praying in tongues QUESTION from Mike January 3, 2000
Dear John,
Great website. I was glad to find it as it has answered alot of questions I had. Keep up the great work! Now, on to my question. Is the use of praying in tongues by the celbrant(s) and laity allowed during the Mass? This frequently happens at the parish I attend, and I am wondering what the Church's law is on this. It normally happens about 2 or 3 times during the Mass if I remember correctly. To clarify, it is done DURING the Mass. ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on January 3, 2000
Dear Mike, Thank you for your kind comments and interesting question. This is a first for me - and I thought I heard it all. Oy veh! They would do well to read 1 Corinthians 14 which addresses this specific topic. They would also do well to read the current liturgical law instead of adding prayers (in tongues or otherwise)to the Mass. The priest must follow the liturgical books as laid down by the Church. To date there isn't a Tongues Sacramentary nor do I foresee one ever being published. Liturgical law is clear about adding things to the Mass; Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority. [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #22] The faithful have a right to a true liturgy, which means the liturgy desired and laid down by the Church. Undue experimentation, changes and creativity bewilder the faithful. The Second Vatican Council's admonition in this regard must be remembered: 'No person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority'. [Pope John Paul II, April 17, 1980] Are you bewildered when they do this kind of stuff? Don't feel too bad -- I'm bewildered too. I hope this helps. John Miskell Back to Index Page