Minutiae

Rev dear Rev: Is it permissible for a priest to change words and actions during holy Mass during say the Consecration Prayers?

This sweet Question came from a little old lady over near Bancroft near Blue Bridge, and it raises the natural concerns and worries about legitimacy and even validity of the rank and file but loyal faithful who are not especially best pleased when modern clergy tinker around with the Mass of the old Ages. The short perfunctory answer is no. The formulaes of the Consecration are set in stone and to alter their words would alter their meaning and this is sufficient to invalidate the Passover Eucharistic Synaxis of Jesus and his young synedrion of apostles from the Cenacle above Jerusalem. Anyway, while short items of mere introduction here and there are permitted some innovation, there are rubrics that guide the novus ordo Missa too and these stipulate where and when a celebrant is allowed to ad libitum - an extra Agnus Dei during an overlong Signum for instance - never, never, never, as we say in Glorious Ulster, at the Consecration - Aquinas says any alteration of meaning of these sacred “ipsissima Christi verba” namely of Christ the Saviour of the human race changes even the whole validity and not just legitimacy of the Eucharistic Synaxis. A priest has to be quite vigilant over his instincts when celebrating - it is not a game show in a studio from the H-Club. So naughty, naughty, naughty. Mrs Brown’s bad boys. Very naughty to cheat the flocks of their real authentic Jesus.