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To: NYer
A very timely post, NYer! :-) I have taken the liberty of putting the questions and answers together -- so they're all in one place and can be easily printed and distributed...

1.  It is permissible for the priest to change the word 'brethren' to 'brothers and sisters' in the Mass.

True - the priest is permitted to change the word "brethren" to "brothers and sisters". (GIRM 86, GIRM II).

2.  A lector may have the liberty to change the words of the Scripture Readings by eliminating all male references.

False - No one is permitted to change gender-related language or eliminate male references while reading Scripture.  (CIC 838, 846)

3.  A parish may change and revise words in the Creed during Mass, as long as they make note of the changes and show these changes in the Sunday missal which the public uses.

False - No words of the Creed are ever permitted to be changed or revised for any reason or under any circumstances.  (CIC 838, 846)

4.  At the conclusion of Mass, the lector or priest may make general announcements for the information of the parish.

True - general announcements may be made during the concluding rites.  (GIRM 139)

5.  A priest may give a 'general absolution' during the penitential rite of the Mass or during a communal penance service if he chooses to do so.

False - a priest may never give 'general absolution' as a substitution for individual confession during an ordinary Mass or under non-emergency circumstances.  (CIC 961)

6.  If the priest chooses to use the rite of blessing and sprinkling, he must omit the "Lord have Mercy" and the penitential rite.

True - the rite of blessing and sprinkling takes the place of the "Lord have Mercy" and penitential rite. 

7.  A Lector may use the NRSV version during U.S. Masses.

False - no lector (or anyone else) may use the NRSV of Scripture during any Mass, as it has not been approved by Rome for liturgical use.   (CIC 826, CIC 838).

8.  The priest may not omit the homily on Sundays or holy days of obligation.

True - a priest may not omit the homily on Sundays or Holy Days.  (CIC 767)

9.  The priest may not omit the homily at any Mass.

False - a priest may omit the homily on weekday Masses if they are not a Holy Day.

10.  An individual who is not a priest, deacon or bishop may not give the homily at Mass.

True - only an ordained minister (priest, deacon or bishop) may give the homily at Mass.  (CIC 766)

11.  Those non ordained ministers who assist in passing out Communion are properly called "Eucharistic Ministers".

False - the term "Eucharistic Minister" is to be avoided and has never been approved by Rome. (per Vatican Encyclical)

12.  A person who is not an ordained minister (priest, deacon or bishop) may give a 'talk' or 'reflection' in place of the homily at Mass.

False - a 'talk' or 'reflection' by a non-ordained minister may never be used in place of  the homily.  (CIC 766)

13.  It is permissible to omit the Creed on a Sunday or solemnity if the priest chooses to do so.

False - the Creed may never be omitted on Sundays or Holy Days.  (GIRM 44)

14.  The "Apostles' Creed" may be used in place of the "Nicene Creed" at a Mass for children.

True - The Apostle's Creed may be substituted for the Nicene Creed at a children's Masses only.  (GIRM 44)

15.  A priest must not omit washing his hands at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

True - the priest may never omit washing his hands at the beginning of the Eucharistic Liturgy.  (GIRM 52)

16.  The priest may say, "Lord, wash away our iniquities and cleanse us of our sins" (instead of 'my') in the hand-washing prior to the Eucharistic Liturgy.

False - the priest may not substitute 'our' for 'my' in the prayer asking for his sins to be cleansed prior to the Eucharistic Liturgy.   (Sacramentary)

17.  A bell is not required to be rung during the Eucharistic Prayer.

True - (technically), although the General Rites indicate that a bell usually should be rung, is entirely appropriate, and sometimes necessary. (GIRM 109)

18. At special occasions, the people may join in with the prayer:"Through him, with Him, in Him..." if the priest invites them to do so.

