Anniversary of Roman Missal
The 2002 Roman Missal has now been published for a year. On ixtmedia.com the publication date is given as 18 March 2002.
Archbishop Tamburrino wrote on 31 October 2000 wrote about it having the force of law when published. But he thought the "psychological and pastoral impact may be in practice attenuated until such time as priests and people have available an updated English translation of the new editio typica tertia of the Missal as a whole".
One of the changes made in the 2002 Roman Missal was that people should stand and say "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and Glord of His name, for our good, and the good of all his Church." Before the 2002 Roman Missal comes into force the correct action is to sit when saying this and stand after it.
I pointed out this change on 12 May 2002. In September 2002 the USCCB BCL drew some attention to the correct posture with a chart which included:
From the beginning of the peoples' response May the Lord to the beginning of the Holy, Holy STAND
But it did not draw attention to the fact that this was a change from the previous Roman Missal.
I think Adoremus.org first pointed out the change in December 2002 in answer to a question. On 4 December 2002 Archbishop Chaput pointed it out, writing:
"The celebrant then invites the assembly: "Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice...." In years past, we've remained seated as we make the response. Now the new General Instruction asks us to stand as the priest finishes this invitation, and we respond: "May the Lord accept this sacrifice...." "
Whether the 2002 Roman Missal is being followed is quite easy. People can go to their local church and see when the congregation stands. Find a Mass with a priest -- if the celebrant is a bishop and incense is used there are different rules.
I Australia I am not aware of any bishop drawing attention to the change. In Masses I have attended the rest of the congregation has not stood. I have faithfully followed the liturgical book and stood.
I think it has been a poor approach to implementing a change. It does not enhance the credibility of the church.
By J.R. Lilburne, 19 March 2003. I give what I have written on this page to the public domain.
Other sites:
Letter of Archbishop Tamburrino from November 2000 Newsletter of USCCB BCL