If you go to mass at Pentecost you might have observed that the parish has introduced some adjustments in the way we celebrate the mass, particularly the following:
1. the beginning of the mass (from the sign of the cross up to the opening prayer) is done at the presider’s chair (not at the altar table as was previously done);
2. the priest may opt to spend some time of silence immediately after the homily before the prayers of the faithful (on weekdays) or before the profession of faith (on Sundays);
3. the Prayers of the Faithful (also known as General Intercessions) is introduced and concluded by the priest from the presider’s chair;
4. the rites after communion (which consists of Post-Communion Prayer and Concluding Rite) are done at the presider’s chair (and not at the altar table as was previously done).
Although these adjustments concern mainly the mass presiders, a brief explanation about them would help for better appreciation.
The document that guides us in every aspect of our celebration of the mass (similar to a manual if we can call it that) is the “General Instruction on the Roman Missal,” simply referred to as GIRM (used here is the 2002 edition).
In paragraph 50, referring to the beginning of the mass, GIRM states that “when the entrance chant is concluded, the priests stands at the chair and, together with the whole assembly, makes the sign of the cross.” Thus, the proper place to begin the mass is at the presider’s chair. But leeway is generally given to masses celebrated outside the parish church (e.g. in offices, in schools, in funeral parlors, in small chapels, etc.). The same can be said regarding the conclusion of the mass.
By reserving the use of the altar exclusively for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (and not for the Introductory and Concluding rites), we proclaim the centrality of the table of the Lord “on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present” (GIRM 296). By tradition, the altar should be made of stone (GIRM 301), which clearly signifies Jesus Christ, the living stone (Eph 2:20).
Talking about the General Intercessions (or the Prayers of the Faithful) GIRM 71 states, “It is for the priest celebrant to direct this prayer from the chair. He himself begins it with a brief introduction, by which he invites the faithful to pray. He also concludes it with a prayer.”
What does the chair signify? GIRM 310 explains that “the chair of the priest celebrant must signify his office of presiding over the gathering and of directing the prayer.” Thus, what can be a more eloquent manifestation of this fact than by beginning and concluding the mass, where all the faithful is gathered in prayer, at the chair.
In paragraph 56, GIRM asserts that during the liturgy of the word, “it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the assembly gathered together, in which, by the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response may be prepared through prayer.” Thus, by spending some time for silence immediately after the homily we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire in us prayer, deeper understanding of the Word, and appropriate Christian action.
I pray that these adjustments, however little they may be, may contribute greatly to the solemnity and meaningfulness of the Eucharistic celebrations in our parish.
Fr. Dennis S. Soriano
