the lessons written into the service in 1918 by Eric Milner-White, chaplain of Kings, when he put the service together. The same words have been used at Kings for the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols ever since. I would say that to be authentic, the words Thanks be to God, spoken only by the reader of each lesson are not, as you have it, "an introjection," but rather a small, but significant part of an authentic performance of the service.

Just to be accurate, the first Nine Lessons and Carols was in 1880 in the temporary wooden Truro Cathedral. It was devised by the first bishop of Truro, +Benson, who went on to become ++Benson. The current King's service was "cribbed" (no apology!) from there: the lessons are very similar.

I don't know, but I think "Thanks be to God", said by the reader alone, is authentic. IMHO, requiring the congo to respond vocally to "This is the word of the Lord" is one of these "participation" fads.

[ 10. November 2012, 15:25: Message edited by: Morlader ]
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
What is perhaps odder is that English has no word corresponding to hiereus...

"Hierarch" may be jargon but within the context of its usage it seems to have become a well established term in English, along with its adjectival form.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Yes, but it isn't used with that meaning. It's used to describe a person with a status within a formal structure.
 
Posted by Adrian1 (# 3994) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
quote:
Originally posted by The Sainted Percy on a now closed thread:
I don't know if I should just add this to my Sarum Use thread, but it is a seperate book and strictly speaking not a part of the Sarum Use - I've found a copy of the 'Altar Book' by a 'Committee of Priests' which apparently contains a heavily Sarum-interpolated Order of Mass with the Gelasian Canon, full rubrics and private prayers. It sounds, forgive me, a Godsend, but the bookseller would like nearly two hundred pounds, which, although liturgical books always run to the expensive; and it's a beautiful book, could be put towards something else out of tight budgets!

Does anyone have a copy and is it suitable? To what extent to the Sarum interpolations run? if it's merely the BCP with a small selection of Prayer Book Catholic propers, well , there are less expensive ones and I will press on with the Sarum Missal, but from the description it sounds far fuller and I'm very, very strongly inclined to buy it, but I can't see it in person.


The Sainted Percy. Please see my PM.
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Yes, but it isn't used with that meaning. It's used to describe a person with a status within a formal structure.

Not solely.

In the Orthodox Church it is commonly used as a synonym for "bishop", touching on the sacramental identity and liturgical roles of hierarchs. It is very much more in keeping with the original meaning than the common secular usage to which you refer.

When we talk about the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy we are talking about the Mystery of the Eucharist offered at the hands of the "liturgising" Bishop, concelebrating with the other orders within the Body of Christ.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
So, related to hierarch would the Catholic Church consider it's priests to be sacerdos or kohen or both?
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
A question as well as a request for help about the presence light before the blessed sacrament.

I recently visited a chapel where the light was provided from a flame burning from a wick which went into a smallish clear jar filled presumably with oil.

It look lovely - clear and bright. Is it possible to get such a 'system' or how odes one do it oneself. Basically I guess the answer is bottle, oil, wick. But the more specific is what thickness, what type of oil?

Help on doing it GREATLY appreciated folks.
 
Posted by Divine Praises (# 11955) on :
 
Percy, you've struck a chord in my memory. In my genuflexious youth I was part of a team of sacristans and one of my tasks was to refill the lamp in front of the tabernacle.

So, each day after school, I would stop off at the church to refill the lamp. It was a messy business because there was no pulley system so I had to use a stepladder to get the glass down from the lamp. If no flies or moths had got themselves immolated in the flame, it was a quick job to refill the glass with oil. I'm pretty sure this was olive oil which came in a large tin.

The same company which sold us the oil also supplied the cork disc to float on the surface of the oil. The top of the disc was covered in metal apart from a small hole in the middle. Over this hole would be placed a tiny metal cross which had an equally tiny wick in it. The trick was to get the refilled glass back into the lamp without spilling any oil. Then I had to manoeuvre the floating wick to the centre of the glass before lighting it. That way you avoided the lamp chains getting soot stains on them.

Once a week the lamp glass would have to be scrubbed clean, a job I'm afraid I left to my grandmother (oh, the guilt [Hot and Hormonal] ). Despite the kerfuffle involved, I used to love the golden glow that lamp gave off. For me, it was such a palpable sign of the Presence.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
Oo, happy memories for me too.

I seem to remember that the lamp oil was rather expensive, so we experimented with some alternatives. We had some luck, as I recall, with a substances marketed as 'Spry: crisp 'n dry'... [Big Grin]

The slightly fish-shop odour could be disguised with liquid incense from a shop in Walsingham. This came in numerous flavours, including my favourite - cannabis. I couldn't get the Vicar to see what a wheeze it might be to deploy this one during the annual Police Carol Service.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Divine Praises:
Percy, you've struck a chord in my memory. In my genuflexious youth I was part of a team of sacristans and one of my tasks was to refill the lamp in front of the tabernacle.

"Genuflexious"? I love it! [Axe murder]
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:
quote:
Originally posted by Divine Praises:
Percy, you've struck a chord in my memory. In my genuflexious youth I was part of a team of sacristans and one of my tasks was to refill the lamp in front of the tabernacle.

"Genuflexious"? I love it! [Axe murder]
What a magic term [Smile]

Ah! I am not getting positive vibes about this idea! Daily attention, funny smells... Doesn't sound as appealing as I hoped.


Shame the light I saw from the lamp looks crisp and sharp and bright. And better than some of those waxy 7 day big candles.

[ 14. November 2012, 16:04: Message edited by: Percy B ]
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Does anyone know at what point, if at all, it becomes unsafe/undesirable to continue using a chalice with a scratch in the gold plating inside the bowl? I don't mean the tiny little scratches that seem to get in there all the time.

(I always wonder how those scratches get there - aside from small ones from cleaning, since gold is awfully soft, after all. But a deep scratch? Maybe someone with really long, hard nails intincted. [Razz] )
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:

Does anyone know at what point, if at all, it becomes unsafe/undesirable to continue using a chalice with a scratch in the gold plating inside the bowl? I don't mean the tiny little scratches that seem to get in there all the time.

(I always wonder how those scratches get there - aside from small ones from cleaning, since gold is awfully soft, after all. But a deep scratch? Maybe someone with really long, hard nails intincted. [Razz] )


Usually wiping with a damp cloth with some speck of grit involved in some way will do the trick with gold plate. A cloth must ordinarily be absolutely clean and dry. A slightly used or soiled towel can easily scratch the gold you speak of. Unfortunately, the only remedy is replating.

I doubt that intinction or finger nails at the administration of the sacrament are involved, but nails might be involved with scratches when the interior gold of a chalice is cleaned in the sacristy after use.

*
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I know what you mean about the little scratches in the cup of the chalice. They seem to be rather common and are proably the result of a combination of a slightly damp cloth and stray piece of grit. There really is nothing for it but to try and avoid using a damp cloth, and to brace yourself to have the chalice regilded from time to time.

I know I am probably in the minority on this one, but it is a favourite rant of mine. However, why is it that the most paranoid "Germophobes" persist in self-intinction? Commonsense should tell you that the practice 'dunking yer own' is a darn good way of sharing whatever one has on one's fingers with the rest of the congregation. If folks must intinct then I would rather they held the host in their hand and let the priest dip it and place it on their tongue. The old 'front edge trick' prevents one coming into contact with the comuunicants spital and keeps the Communion as being something one receives rather than one takes for one's self.

End of rant!

PD
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I was, of course, joking about the fingernails and intinction.

But I do wonder, is there a point where a scratch is deep enough to harbor anything icky? Is there a point when it should be replated for that reason, rather than aesthetic ones?

Or, can a scratch be deep enough to jeopardize the metals - either the plating or the metal beneath it - by holding water and tarnishing/rusting?

I guess the first question actually doesn't only apply to plating. A solid gold or silver chalice could also have a deep scratch (or pock-mark). Would that ever be a reason in itself to stop using the chalice and/or have it fixed?
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
So, related to hierarch would the Catholic Church consider it's priests to be sacerdos or kohen or both?

I think in this context sacerdos is the Latin equivalent of cohen. Presbyteros is more the Greek/Latin equivalent of elder, or possibly rabbi.

In some languages, it would be difficult to say 'consider it's priests to be sacerdos or kohen'. It's English that it seems to have conflated the two concepts of ministry into one word. Presbyteros definitely doesn't originally mean cohen/hiereus/sacerdos. Priest derives from presbyteros but has absorbed the other meaning because whatever different English or Anglo-Saxon word existed for 'a person who sacrifices animals' has disappeared out of the language.

We'll need input from someone who actually knows the answer to this one, but I am under the impression that in Latin, the Roman Catholic Church does use sacerdos in some context as a term to describe its clergy.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Enoch -

Thanks for your reply. My knowledge of such things is not even limited. It's non-existent! So your clarification and reply is most helpful.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
There's a chant in the Roman rite to be sung at the reception of a bishop (famously set by Bruckner) to the words "Ecce sacerdos magnus" (Behold a high priest.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:

I recently visited a chapel where the light was provided from a flame burning from a wick which went into a smallish clear jar filled presumably with oil.

Was it one of these? I've been discussing the merits of such a candle in emergency preparation on another forum. The only problem I see from a church standpoint is that the longest burn time I can find online is 50 hours.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by New Yorker:
[qb]
We'll need input from someone who actually knows the answer to this one, but I am under the impression that in Latin, the Roman Catholic Church does use sacerdos in some context as a term to describe its clergy.

In Italian, the usual word is 'prete' (clearly derived from presbyteros); there is also 'sacerdote' which AFAIK is rarer. I don't think either of them have connotations that don't belong to the other, but I may be wrong.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
There's a chant in the Roman rite to be sung at the reception of a bishop (famously set by Bruckner) to the words "Ecce sacerdos magnus" (Behold a high priest.

I love the Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos Magnus. The most recent time I heard it in a Catholic setting was at the installation of Raymond Burke in St. Louis many years ago, although if I recall correctly it was chopped in half somewhere. The full version, complete with Gloria Patri, was skillfully performed at Church of the Ascension in Chicago on the occasion of Bishop Lee's first visitation to that church. I believe it was the church's Feast of Title, Ascension of our Lord.
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
I believe the word for priest in Gaelic is sagart which is clearly derived from sacerdos. In Welsh, on the other hand, the word is offeiriad, (presumably) one who offers.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
As a matter of interest what are the ministers of Welsh chapels called by their connexions? Presumably they wouldn't want a word with such overtones. (Just as Calvinistic minister would not call himself a priest.)
 
Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
As a matter of interest what are the ministers of Welsh chapels called by their connexions? Presumably they wouldn't want a word with such overtones. (Just as Calvinistic minister would not call himself a priest.)

Gweinidog as a rule, or sometimes bugail.

However 'priest' as a word is but a mangled form of presbyter, which literally means 'elder'. You will find those aplenty in Calvinistic places.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Which words are used for CinW clergy and on the Welsh side of the pages in the Prayer Book? Is it just offeiriad or are either of the others used in any contexts as well?

Does any shipmate know if there is a Roman Order Mass in Welsh, and whether that also uses offeiriad? Or do they use some other word?
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
There is a Welsh version of the Roman Rite. I don't know off the top of my head what word it uses but I'd be very surprised if it wasn't offeiriad. That's what the CinW uses.

As Methodists we generally use minister/gweinidog unless we're being precise in which case we speak of presbyters ("presbyter"(!) in Welsh) and deacons ("diacon" in Welsh).
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:

I was, of course, joking about the fingernails and intinction.

But I do wonder, is there a point where a scratch is deep enough to harbor anything icky? Is there a point when it should be replated for that reason, rather than aesthetic ones?

Or, can a scratch be deep enough to jeopardize the metals - either the plating or the metal beneath it - by holding water and tarnishing/rusting?

I guess the first question actually doesn't only apply to plating. A solid gold or silver chalice could also have a deep scratch (or pock-mark). Would that ever be a reason in itself to stop using the chalice and/or have it fixed?


