Non Solum: Liturgical Presidency

A few readers have written in requesting a discussion on liturgical presidency. One reader writes:

I would like to suggest a discussion of the manner in which the priest prays the Mass.

I know of priests who pray rapidly (and who read the gospel somewhat rapidly as well).

I know of priests who use a “voice” that they only use when praying the Mass.

I know of priests for whom it would be more proper that they “say” or “read” Mass rather than pray the Mass.

My personal conviction is that I should address God in a personal tone as I would when speaking with anyone whom I love and who loves me.

The people I serve sometimes tell me that they are edified by the way I pray the Mass. One said, “it sounds like you are really speaking to God.”

The way in which the priest celebrates the Mass or any other liturgy directly impacts the assembly. As the leader of the assembly, the priest sets the tone for the liturgy. The chief role of the priest at any liturgy is to foster the active participation of the faithful. Good liturgical presidency increases the assembly’s participation in the liturgical act.

There are many examples of bad liturgical presidency. For me, the worst is the “pop-star presider.” In a liturgy led by a “pop-star presider,” the presider becomes the focal point and not the rite being celebrated.

What are the traits of a good presider? What presidential practices foster the active participation of the faithful? What practices should be avoided?

Please comment below.

Nathan Chase

Nathan P. Chase is Assistant Professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. He has contributed a number of articles to the field of liturgical studies, including pieces on liturgy in the early Church, initiation, the Eucharist, inculturation, and the Western Non-Roman Rites, in particular the Hispano-Mozarabic tradition. His first book The Homiliae Toletanae and the Theology of Lent and Easter was published in 2020. His second monograph, published in 2023, is titled The Anaphoral Tradition in the ‘Barcelona Papyrus.’

Please leave a reply.

Comments

8 responses to “Non Solum: Liturgical Presidency”

  1. Karl Liam Saur

    Are we assuming the availability and use of amplification or not? It’s an important assumption, and never be assumed unconsciously.

    I am not a fan of the use of a one-on-one conversational elocution in liturgy. A more public tone of elocution is generally helpful. Learn to celebrate liturgy without amplification, and then, if amplification is available, modulate back a bit.

    Reply
  2. Therese D Butler

    Early in ministry as a Catholic Pastoral Musician, I came across an instruction to priests that was posted in the sacristy that I believe applies to all who participate in the Mass regardless of “role” or title. It basically said that priests were to pray the Mass as if it was his first Mass, his last Mass, his only Mass. This struck me as being very important because, for some one in the pew, that particular Mass could very well be their first, last and only Mass. I believe that those of us who serve in leadership roles in the liturgy are called to be models of prayer and good stewards of the gifts that are given to us in meeting Christ truly present in Word and Sacrament so that those who do answer God’s invitation to the Mass will experience God’s unconditional and transforming love. Words to ponder. Blessings.

    Reply
  3. Pat Barkey

    On a lighter side of this conversation (and with a pinch of seriousness), Kenny Rodger’s “The Gambler” popped into my head:
    You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
    Know when to fold ’em
    Know when to walk away
    And know when to run
    You never count your money
    When you’re sittin’ at the table
    There’ll be time enough for countin’
    When the dealin’s done

    Because each congregation may be different, even at different Masses or events, I, as presider, have to read the crowd, so to speak. My goal may be to bring people to a better Encounter with the Lord, but HOW I lead them is just as important. One style doesn’t fit all, even from week to week or Mass to Mass. Using a style that I use with Senior Citizens may not work with children, and vice versa.

    There were times I needed to “Do” and not second guess by ‘counting my money’. There were times I needed to change my way of thinking, because the general spirit of the parish was on a different wave length. What worked at parish A wouldn’t work at parish B. My job is to discover what works, and stick with it, or what doesn’t, and ‘walk away.’ There were times during Mass where I had to ‘gamble,’ to make them think out of their comfort zone, and times I had to ‘fold ’em,’ realizing that my approach wasn’t working that day.

    It can be frustrating and boring and exciting and rewarding at times. Like Therese above said about the priest, I also heard it–by a priest ready for retirement. I try to live by that wise piece of advice.

    Reply
  4. Rev. Ronald C Chochol

    I want to affirm both Therese and Pat’s comments — and their different styles are exactly what Pat was describing. Now that I am retired and go from parish to parish to substitute, I find that I need more than ever to get to the parish early, get vested, and then stand in the vestibule and actively welcome the parishioners as they arrive. It gives them a chance to get ready for someone different but face to face, rather than from the back or side of the church. It also gives them a chance to experience a welcoming smile. From my perspect- ive, it gives me a chance to “read” people, to get a feel for how to be present to them and how to draw us all together in God’s presence. I wish I had known all this fifty years ago. But we learn when we learn! P.S. Saturday is a poor day to put up a query like this. Most of the priests and other liturgy people are prepping for the weekend celebrations. I would have liked to have seen more comments so that I could learn more.

    Reply
  5. Matthew J. Meloche

    Hopefully most priests, at least on Sunday, are using their singing voice for everything but the Confiteor and the homily.

    Reply
  6. Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh

    People have often commented, “Father, we can understand every word you say.” I am grateful for that, and hope that what I say is worth hearing.
    This ability comes, I think, from having sung in choirs in grade school, college, and seminary. I learned how to project my voice without being loud, and how to enunciate without sounding like a caricature of Professor Henry Higgins. (Our college choir master had been a professional operatic performer and was extraordinarily demanding. But let me tell you, our community chorus sounded good!)
    I don’t use a “personal tone” because the words are not mine nor are they meant primarily to be an expression of my love for God nor God’s love for me. The words I speak at mass are meant to be heard in a way that makes the meaning understandable. Rushing through the prayers, especially as given in the current Roman Missal, can turn the theological concepts into gibberish.
    Speed is the most common “mistake” I encounter when priests pray the prayers of the mass. I think this comes from their never having been trained in how to do it well. Public Speaking is a learned art and elocution is the most necessary element of this art.
    “Slow Down” is the direction I give most often to our lectors. Among them, it is the men who are the greatest offenders in this regard.

    Reply
  7. Fr. Jack Feehily

    When I pray the Mass with a “personal” tone I’m talking about the same voice I use when preaching and teaching. I am addressing The Lord while in the presence of God’s people. My teaching gifts do not require me to stick my nose in a text while preaching, so I don’t have to constantly stare at the missal texts as if I were talking to the book. Yes, there are texts I must look at while praying, but not familiar texts (i.e. the institution narrative, the creed, the preparatory prayers, etc). A personal tone involves projection and other speaking dynamics, but it makes clear that the prayers are addressed to God who is a living personal being. I don’t address him in a rapid fashion any more than I would to another human being. I don’t employ a voice that would sound strange to another human being. My experience in hearing some priests/bishops at Mass is that they are using a voice that makes me wonder whom they are addressing.

    Reply
  8. Terri Miyamoto

    The priest needs to respect the presence and role of the people gathered. One problem that I occasionally experience is the priest “stepping on my lines,” that is, starting the next line in a dialog or the next prayer before the assembly has even finished saying our part. I have recently moved from NJ to Virginia and I’ve been struck by the difference in rhythm; I find myself answering a short, yet noticeable, moment before everyone else. So I suppose a similar disconnect in priest/assembly rhythm could be occurring with some presiders. But mostly it feels like he’s just rushing his part and what we say isn’t important.

    Reply

Posted

in

, ,

by

Nathan Chase

Tags:

Discover more from Home

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading