Shrine of the Holy Whapping

Wednesday, December 29

More on the Silent Canon

Just to make sure that I'm not preaching liturgical rebellion here, I ought to let you all know that a reliable source has pointed me towards some sentences in the IGRM which indicate (or, at the very least presume) that the silent Canon, while quite lovely, isn't licit in the Novus Ordo. I have heard several conflicting opinions in this regard, but this is the first time I've seen some actual citations, which indicate the answer is in the negative. Here's what my friend found:

30. Among the parts assigned to the priest, the Eucharistic Prayer is preeminent; it is the high point of the entire celebration. Next are the prayers: the opening prayer or collect, the prayer over the gifts, and the prayer after communion. The priest, presiding over the assembly in the person of Christ, addresses these prayers to God in the name of the entire holy people and all present. Thus there is good reason to call them "the presidential prayers."

32. The nature of the presidential texts demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone present listen with attention. While the priest is speaking these texts, there should be no other prayer or liturgical song, and the organ or other instruments should not be played.

216. The preface is sung or said by the presiding priest celebrant alone; the Sanctus is sung or recited by all concelebrants with the congregation and the choir.

217. After the Sanctus, the priest concelebrants continue the Eucharistic Prayer in the way described. Unless otherwise indicated, only the presiding celebrant makes the gestures.

218. The parts said by all the concelebrants together and above all the words of consecration which all are bound to pronounce are to be spoken in such a way that the concelebrants say them in a very low voice and the presiding celebrant's voice is heard clearly. In this way the people should be able to understand the text without difficulty.