Well give some indication if you are joking or not. That would be a help, right?

A scratch "deep enough," as you put it, to harbor imbedded matter should be sent off immediately for re-plating. If that presents a problem, borrow another chalice to use until the former one is returned.

Chalice cups are never made of solid gold. The weight would unbalance the chalice, and the cost would be prohibitive. Chalice cups, however, frequently made of

vermeil (fer-meh)

... a plating of at least 10k gold fused over sterling silver.

A chalice, such as one that has been lost, defaced or buried, should have the metalwork restored and then be re-consecrated as an original vessel for altar service would be.

Did you find one in a grave? I've actually seen a chalice that was dug up. After re-plating you would never know ...

[Biased]

*
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
If the chalice is properly washed and dried immediately with proper care, I can't imagine that the scratch would create any problems for the metal--or for drinkers, either. Unless it goes so deep that you are looking at an actual leak through any minute...
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Hosting

quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Rob:
Well give some indication if you are joking or not. That would be a help, right?

Any appearance of junior hosting or ascerbicity (if that is a word) makes TMBBABOOLASJC cry. And me, too.

/Hosting
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Which words are used for CinW clergy and on the Welsh side of the pages in the Prayer Book? Is it just offeiriad or are either of the others used in any contexts as well?

Does any shipmate know if there is a Roman Order Mass in Welsh, and whether that also uses offeiriad? Or do they use some other word?

The Preface to the CinW's Green Book uses "offeiriad".
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
The Church in Wales uses offeiriad in places where the task is restricted to an ordained priest (or bishop), and gweinidog (minister) where any person may lead.

Yes, there is a (beautifully presented!) Roman Missal in Welsh, and offeiriad is also used there for words only to be spoken by a priest.
 
Posted by Manipled Mutineer (# 11514) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oferyas:
The Church in Wales uses offeiriad in places where the task is restricted to an ordained priest (or bishop), and gweinidog (minister) where any person may lead

Morning prayer from the aforementioned green book, I've noticed.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
Okay, super random question--

I'm going to be shaving my head this spring as a for St. Baldrick's, a group that raises money for pediatric cancer research. Some of you may remember I did this in 2011. However, in 2011, I wasn't an Eucharistic Minister.

I'm comfortable running around with my little bald head bare. However I'm wondering if I should cover it while I'm serving, so I'm less of a distraction to worshipers. And if so, what should I use as a cover? I have scarves, beanies, headbands, hats...

(And for those of you who may not know, I present as female.)
 
Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 
Wimple? Mantilla? [Devil]
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
If you're suggesting traditional, I'd prefer a zuchetto. Or I could just wear one of my footy hats.

[ 23. November 2012, 16:30: Message edited by: Spiffy ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I don't know, but I'd have thought you'd be just as possibly distracting as the only covered server as if you were cropped.

If people say afterwards "Why has that efficient and stylish server got no hair?" then there can be the answer "Well, she's doing it for a good cause. Would you like to contribute?"
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
That's a Very Good Idea. Wear your baldness with pride!

[Overused]

Ian J.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
Judgmental as an Eccles regular might be, I honestly wouldn't give your bald head any more than a passing thought, especially if you had already hit me up (as a hypothetical member of your church) for a St Baldrick donation. If you really wanted to wear a hat, I think any plain old hat would be appropriate. A simple knit hat that stays close to the head would probably be best. A zucchetto wouldn't be big enough and would look weird. Besides, everybody knows the zucchetto is not worn during the distribution!
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
I also say go bald. Especially as people in your church surely saw you do this before and know you well enough, right?

I know a woman who had chemo years ago, and her hair never fully grew back - it's really patchy. She always wears a hat, and has some really stylish ones. When she's serving, she swaps her stylish hat for a little white knit hat (her hair is white, anyway). No one seems to think anything of it, as far as I know. I think people tend to not question something like that. (Maybe some think she's a hold-over for women having their heads covered in church!)

--Oh, there you go! You can tell people you're following the Scripture that says if a woman has her head uncovered, she may as well be bald! [Razz]
 
Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :
 
Continuing the earlier discussion....

This being a terrible night on TV, I can further report that the (solidly Low Church) Church of Ireland uses Sagart for priest, and Ministir for parts of a service not restricted to the ordained.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
I also say go bald. Especially as people in your church surely saw you do this before and know you well enough, right?

Not to brag *too* much, but our ASA has almost doubled in the last year.

Bald or black cap it is, then.
 
Posted by Quam Dilecta (# 12541) on :
 
The gold plating of the inside of chalices and ciboria is intended primarily to honor the Blessed Sacrament, not to protect the communicants. If the metal beneath the gold electroplating were silver, I would not expect any significant chemical interaction with the wine; if the metal beneath the gold were brass or copper, however, the wine might acquire an "off" taste. Unless the administration of communion were extremely prolonged, I do not think that poisoning would be likely.
 
Posted by dyfrig (# 15) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
Does any shipmate know if there is a Roman Order Mass in Welsh, and whether that also uses offeiriad? Or do they use some other word?

This is the Sunday Missal in Welsh, with the order at the front and the 3 year lectionary for Sundays and Holy Days.

The Officiant is referred to as "Offeiriad".
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:

Okay, super random question--

I'm going to be shaving my head this spring as a for St. Baldrick's, a group that raises money for pediatric cancer research. Some of you may remember I did this in 2011. However, in 2011, I wasn't an Eucharistic Minister.

I'm comfortable running around with my little bald head bare. However I'm wondering if I should cover it while I'm serving, so I'm less of a distraction to worshipers. And if so, what should I use as a cover? I have scarves, beanies, headbands, hats...

(And for those of you who may not know, I present as female.)


Scarves, beanies, headbands or hats. Surely you jest! However you "present," those head coverings will be the distraction, and not so much your shaved head.

This is merely your own self-consciousness feeling that people will be looking at you in some way that commands their attention other than some brief notice. When I began headshaving years ago I had this feeling that everyone was looking at me because of that. They weren't. They were merely looking at me, but not just my shaved head. If they do remark, then that is your perfect opening for a pitch from you about your worthy cause.

Scarves ... while serving? [Eek!]

*
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I didn't think Spiffy was being self-conscious at all. I took it she was being considerate to others.

There is a whopping big difference in the effect of a female and a male being bald.


But I agree, (since Spiffy is asking for advice) no extra covering, which could well only draw attention to her.

Hope you raise lots for your good cause.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
On the off chance someone here might have any idea:

We have a long-handled candle snuffer that I'm told was designed for our high altar candles (which are oil, and really large, dating from the 60s). Instead of a lighter, it has a large ring opposite the snuffer. Any ideas what it might be for? The ring is a similar diameter to the candles. Nobody here knows.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
Does the ring give any indication that something else might have been attached? It may have had refillable canisters, which might have been useful for longer processions.
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Yes! I just asked again this afternoon, and someone did know. There used to be a fuel canister attached, and situated so if you placed the ring on top of the follower (apparently the candles were real wax back then) it would aim straight at the wick. I don't know why we don't use it anymore.

Sorry, carry on. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
Well, of course I'm right. [Snigger]
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Rob:
Scarves, beanies, headbands or hats. Surely you jest! However you "present," those head coverings will be the distraction, and not so much your shaved head.

A black scarf is more of a distraction than the glare off my bald head? By God, if I wear sneakers while serving, EVERYONE COMMENTS. [Roll Eyes]

[ 25. November 2012, 01:57: Message edited by: Spiffy ]
 
Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :
 
Spiffy

Our previous minister was given to wearing sandals while serving in the summer. He did wear socks when he did, though. No one seemed to care that much.

I see nothing wrong with a shaved head myself, but I can only speak for myself. However, there are a number of very nice headcoverings that are out there, I know! Use a head covering that matches the color of the liturgical season!
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Is there a blessing which I may use for adults who have come forward during Communion but who do not wish to receive the elements?

Is there one for children? I occasionally come across parents who want their children to not receive until they have accepted Christ and/or been baptized (this is common in some Protestant denominations). Also, my regular congregation includes one junior member whose mother would allow him to receive, but who is quite shy and usually refuses. I would like to be able to offer a blessing for them, but don't usually know what to say.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
I usually say simply "May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
Does anybody know a place from where spare censer lining bowls may be had?

We have a censer that is of perhaps very little monetary value but of great historical and sentimental value in our little diocese, but trying to use it is an exercise in futility, as the bowl of it is so deep that it is very difficult to accurately place charcoal into it, or incense once the charcoal is in, for that matter. Mucking it out is also a nightmare because it is so deep, and charcoal easily goes out due to the poor airflow.

The original lining bowl must have been quite shallow but this is long gone. Does anybody know where I might get a spare, either new or second-hand?
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
A Methodist friend of mine who regularly attends Catholic Masses is quite the connoisseuse of in-place-of-communion-blessings. As I continue my liturgical formation, I asked her for advice on what I should do, which she refused to give. "It's like your wand," she said. "It has to choose you."

At my fake Mass last month, I had a few people come up for blessings. I made a cross of their forehead while saying "May the Lord bless you and keep you, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
I wonder every week about what is going on with this. What is the blessing at Communion for non-communicants actually for? Of course, in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church it isn't actually a part of the rite at all but an innovation that would appear to be a direct breach of Sacrosanctam Concilium 22 and canon 846. As an "abuse" it might seem to be a fairly innocuous one but as I touch the shoulder of yet another non-communicant and say, as is the habit in our sylvan fastness, "May Almighty God bless you and keep you close to Him always", I really do wonder what it's got to do with the Liturgy of the Mass.

[ 25. November 2012, 15:13: Message edited by: Trisagion ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
I usually say simply "May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Even more minimalistically, I usually just say 'The blessing of Christ', analogous to the words of administration 'The Body of Christ.'
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
We've discussed this before. It would be v unkind and unpastoral to discontinue the practice once in place, but it is odd and I am perfectly happy the Orthodox don't do it.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
I wonder every week about what is going on with this. What is the blessing at Communion for non-communicants actually for? Of course, in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church it isn't actually a part of the rite at all but an innovation that would appear to be a direct breach of Sacrosanctam Concilium 22 and canon 846. As an "abuse" it might seem to be a fairly innocuous one but as I touch the shoulder of yet another non-communicant and say, as is the habit in our sylvan fastness, "May Almighty God bless you and keep you close to Him always", I really do wonder what it's got to do with the Liturgy of the Mass.

Is any guidance given to non-communicants? If I happen to be at Mass in your church, I would know not to present myself for communion but I wouldn't like to feel I was causing offence if I presented myself for a blessing which is a common custom - I would sooner stay in my place in those circumstances.
 
Posted by Garasu (# 17152) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
I wonder every week about what is going on with this. What is the blessing at Communion for non-communicants actually for

"Draw near to the mystery of faith... Oh bugger off you unbeliever..."
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
Does anybody know a place from where spare censer lining bowls may be had?

At church where I used to worship, we used the small tin-foil containers used for cooking individual pies - you know the ones, the sort you get in Fish & Chip shops. You can get them in bulk from most cash & carrys and are very cheap.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Garasu:
"Draw near to the mystery of faith... Oh bugger off you unbeliever..."

Trite comment or what? From where does your quotation come? It isn't something I know from the liturgy. In any event, the current practice is more a case of "draw near but not too near".

@Seasick, I think venbede's comment is about where we are, but it isn't terrible coherent.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
We've discussed this before. It would be v unkind and unpastoral to discontinue the practice once in place, but it is odd and I am perfectly happy the Orthodox don't do it.

Is it in any way comparable to the Orthodox distribution of blessed but not consecrated bread or the Pax Board used in the Middle Ages?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
We've discussed this before. It would be v unkind and unpastoral to discontinue the practice once in place, but it is odd and I am perfectly happy the Orthodox don't do it.

