Propositions 31-36

HERE ARE THE NEXT SIX PROPOSITIONS FROM THE SYNOD ON THE EUCHARIST.

Proposition 31 stresses the importance of celebrations of the Word of God and particularly recommends the Liturgy of the Hours.

It also says something rather odd in stating that "Forms of access to the Word of God may also be used which have been
demonstrated to be valid in the catechetical and pastoral endeavor,
such as dialogue, silence or other creative elements like gestures and
music."

Hopefully this will not be taken as license for free-wheeling liturgies of the word.

Proposition 32 deals with celebrations of the Eucharist in "small groups" (i.e., parish cell groups). These groups have been introduced in many places as a way of trying to build involvement in the parish, but there have been numerous problems accompanying them, including the fact that their leaders are often heterodox or emphatic about a particular form of Catholic spirituality that they expect everyone in the group to conform to. There also have been problems with families being separated into different small groups and there have been problems with factionalism in parishes based on the small groups.

Thus the proposition states:

Holy Masses celebrated in small groups must foster a more conscious,
active and fruitful participation in the Eucharist. The following
criteria have been suggested:

— small groups must serve to unite the parish community, not to fragment it;

— they must respect the needs of the different types of faithful,
so that they foster the fruitful participation of the whole assembly;

— they must be guided by clear and precise directives;

— they must keep in mind that, in the measure possible, the unity of the family must be preserved.

Proposition 33 addresses the problem of lay ministries in Mass infringing on the role of the clergy and states that "The tasks of the priest and of other liturgical ministries must be better clarified." Among the clarifications it recommends are:

These ministries must be introduced according to their specific mandate
and according to the real needs of the community that celebrates.

The persons in charge of these lay liturgical services must be
carefully chosen, well prepared and supported by permanent formation.
Their appointment must be temporary. These persons must be known by the
community and must receive grateful acknowledgment from the same. The
liturgical norms and regulations serve to give a clear orientation on
the economy of salvation, "communio" and the unity of the Church.

These recommendations are designed to limit the unauthorized and unnecessary multiplication of lay roles at Mass and of these positions being permanently commandeered by people who are heterodox, unaccountable, and unresponsive to the parshioners they ostensibly serve.

Proposition 34 deals with reverence for the Eucharist and is short and to the point:

To be observed before the consecrated Host is the practice of
genuflection or other gestures of worship, according to different
cultures. The importance of kneeling is recommended during significant
moments of the Eucharistic prayer, with a sense of worship and praise
of the Lord present in the Eucharist. Moreover, thanksgiving after
Communion should be promoted, including with a time of silence.

Proposition 35 deals with the reception of Communion or–more precisely–the non-reception of Communion. It stresses that those who are not allowed to receive Communion (e.g., because they are not Catholics or because they haven’t been to confession) need to have this point explained to them firmly and charitably, with it being pointed out that this is not a personal diss on them.

The proposition also states that "In some situations, a celebration of the Word of God is recommended instead of the Holy Mass." This seems to be a reference to situations in which the best way to prevent people from receiving the Eucharist illicitly would be to not offer Mass but have a liturgy of the word instead. It also says that "Pastors of souls must be concerned to lead the greatest possible number
of men to Christ, who calls all to himself — and not only in Holy
Communion — so that they will have eternal life."

Proposition 36 recommends greater use of Latin in the current rite of Mass, at least in Masses with people from different countries:

To express better the unity and universality of the Church in the
celebration of the Eucharist during international meetings, ever more
frequent today, it is proposed:

— to suggest that the concelebration of the Mass be in Latin
(except Readings, the homily and the Prayer of the Faithful). So also
should be the prayers of the tradition of the Church, and musical
compositions of Gregorian chant should eventually be sung;

— to recommend that priests be prepared in the seminary to
understand and celebrate the Mass in Latin, as well as to use Latin
prayers and know how to value Gregorian chant;

— to not neglect the possibility that the faithful themselves be educated in this respect.

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live." View all posts by Jimmy Akin