From Southern Orders
By Fr Allan J. McDonald
Here are PRAYTELL's Johnny come lately predictions about the future. My comment in red embedded in the text:
Prediction #1: People will hesitate to receive the Eucharistic chalice.
Communion under both species—modestly re-introduced by the Second Vatican Council, afterwards permitted in more and more cases, often requested, explained and backed up by liturgical scholars—has not yet become a common practice in Roman Catholic liturgies. Many people never got used to it, felt unable to cope with it whenever the chalice was offered to them, and some always found it disturbing to drink from a chalice that had been touched by other people’s lips before. I am quite sure that the number of people who hesitate to drink from the Eucharistic chalice will increase. No explanation of the alcohol’s disinfectant virtue will change their minds (because the alcohol diluted by saliva isn't strong enough to be a disinfectant)—the hesitation does not originate in scientific arguments, but in expectations of cleanliness and hygienics. (As long has I have a say in it, the common chalice will not be used in my parish.)
Prediction #2: New ways of sharing the Eucharistic chalice will be tried out.
Some ministers will try to introduce new ways to share the Eucharistic chalice in a more hygienic way. I saw small individual glasses in Lutheran and Latter-day Saints’ liturgies. Some colleagues mock them due to their resemblance to shot glasses, but they are a simple option to share a beverage among a large group of people. Of course the symbolism of sharing one chalice is lost, but second-best options are better than no options (and we do the same with Eucharistic hosts which do not at all remind one of one shared bread). (I doubt small plastic or glass mini cups like Protestants will be used, but Communion under both forms by intinction will take place, not just for the laity, but concelebrants as it done at my cathedral-basilica.)
Prediction #3: Liturgical gloves will revive.
Some ministers will prefer to use gloves for certain liturgical acts. Not the old ritual gloves that bishops used, but sanitary gloves. Some priests will use them in order to prevent to infect others or be infected, e.g. for the Anointing or for the Communion on the tongue. (I see plastic gloves dying out but the formal Episcopal gloves making a come-back with some not all.)
Prediction #4: People will hesitate to stand or sit close to each other.
After all we heard about exhalation, aerosols, and droplet infection, the number of people who prefer to stand or sit in big distances to others—especially strangers— will increase. Maybe people here in Austria will hesitate to use the old baroque pews where they are squeezed in without any chance of movement. They will request single seats instead, a sort of choir stalls, or at least modern pews that leave more space to everyone. (Yes for a while but the handshake of peace or the kiss of peace is dead and should be permanently buried).
Prediction #5: Certain objects will be regularly disinfected.
Sacristans will have more work than before: Objects that people touch or kiss will be disinfected on a regular basis: Liturgical vessels, baptismal fonts, icons, doorknobs, Gospel books, lectionaries, hymnals, etc. New patterns of cleanliness and hygienics will be established all over public places.
Prediction #6: Public law will enforce new hygienic rules.
Depending on the situation in different countries with their respective legislation, I can imagine that future public law will prohibit certain religious practices, e.g.: drinking from one chalice, open Holy Water fonts, Anointing without gloves, etc. Public law might make my predictions #1—5 true even without anyone’s personal request. (In this country, secular laws that infringe on the Church would be challenged in court, but other countries might acquiesce.)
By Fr Allan J. McDonald
Here are PRAYTELL's Johnny come lately predictions about the future. My comment in red embedded in the text:
Prediction #1: People will hesitate to receive the Eucharistic chalice.
Communion under both species—modestly re-introduced by the Second Vatican Council, afterwards permitted in more and more cases, often requested, explained and backed up by liturgical scholars—has not yet become a common practice in Roman Catholic liturgies. Many people never got used to it, felt unable to cope with it whenever the chalice was offered to them, and some always found it disturbing to drink from a chalice that had been touched by other people’s lips before. I am quite sure that the number of people who hesitate to drink from the Eucharistic chalice will increase. No explanation of the alcohol’s disinfectant virtue will change their minds (because the alcohol diluted by saliva isn't strong enough to be a disinfectant)—the hesitation does not originate in scientific arguments, but in expectations of cleanliness and hygienics. (As long has I have a say in it, the common chalice will not be used in my parish.)
Prediction #2: New ways of sharing the Eucharistic chalice will be tried out.
Some ministers will try to introduce new ways to share the Eucharistic chalice in a more hygienic way. I saw small individual glasses in Lutheran and Latter-day Saints’ liturgies. Some colleagues mock them due to their resemblance to shot glasses, but they are a simple option to share a beverage among a large group of people. Of course the symbolism of sharing one chalice is lost, but second-best options are better than no options (and we do the same with Eucharistic hosts which do not at all remind one of one shared bread). (I doubt small plastic or glass mini cups like Protestants will be used, but Communion under both forms by intinction will take place, not just for the laity, but concelebrants as it done at my cathedral-basilica.)
Prediction #3: Liturgical gloves will revive.
Some ministers will prefer to use gloves for certain liturgical acts. Not the old ritual gloves that bishops used, but sanitary gloves. Some priests will use them in order to prevent to infect others or be infected, e.g. for the Anointing or for the Communion on the tongue. (I see plastic gloves dying out but the formal Episcopal gloves making a come-back with some not all.)
Prediction #4: People will hesitate to stand or sit close to each other.
After all we heard about exhalation, aerosols, and droplet infection, the number of people who prefer to stand or sit in big distances to others—especially strangers— will increase. Maybe people here in Austria will hesitate to use the old baroque pews where they are squeezed in without any chance of movement. They will request single seats instead, a sort of choir stalls, or at least modern pews that leave more space to everyone. (Yes for a while but the handshake of peace or the kiss of peace is dead and should be permanently buried).
Prediction #5: Certain objects will be regularly disinfected.
Sacristans will have more work than before: Objects that people touch or kiss will be disinfected on a regular basis: Liturgical vessels, baptismal fonts, icons, doorknobs, Gospel books, lectionaries, hymnals, etc. New patterns of cleanliness and hygienics will be established all over public places.
Prediction #6: Public law will enforce new hygienic rules.
Depending on the situation in different countries with their respective legislation, I can imagine that future public law will prohibit certain religious practices, e.g.: drinking from one chalice, open Holy Water fonts, Anointing without gloves, etc. Public law might make my predictions #1—5 true even without anyone’s personal request. (In this country, secular laws that infringe on the Church would be challenged in court, but other countries might acquiesce.)