I can think of one situation where it would be appropriate. Imagine a young child who has been admitted to communion wanting to receive but accompanied by their non-communicant parent, who might not want to let their child make their own way to the altar - especially in a strange, and/or large and crowded, church. It would seem strange, and be perceived as discourteous, for the administrant to ignore the non-communicant without offering some kind of prayer or blessing. Maybe a more common scenario is a communicant parent approaching the altar with a non-communicant child in his or her arms. The same applies.
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Maybe a more common scenario is a communicant parent approaching the altar with a non-communicant child in his or her arms. The same applies.

That's what I usually find.

Thanks for the answers!
 
Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
or not in their arms, but old enough to get into trouble and NOT old enough to be left in the pew unsupervised. Any parent knows that is asking for trouble. But it's ... odd? ... to ignore the child completely while communing the adults.
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Years ago, I was at end of the line at the communion rail in a village church in Cambridgeshire: immediately to my right was a (communicant) parent with a (non-communicant) child who was holding a teddy bear. Priest comes along the row and this is what I hear:

'The Body of Christ' - 'The Body of Christ' -'The Lord bless you' - 'Hello, Teddy!' - 'The Body of Christ'....

Struck me then, and strikes me now, as perfectly in place and pastorally rather wonderful.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Years ago, I was at end of the line at the communion rail in a village church in Cambridgeshire: immediately to my right was a (communicant) parent with a (non-communicant) child who was holding a teddy bear. Priest comes along the row and this is what I hear:

'The Body of Christ' - 'The Body of Christ' -'The Lord bless you' - 'Hello, Teddy!' - 'The Body of Christ'....

Struck me then, and strikes me now, as perfectly in place and pastorally rather wonderful.

Yes, that's perfect. I will adopt it forthwith!

I have no objection to the blessing of teddy bears (in fact, there's not much I wouldn't bless) but the distribution of communion isn't the moment...
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Maybe a more common scenario is a communicant parent approaching the altar with a non-communicant child in his or her arms.

I imagine that's how it started. And I used to think that that was pretty much all it waw used for. But since I've been distributing communion at our church I've noticed It is not uncommon for adults who are regular communicants to come up and ask for a blessing and not take communion. There are a few every week. I suppose there are all sorts of reasons why someone might do that, and no-one makes a fuss about it or prys, but it does seem a bit odd.

[ 26. November 2012, 16:37: Message edited by: ken ]
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Could be all sorts of good reasons. I'd guess the two obvious ones would be having taken communion somewhere else earlier, or not feeling themselves to be in love and charity with their neighbours.
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ken:
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
Maybe a more common scenario is a communicant parent approaching the altar with a non-communicant child in his or her arms.

I imagine that's how it started. And I used to think that that was pretty much all it waw used for. But since I've been distributing communion at our church I've noticed It is not uncommon for adults who are regular communicants to come up and ask for a blessing and not take communion. There are a few every week. I suppose there are all sorts of reasons why someone might do that, and no-one makes a fuss about it or prys, but it does seem a bit odd.
We have more than a few on Sundays - probably what we call "seekers" people looking for a faith community, and possibly not baptized who want to take part in the "ceremony" of communion but are not ready to commit to what receiving the sacrament means.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
At least some of these, maybe most (I'm not exactly counting) are regular attenders who do take communion sometimes.

Being asked to bless people feels very strange to me. The situation looks as if it symbolises an inferior supplicant begging some mercy from some social superior. I know its not that, but the structure of the thing - one man in ordinary clothes kneeling down in front of another wearing special robes and carrying shiny silver ritual items - shouts out hierarchy whether we mean it or not. Its feels weird enough just giving out the bread or wine. Its very tempting to take emotional refuge in rather mechanically doing the same thing and saying the same words for everyone who comes up, as if to depersonalise it, almost "hey, its not really me up here, I'm just the bloke you see down the pub, I don't really do things like this". Being asked for a blessing or a prayer is harder than distribution because that can seem to be more about me, instead of repeating the same actions I did for the previosu commmunicant I'm having to think up what to do or say, how to react, and that can look like me assuming a position of authority or superiority which I'm not comfortable with in either direction. And also sometimes it feels as if what I say or pray is inadequate and the not-quite-communicant goes away unsatisfied.

British culture doesn't really do deference any more (just like it never did do ritual cleanliness, so we are all likely to misread huge chunks of the Old Testament because we mistake laws about symbolic distinctions between people and things for laws about sin or morality or even prevention of disease) and I guess the bit of it I was brought up in is more uneasy with deference and heirarchy than most. So even after some years of it the whole business of helping at Communion is quite emotionally tricky for me.

Please note: frequent use of words like "seems" and "looks like" there! I know I'm not in any position of authority or command, and I don't for a moment think that anyone in the congregation thinks I am, however much our relative distance from the floor could be mistaken as symbolising it during the service. If they did fall into that mistake it woudl be about the Vicar, not me. As you can see on those days when I preach or lead the service and she does very little, but the queue at the back to shake hands and say "nice service, Vicar" (before often whinging about some Very Important Thing we left out or did wrong) is still all with her and all I get is a couple of remarks about Saturday's football. Well usually, but not quite always. I don't come from a culture that is comforatble with very obvious ritual deference, but some of our congregations come from backgrounds that are much more used to it. And very occasionally - like about twice in five years - I've recieved a sort of spontaneous curtsey or bow from someone, of a sort that they might use with each other, according to some system of etiquette that I remains almost completely ignorant of.
 
Posted by otyetsfoma (# 12898) on :
 
Do any of you ever read those exhortations in the BCP about the dangers (on the one hand)of unprepared communion and (on the other) of neglect of Communion? Some people would rightly, if they had been out to a Saturday night party, or had in some other way been impeeded in prayer, that they ought to go to church but ought not to commune. A hundred years ago they would probably left after the prayer for the whole state... but nowadays that would bring them disapprobational stares.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
@Ken -- but a blessing at the communion rail is just a prayer for a fellower worshipper. Perhaps it's that in Anglican tradition it is normally only presbyters and bishops who bless, and being a licensed (lay) reader, doing a blessing seems odd (I understand you ventured other reasons it seems to you culturally out of place)? About 30 years ago I was taking a break from advanced Anglo-Catholicism, sheltering in a liturgically rather high Lutheran congregation. There I regularly functioned in the role of liturgical deacon, and regularly administed the Host as well as - per the pastor's directive - gave blessings to non-communicant children (though never to an adult as far as I can recall). I always used a form with which I was familiar as an Anglican: "Bless, O Lord, this thy child/servant through all the days of his/her life, until at length he/she come to thine eternal joy". It felt a little odd in that doing it departed from my accustomed norms as an Anglican, but I also reckoned that the form I was using was simply offering a prayer (I coupled it with a light touch of a couple of fingers on the head; no other manual gesture, which would have seemed a usurpation).
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
One habit I wish Communion distributors would stop is, when blessing someone who doesn't want to receive Communion, making the sign of the Cross on their forehead with their thumb and placing their hand on the person's head (hair). Especially when "real" bread (as opposed to wafers) is used, and they have to pinch bread off with that same hand and thumb to give to the next person, who, along with the Body of Christ, gets the previous communicant's forehead grease, hair product, makeup, who knows what else...


Another situation where coming forward for a blessing makes sense is when a person not wishing to receive is in a place in a pew where, if they simply stayed behind, everyone would be climbing over them. Also choirs - there's more of a unity and order to having the whole choir file through whether they're communicants or not. Although I realize in both these scenarios, there are ways to not go forward, but often people won't have thought that part of the choreography through, I suppose.

ETA: Oh, and Spiritual Communion - I know someone who has such severe food allergies she can't receive the Bread, the Gluten-Free Bread, or the Wine, so she receives a blessing and adores the Sacrament that's presented to her. She also serves the Chalice quite often, which seemed weird to me before I learned why she never actually receives the elements.

[ 28. November 2012, 03:17: Message edited by: churchgeek ]
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by otyetsfoma:
Do any of you ever read those exhortations in the BCP about the dangers (on the one hand)of unprepared communion and (on the other) of neglect of Communion? Some people would rightly, if they had been out to a Saturday night party, or had in some other way been impeeded in prayer, that they ought to go to church but ought not to commune. A hundred years ago they would probably left after the prayer for the whole state... but nowadays that would bring them disapprobational stares.

They get an airing my my parish usually at the beginning of Advent and Lent, and on Trinity Sunday. I will occasionally use the exhortation against abstaining from Communion for its edifying content.

As a student I remember sitting through a few Choral Eucharists with a buzzing head and a firm determination not to receive Communion because I was in no fit state. I have also been crucifer for a few evening service in my student days and been two out of three sheets to wind at the time - oops!

PD
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by churchgeek:
One habit I wish Communion distributors would stop is, when blessing someone who doesn't want to receive Communion, making the sign of the Cross on their forehead with their thumb and placing their hand on the person's head (hair). Especially when "real" bread (as opposed to wafers) is used, and they have to pinch bread off with that same hand and thumb to give to the next person, who, along with the Body of Christ, gets the previous communicant's forehead grease, hair product, makeup, who knows what else...

Ciborium in left hand. Hosts distributed with right hand. A non-communicant appears. Ciborium to right hand. Left hand on non-communicant's head for blessing. Ciborium back to left hand for the next communicant.

Obviously as you say this is more difficult with leavened bread: one more reason not to use it! It's also slightly counterintuitive to lay on the left hand only if you are right-handed, but it becomes natural...
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Call me old fashioned but I wouldn't bless with my left hand (apologies to lefties and all that, but ...) because of the whole sinister blah blah blah. I keep the ciborium in my left hand ...
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Come to think about it, though ... I don't touch the recipient, and certainly don't wave the host around. Just the sign of the cross and appropriate words.
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
I would think that a proper blessing, given in the "The blessing of God...be upon you..." type form and accompanied by the sign of the cross over the recipient, should be used only by priests (like Zappa)or bishops, whilst a less direct prayerful form like "Bless, O Lord..." without sign of the cross, should be used by those not in Orders and perhaps also by deacons.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
Call me old fashioned but I wouldn't bless with my left hand.

Defintely not. And as you said, not actually touch people either.

quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
I would think that a proper blessing, given in the "The blessing of God...be upon you..." type form and accompanied by the sign of the cross over the recipient, should be used only by priests ....

Maybe so, but unfortunately both my church and the Church of England in general think differtently!
 
Posted by otyetsfoma (# 12898) on :
 
In the Orthodox tradition, priests and bishops hold their fingers in a way which tries to resemble ICXC -Priests with the right hand bishops with both hands. Deacons and laity with their fingers in the position in which they bless themselves - thum and first two fingers joined(representing the Trinity)other two pressed into the palm (symbolizing Christ's two natures.)
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
Does anyone have a quotable reference for the symbolism of the colours of the liturgical year? I have been looking for anything more robust than 'what everyone knows is....'.

At the moment google-fu and even the online Catholic Encyclopedia isn't coming up with much.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
@3rd Footer Does this work?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
@3rd Footer Does this work?

Wow...Thank you for this, especially because it validates something I've been doing (or not doing, actually). Didn't realize there was precedent for this. Now I can not-genuflect with confidence:

<i>One does not genuflect when re-entering the pew immediately after receiving Holy Communion, either, because the Body of Christ is now actually contained within the person who has just received Him.</i>
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
@3rd Footer Does this work?

Kind of. Thanks. This just seems to be one of those bits of tradition that no one ever writes down in the liturgy books or text books.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
I was told earlier today that some Christians in Egypt celebrate Hanukkah in lieu of Christmas. I had never heard that. Is that correct? If so, why? Thanks.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Not according to this very scholarly looking site.

That said, I've never known why Christians don't make at least a little to-do about Chanukkah. We believe the miracle happened (at least Catholics do) and we know that Jesus celebrated the feast.
 
