From a reader:
My husband mentioned that at the end of Mass, the priest said, “Go the celebration has ended”. Would this be considered liturgical abuse or just bad taste? Seems like another case of bad catechesis.
Many priests think, in their wisdom, that they have the authority on their own to improve the official texts. Others are just a little sloppy and haven’t really ever learned or read what the texts really say.
In the lame-duck version still in use in the USA for a few more days (how nice to be able to write that) these are the forms of dismissal:
Go in the peace of Christ.
Or: The Mass is ended, go in peace.
Or: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
“Go the celebration has ended” is not an option.
In the new, corrected translation which comes into effect on the 1st Sunday of Advent (very soon) these are the forms of dismissal:
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or: Go in peace.
This word “celebration” has overwhelmed our speech about our liturgical worship. Yes, Holy Mass is a celebration. But the pervasive use of “celebrate” and “celebration” and even “celebrant” tends to reduce Mass to an opportunity for cheery emotions.
I suggest to priests and others that we use the language of “celebration” somewhat more judiciously. I don’t say get rid of it entirely, but lets all back off with it for a while and bring in other ways of speaking about Mass and the role of the priest. I am sure that readers here can leap in with some ideas.
In the meantime, priests, and in the case of dismissals also deacons, should stick to the texts in the book.
Perhaps you should get Father one of those nice coffee mugs with that phrase, just to remind him. Sweeten the deal with a couple pounds of Mystic Monk Coffee.
