I had a telephone call from a friend with a question about missalettes or booklets for use by congregants who attend the Roman Rite’s Extraordinary Form of Mass.
He explained that, at his church, they use the commonly found red booklet put out by the Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei (3rd edition, 1999).
BTW… maybe they should consider changing Ecclesia Dei to Summorum Pontificum, but I digress.
The questioner was asking about alternatives to the red booklet because, as he explained, on more than one occasion visitors to the church – interested in seeing what the TLM is all about – went away angry about something they found in the back of the booklet.
Turning to the back of the red booklet, in a helpful section of basic catechetical lists and prayers, on page 60, you find “The Six Commandments of the Church“, the sixth of which (in this booklet) reads:
“Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.”
The problem is, that should probably read “Not to marry without a dispensation persons who are not Catholics… etc.”.
It is not unlawful for Catholics to marry non-Catholics, provided the Catholic party has obtained a dispensation to do so.
Of course it is arguably better to marry a co-religionist. It is better not to have a household divided by religion, or raise children in a house wherein the parents don’t share the same faith. But it is not forbidden by the Church do to so, provided the couple follows the Church’s well-thought through and time-tested laws concerning marriage.
Therefore, my questioner will replace the red booklet with some alternative which will not offend on this point…. which could be easily corrected in a new edition of the red booklet.
Sadly, I saw one recently – put together by an acquaintance – intended for children – truly beautiful with fine art and good translation… but when he submitted it to the the local bishop for an imprimatur he refused to give permission (not being a fan of the older Mass).
Or perhaps a sticker could be placed over that area with a better text?
Discussion?
Nota bene:
- I don’t think an Angelus Press booklet would be accepted in this particular situation, though it would be good to know what they have.
- A personal handmissal, such as the beautiful Baronius Press missal or the equally well-bound Angelus Press missal is great for regular attendees. We are looking for something for visitors or people who don’t yet have one.
From Ten Reasons with my emphases:
Elizium23 on Daily Rome Shot 1116: “The origin of difference and division, the pharmakos represents evil both introjected and projected. Beneficial insofar as he cures—and for…”