Posted by New Yorker (# 9898) on :
 
Thanks, Hart. I assumed that the Egyptians in question were Coptic Christians. I may need to clarify that ....
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
In principle I agree with you, Hart. However, I'm afraid that many Jews might feel that Christians were being rather tacky in attempting to co-opt a distinctly Jewish festival. A bit like Christian seders.
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
Isn't Chanukkah a festival that has been enhanced in importance by the Jewish community precisely because it falls so close to Christmas?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Yes. It is only a minor festival but it took off in the USA when Jews wished to assimilate.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
In principle I agree with you, Hart. However, I'm afraid that many Jews might feel that Christians were being rather tacky in attempting to co-opt a distinctly Jewish festival. A bit like Christian seders.

It plays a big part in Act III of Handel's oratorio Judas Maccabeus which was enthusiastically supported by the Jewish community in London at the time. This was when Protestants had no problems with the deutero-canonical books.

Since it is not a fixed date, and we have our hands full with Advent at the time, perhaps we had best leave it to the Jews. (Could it be that far from assimilating, US Jews were proving their independence by having a festival at the same time of year?)
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Leaving Jewish festivals to the Jews (who will celebrate them infinitely better than we Christians could ever do......) sounds like a Good Thing to me.

...and I simply cannot see the point of 'Christian' seders, either.

Ian J.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Leaving Jewish festivals to the Jews (who will celebrate them infinitely better than we Christians could ever do......) sounds like a Good Thing to me.

...and I simply cannot see the point of 'Christian' seders, either.

Ian J.

A few years ago, I went back to my first Episcopal parish and arrived a bit early, which gave me a chance to find out that the main service that Sunday was going to be a Rosh Hashanah service, complete with a rite of throwing croutons representing our sins into water. Glad I had arrived early so I could leave without being noticed. As I drove to my childhood Roman Catholic parish instead, I wondered whether local synagogues ever did a Mass just to feel they were being interreligiously educational and inclusive. I guessed they didn't, whether Orthodox or Reform.

Let's major in our own rites when it comes to our weekly service, eh?
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Leaving Jewish festivals to the Jews (who will celebrate them infinitely better than we Christians could ever do......) sounds like a Good Thing to me.

...and I simply cannot see the point of 'Christian' seders, either.

Ian J.

Even in terms of creatively exploring the meaning and resonance of the Eucharist?
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
The seder is a thanksgiving and remembrance of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. It has typological and historical connections to the Eucharist, but then so does sitting down to dinner.

I have to agree with the posters who think appropriating the ceremonies of other religions is tacky.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Leaving Jewish festivals to the Jews (who will celebrate them infinitely better than we Christians could ever do......) sounds like a Good Thing to me.

...and I simply cannot see the point of 'Christian' seders, either.

Ian J.

Even in terms of creatively exploring the meaning and resonance of the Eucharist?
Especially in terms of creatively exploring the meaning and resonance of the Eucharist.
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by seasick:
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Leaving Jewish festivals to the Jews (who will celebrate them infinitely better than we Christians could ever do......) sounds like a Good Thing to me.

...and I simply cannot see the point of 'Christian' seders, either.

Ian J.

Even in terms of creatively exploring the meaning and resonance of the Eucharist?
Especially in terms of creatively exploring the meaning and resonance of the Eucharist.
I can't imagine how a group of people who have been told that their scriptures are the "Old Testament" and disrespected in a huge number of other ways—completely apart from being oppressed and outright murdered for over a thousand years—would respond to one of their central festivals being appropriated by those oppressors. I can certainly imagine how I would feel if I heard the local synagogue was baptizing people because of the importance of baptism in first-century Palestinian Judaism (I mean, we know John the Baptist baptized people in the same way we know Jesus celebrated Hanukkah!)...and that's from the dominant side in the entire context of disrespect and violence!
 
Posted by 3rdFooter (# 9751) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
I have to agree with the posters who think appropriating the ceremonies of other religions is tacky.

Wot, like the feast of Eostre at the end of March next year?
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
Two posters above (at least) mention Jesus having celebrated Hannukah. What have I missed in Scripture? Is it called something else?

I'm pretty sure there are no dreidls or latkes anywhere therein.
 
Posted by Spiffy (# 5267) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
Two posters above (at least) mention Jesus having celebrated Hannukah. What have I missed in Scripture? Is it called something else?

I'm pretty sure there are no dreidls or latkes anywhere therein.

Flavius Josephus, a historian who was contemporary with Jesus known as the Christ, referred to it in his Jewish Antiquities XII as the "Festival of Lights". The word חֲנֻכָּה comes from the beginning of Numbers 7:84 read in synagouge on the 8th day. In Hebrew it's

זֹ֣את ׀ חֲנֻכַּ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ

In English that's "This was the dedication of the altar"

Having gone through all that, I don't remember Jesus ever celebrating a "Festival of Lights" either. However, let's remember that in Judea of this time, suggesting you were in sympathy with people who were totally into rebelling against Roman authority was liable to get yourself stuck up on a cross, and that's what Chanukkah is celebrating.
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
Two posters above (at least) mention Jesus having celebrated Hannukah. What have I missed in Scripture? Is it called something else?

I'm pretty sure there are no dreidls or latkes anywhere therein.

John 10:22 Feast of Dedication = Hanukkah

[ 05. December 2012, 00:55: Message edited by: Jade Constable ]
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
Two posters above (at least) mention Jesus having celebrated Hannukah. What have I missed in Scripture? Is it called something else?

I'm pretty sure there are no dreidls or latkes anywhere therein.

John 10:22 Feast of Dedication = Hanukkah
Apart from that devastatingly-good citation and footnote... Dreidls and latkes are both specifically-Yiddish items, as far as I know. So Jesus would be a few centuries early.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 3rdFooter:
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
I have to agree with the posters who think appropriating the ceremonies of other religions is tacky.

Wot, like the feast of Eostre at the end of March next year?
Borrowing ceremonies connected with Eostre would be a feat indeed, considering that no one knows with certainty what rites were connected with her.
 
Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 
Bostonman and others:

Please keep the discussions civil. As the Commandments have it: 'Don't offend; don't be easily offended'.

Your cooperation is as ever appreciated!

dj_ordinaire, Eccles host
 
Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :
 
After 27 years living with Jews including 3 children going through kindergarten each doing the Hannukka Play at least twice (they sing and act it all out with elephants and a tiny child finding the unbroken flask of oil)...
I can assure you Jesus would not have celebrated Hannukka; neither as a child nor as an adult.
Even in the past it was not a major festival in either Israel or the Diaspora.
Since the "establishment" of "The State of Israel" the "military victory" of the Maccabean freedom fighters is the focus of it.
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by dj_ordinaire:
Bostonman and others:

Please keep the discussions civil. As the Commandments have it: 'Don't offend; don't be easily offended'.

Your cooperation is as ever appreciated!

dj_ordinaire, Eccles host

Sorry! Was not meaning to offend. I apologize.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
Two posters above (at least) mention Jesus having celebrated Hannukah. What have I missed in Scripture? Is it called something else?

I'm pretty sure there are no dreidls or latkes anywhere therein.

John 10:22 Feast of Dedication = Hanukkah
Wasn't that all about bowls of water in those days?
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Wasn't that all about bowls of water in those days?

I think the water might have been part of Tabernacles, hence this .
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
By Jesus celebrating Hanukkah, I don't think he celebrated *modern* Hanukkah with dreidls and fried food and what-not, but surely Hanukkah existed then in some form if it's actually in John? Having said that, I don't see the point of Christians celebrating it as it's not a major Jewish festival or one we can learn from (and it doesn't help us to evangelise to Jews). Seders have an obvious connection to Easter, Hanukkah and Christmas not so much. Modern Judaism is so different from Jesus' Judaism anyway (although let's not totally remove Jesus' Jewish heritage from Christianity).
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Wasn't that all about bowls of water in those days?

I think the water might have been part of Tabernacles, hence this .
Oh yes - I wondered about that after I'd posted.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
I don't see the point of Christians celebrating it as it's not a major Jewish festival or one we can learn from (and it doesn't help us to evangelise to Jews).

We could learn a lot about martyrdom and resistance to despotic goernments.

Why would we want to evangelise Jews? They have their own covenant.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Surely the Christian equivalent of the festival of the Dedication of the Temple, is the Dedication Festival of your own church?
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
In some quarters of Protestantism, infant baptism is held to be wrong (they go for believers' baptism). They do, however, dedicate babies (taking a page from the prophet Samuel's mother). St. Paul wrote that our bodies are a temple. So then the "Dedication of the Temple" should be the day when our babies are dedicated.

I'll get my coat....
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
In some quarters of Protestantism, infant baptism is held to be wrong (they go for believers' baptism). They do, however, dedicate babies (taking a page from the prophet Samuel's mother). St. Paul wrote that our bodies are a temple. So then the "Dedication of the Temple" should be the day when our babies are dedicated.

I'll get my coat....

That's quite interesting. To me, it says something about the (innate is a tricky word, but "innate") human need to have ceremonies marking certain transitions. We fill the spaces up even if particular ceremonies get shifted around.

Something like...
Dedication <=> Infant baptism <=> Circumcision
Adult baptism <=> Confirmation <=> Bar/bat mitzvah (?)
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
Wow, I didn't expect my comment about Hanukkah to generate so much discussion! For the record, I don't think we should be aping modern Jewish Hanukkah traditions which are almost all post-second Temple. I do, however, believe the miracle happened and that God should be praised for it. The question is, when (given it never occurs in the lectionary)?

I'm intrigued by the idea of mentioning it at a baptism (dedication of our bodies which are Temples) or at the feast of Dedication of our Church (which I have to admit Anglicans often do a better job marking than Catholics.) Certainly, the focus this Sunday should be on the Second Sunday of Advent. (Or rather, on the saving work of Christ in our lives, as focused through the Second Sunday of Advent). But, can't we spare one intention of our Prayers of the Faithful? As leo says, there are fitting themes for actualization today, such as behavior under persecution.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
At the very least, this sir hallel could be included in our private devotions!

[ 06. December 2012, 14:34: Message edited by: Hart ]
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
I don't see the point of Christians celebrating it as it's not a major Jewish festival or one we can learn from (and it doesn't help us to evangelise to Jews).

We could learn a lot about martyrdom and resistance to despotic goernments.

Why would we want to evangelise Jews? They have their own covenant.

For the same reason we should want to evangelise all who are not believers in Christ?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Well, the so-called 'good news' of Christianity is very bad news for Jews. It has led to pogroms and mass slaughter.

Current Jews reckon that attempts to convert them to Christianity has wiped out more Jews than Hitler did.

As for their not 'believing in Christ', why should they. Jesus did not fulfil the messianic prophecies of the Tanak.
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Tangent city here, which is quite an achievement for a random questions thread!

Christian-Jewish relations in general, including the holocaust and historic anti-semitism belong in Purgatory.

Whether and how Christians should celebrate Hanukah could be its own thread here in Ecclesiantics.

Given those directions, can we please return this thread to its proper use?

Much obliged.

seasick, Eccles host

[ 07. December 2012, 11:50: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by ButchCassidy (# 11147) on :
 
Hopefully obliging, a probably v simple question:

My vicar was asking the name of a vestment she saw, like a hooded cloak with a "Venetian blind" effect down the back.

Any thoughts from knowledgeable shipmates?
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by ButchCassidy:
Hopefully obliging, a probably v simple question:

My vicar was asking the name of a vestment she saw, like a hooded cloak with a "Venetian blind" effect down the back.

Any thoughts from knowledgeable shipmates?

I checked Wippells but didn't see anything that clearly fit the description. There are cloaks but no photos of the back. Wonder if it was a cope?

I imagine the "Venetian blind" effect as horizontal pleats of some sort. Perhaps it was vertical pleats, in which case I'm thinking a monastic cowl or cuculla.

[ 08. December 2012, 23:46: Message edited by: Oblatus ]
 
Posted by Corvo (# 15220) on :
 
Where and when did she see it?
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
And what colour was it?
 