False - the people may never join in with the "Through Him, with Him, in Him..." prayer.  (ID 4)

19.  A priest may never use an unapproved Eucharistic Prayer.

True - only the Eucharistic Prayers approved by the Vatican are to be used in Mass.  (ID 5)

20.  The altar bread dough may not include ingredients other than flour and water.

True - only unleavened bread made from wheat flour and water in the preferred form of round wafers may be used.  (CIC 924)

21.  Communion in the form of ginger bread or a sweetened cake may be used at Masses for children.

False - Communion made from any substance other than unleavened bread, especially those which crumble, may never be used under any circumstances. (CIC 924)

22.  The Vatican has issued guidelines encouraging people to hold hands during the "Our Father".

False - The Vatican Document Notitiae   (Not 11 (1975) 226) stated the practice of holding hands during the Our Father   should be "repudiated". That means it should not happen, and should not continue.   (see also DOL 1502)

23.  The priest may omit the sign of peace during Mass if he so chooses.

True -  The actual wording is: : "Then the deacon (or the priest) may add: Let us offer each other the sign of peace." (Note "may" does not mean it is required)   (GIRM 112)

24.  The priest may move the sign of peace to another part of the Mass if he feels it is for the best.

False - the sign of peace may not be moved to any other portion of the Mass.  (GIRM 112)

25.  During the sign of peace, the priest may leave the sanctuary to exchange peace with the congregation.

False - despite wide-spread acceptance, the priest is prohibited from leaving the Sanctuary to exchange peace with the congregation.  (GIRM 136)

26.  Those non-ordained ministers who assist with distributing Holy Communion are called "Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion."

True - the term preferred by Rome is "Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion" - NOT "Eucharistic Minister."  (Vatican Encyclical - DOL)

27.  People assisting at the altar may receive Holy Communion at the same time as the priest.

False - The priest must always receive Holy Communion prior to those assisting at the altar.  (GIRM 116-117)

28.  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be used at every Mass to ensure proper participation of the lay people.

False - Extraordinary Ministers should not be used at Masses when there are not large numbers of the faithful in attendance, unless the priest is physically unable to distribute Communion. (IC)

29.  A minister or Priest may refuse a person the right to receive the Eucharist on the tongue in the United States.

False - No one may be refused the right to receive the Eucharist on the tongue.  (AGI 240)

30.  A priest may not refuse an altar server the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.

True - altar servers, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers also have the right to receive the Eucharist on the tongue.  (GIRM 117)

31.  The priest may change the words of fixed prayers in the Mass upon approval from his bishop.

False - changing fixed prayers of the Mass is strictly prohibited for any priest, bishop or deacon.  (CIC 838)

32.  The chalice of Precious Blood may be left on the altar for the people to pick up and share from during lightly attended Masses.

False - the faithful are not permitted to 'self communicate' by picking up the chalice from the altar.  (HLS 47)

33.  An individual may dip his host into the Precious Blood instead of taking the Chalice to drink.

False - Communion by intinction (dipping the host into the chalice) must be done by the priest or Extraordinary Minister only (not the individual receiving)  and must then be administered on the tongue.  (HLS 45)  

34.  Communion may be distributed to Protestants during special occasions (like weddings and funerals).

False - Communion given to non-Catholics under normal circumstances is prohibited.  (CIC 844)

35.  Communion may be given to Protestants if they are the Heads of State or other dignitaries.

False - see above explanation.

36.  Children must receive First Confession prior to their First Communion.

True - it is prohibited for a parish to not allow children to make their First Confession prior to their First Communion.(QS)

37.  Precious Blood which is not consumed during Mass may be disposed of by throwing it down the sink or sacrarium.

False - any remaining Precious Blood must be consumed by the priest or attending Extraordinary Ministers.  (HLS 34, 36, 38)

38.  A deacon or other minister may purify (clean) the vessels instead of the priest.

True - a deacon or Extraordinary Minister may purify the vessels instead of the priest.  (ID 13-15)

39.  The chalice may be made of clay or silver.

False - chalices made of absorbent material or material prone to corrosion are prohibited.  (GIRM 291)

40.  A decorative basket may be used to hold Holy Communion.

False - the vessels used to hold Consecrated Hosts must be "noble, durable and sacred". (ID 16)

41. A cross must be on or near the altar during Mass.

True - a cross must be on or near the altar during Mass.   (GIRM 270)

42.  An image of the Resurrected Christ may be used in place of a cross on or near the altar.

False - an image of the Resurrected Christ may not be used in place of the cross on or near the altar.  (CMRR 64)

