Hello jlogan-ga,
You may be amazed at the comprehensive and detailed instructions that
are promulgated by the Catholic Church for how the Mass is to be
performed. These instructions are spelled out in the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal (Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani)
which discusses the significance and importance of the Mass and its
various components as well as its structure and elements.
The order of procession is described in great detail while the
instructions on the recessional are much shorter and simply reiterate
that the same order is to be used as for the introductory
processional. This order requires that the lowest ranked servers go
first and the processional/recessional ends with the highest ranked
officiant, i.e., priest, bishop, cardinal, pope. I?ve included the
instructions prepared by some parishes to illustrate how these
requirements are carried out.
In the course of my research I found some interesting discussions of
the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) so I?ve included
these to help you gain greater perspective on the importance the
Catholic Church places on every detail of the performance of the Mass.
Wishing you well.
~ czh ~
http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.htm
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Including Adaptations for the Dioceses of the United States of America
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http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter4.htm#sect1
Chapter IV
The Different Forms of Celebrating Mass
The Introductory Rites
120. Once the people have gathered, the priest and ministers, clad in
the sacred vestments, go in procession to the altar in this order:
-- The thurifer carrying a thurible with burning incense, if incense is used;
-- The ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an
acolyte or other minister with the cross;
-- The acolytes and the other ministers;
-- A lector, who may carry the Book of the Gospels (though not the
Lectionary), which should be slightly elevated;
-- The priest who is to celebrate the Mass.
193. After the celebration of Mass, the acolyte and other ministers
return in procession to the sacristy, together with the deacon and the
priest in the same way and order in which they entered.
====================
http://www.canticanova.com/articles/liturgy/art9g2.htm
A Holy Parade? (Part 2)
The Recessional is a practice that has developed well beyond any
rubrics. In fact, the General Instruction and the Sacramentary make no
mentions of it whatsoever: "The priest kisses the altar, makes the
customary reverence with the ministers and leaves." That's it! A
custom has developed in Anglo-Saxon countries of singing a rousing
Closing Song to encourage the assembly to carry its faith to the world
beyond the church walls. In most European countries a festive organ
selection accompanies the procession of the ministers from the
sanctuary. Occasionally a choral or instrumental recessional may be
effective, or even no music at all (on Palm Sunday, for instance).
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http://www.frontiernet.net/~stmary/Order%20of%20Mass/Order%20of%20Mass.htm
The Entrance Procession
Led by the crossbearer, a procession of liturgical ministers (servers,
reader or lector, sometimes the deacon, and the priest-presider) moves
to the altar. As they arrive near the altar, all make a profound bow
toward it. The altar/table is a symbol of Christ as the head or center
of the faithful, because he is the sacrifice for sin and the meal that
nourishes us.
The procession is accompanied by a hymn or chant which is meant to
foster unity in the congregation and direct our attitudes and thoughts
toward the prayerful celebration of that day's Eucharist.
The entrance procession symbolizes the gathering of the Body of
Christ, the Church, in the presence of our triune God in prayer.
----------------
http://www.theadvent.org/customry/lityear/bishop.htm
THE ENTRANCE:
- The Bishop is the last person to enter, preceded by the Verger and
the Bishop's Chaplain, who line up behind and slightly to the left of
the Gospel side half of the lineup.
RECESSIONAL:
- Same order as at Entrance, with Bishop at end preceded by Chaplain.
----------------
http://www.ctrcc.org/order_of_mass.htm#_recess
RECESSIONAL
As the recessional hymn begins the Cross Bearer approaches the
sanctuary and removes the Cross from the wall fixtures. Moving to the
right of the Altar the Cross Bearer move to a place between the front
pews in the middle aisle facing the Altar.
Two servers join on either side of the Cross. The third server stand
directly in front of the Cross.
In front of the third server is the second Reader, who has carried the
Lectionary from the Ambo, down the side steps to the floor lever. The
Reader faces the Altar.
Finally the Presider venerates the Altar by kissing it and returns to
the floor level, facing the sanctuary. When the Presider bows
profoundly, the Reader bows his/her head slightly, the Cross Bearer
bows his head slightly, the three servers bow profoundly.
The procession moves through the church to the lobby.
----------------
http://www.saintfrancescabrini.org/documents/server%20handbook.pdf
The recessional should be done in the same fashion as the processional
----------------
http://www.consecration.com/FM04Feat5.html
Pray Like You Believe It!
http://www.mncuf.org/rmnmsl.htm
THE ROMAN MISSAL
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Novus-Ordo-Missae
Revising the Liturgy of the Mass
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SEARCH STRATEGY
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catholic mass recessional
"order of the mass" recessional
General Instruction of the Roman Missal |
