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QUESTION: I recently attended a Mass at a parish outside my town. at the time of the Consecration, the priest said " For this is my body" over the bread but over the cup he said, "For this is the atoning spiritual drink given for the world." I did not recieve at this Mass and I was wondering if this Mass was valid under either form or under both. I know this priest did have the right intentions as I have spoken to him on a number of occasions. Also, is there any obligation to attend a Mass like this if it's the only one available?
ps. I have addressed this to my local bishop, he says that the priest's alternitive formula is sufficient for consecration as the blood of Christ is the atoning drink for the world and that he has more urgent matters to deal with.
ANSWER: Hi, Martin:
Really, the Priest actually said: "For this is my body"; with the enim (for) translated and spoken. Was he using the new English tranlsation that is to come into force in Advent 2011?
The words spoken over the chalice were absolutely invalid. I am sorry a priest would do something like that; and I am sorry to hear that the Bishop was so dsimissive in his response to you. This is one of those cases in which one would definitely stay away from such a "mass." No need to attend an invalid Mass.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: He was using the current texts of the mass except for the consecration over the chalice. So, was the bread invalid as well?
If he was using the correct form over the bread: "This is my body which will be given up for you" then the consecration of the bread was VALID, presumably. But in order to effect the actual sacrificial offering of the Mass, both elements must be validly consecrated.
This Priest really needs to to follow all of what is in the Altar Missal, and ONLY what is in the Altar Missal.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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