The rule is correct and forms an ancient liturgical-theological rule which
states that there can be in a church only one altar on which only one Mass
can be celebrated, and by one priest. Archaeological evidences show us that
the old basilicas and other ancient christian churches had only one altar.
First point. Second one: only one Mass at that unique altar and that for
several theological and symbolical reasons (uniqueness of Christ's
sacrifice, uniqueness of the priesthood, the christian community forming one
body, etc.). And also only one priest as "sacramental actor", since in the
ancient times sacramental concelebration did not exist (only a few
exceptions, for example during the ordination Mass in Rome), only
"liturgical" or "congregational" concelebration did exist (the presence of
several bishops, priests, deacons, etc during a Mass, but only one bishop
pronounce the anaphora or canon) [a French study was published a few years
ago about that topic by the French publishing house DDM]. These practises
were observed in East and West. However, the Roman Church started to erect
in the churches several altars and began to celebrate at the main altar more
than one Mass a day. In the East (Orthodox and Oriental Churches) has kept
the original rule (there are of course some exceptions).
The "Saturday Evening Mass" in the RC is a complete distortion of the
original liturgical order knowed in East and West. The ancient Church did
know vigils and night services (sometimes with sacramental celebration), but
only as preparation to great feasts and important liturgical times. Also in
the medieval Latin Church "Saturday Evening Masses" were unknowed. Only
during the pontificat of Pope Pius XII certain categories of professions
could assist at a Mass, only celebrated for them, at Saturday Evening. Pius
XII had people in mind who had to work on Sunday (for example: nurses,
doctors, workmen in modern industry, etc.). Only after Vatican II that
particular "dispensation" was granted to everyone without any exception. I
am still wondering what the utility of that decision was... Especially in
our time where people have more and more holidays and where the majority
don't work at all during the Sunday.
My question again:
> Who knowes the origin of the three Masses in the Roman Rite at the Holy
> Feast of Christ's Birth? Is this not a contradiction of the rule which do
> not allowed to celebrate more than one Mass on the same day at the same
> altar by the same priest?
Greetings,
Stefaan R.W. VERMEIRE.
Mr. David Knott wrote:
> I don't think that the rule referenced above is correct as given, now or
at
> any
> time in the past. I could have sworn that the rule had more to do with
how
> often members of the congregation could take communion, and that one
> extra time was allowed over Christmas -- but it has been many years since
> I had occasion for that question to come up in any way that I had to deal
> with. Whatever the general rule is, Christmas would be an exception to
> and not a simple contradiction of the rule, I suspect.
>
> In any case, I know that the rule as cited above is not observed in my
> own (Roman Catholic) church. We have four masses on Sunday but
> generally no more than two priests available as celebrants and only
> a single altar, so at least one of these priests must celebrate two or
> more masses the same day at the same altar. The situation would
> be even worse if we count the Saturday afternoon mass as a "Sunday"
> mass -- after all, it does count for the weekly obligation.
>
> -- David Knott
>
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