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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Validity of the Mass Maria Sunday, March 9, 2008

Question:

If a priest changes the words in the Mass in almost everything save the Consecration, does that still make it a valid Mass? For instance, instead of praying, "happy are those who are called to this supper," the priest says "happy are those who are called to this Eucharist". He says many other differing things from the Order of the Mass.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Maria,

Yes, I wouldn't worry about the validity unless he started messing with "This is my body..." etc.

Of course that does not mean at all that it is okay to change the other words, I'm just saying that it is not essential for a valid consecration.  The priest is still required to say the rest of the rite as written in the missal.  The Sacred Liturgy does not belong to individual priests of congregations, but rather to the entire Church.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.