Posted by ButchCassidy (# 11147) on :
 
I'm afraid I don't know a lot - she was shown it by a curate who described it as 'ecclesiastical fancy dress' (tho our shack is lib cath itself so must be fairly quirky). Think it was black, with a hood, and she gestured it with the bands going horizontally down the back, literally like a Venetian blind.
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
I imagine what is being described is a ferraiolo.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

wiki article
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
Triple T - in the last of the pics you posted - the person holding the end of The bishop's train has a cord hanging down his back, attached it seems from his sleeve: what in the name of whatever is that and what is it for?
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Isn't that one of the new lifesize RC Action Man dolls- the deluxe model? Eagle eyes, gripping hands, and when you pull the string hanging out of his back he says three Hail Marys. I want one for Christmas.
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I want one. Though perhaps not in Darwin. I do have a cappa nigra that I wear occasionally - but again not in Darwin.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
Triple T - in the last of the pics you posted - the person holding the end of The bishop's train has a cord hanging down his back, attached it seems from his sleeve: what in the name of whatever is that and what is it for?

It's the loop that prevents the fascia from slipping off, as any fule kno [Biased]
 
Posted by Triple Tiara (# 9556) on :
 
Yup, as Trisagion says. I haven't been able to find any pictures that show it clearly with a fascia (or band cincture) in place. But if you look carefully at some pictures of bishops in their cassocks you will see the string loops. Not sure what an attendant was doing wearing such a cassock though.
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Isn't that one of the new lifesize RC Action Man dolls- the deluxe model? Eagle eyes, gripping hands, and when you pull the string hanging out of his back he says three Hail Marys. I want one for Christmas.

[Killing me]
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Not sure what an attendant was doing wearing such a cassock though.

Yes, that is what sparked my question - fair enough for senior prelates, but why did he have one?
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Isn't that one of the new lifesize RC Action Man dolls- the deluxe model? Eagle eyes, gripping hands, and when you pull the string hanging out of his back he says three Hail Marys. I want one for Christmas.

Me too! [Devil]
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Not sure what an attendant was doing wearing such a cassock though.

Yes, that is what sparked my question - fair enough for senior prelates, but why did he have one?
Maybe he was cold?

I shouldn't jest - when I went to my former parish in NZ there was a full set of vestments. I was told they were for use in the winter.

The problem where I am now is it's too hot to wear clothes, let alone vestments!
 
Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
I was in Canberra one Ash Wednesday, with the midnight temp well over the 30 mark. The priest at the evening eucharist I attended apologised for not wearing a chasuble, on the basis that the Lenten purple one was just too hot.
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
Harold Darke's setting of "In the bleak mid-winter", beautiful and much sung now-abouts, is dedicated "To M.A.C."
Who he/she?
 
Posted by Arch Anglo Catholic (# 15181) on :
 
Margaret Agnes Calkin - a friend of the compsoer, identified in the Winter 2010 edition of The Bell - published by Stainer and Bell
 
Posted by Morlader (# 16040) on :
 
Very many thanks, AAC.

I get S&B's The Bell and should've remembered. [Frown]
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
Hoping this is an appropriate place to ask - any Catholics or Anglo-Catholics here have personal shrines/devotional areas in their home or even office, or have links to good examples of them? Preferably to Our Lady but interested in seeing examples of personal shrines to other saints too.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Emendator Liturgia:
quote:
Originally posted by Triple Tiara:
Not sure what an attendant was doing wearing such a cassock though.

Yes, that is what sparked my question - fair enough for senior prelates, but why did he have one?
Because the cassocks of those attending senior prelates are, in origin and theory, the livery of those prelates. Therefore, it is entirely correct that he should be dressed as he is. Whether it is considered "over the top" these days is quite another matter and the answer depends to large extent on one's attitude to tat.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
Hoping this is an appropriate place to ask - any Catholics or Anglo-Catholics here have personal shrines/devotional areas in their home or even office, or have links to good examples of them? Preferably to Our Lady but interested in seeing examples of personal shrines to other saints too.

Here's ours, in an oldish photo...there's a bit more on the wall now, and the books are more neatly arranged, but this gives an idea. It's an old butcher-block table that used to be used as a sideboard-slash-wine-rack.

There's a link near the photo for a gallery of other Christian home altars.
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
Hoping this is an appropriate place to ask - any Catholics or Anglo-Catholics here have personal shrines/devotional areas in their home or even office, or have links to good examples of them? Preferably to Our Lady but interested in seeing examples of personal shrines to other saints too.

Here's ours, in an oldish photo...there's a bit more on the wall now, and the books are more neatly arranged, but this gives an idea. It's an old butcher-block table that used to be used as a sideboard-slash-wine-rack.

There's a link near the photo for a gallery of other Christian home altars.

Excellent, many thanks! I love your idea of using something you can store Bibles/other Christian books in.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
Hoping this is an appropriate place to ask - any Catholics or Anglo-Catholics here have personal shrines/devotional areas in their home or even office, or have links to good examples of them? Preferably to Our Lady but interested in seeing examples of personal shrines to other saints too.

I've got a Buddha in mine.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Can anyone recommend a vestment maker who makes reasonably prided high mass sets, or at least dalmatics / tunicles.

Nothing ornate needed.

Thanks [Smile]
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
I'm not sure where Melanudrigill is, but Stateside Davis D'Ambly is good when Watts is not affordable.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Sorry should have said I am in the UK.

I understand there may be some suppliers from Eastern Europe or Asia who do simple high mass sets.

Anyone know, please?
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Sorry should have said I am in the UK.

I understand there may be some suppliers from Eastern Europe or Asia who do simple high mass sets.

Anyone know, please?

Rather surprisingly have a look on ebay... I have seen some very cheap vestments advertised by a maker in Poland (I have never seen these vestments up close though so have no idea about quality etc. - but the patterns used are fairly simple but effective.)- I believe I've come across a company in India which also advertises on Ebay... I can't remember the company name, but let me have a look and I'll post abck if I find anything.

[ 19. December 2012, 12:18: Message edited by: Sergius-Melli ]
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
We obtained a very nice white High Mass set (chasuble, dalmatic, tunicle, stoles and maniples) for around £500 from:

http://www.catholicliturgicals.com

This may, of course, be the Indian company Sergius-Melli is thinking of. We are currently enquiring about a red High Mass set, but our churchwarden hasn't had a reply yet to his e-mail - they might be on holiday.......(and if you phone them, they're 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, I am told).

eBay is also worth exploring - we have a couple of Polish-made chasubles - though the Indian firm seems to be the only one offering low-priced dalmatics etc.

Ian J.
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
We obtained a very nice white High Mass set (chasuble, dalmatic, tunicle, stoles and maniples) for around £500 from:

http://www.catholicliturgicals.com

This may, of course, be the Indian company Sergius-Melli is thinking of. We are currently enquiring about a red High Mass set, but our churchwarden hasn't had a reply yet to his e-mail - they might be on holiday.......(and if you phone them, they're 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, I am told).

eBay is also worth exploring - we have a couple of Polish-made chasubles - though the Indian firm seems to be the only one offering low-priced dalmatics etc.

Ian J.

Yep, that's the one!
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Thanks. I can't see high mass sets though Bishops Finger.

They don't have tunicles. Did they make them special for you?
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
I got a low mass set (including maniple) for mum's priesting from Luzar Vestments and they also do High Mass sets. Based near Oxford. I couldn't remember the name of the company, but near Oxford stuck and googling Vestments Oxford brought success.

Carys
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Percy B - their range may have changed (we bought our set in 2011), but IIRC we did indeed have the tunicle made to order (at very little extra cost).

Or, to put it another way, you can ask them to provide chasuble, priest's stole, dalmatic, deacon's stole, tunicle (which can match the dalmatic), and 3 maniples. I think that's what our churchwarden did when he contacted the company.

Ian J.
 
Posted by SyNoddy (# 17009) on :
 
Elsewhere there is a thread touching on various candles found in church. This prompts me wonder on the significance of candles regarding Churchmanship: Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2? Plus, why the differences of advent wreath candles, purple/pink/white vs red/white or any other variations?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2?

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. If they are 'high' in the sense of wanting to outdo the Rome of 50 years ago their altars will look like Santa's grotto; if they are 'high' in the sense of Anglican sobriety à la Archbishop Laud or Percy Dearmer, they will have two tasteful candlesticks; if they are 'high' in the sense of following the minimalist taste of Vatican 2 they will have one or two stubby candles placed asymmetrically (and possibly balanced by a pot plant at the other end of the altar). MOTR meanwhile will just go for what looks nice or maybe not even notice whether there are any candles there or not.
 
Posted by SyNoddy (# 17009) on :
 
I am SO loving the offset pot plant idea!
Maybe all such decisions should be made with reference to the flower arrangers who are nature's arbiters of all things tasteful [Biased]
(I am a church flower arranger and know of what I speak)
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
Angloid, by "pot plant" do you mean a potted plant or a conveniently-placed source of cannabis?

The latter, it seems to me, would be clear evidence of someone being high...
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
I've seen such in churches in Amsterdam, so probably both.
 
Posted by Jon in the Nati (# 15849) on :
 
Extremely high church...
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
Re colours of candles on Advent wreaths I would say that in Germany/Austria where these have been around or a long time the four candles on the wreath would be uniformly red or uniformly white.
Advent wreaths are found in almost every house whether the people are church goers or not - just like the now ubiquitous Christmas trees in the UK and USA which don't really indicate whether those who have them are Christians or not.

Since Advent wreaths were introduced mainly into churches in the UK (and USA ?) the candles have been generally given the liturgical colours for the four Sundays of Advent in the Roman rite with the further introduction of a white Christ candle for Christmas day.(Three purple and one rose)
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Elsewhere there is a thread touching on various candles found in church. This prompts me wonder on the significance of candles regarding Churchmanship: Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2? Plus, why the differences of advent wreath candles, purple/pink/white vs red/white or any other variations?

In keeping with Dearmer my MOTR Anglican Church holds to these rules with the occassional embellishment for certain parts of the year... mainly with a little pushing from me...

"(1) two lights on the altar; (2) two standards on the pavement...; (3) other lights near ... the altar ... for use on the principal feasts;" - although Dearmer advocates 2 or 4 in the last category, and not behind the Altar, we have a 'little-big six' normally just at the sanctuary step which are removed most of the year popped in for Christmas and then for the Easter Vigil/Octave where they line the nave acting as the stations on the vigil procession and a nice pentecostally focussed guiding lights.
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Elsewhere there is a thread touching on various candles found in church. This prompts me wonder on the significance of candles regarding Churchmanship: Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2? Plus, why the differences of advent wreath candles, purple/pink/white vs red/white or any other variations?

3 purple/1 pink is a high church thing - pink and the accompanying Gaudete Sunday are relatively recent additions following the Anglo-Catholic movement in the 19th century. The white centre candle is optional but imo makes sense. The Advent wreath itself is a Lutheran tradition and originally consisted of red candles, and so other historical Protestant (eg Baptist) and low church Anglicans will have red candles in their wreaths.
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Elsewhere there is a thread touching on various candles found in church. This prompts me wonder on the significance of candles regarding Churchmanship: Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2? Plus, why the differences of advent wreath candles, purple/pink/white vs red/white or any other variations?

3 purple/1 pink is a high church thing - pink and the accompanying Gaudete Sunday are relatively recent additions following the Anglo-Catholic movement in the 19th century. The white centre candle is optional but imo makes sense. The Advent wreath itself is a Lutheran tradition and originally consisted of red candles, and so other historical Protestant (eg Baptist) and low church Anglicans will have red candles in their wreaths.
I'm going to have to go back to my really old BCPs and missals to check, but yes the colours might be relatively recent through the influence of those Anglo-Catholics, but I thought the principle nature behind Gaudete Sunday was an old thing, certainly dating from the reform of the Mass after Trent... will have to check and see.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Advent wreaths are a relatively new thing in the UK, 1970s onwards and fairly gradual, but now almost universal. There are various schemes as to what they denote. It's fairly obvious that the candles came first and, being Christians, we felt they ought to be given meanings. CW has 1, patriarchs, 2, prophets, 3, John the Baptist, 4, the Virgin, 5, lit at midnight on Christmas Eve, Jesus. I think we had this discussion last year.

