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Readers' Forum -- the lively "Letters to the Editor" section 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.

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Readers' Forum -- November 2003 -- Omitting the Gloria -- Abolishing the Soloist -- Where Have The Organists Gone? -- Bishops Must Lead by Example -- Who Are We Receiving? -- How to Get the GIRM -- Woman Homilist? -- Can We Sing Marian Hymns at Mass? -- Observing the Rules? -- Roman Missal Translation -- Unauthorized Texts for Mass

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Omitting the Gloria
For almost two years I have been trying to persuade our pastor that the Gloria is to be recited on all Sundays outside of Advent and Lent. He omits it on all Sundays in Ordinary Time unless it is sung. Now when the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) 53 says explicitly it is "to be sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent", I thought my point was made for me. Instead just today the pastor asserted that that wording is a mis-translation, and that in other languages the GIRM says that the Gloria is said or sung only on major feasts of the Lord.

I thought the GIRM as now published had been approved by the Vatican. Is he right that saying or singing the Gloria on Sundays is only a rule for the United States?

James Shand
Portland, Oregon

You are correct. The rule about the Gloria in GIRM 53 is neither a mis-translation nor a US rule. It applies to the universal Church. It states:

"It [Gloria] is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character".

Here is the Latin version of the sentence as it appears in the Missale Romanum:

Cantatur autem vel dicitur diebus dominicis extra tempus Adventus et Quadragesimae, nencon in sollemnitatibus et festis, et in peculiaribus celebrtionibus sollemnioribus.

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How to Get the GIRM
I watched Father Pokorsky the other night on EWTN. He kept referring to a book, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. I would like to purchase a copy of the GIRM and want to make sure I buy the right one. Can you give me some advice?

Phyllis Ryan
Newton, North Carolina

The new Roman Missal's "General Instruction" as adapted for the United States can be accessed on the web site of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml. It is also available for purchase from the USCCB. Phone 1-800-235-8722 for ordering information.

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Can We Sing Marian Hymns at Mass?
We have been told by our Liturgy director that hymns to Mary are not allowed during the celebration of the Eucharist. He has even been quoted as saying that "The Church doesn't recognize Mary". I hope he meant that the Church doesn't recognize any special devotion during Mass, such as praying the Rosary.

Can you please tell me the Church's ruling on hymns to Mary? We never sang a single one during May and probably won't this month of the Holy Rosary.

Sandy Craig
via e-mail

There is no reason at all why Marian hymns should be prohibited at Mass, although we are aware that many liturgists object to them for various reasons.

In his recent encyclical on the Eucharist, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II devotes the entire sixth chapter to examining the close relationship of Mary with the Eucharist -- he notes that she was "the first tabernacle", in that she contained Christ's Body within her own body. He begins the concluding chapter with a quotation of the beloved hymn, "Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine!" This is an excellent hymn focused on the Eucharist.

Perhaps you might gently suggest that the pastor read Ecclesia de Eucharistia. The entire encyclical was printed in the May 2003 Adoremus Bulletin.

A Marian hymn that would be very appropriate for Mass, especially during the months of May and October -- months when we honor Mary and the Rosary -- would be "Mary the Dawn". (It is in the Adoremus Hymnal).

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Observing the Rules?
With respect to the prayer over the gifts when the celebrant says, "Pray Brethren..." the congregation stands after their response instead of before the response, as indicated in the new GIRM, no. 146. We have been instructed by our pastor to continue as we have been doing until the first Sunday of Advent, when our bishop will implement the change.

This is very upsetting since we are doing something that the Church tells us is inappropriate. We do not want to be disobedient to our pastor and bishop, but in our advanced age and poor health we cannot be sure of the extent of our lives. We feel that disobeying Christ during His Sacrifice on Calvary is more detrimental to our salvation than disobeying our pastor and bishop.

We very much appreciate your advice. Thank you and God Bless you for the fine work you are doing for God and His people.

Mr. & Mrs. Bonnie Espinoza
Sierra Vista, Arizona

As you observe, in the new GIRM (2002) there is a change in the point at which people stand for the Offertory. People will now stand before they respond "May the Lord accept the sacrifice from your hands ..." instead of after they say these words.

GIRM 146. Upon returning to the middle of the altar, the priest, facing the people and extending and then joining his hands, invites the people to pray, saying, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren). The people rise and make their response: Suscipiat Dominus (May the Lord accept). Then the priest, with hands extended, says the prayer over the offerings. At the end the people make the acclamation, Amen.

Some dioceses have decided to implement changes on the first Sunday of Advent.

While this change has been in effect since early this year, diocesan bishops are allowed reasonable discretion as to the date these new rules are put into effect in their dioceses, in order give them time to prepare the people for the changes.

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