February 2003 Readers' Forum

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Online Edition - Vol. VIII, No. 10: February 2003

About Letters to the Editor

READERS' FORUM

Readers' Forum -- the lively "Letters to the Editor" of the Adoremus Bulletin provides a forum for exchange of ideas, comment and information on the sacred liturgy -- but the letters column is not normally published online. (Sample letters below).

If you are reading the Adoremus Bulletin in the "online edition" only, you are missing one of the most popular and useful features of the journal. To become a member of Adoremus -- and receive the "hard-copy" edition, including the "Readers Forum", see Membership page.

We are grateful for your letters. While we read every letter, we get so many that it is impossible to answer or publish all of them. In selecting those to appear in "Readers Forum", preference will be given to subjects of widest interest. Letters should be 250 words or fewer, preferably typed. They may be e-mailed. Please include your name, address, city and state (which may be withheld on request). If a letter refers to a previous issue of AB, please include the date of that issue and name of article. All letters may be edited for publication. Be sure to indicate clearly if your letter is NOT intended for publication.
Readers' Forum for February 2003 - From Melbourne -- Reflections on "Reflections..." -- "Orans" position during Our Father -- Sacred Time -- Extraordinary Minister Clarification -- Reverence for Royalty -- Good News from Rockford -- Theology of Kneeling -- Care of Sacred Linen -- On frustration -- Tabernacle Placement -- Gesture & Posture - Reverence is the Point -- Fireworks -- Sanctuary Candles -- Missal Advice -- Candles for Exposition -- When will we get the IGMR in English? -- Kneeling an "immemorial custom" -- Applause at Mass -- Communion is a meal

Letter
From Melbourne
For some time I have been receiving the Adoremus Bulletin regularly, and I am indeed most grateful for all that it continues to contribute to the renewal of the sacred liturgy.
I enclose a [donation] for the coming year.

With thanks and every good wish,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Archbishop Denis Hart
Melbourne, Australia

Letter
"Orans" position during Our Father
I thought I had read that the "orans" position for the faithful was prohibited by the Holy See some years ago. Is it now approved through the new IGMR?

Robert E. Olson
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Response

No. Although the bishops discussed the "orans" posture for the people during the Lord's Prayer, in the end they decided against recommending it. There is no specified posture for the Lord's Prayer.
Letter
Theology of Kneeling
The Adoremus Bulletin is truly a breath of fresh air in the Church because it relays valid information to concerned Catholics who are confused by conflicting views on liturgical practices. Cardinal Ratzinger's excellent exposition in the article entitled "The Theology of Kneeling" (AB November 2002), for example, carefully and logically explains what the faithful have come to believe in their hearts through the indwelling presence of God. I look forward to adding to our library The Spirit of the Liturgy, from which this excerpt was taken.
A very sincere thank you for the generous packages of materials sent to us this month. Such items are distributed to others in the liturgical field, especially musicians. Needless to say, this publication is like leaven in the dough, elevating the level of worship through the artists' skills.

May God continue to bless and prosper your much-needed work in the Church. Truth has a certain ring to it, a sound that is music to the ears of the faithful.

Sister Mary Paula Beierschmitt, IHM
American Academy of the Sacred Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Response
Thank you for your kind words. Readers that would like to order a copy of Cardinal Ratzinger's important book may do so by contacting Ignatius Press at 800-322-1531 or at www.ignatius.com. The book is also available to Adoremus donors of $100 or more. AB has published other chapters from this book, accessible on our website.
We are always happy to supply individuals and organizations with materials to share with others. If you would like extra copies of a particular issue to distribute, please contact us.

Letter
Care of Sacred Linen
Help! I've just returned from a meeting with the pastor, who has revised the care of the sacred linens. I've taught classes on the proper procedure, which I was taught by our former pastor. This consisted of the water from the first rinse being emptied into the ground, then the linens were washed separately in the plastic tub used only for that purpose, etc.
There was even a particular way of folding to insure proper purifying of the chalice by the priest. Of course, now that's not always done by the priest. This priest says just to wash in the washer and dryer as with any white clothes, mentioning that the bishop's purifiers are washed with his other white items.

Needless to say, this is another sign of less reverence for the Eucharistic Presence. We use way too many extraordinary ministers, so more purifiers are also needed; hence this change to encourage other women to help with the care. Do you know of any references that I can use to explain my objections to this?

Barbara Bercier
via e-mail

Response

The Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani briefly describes cleansing of the Communion vessels, and also mentions cleansing spills:
279 The vessels are cleansed by the priest or by the deacon or acolyte after Communion or after Mass, if possible at a side table. Water alone or wine and water together are used for the cleansing of the chalice, then drunk by the one who cleanses it. The paten is usually wiped with the purificator.

Attention must be paid that whatever of the Blood of Christ may happen to remain after its distribution in Holy Com-munion should be completely consumed immediately at the altar.

280 If the Eucharistic Bread or any particle of it should fall, it is to be picked up reverently. If any of the Precious Blood spills, the area where the spill occurred should be washed and the water poured into the sacrarium.

Altar linens are to be cleansed with care and reverence, as are the Communion vessels, because both the corporal and purificator(s) are also in direct contact with the consecrated elements during Communion.

The linens should be rinsed carefully in a separate basin of water, and the water poured into the sacrarium (not down the regular drain), or onto the ground. If any Precious Blood spills on the main altar cloth, it should be cleansed in the same way. Then the linens should be hung to dry. After this preliminary cleansing they are then laundered separately in the regular way, either by hand or machine.

Any cloths used to cleanse spilled Precious Blood would be cleansed in the same way as the altar linens.

Letter
When will we get the IGMR in English?
I have a simple question regarding the new Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani. I know that the Latin text is available, but is there a full English translation available?
Father James Farfaglia
Corpus Christi, Texas

Response
This might be our most frequently asked question of late! The English translation of the IGMR is awaiting approval from the Holy See. It was sent to Rome after the US Bishops' meeting in November. As soon as the authorized translation appears, we hope to make it available on our web site.

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