Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: The Creed
ROME, JULY 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
After our column on the Profession of Faith (June 27) some readers asked if it was permitted to omit the creed on Sundays and solemnities.
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:
"67. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
"68. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.
"If it is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by all together or by the people alternating with the choir.
"If not sung, it is to be recited by all together or by two parts of the assembly responding one to the other."
There is thus no provision for omitting the creed when prescribed and no priest has the authority to do so.
There are times, however, when the liturgical books indicate that the creed may be omitted such as a Mass in which baptism, ordination or religious profession are celebrated.
Other readers asked if other texts may be omitted or added, such as saying "for us" instead of "for us men."
"Redemptionis Sacramentum," No. 69, states: "In Holy Mass as well as in other celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy, no Creed or Profession of Faith is to be introduced which is not found in the duly approved liturgical books."
Thus, nobody should presume to second-guess the Church regarding the proper formulas to be used at Mass even though the Church may always improve a given translation. Apart from the lack of confidence and obedience expressed by such omissions, there is also the danger of inculcating erroneous ideas in the faithful.
As one New York reader cogently points out: "'Us' is a relative term. It can mean us present in the church; us, members of the parish, diocese, country; us Catholics; us the elected -- use your imagination. It could be interpreted as representing the Jansenist heresy."
Even apparently innocuous changes can have far-reaching consequences and it falls upon priests, and especially bishops, to be firm and vigilant in safeguarding the faith.
Several readers asked what creed is prescribed.
In general the Nicene Creed should be used. The new Roman Missal also gives the option of occasionally substituting the Nicene Creed for the Symbol of the Apostles, especially during seasons such as Lent and Easter.
Some countries have received permission to always use the Apostles' Creed. Several bishops have since lamented this choice as it deprives the faithful of one of the Church's treasures; they have recommended a return to the use of both texts.
On Easter Sunday the creed is usually replaced with the renewal of baptismal promises.
After our column on the Profession of Faith (June 27) some readers asked if it was permitted to omit the creed on Sundays and solemnities.
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:
"67. The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
"68. The Creed is to be sung or said by the priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.
"If it is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by all together or by the people alternating with the choir.
"If not sung, it is to be recited by all together or by two parts of the assembly responding one to the other."
There is thus no provision for omitting the creed when prescribed and no priest has the authority to do so.
There are times, however, when the liturgical books indicate that the creed may be omitted such as a Mass in which baptism, ordination or religious profession are celebrated.
Other readers asked if other texts may be omitted or added, such as saying "for us" instead of "for us men."
"Redemptionis Sacramentum," No. 69, states: "In Holy Mass as well as in other celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy, no Creed or Profession of Faith is to be introduced which is not found in the duly approved liturgical books."
Thus, nobody should presume to second-guess the Church regarding the proper formulas to be used at Mass even though the Church may always improve a given translation. Apart from the lack of confidence and obedience expressed by such omissions, there is also the danger of inculcating erroneous ideas in the faithful.
As one New York reader cogently points out: "'Us' is a relative term. It can mean us present in the church; us, members of the parish, diocese, country; us Catholics; us the elected -- use your imagination. It could be interpreted as representing the Jansenist heresy."
Even apparently innocuous changes can have far-reaching consequences and it falls upon priests, and especially bishops, to be firm and vigilant in safeguarding the faith.
Several readers asked what creed is prescribed.
In general the Nicene Creed should be used. The new Roman Missal also gives the option of occasionally substituting the Nicene Creed for the Symbol of the Apostles, especially during seasons such as Lent and Easter.
Some countries have received permission to always use the Apostles' Creed. Several bishops have since lamented this choice as it deprives the faithful of one of the Church's treasures; they have recommended a return to the use of both texts.
On Easter Sunday the creed is usually replaced with the renewal of baptismal promises.
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