We have four red ones and one white one. We don't bother with the pink one.
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Advent wreaths are a relatively new thing in the UK, 1970s onwards and fairly gradual, but now almost universal. There are various schemes as to what they denote. It's fairly obvious that the candles came first and, being Christians, we felt they ought to be given meanings. CW has 1, patriarchs, 2, prophets, 3, John the Baptist, 4, the Virgin, 5, lit at midnight on Christmas Eve, Jesus. I think we had this discussion last year.

We have four red ones and one white one. We don't bother with the pink one.

Quite right on all of that (though I disagree with the colours you give... that's just me!) I have to say at this juncture, thank God that there is always a spare purple candle in the box for when your not so attentive Parish Priest lights the colours in the wrong order...
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Advent wreaths are a relatively new thing in the UK, 1970s onwards and fairly gradual, but now almost universal.

I blame Valerie Singleton, "Blue Peter" and wire coat-hangers. But that was in the 1960s.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
....and sticky-backed tape, of course...... [Two face]

[Two face]

Father got completely discombobulated at our Christingle Service last week, and told the assembled throng that the pink candle on the Advent Wreath signified Our Lady...... [Eek!]

Ian J.
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
....and sticky-backed tape, of course...... [Two face]

[Two face]

Father got completely discombobulated at our Christingle Service last week, and told the assembled throng that the pink candle on the Advent Wreath signified Our Lady...... [Eek!]

Ian J.

Surely it is sticky-backed plastic/ double-sided sticky-tape or so it was in my not too long ago youth watching Blue Peter...

What would Priests do without sacristans/MCs to stear them in the right direction in the liturgy and knowledge of the Church... examples as we give... we humble servants are of course only human and can't prevent Father from cocking up occassionally... [Razz]
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
Angloid, by "pot plant" do you mean a potted plant or a conveniently-placed source of cannabis?

The latter, it seems to me, would be clear evidence of someone being high...

Perhaps some of the leaves could be mixed in with the contents of the thurible.
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Fr Weber:
Angloid, by "pot plant" do you mean a potted plant or a conveniently-placed source of cannabis?

The latter, it seems to me, would be clear evidence of someone being high...

Perhaps some of the leaves could be mixed in with the contents of the thurible.
You would need a proper thurifer who likes to 'fog' the Church to have a proper effect in this situation I think...

Which lends itself to a hypothetical based tangent... what kind of incense (ie., Dumont's Pontifical/Sandlewood/Gloria etc. etc. - other good brands and mixes exist out there) would best cover the presumably powerful smell of cannabis burning in a thurible...

[edited some typos]

[ 21. December 2012, 13:48: Message edited by: Sergius-Melli ]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Advent wreaths are a relatively new thing in the UK, 1970s onwards and fairly gradual, but now almost universal. There are various schemes as to what they denote. It's fairly obvious that the candles came first and, being Christians, we felt they ought to be given meanings. CW has 1, patriarchs, 2, prophets, 3, John the Baptist, 4, the Virgin, 5, lit at midnight on Christmas Eve, Jesus. I think we had this discussion last year.

We have four red ones and one white one. We don't bother with the pink one.

Alas you are quite right, especially with the "being Christians, we felt they ought to be given meanings". It's a pity that we can't just leave them as "the four Sundays of Advent, preparing for the great joy of Christmas".

The first candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, when there is a particular focus on the prophets. The candle does not "represent" or "signify" the prophets. After all, Advent I is also traditionally the day for preaching on Death as the first of the Four Last Things, and no-one suggests that the first purple candle represents that!

[/grump]
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
After all, Advent I is also traditionally the day for preaching on Death as the first of the Four Last Things, and no-one suggests that the first purple candle represents that!

I think that may be more to do with pastoral considerations in the Anglican church - we don't want our ageing congregations to be dwelling on such a topic too much!
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Mine are three purple and one pink. The United Methodist Book of Worship (UMBOW) calls for four purple, but since we already had the pink one and since our Advent paraments depict three purples and a pink, I decided to stick with that.

[ 21. December 2012, 16:09: Message edited by: Barefoot Friar ]
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:
quote:
Originally posted by Basilica:
After all, Advent I is also traditionally the day for preaching on Death as the first of the Four Last Things, and no-one suggests that the first purple candle represents that!

I think that may be more to do with pastoral considerations in the Anglican church - we don't want our ageing congregations to be dwelling on such a topic too much!
Alternatively, it could be suggested that the imminence of death makes talking about it all the more urgent!
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
Bishops' letters and sermons are prone to to refer to the Four Last Things. Although a candle can stand for heaven, it would be a bit odd to have a candle of death, judgement or hell.


Too much of a cloud of cannabis impregnated incense might give the lucky thurifer a sense of visionary rapture.
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
3 purple/1 pink is a high church thing - pink and the accompanying Gaudete Sunday are relatively recent additions following the Anglo-Catholic movement in the 19th century. The white centre candle is optional but imo makes sense. The Advent wreath itself is a Lutheran tradition and originally consisted of red candles, and so other historical Protestant (eg Baptist) and low church Anglicans will have red candles in their wreaths.

My first church (until 7) though quite high (and with a priest called Fr Geoffrey for some of that time) had 4 berry bright red candles, don't know what they do these days. OTOh I was in a Welsh Baptist church the other day that had 3 purple and a pink (but it was before Advent 3 so I can't tell you if they got the pink right), so I think the liturgical colours are winning out.

Carys
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Bishops' letters and sermons are prone to to refer to the Four Last Things. Although a candle can stand for heaven, it would be a bit odd to have a candle of death, judgement or hell.

Sounds very heavy metal.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Carys:
so I think the liturgical colours are winning out.

Most probably because that's what the church supply shops sell.
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sergius-Melli:
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Elsewhere there is a thread touching on various candles found in church. This prompts me wonder on the significance of candles regarding Churchmanship: Why do 'high' churches have a whole battery of candles on the alter while 'MOTR' churches have just 2? Plus, why the differences of advent wreath candles, purple/pink/white vs red/white or any other variations?

3 purple/1 pink is a high church thing - pink and the accompanying Gaudete Sunday are relatively recent additions following the Anglo-Catholic movement in the 19th century. The white centre candle is optional but imo makes sense. The Advent wreath itself is a Lutheran tradition and originally consisted of red candles, and so other historical Protestant (eg Baptist) and low church Anglicans will have red candles in their wreaths.
I'm going to have to go back to my really old BCPs and missals to check, but yes the colours might be relatively recent through the influence of those Anglo-Catholics, but I thought the principle nature behind Gaudete Sunday was an old thing, certainly dating from the reform of the Mass after Trent... will have to check and see.
Oh the colours are older, sorry, I just meant that the use of pink (or rose to be really correct) in the Anglican church has only really been going on since the Anglo-Catholicism movement. Obviously in the Catholic church itself it was happening a long time before that!
 
Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
Watching the Christmas Mass from St. Peter's, the narrating monseigneur mentioned that the Pope was wearing a rarely seen vestment, one symbolizing the shield of faith. Naturally, I'd never heard of it, and, equally naturally, I forgot what it was called as soon as I heard it. What is this vestment, and why exactly is it rarely seen?
 
Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
I think next year I am going to channel my ancestral Kranky Kraut and have four red candles in the Advent wreath. I heard one two many questions about the pink candle this year, and also, four reds and a white is what I remember from my teenage years (1980s, in case you are wondering.)

The thing that bugs me is I cannot remember when we used to take the blessed thing down. I have some vague idea it was the feast of the Circumcision, or possibly Epiphany, but I am not at all sure.

PD
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Doesn't it go away after Christmas Eve/Day? It's primarily an Advent thing, after all. At any rate, I'm getting rid of ours next time I'm in the office, which should be Thursday or Friday.
 
Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
The papal vestment which Ariston asks about is called the 'fanon'.It serves much the same purpose as the amice.Its use is documented since the 700s of the Christian era but later on became reserved to the Roman pontiff.

Its symbolic use with alternating bands of white and gold recall the indissolubility of the Latin and the Oriental church.

In the wake of Vatican2 the fanon was abandoned (along with the maniple !!)Paul VI wore it a few times.John Paul 2 only once and now Benedict 16 has started to wear in again on solemn occasions.
Happy christmas.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
The Advent Wreath has indeed fulfilled its purpose, and, I gather, will not be present in our sanctuary next Sunday.

Some rather splendid flower arrangements are, however, already present....!

Ian J.
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
Doesn't it go away after Christmas Eve/Day? It's primarily an Advent thing, after all. At any rate, I'm getting rid of ours next time I'm in the office, which should be Thursday or Friday.

Ah, but then there is the "Christ Candle" in the center, which means my church will apparently be leaving it out until Epiphany. Unless Olaf makes it into the church before then...
 
Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Forthview:
The papal vestment which Ariston asks about is called the 'fanon'.It serves much the same purpose as the amice.Its use is documented since the 700s of the Christian era but later on became reserved to the Roman pontiff.

Its symbolic use with alternating bands of white and gold recall the indissolubility of the Latin and the Oriental church.

Ah! Thanks for that! So it was the striped vestment that looked like an amice—that's what I thought it was at first, but something didn't look quite right about it.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
One hesitates to criticise a hallowed national institution, a tradition that for many marks the beginning of Christmas, but am I the only person who found the Carols from Kings slightly precious and enervated, beauty as a way of keeping God firmly at arm's length?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I will admit I find it over-rated.

But I am interested that in this age when anything remotely formal in worship is thought to be off putting without loads of explanations, King's manages to provide an hour and a half of non-didactic liturgical worship and remain popular.

I'm not bothered by it myself.
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
Do you mean the telly version or the radio? The radio is live whereas the telly is filmed a few weeks in advance and more populist with poems etc as well as scripture.

Carys
 
Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
One hesitates to criticise a hallowed national institution, a tradition that for many marks the beginning of Christmas, but am I the only person who found the Carols from Kings slightly precious and enervated, beauty as a way of keeping God firmly at arm's length?

Not at all! Found it as ever a populist knees-up with high production values and evangelistic fervour.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
TV version was good as always, but far too mannered and tricksy to be glorious. They could do with fewer clever arrangements and a lot more lusty congregational singing.
 
Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by PD:
The thing that bugs me is I cannot remember when we used to take the blessed thing down. I have some vague idea it was the feast of the Circumcision, or possibly Epiphany, but I am not at all sure.

Epiphany - the twelf day of Christmas, if there is a Christ Candle included. If no Christ candle, then I suggest 25/12 is the last sighting for another year.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
It's Holy Family Sunday this coming Sunday.

Is it ever observed with particular traditions in liturgy - for example blessings of families?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Thank goodness i am going to miss it because I am preaching at a Methodist covenant Service.

The supreme irony of the idea of a 'holy family' for a child who grew up to subvert family structures....
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
...and whose own family was far from conventional and possibly highly dysfunctional. But then that's what you preach about, surely?
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by The Scrumpmeister:
Does anybody know a place from where spare censer lining bowls may be had?

At church where I used to worship, we used the small tin-foil containers used for cooking individual pies - you know the ones, the sort you get in Fish & Chip shops. You can get them in bulk from most cash & carrys and are very cheap.
What a good idea! Thank you so much for this. A quick google reveals that a single, inexpensive pack will last a very long time.

I'm really grateful.
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Why does the censer bowl have to be lined? (An innocent question, just wondering).

I guess from what is being said the metal holders of mince pies are too small. [Smile]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:
...and whose own family was far from conventional and possibly highly dysfunctional. But then that's what you preach about, surely?

Indeed - but not all preachers get this.
 
Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
If the censer bowl is lined, it makes it a lot easier to remove the gunk which accumulates - you simply throw away and replace the liner, rather than scrape away for ages to clear aforesaid gunk.

At least, so I am reliably informed - they don't let me anywhere near the thurible, lest I accidentally drop/break/damage/destroy/lose the thing......

Ian J.
 
Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
So if someone was baptised into the Dutch Reformed church of South Africa as a babe and attended Sunday school for the first seven odd years of his life (but his parents never attended church ) then moved to Australia and religion became a thing of the past until age 40 when he wants to become a part of the Anglican Church, would you confirm him or welcome him into the Anglican Church (two different services - for those that are unaware)?
 
Posted by aig (# 429) on :
 
I would present him to a bishop for confirmation (if that is his desire).
 
Posted by The Scrumpmeister (# 5638) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Why does the censer bowl have to be lined? (An innocent question, just wondering).

Apart from Bishop's Finger's general reply, there are the reasons peculiar to my parish.

The bowl really is quite deep, and actually broadens out a little from the actual opening at the top. There are others that we have and which I prefer but my parish priest prefers this one. The problem is that maintaining it alight and getting the incense actually onto the charcoal, not to mention cleaning it out, are well nigh impossible without the missing bowl or some equivalent.

[ 28. December 2012, 12:44: Message edited by: The Scrumpmeister ]
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Thank you BF and Herr Scrumpmeister for the answers. [Smile]

I have a straightforward question, or I think it is.

I would like a new alb. Nice quality, easy to launder, no hood.
I am in the UK.

Where you recommend?
 
Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:

If the censer bowl is lined, it makes it a lot easier to remove the gunk which accumulates - you simply throw away and replace the liner, rather than scrape away for ages to clear aforesaid gunk.

At least, so I am reliably informed - they don't let me anywhere near the thurible, lest I accidentally drop/break/damage/destroy/lose the thing......

Ian J.

A foil liner can be used, but it must be the heavier weight foil, or just forget it. The standard metal thurible cup, which should be made of stamped steel, can can be more easily scraped out than you seem to assume.

The cup, with the cooled coals, ash and incense residue, should should be removed from the thurible as soon as practicable and the contents knocked out of it into a proper place or fireproof container. A good deal of the incense residue will be knocked out of an unlined cup with the dead coals and ash. Anything further by way of scraping the cup can easily be provided by an old tablespoon or knife kept for the purpose. Unless the cup has been previously mishandled, nothing much more is needed to perform this easy task.

A thurible coal cup is not made to be kept shiny and clean, but will be somewhat pitted or grimy, discolored by heat and in service to its utilitarian purpose as long as it is properly emptied and scraped after each use. The scraping is not so much for cleanliness, but to prevent the build up of incense residue in layers that will smoke before the time that is needed in a service. In a proper working sacristy one should never find a thurible that has been left hanging uncleaned following a previous use.

*

[ 28. December 2012, 22:37: Message edited by: Mr. Rob ]
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evensong:
So if someone was baptised into the Dutch Reformed church of South Africa as a babe and attended Sunday school for the first seven odd years of his life (but his parents never attended church ) then moved to Australia and religion became a thing of the past until age 40 when he wants to become a part of the Anglican Church, would you confirm him or welcome him into the Anglican Church (two different services - for those that are unaware)?

I agree with aig. Confirmation is appropriate when someone has never made an adult profession of faith so the subject of your enquiry, who has received baptism as an infant, should be presented for confirmation.

If the person in question had been through the equivalent of confirmation, such as reception into membership or even baptism as an adult, then I would view the welcome as being most appropriate.

I suspect there are those who would recommend confirmation for anyone who had not explicitly been confirmed.
 
Posted by The Silent Acolyte (# 1158) on :
 
A copper bowl works just fine in a thurible.

A foil liner is fussy. Scraping the bowl with a sturdy table spoon while the contents and the bowl are still hot suffices to clean the pliable, gooey mess out.

Waiting until they are cold is counterproductive and makes scraping out the hardened incense more difficult than necessary.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Silent Acolyte:
A copper bowl works just fine in a thurible.

A foil liner is fussy. Scraping the bowl with a sturdy table spoon while the contents and the bowl are still hot suffices to clean the pliable, gooey mess out.

Waiting until they are cold is counterproductive and makes scraping out the hardened incense more difficult than necessary.

Our thuribles get soaked in tomato juice a few times a year. Each has a copper bowl that is lined with foil to make it easier to dump the used coals into a coffee can in the niche where the gas jet is.
 
Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :
 
I'm sure I could find this somewhere else, but you all are more knowledgeable than an encyclopedia and faster than Google.

What are the origins of the Christmas/St. Stephen/St. John/Holy Innocents chain of four days? (specifically the latter three, everyone knows about the date of Christmas) Are they coincidentally linked, as a matter of birthdays or deathdays? Or is there something thematic going on that I'm missing?
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
They're all in the Leonine Sacramentary so that puts them pretty early, the received wisdom being that the Leonine, which exists only in a single early seventh century copy, is witness to what was established in Rome in the middle of the fifth century. It is certainly post the Visogothic sack of Rome in 410 and the prevalence of prayers of thanksgiving for deliverance from occupying forces, combined with fragments of Pope St Leo the Great's sermons argues for a date not long after the Vandal occupation in 455.

It is tempting to see the arrangement as systematic or thematic but the origins of the dates of these celebrations are so opaque that the more certain the claims to some kind of organising principle, the more suspicious you should be: it's usually a case of that's how it is now let's find a post hoc rationale for it. You should note that the Roman arrangement of these feasts is not that used in the East. St Stephen and the Holy Innocents are marked, I believe, in the Byzantine Rite on the third (27th) and fifth (29th) days of the Nativity, St John is celebrated in May and September.
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
Our thuribles get soaked in tomato juice a few times a year. ...

!!! ??? Is tomato juice a granny's secret for cleaning copper, or is there some festival in your church that the rest of us don't know about which which involves the liturgical oblation of tomatoes?

[ 29. December 2012, 10:25: Message edited by: Enoch ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bostonman:
I'm sure I could find this somewhere else, but you all are more knowledgeable than an encyclopedia and faster than Google.

What are the origins of the Christmas/St. Stephen/St. John/Holy Innocents chain of four days? (specifically the latter three, everyone knows about the date of Christmas) Are they coincidentally linked, as a matter of birthdays or deathdays? Or is there something thematic going on that I'm missing?

26 December is the first of the three days that make up the Christmas Triduum, i.e., the three feasts that appear immediately after the Nativity of Our Lord. They were placed there for theological, rather than historical, reasons.

The 26th is the feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr because St. Stephen was the first to willingly offer up his life for Our Lord.

The 27th is the feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist because St. John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and the one to whom Our Lord entrusted His Blessed Mother, wrote about the Incarnation in his gospel. The first 14 verses of the gospel of St. John, which make up the "last gospel" at EF Masses, testify that THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US (John 1:14). This is, in a nutshell, the reason for the Christmas season.

The 28th is the feast of the Holy Innocents because these infants were the first to suffer and die for Our Lord.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
Ceremoniale, as I said above, the origins of the dating of these feasts is too early to be able to make the claim you make. It is a post hoc rationalisation at best.

[ 29. December 2012, 16:33: Message edited by: Trisagion ]
 
Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 
The usual reason why St Stephen's Day is on the 26th December would be because the earliest tradition was that that was the day on which he was martyred, in which case it would be coincidence or divine serendipity.
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
Almost, Enoch. In fact the earliest tradition for which we have much evidence in the West is the practice at a rome, where the tradition was to celebrate Martyrs' days on the day following the anniversary of their martyrdom.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
Ceremoniale, as I said above, the origins of the dating of these feasts is too early to be able to make the claim you make. It is a post hoc rationalisation at best.

I knew that you would repeat that. While recognizing the difficulty of pinpointing the precise time of insertion into the kalendar, the old Catholic encyclopedia says the following:

"The Latin Church instituted the feast of the Holy Innocents at a date now unknown, not before the end of the fourth and not later than the end of the fifth century. It is, with the feasts of St. Stephen and St. John, first found in the Leonine Sacramentary, dating from about 485. To the Philocalian Calendar of 354 it is unknown. The Latins keep it on 28 December, the Greeks on 29 December, the Syrians and Chaldeans on 27 December. These dates have nothing to do with the chronological order of the event; the feast is kept within the octave of Christmas because the Holy Innocents gave their life for the newborn Saviour. Stephen the first martyr (martyr by will, love, and blood), John, the Disciple of Love (martyr by will and love), and these first flowers of the Church (martyrs by blood alone) accompany the Holy Child Jesus entering this world on Christmas day. "
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07419a.htm

Again, I realize the difficulties of dating something so ancient, but this is what every source I have ever seen has said. Ildefonso Schuster's classic study of the liturgy, The Sacramentary (volume I, 1924, Benziger), while acknowledging the same difficulty, also suggests that this is a reasonable proposition, from a scholarly perspective. The same goes for Adrian Vigourel's Synthetical Manual of Liturgy (1907, John Murphy Co.)

[ 29. December 2012, 20:05: Message edited by: Ceremoniar ]
 
Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 
First of all Ceremoniar, I apologise for mis-spelling your name.

I too have looked at Schuster but not at Vigourel. I wouldn't put the Catholic Encyclopedia in the same class, in terms of its scholarly concern for sources.

Of course it's a "reasonable proposition" but it is one entirely without any supporting evidence in extant documentary sources and, given the difference between the thematic development of the temporal cycle and the occasional development of the sanctoral, one is forced to ask the question: "nice though the notion is, why should we believe that the two developed together in this single example?" In the absence of any historical data, and acknowledging a quite understandable tendency to look for theological or devotionally helpful reasons for things that are simply accidents of history, what might seem a reasonable proposition doesn't get home as fact.

[ 30. December 2012, 07:24: Message edited by: Trisagion ]
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trisagion:
First of all Ceremoniar, I apologise for mis-spelling your name.

I too have looked at Schuster but not at Vigourel. I wouldn't put the Catholic Encyclopedia in the same class, in terms of its scholarly concern for sources.

Of course it's a "reasonable proposition" but it is one entirely without any supporting evidence in extant documentary sources and, given the difference between the thematic development of the temporal cycle and the occasional development of the sanctoral, one is forced to ask the question: "nice though the notion is, why should we believe that the two developed together in this single example?" In the absence of any historical data, and acknowledging a quite understandable tendency to look for theological or devotionally helpful reasons for things that are simply accidents of history, what might seem a reasonable proposition doesn't get home as fact.

Understood. I would also like to point out that in the EF (pre-V2 missals), the entire Christmas season, including this Triduum, were all part of the proper of of seaons, rather than the proper of saints. This also suggests a deliberate structure, rather than accidental. It is a shame that the post-V2 missals no longer do this.
 
Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Oblatus:
Our thuribles get soaked in tomato juice a few times a year. ...

!!! ??? Is tomato juice a granny's secret for cleaning copper, or is there some festival in your church that the rest of us don't know about which which involves the liturgical oblation of tomatoes?
I'm breaking out in hives (I'm allergic) just imagining the possible tomato rites. But I'm told the tomato juice's acidity is just enough to make the cleaning much easier yet not enough to corrode the metal.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
I think Trisagion is right: serendipity rather than any deliberate structure. If anything, Stephen ought to be after Easter, surely? And the Innocents after Epiphany? What about St Joseph?
 
Posted by Anglican_Brat (# 12349) on :
 
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Isn't the Holy Name in August?
 
Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :
 
Trying to make 'logical' sense of the calendars seems to be something that will end in wearing a tinfoil hat and swaying gently. Still harder is adding the lectionary to the mix. Although the main gospel used this year is Luke, we get John's account of the wedding at Cana between the baptism of Christ and the temptation in the wilderness. Is this supposed to make sense?
 
Posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras (# 11274) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?

AFAIK, just two recently invented names used by various Anglican provinces and Lutheran churches that are apparently squeamish about a Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the RCs made the whole thing a Marian feast.

