All have a role in participation in Mass, priest author tells Montanans

By Cathy Tilzey
Full, conscious and active participation in the Mass is the goal of changes in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, a highly knowledgeable priest and author told priests, deacons and lay people gathered March 13 in Helena.
Father Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo., guided about 100 Montanans through a presentation on the current second edition of the GIRM and proposals for the third edition, which has been in the works for several years. The event took place at St. Mary Catholic Community the afternoon before the Chrism Mass.
He began with a history of expression, which Pope Pius X promoted in several ways, including sacred music. Not long after becoming pope in 1903, Pius X wrote on the desire to see the true Christian spirit flourish, and the faithful assembling to acquire that spirit and participate in the most holy mysteries and in the Church’s public and solemn prayer.
The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council in 1963 linked that proposal to the faithful having “proper dispositions,” attuning their minds to their voices and cooperating with heavenly grace lest they receive it in vain, Father Turner explained.
He cited four paragraphs of Sacrosanctum Concilium, one of the council’s documents, concerning pastors’ duty to make sure the faithful are actively engaged in the rite and enriched by it; the people’s right and obligation to participate by reason of their baptism; to encourage their part in acclamations, responses, psalms, antiphons, hymns, actions, gestures and honoring silences; and that the faithful should attend not as strangers or silent spectators, but with understanding, devotion and full collaboration.
“Everyone is a player,” Father Turner said. “We all have a role.”
Musicam Sacram, issued in 1967, said that participation should first be internal but also external – joining in the acclamations, responses and singing, and by gestures and bodily attitudes. More opportunities were offered in the 1970s, including lay people proclaiming the Old Testament readings and epistles during Mass.
Minor changes to the Roman Missal were made in 2000-2002. Plans were made to renew it, in accord with the decrees of Vatican II and input from the faithful.
Father Turner contrasted the 1962 and 1969 missals. In addition to the language change and priests facing the people, lectionary readings went from 1 percent of the Old Testament to 14 percent, and jumped from 17 percent of the New Testament to 71 percent. In 1962, there was one Eucharistic prayer; nine years later there were nine.
Tips for the assembly and clergy were included. Father Turner urged parishioners to come prepared, such as studying the readings beforehand; focusing on one’s responsibilities, whether as a singer, greeter or Eucharistic minister. Living as Church outside the liturgy, through prayer and service, are important.
His clergy tips include giving meaning to scripted words, singing, being deliberate in postures and gestures, maintaining appropriate eye contact and synchronizing the roles of priest and deacon. Priests lead people to prayer, Father Turner explained. Deacons lead people to action.
He urged priests to share ministries and not try to do everything themselves. If text really belongs to the people, let them start it and learn full participation.
Father Turner then gave updates on the English translation of the Roman Missal and explained why some prayers and chants are being reworded. In some cases, a strict English translation makes for confusing terminology and punctuation.
Referring to the inclusive language era of the 1970s, he said that some Latin words or phrases actually are inclusive and may be the best choice.
He also listed several new entries for the third edition, including four devotional days – the Most Holy Name of Jesus on Jan. 3; Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter; Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, and the Most Holy Name of Mary on Sept. 12.
He said he is often asked several questions, such as how long did it take to translate all the Vatican II documents into other languages. It took relatively few years – they were done by the 1970s, he noted.
And when will the third edition of the Roman Missal be ready? “In our lifetimes,” he answered.
As homilist at the Chrism Mass, Father Turner said that incense and chrism are the Church’s perfumes, and only a bishop can make the chrism and use it. A mixture of olive oil and balsam, it focuses on baptism.
Kings, priests and prophets in Old Testament times were anointed with such mixtures, he explained. Jesus was anointed with it in the New Testament.
“Our season of penitence is coming to a close,” Father Turner said. “The new chrism will anoint the elect next week … We return our love to the one who gave us the gift.”

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 3, March 21, 2008.