43.  The tabernacle may not be re-located to an out-of-the-way chapel, even if the pastor wishes to do so.

True - the Tabernacle should be 'placed in a part of the Church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated and suitable for prayer' (Canon Law 938)

44.  It is permissible for a Church to be totally bare of any images of the Saints if the pastor deems it appropriate.

It is prohibited for a church to be devoid of any images of the Saints.  (GIRM 278)

45. People must always genuflect when passing in front of the Eucharist.

True - individuals must always genuflect when passing by the Eucharist, whether in the tabernacle or publicly exposed.  (GIRM 233)

46.  People are not required to kneel during the Consecration.

False - all are required to kneel until after the end of the 'Sanctus',  through the Consecration, until the Great Amen.   (GIRM 21, AGI 21)

47.  If there are no kneelers, the people may stand during the Consecration.

False - even if no kneelers are present, the faithful are still required to kneel during the above mentioned times, unless there is not adequate physical space to do so.  (DOL 1411)

48.   The priest may invite individuals to stand around the altar and hold hands during the Consecration  if it is a lightly attended Mass.

False - individuals may never be invited to hold hands around the altar during the Consecration.  (Notitiae 17)

49.  After Communion, people are free to stand, sit or kneel.

True - there is no required posture after receiving Holy Communion.  (GIRM 21)

50.  Dancing may be performed during any liturgical service, especially those with children.

False - dancing of any kind during liturgical services (in Western Churches) is strictly prohibited.  (Notitiae II 202-205)

51.  In America, blue may be used as a liturgical color  during Advent or Lent instead of purple.

False - it is not permissible to substitute blue for purple as a liturgical color. (GIRM 307)

52. It is required that crosses be veiled from Good Friday to the Easter Vigil.

True - Crosses and other images should be covered during this time. (PS 26)

53.  Women may join the 12 selected members of the parish to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday.

True - a Directive issued by the Episcopal Conference of Bishops in the United States permits this practice.

54.  All holy water fonts must be refilled with water which was blessed at the Easter Vigil.

True - the holy water fonts should be filled with water that was blessed during the Easter Vigil.   (PS 97)

55.  All holy water fonts must be covered during Lent.

False - directives state that only the cross and other images (i.e. statues) must be covered. The practice of covering holy water fonts only deprives the faithful of the indulgences they receive from crossing themselves with holy water upon entering and leaving church. (PS 26)

56.  While giving a homily, the priest may leave the Sanctuary and walk among the people if he so chooses.

False - the priest is actually prohibited from leaving the sanctuary while giving the homily. (GIRM 97)

57.  During the recitation of the Creed, all are required to bow or kneel during the lines "by the power of the Holy Spirit..."

True - although it is rarely done today, during the recitation of the Creed, all are required to bow or kneel at the words "by the power of the Holy Spirit..."  (GIRM 98)

58. If improper bread and wine are used, the Consecration may be invalid.

True - depending on how much of an abuse of approved materials occurred, the Consecration may be 'invalid'  -- that is the bread and wine remained bread and wine only, and did not become the Body and Blood of Jesus. (CIC 924)

59.  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be of 'mature age' and 'outstanding piety".

True - directives for choosing Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion state that they should be of 'mature age' and 'outstanding piety'.   (DOL 2048)

60.  The wine must have a small amount of water mixed with it in order to be properly consecrated.

True - to be both validly and   licitly performed,  Consecration of the Precious Blood requires that a small amount of water be mixed with the wine.  (ID 8)


22 posted on 01/24/2007 4:52:17 AM PST by ConservativeStLouisGuy (11th FReeper Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Unnecessarily Excerpt)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy

Thanks!


23 posted on 01/24/2007 6:02:21 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy

Thank you!


62 posted on 01/24/2007 3:22:22 PM PST by Excellence (Vote Dhimmocrat; Submit for Peace! (Bacon bits make great confetti.))
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To: ConservativeStLouisGuy
Thank you!

You always come through :-) Great job! Much appreciated.

68 posted on 01/24/2007 5:39:34 PM PST by NYer (Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to Heaven. St. Rose of Lima)
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