[ 31. December 2012, 15:59: Message edited by: Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras ]
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
And I'm still trying to figure out what yesterday's Communion Proper meant in any context; 'Take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.'
My guess is that whoever prepared the Graduale we are using just missed that one! (Though the same text appears in Graduale Triplex for Year A.)
 
Posted by Comper's Child (# 10580) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?

Growing up in the 50s and 60s in TEC we used both names - I expect The Holy Name was added so that squeamish folks could avoid pondering the mystery or Our Lord's Submission to the Law.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Comper's Child:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?

Growing up in the 50s and 60s in TEC we used both names - I expect The Holy Name was added so that squeamish folks could avoid pondering the mystery or Our Lord's Submission to the Law.
The day involves both. These are related, but still separate, aspects of what took place. Devotion to the Holy Name has a life of its own, even beyond the submission to the law and shedding of First Blood.


quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
And I'm still trying to figure out what yesterday's Communion Proper meant in any context; 'Take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.'
My guess is that whoever prepared the Graduale we are using just missed that one! (Though the same text appears in Graduale Triplex for Year A.)

I am confused. What is the puzzlement here? This is Matthew 2:20, when St. Joseph is directed to return the Holy Family to the Holy Land. It is the "all clear" from Above. [Confused]
 
Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ceremoniar:

quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
And I'm still trying to figure out what yesterday's Communion Proper meant in any context; 'Take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.'
My guess is that whoever prepared the Graduale we are using just missed that one! (Though the same text appears in Graduale Triplex for Year A.)

I am confused. What is the puzzlement here? This is Matthew 2:20, when St. Joseph is directed to return the Holy Family to the Holy Land. It is the "all clear" from Above. [Confused] [/QB]
Sorry. What I meant was that my confusion came from the disconnect with the lectionary. The Gospel was John 1:1-18 - if one hasn't heard even the 'flight into Egypt' yet, much less the return, it's a little confusing!
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
In the absence of a Priest, is it valid in the Anglican Communion (or parts of it) for a lay person to lead the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday with imposition of ashes (excluding the Eucharist, obviously) or must it be led by a Priest?
 
Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?

AFAIK, just two recently invented names used by various Anglican provinces and Lutheran churches that are apparently squeamish about a Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the RCs made the whole thing a Marian feast.

I have often wondered why so very few churches are dedicated to the feast of the Circumcision. Surely, it would be an ecumenical gesture toward our Jewish friends?
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
1928 (English) Baptism and Confirmation. Forbidden or just not authorised?

Thurible
 
Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
1928 (English) Baptism and Confirmation. Forbidden or just not authorised?

Thurible

Also Solemnization of Matrimony. Have I been living in sin for nearly forty years? [Confused]
 
Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Metapelagius:
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
1928 (English) Baptism and Confirmation. Forbidden or just not authorised?

Thurible

Also Solemnization of Matrimony. Have I been living in sin for nearly forty years? [Confused]
On that point at least you're ok - the Church of England considers any legal marriage to be valid, and parliament diligently passes a bill confirming that all marriages done in the previous year are valid, even if the ceremony was incorrect in some fashion - so long as the paperwork was filed properly you're fine.
 
Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :
 
Oh, it was all fine until 1966, I think, and 1928 marriage. Is still kosher, having been explicitly authorised as Series One. Baptism and confirmation, though, were not.

I just wonder, though, whether they're actually forbidden or not.

Thurible
 
Posted by Olaf (# 11804) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
In the absence of a Priest, is it valid in the Anglican Communion (or parts of it) for a lay person to lead the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday with imposition of ashes (excluding the Eucharist, obviously) or must it be led by a Priest?

If there is no specific answer provided from an Anglican source, then the Catholic answer is yes and no. Yes, a lay person can lead the liturgy with imposition; no, a lay person cannot bless the ashes. A deacon or priest must do so.
 
Posted by Metapelagius (# 9453) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
quote:
Originally posted by Metapelagius:
quote:
Originally posted by Thurible:
1928 (English) Baptism and Confirmation. Forbidden or just not authorised?

Thurible

Also Solemnization of Matrimony. Have I been living in sin for nearly forty years? [Confused]
On that point at least you're ok - the Church of England considers any legal marriage to be valid, and parliament diligently passes a bill confirming that all marriages done in the previous year are valid, even if the ceremony was incorrect in some fashion - so long as the paperwork was filed properly you're fine.
Phew! That's a relief. I hope the paperwork was in order, especially as we had to get permission from the ABC for starters. [Yipee]
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
Is Presentation/Candlemas celebrated in white or gold, or in the green of Ordinary Time? Is it different if it falls on a Sunday?

Can I transfer it to Sunday this year, or should I stick with Epiphany 4?
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
It is in white or gold. In the RC rules, it is a feast of the Lord and so takes precedence over Sunday if it is falls on Sunday.

The C of E are quite excited by it, and have created an Epiphany season ending at Candlemass, which can be transferred to the nearest Sunday and then over-rides the Sunday.

Last year I was at Truro Cathedral for the Sunday before 2 Feb, and they kept the full works with a procession with candles but with red vestments.
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
Is Presentation/Candlemas celebrated in white or gold, or in the green of Ordinary Time? Is it different if it falls on a Sunday?

Can I transfer it to Sunday this year, or should I stick with Epiphany 4?

Feasts of Our Lord (except those of his Passion) are always white. The day's being a Sunday makes no difference.

The precise rules about transferring the feast will depend upon your denomination and country (the latter particularly if you are Roman Catholic, which I presume isn't the case as you refer to Epiphany 4). I'd check with the calendar/lectionary/other such resource as appropriate.
 
Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
I'm UMC, but I tend to follow TEC rules on stuff. The 1979 BCP states that Presentation takes precedence over Sunday when it falls on one, but I'm still unclear about transferring it.

Thanks for the answer on colors, though.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
quote:
Originally posted by Lietuvos Sv. Kazimieras:
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican_Brat:
Traditionally, is there a difference between the Feast of the Naming of Jesus and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?

AFAIK, just two recently invented names used by various Anglican provinces and Lutheran churches that are apparently squeamish about a Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the RCs made the whole thing a Marian feast.

I have often wondered why so very few churches are dedicated to the feast of the Circumcision. Surely, it would be an ecumenical gesture toward our Jewish friends?
Some apparently have not been following the thread devoted entirely to this subject:
http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=007705

Among the pertinent points raised in this discussion is that the first of January was most anciently a Marian feast (to honor her role in the Incarnation, as Mother of God), and the Circumcision feast came about later, in the Middle Ages. Even in the pre-Vatican II missal, the collects in the Mass for the Circumcision still are Marian in theme, asking for Our Lady's prayers, and quite indicative of the original Marian nature of the feast. Thus, the post-Vatican II revision of the feast was merely a restoration of its more ancient focus.

As for naming churches for the Circumcision of Our Lord being an ecumenical gesture toward the Jewish people, this is an ironic statement. The whole reason that the RCC dropped that name of the feast--followed within a few years by other denominations--was because Jewish leaders expressed their objections about the name of the feast to Blessed John XXIII. They did not believe that it is appropriate for Christians to use the name of an important Jewish ritual--signifying submission to the Mosaic law of the old convenant--as the basis of a feast to be observed by people who, in their view, do not adhere to Mosaic law, the old convenant, or Jewish tradition.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
Incredibly random and not very liturgical, but recently I've run across the expression "a curate's egg." I have no idea what it means but it doesn't sound positive! Can someone explain what this curious expression means and from whence it might have come?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Let Wikipedia be your friend.

(second attempt to format URL... help!)

[fixed code - the Ship's software seemed to be taking a particular dislike to that URL for reasons that are beyond me!]

[ 08. January 2013, 16:07: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
Incredibly random and not very liturgical, but recently I've run across the expression "a curate's egg." I have no idea what it means but it doesn't sound positive! Can someone explain what this curious expression means and from whence it might have come?

It refers to a cartoon in the Victorian humourous magazine Punch.

The curate is having breakfast with his bishop and has been given a boiled egg. The dialogue was something along the lines:

Bishop: I'm afraid, Mr Crawley, your egg is bad.

Curate: O no, my Lord. Parts of it are excellent.

The phrase nowadays normally means "good in parts", although the original joke was that the entire egg was rotten and the curate couldn't say so.

Up to a point, Lord Copper. (I've just read read Waugh's Scoop.)

[deleted duplicate post]

[ 08. January 2013, 16:11: Message edited by: seasick ]
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
The curate was Mr Jones in the original. But Mr Crawley seems more appropriate.
 
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
I'm UMC, but I tend to follow TEC rules on stuff. The 1979 BCP states that Presentation takes precedence over Sunday when it falls on one, but I'm still unclear about transferring it.

Thanks for the answer on colors, though.

I wouldn't transfer the feast, but that's just personal preference. I really dislike the whole "external solemnity" practice, where a feast falling on a weekday automatically is transferred to the nearest Sunday.

Nevertheless, it's licit in many jurisdictions, probably including your own. As far as I'm aware nothing in the 1979 BCP prohibits doing so, nor does any canon of which I'm aware, so if you're really burning to celebrate the Purification/Presentation on 2/3, you can probably go ahead. [Smile]

For us, it will be Sexagesima (commemorating St Blaise & St Anskar).
 
Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
On the liturgical furnishings front, I wonder if any shipmates have seen anything like our Paschal candlestick (3 pics), now sadly in need of some TLC. Any ideas about its provenance?
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
Unfortunately I can't help with your question, Qoheleth, but you are very near where I live when I'm home from uni! I worship at St Michael's Basingstoke outside of term time [Smile]

Me, my best friend and her husband were at Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral on New Year's Eve. As we were sitting at the back and I am 5'1, I couldn't see everything (but attending a nosebleed-high church usually, I knew what was going on and just enjoyed the music). My friends however, were apparently puzzled by something carried in procession that was a long pole with a disk at the end - any ideas what it was?
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Sounds to me like a verger's wand or staff: at Canterbury IIRC they have on oval metal head bearing the arms of the diocese (or possibly the cathedral- can't remember).
 
Posted by Basilica (# 16965) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Sounds to me like a verger's wand or staff: at Canterbury IIRC they have on oval metal head bearing the arms of the diocese (or possibly the cathedral- can't remember).

These are often also called "virges" (hence the occasional spelling "virger").
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Qoheleth.:
On the liturgical furnishings front, I wonder if any shipmates have seen anything like our Paschal candlestick (3 pics), now sadly in need of some TLC. Any ideas about its provenance?

Sadly, I can't help either, but it is genuinely beautiful (as is the Church from what I can see!)

Is there nothing in Church records about it, a plaque on it or reference to it in some history of the Church that could help?

Failing that try to find a history buff who might be able to help you...
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Sounds to me like a verger's wand or staff: at Canterbury IIRC they have on oval metal head bearing the arms of the diocese (or possibly the cathedral- can't remember).

Aye, it does...

The virge I use when playing that role in Church is more resemblant of the mace than the long, slender poles that are most often seen.

It truly would make a wonderful weapon for beating back animals and crowds and keeping unruly choristors in-line...
 
Posted by Carys (# 78) on :
 
That's the point of the virge, to clear the way for the procession; with pews they are generally ceremonial. Generally carried at 45 degrees in front of the verger, though some places carry it over the shoulder.

For more info see the Church of England Guild of Vergers site .

Carys
 
Posted by Sergius-Melli (# 17462) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Carys:
That's the point of the virge, to clear the way for the procession; with pews they are generally ceremonial. Generally carried at 45 degrees in front of the verger, though some places carry it over the shoulder.

For more info see the Church of England Guild of Vergers site .

Carys

...
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
I like Carys' 'generally' here, suggesting that sometimes virges are more than ceremonial. Perhaps they are.
 
Posted by Ceremoniar (# 13596) on :
 
Do we get a new random postcard thread for the new year? [Angel]
 
Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
Good point. Thread closed.

seasick, Eccles host
 


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