Stay the course

The recently issued first revision of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal is sure to displease some on both sides of liturgical issues. While it may delight no one, most Catholics may be pleased that it basically continues the status quo, with only a few modifications.

The new instruction - the first one issued in 25 years - will not take effect until the third edition of the Roman Missal is promulgated, probably later this year.

Among the disappointments for those who would prefer a return to either the Latin Tridentine Mass or, barring that, a vernacular version of that Mass, is that the instruction does neither.

Others, including Card. Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, have been lobbying to have the priest celebrate Mass with his back to the people. These groups have argued that priest and people should all be facing the east.

One can only presume they mean that in a figurative sense, because even in pre-Vatican II days that didn't seem to be a consideration when building churches. For example, in Green Bay's four downtown churches, the people face north in St. John the Evangelist; west in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and St. Patrick; and east in St. Willebrord.

The new instruction says the altar "should be free-standing to allow the ministers to walk around it easily and Mass to be celebrated facing the people, which is desirable whenever possible."

In a directive probably designed to placate both sides - but which probably won't - the instruction says the Eucharist should be reserved in a chapel connected to the church and conspicuous to the faithful or "in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration." The 1975 instruction gave clear preference to the chapel. The new instruction also says placement of the tabernacle is up to the bishop.

The new instruction also makes it clear that it's not proper to genuflect right before receiving Communion.

It seems clear from the new instruction that the Vatican sought to encourage a middle ground on liturgy and to establish a certain uniformity. While that's certainly not a ringing endorsement for continued innovations, it also doesn't ban experiments. Rather, the instruction says stay the course. It certainly doesn't call for a retreat.