Fr. Z's Blog

From a reader:

While on a college visit in Virginia, my son and I visited the Campus Catholic Ministry and noticed the room that was used for Mass had “Stations of the Cross” around the periphery.  I use quotes because rather than having the traditional relief/pictured depictions of our Lord’s passion, there were instead photographs of impoverished people (mainly African or Asian) with a caption under each. For instance, the tenth station (Jesus is stripped of his garments) shows an African wearing ragged clothes.  The entire collection has no image of Christ, but of various 3rd world scenes.

I suppose the purpose is to direct our attention to the needs of our less fortunate, but doesn’t this take away from our true devotion?  Sacramentals are such an important part of our faith, it seems a shame that some can change them to suit their wants, instead of the desires of the Church.  This practice is reminiscent of the “touchdown Jesus” one sees in many modern Catholic churches. 

Is there anything codified for the proper display of statues, images, etc?  I’d like to discuss this with the pastor, but would like to know if there’s any rules being broken.

First, Stations of the Cross must be "erected" by the proper authority, usually the diocesan bishop or his delegate.

The Enchiridion Indulgentiarum speaks of the images as those of the "stations" of the way in Jersusalem.

I believe there can be only numbers as well.

But if you have images that are not of the Lord’s way?

You might write a letter to the local bishop if you see such a thing or, if that produces no answer, to the both the Sacra Penitenzieria Apostolica and the Congregation for Divine Worship.

That just doesn’t sound right to me.

From a reader:

I am soon moving to a rather desolate and remote location in the world: Alaska. I know there are a lot of "issues" with the churches where I am going but one of my biggest concerns is not being able to go to an EF Mass whenever I feel like it. The area I am going has only had 1 EF Mass since the MP in 2007. So my question is this:

What are the requirements, in regards to the church itself, to hold a valid, licit, EF Mass? I know that the altar is important and the steps, but what if you don’t have a church within hundreds of miles that has that? Can you have an EF mass at a "new style" church?

Also… can a priest come to do that, from outside the diocese? I know that if the congregation wants the mass, the bishop is no longer the gatekeeper, but what about an "outside" priest coming in? What are the rules on that, does the bishop have a say in that regard? The churches where I am going are diocesan but they do not have pastors. The local are (3 churches) are served by oblate missions. So could a priest fly in and do an EF Mass if the congregation wanted it?

First, don’t worry about the arrangement of the church.  The altar can be set up in a way that Mass can be said ad orientem or… it absolutely necessary, the old Mass can also be celebrated "versus populum".

Yes, a priest can come from outside to say the Mass, but he should have the permission of the pastor and should be be a priest in good standing in his diocese or religious institute.  You say there are no pastors where you are: he should have the permission of who ever is in charge.

From a reader:

This Sunday, … at the time of the Consecration, the priest accidentally used the words of consecration for the Cup both when he was holding the Cup and when he was holding the Host. He never said "This is my Body" but said "This is my Blood" twice. Was the Consecration valid? Was the Mass? I received Communion anyway, but wasn’t sure whether or not I was receiving the Real Presence. I thought about trying to attend a later Mass to make sure that I had fulfilled my obligation, but as this was the last Mass at that parish and I was unfamiliar with other churches in the area and didn’t have internet access during my vacation, I didn’t know of any later options. If I ever encounter this in the future (I hope not), what’s the right thing to do? Should I try to attend Mass again if possible, or was this Mass valid?

Well…

The priest did not consecrate the Body of Christ.  For there to be a Mass, in the strict sense, there must be the two-fold consecration of the Body and of the Blood of Christ.  It is precisely in the two-fold consecration that the "separation" of Christ’s Body and Blood take place in a sacramental way so that Mass is a Sacrifice.

Also, you may have received Communion with a Host that was consecrated at another Mass.

That said, yes… you fulfilled your Sunday obligation.  Whatever happened there happened through no fault of your own doing or negligence. Don’t worry about that.  And don’t worry about receiving at Communion time, either.  You don’t have to confess this or try to find another Mass.

These things happen from time to time.  We are humans, after all, we make mistakes.  Don’t fret in any way.