There must be some kind of competition going on among DoR priests to see who can hold the most ridiculous outdoor Mass. About a month ago, Cleansing Fire posted an image of Fr. Marcoux offering an outdoor Mass wearing a baseball hat. Not to be outdone, Fr. William Spilly, the pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, held his own liturgically irregular outdoor liturgy.
Below are various images of a 2008 picnic Mass held at Hamlin beach (source). Brace yourself.
Fr. Spilly sitting back before Mass. As you may already have guessed, the Mass will be offered from this
picnic table.
Father delivers the homily. Nice rainbow stole by the way. And what is it with progressive priests not liking to wear the alb and chasuble? Is he even wearing the Roman collar? No, he is not.
While the choir sings a hymn, Father takes a seat at the picnic table altar.
Father holding his ceramic chalice and paten at the picnic table. I don’t see an altar crucifix (which is required).
Here’s one from another outdoor Mass offered by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. This time we see the “priest in a baseball hat” routine once again, previously performed by Fr. Marcoux (see beginning of post)
So many liturgical abuses here… Where to begin?
1. The priest is
required to wear the alb and stole, and should also be wearing the chasuble if he is the principle celebrant (which he indeed is here). T-shirt and rainbow stole are not an acceptable alternative. (
Redemptionis Sacramentum #s 122-124, and especially #126:
“The abuse is reprobated whereby the sacred ministers celebrate Holy Mass or other rites without sacred vestments or with only a stole over the monastic cowl or the common habit of religious or ordinary clothes, contrary to the prescriptions of the liturgical books, even when there is only one minister participating”)
2. Mass shouldn’t be held outdoors like this without a good reason. It certainly should not be held at a park picnic table. Bring a portable altar… err, table… if one desperately needs to have an outdoor Mass. (Redemptionis Sacramentum #108:
?The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place.?)
3. Altar crucifix is required, either upon or near the altar. (
General Instruction of the Roman Missal #308:
“There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation.”)
4. I see one candle on that altar. (
General Instruction of the Roman Missal #117:
“The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a holy day of obligation”)5. Ceramic vessels is a big no-no. (Redemptionis Sacramentum #117:
“Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.”)
It’s stuff like this that makes me eager for the retirement of the Spirit of Vatican II priests. Such disrespect for the Holy Mass.
