August 24, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

The question of whether or not to use the charisms in the Mass has come up recently, and so I would like to take this opportunity to answer the question here.
In our Liturgical tradition, it is clear from the law of the Church that the liturgical texts of the Mass may not be changed, even by a bishop who is celebrating the Mass.  The question arises from this is: Isn’t singing in tongues an addition of something foreign to the Mass?  Because it is verbal, doesn’t  it have to follow this rubrical prohibition?  Let us study for a minute what it is we are saying and doing when we sing (or speak) in tongues during the Mass.

A few distinctions must be made immediately when we talk about tongues during the Mass:

There are two expressions of tongues speaking in the Charismatic Renewal’s experience, namely:

1. Speaking (a message) in tongues, and

2. The collective or individual expression of praying in tongues.

In accord with the teaching of St. Paul, if there is a message or prophecy in tongues, it MUST be interpreted, and the message discerned for authenticity.  Therefore if the message is not interpreted, it is considered an aberration, and the speaker ought to be counseled about discernment to minimize interruptions during the Mass.  If this phenomenon is experienced in the liturgy, and there is someone present with the charism if interpretation, it is best that

1. Speaking a message in tongues should only be done in a clearly specified “charismatic liturgy,”  (that is, one that is not a parish liturgy) in order to minimize the confusion of the faithful who don’t know or understand this gift.

2. The speaker of a message in tongues should submit his or her urging to speak out in tongues to the approval/disapproval of those discerners or word gifts facilitators ministering  at the Charismatic Mass.  These facilitators should be clearly identified and the speaker must have their approval before being allowed to make such an expression at the Mass.  (N.B.  The celebrant of the Mass would also have to give permission ahead of time).

Praying in tongues during the Mass can take place in the following ways:

1. Private-voiceless murmuring in tongues (always).

2. Collective vocal signing in tongues at some points in the Liturgy (but, only if permission for singing in tongues during the Liturgy is given ahead of time by the celebrant).

In the first case (private praying in tongues), It is established Catholic practice to add certain aspirations at appropriate points in the Mass.  Most commonly these are: “My Lord and My God” during the elevation, or the prayer that accompanies the triple signing with the cross before the Gospel, and finally, mental prayer during the silences prescribed during the rites (most commonly after the words “Let us pray”).  Voiceless prayers, murmured ‘under our breath’ are really no different than praying in tongues ‘under our breath’.  Praying in tongues in this way can be recommended throughout the Liturgy since we can still be conscious of our surroundings when praying in this way, and not disturb those around us by drawing attention to ourselves.

In the second case (collective vocal singing in tongues), following on the principle of the last paragraph, can be allowed.  For example, at the moments of adoration during the elevations of the Eucharistic Prayer, the periods of silence after the readings, or hymns.  These all are places where a ‘judicious’ use of praying or singing in tongues might be allowed.  As mentioned already these expressions are subject to the regulation of the local ordinary and the permission of the celebrant.  This kind of expression should never draw attention to those praying, but rather always be oriented as prayer to the Trinity, the only worthy one to receive such expressions of prayer and adoration. 

Singing in tongues at the Liturgy should not be encouraged by any intervening direction or statement such as “let us all lift our voices in Tongues,” or any such thing.  Rather it should be permitted if someone is led to sing in tongues spontaneously.  There are now customary places where singing in tongues has been permitted in a charismatic masses since the beginning of the Renewal, and these seem to not interrupt the flow of the liturgy unduly.  This has even occurred at the Masses during international gatherings of the Charismatic Renewal with the Pope.

If the celebrant of the Mass proceeds with the liturgy, even as singing in tongues is happening, then all tongues should stop.  Therefore, I would recommend that singing in tongues in a Charismatic Mass be limited to (but not prescribed for) the following points in the liturgy:

1. After the opening Hymn

2. After the Glory to God (if sung)

3. After the Responsorial Psalm

4. After the Gospel Acclamation

5. After the Holy Holy Holy

6. After the Elevation each of the Body of Christ or Blood of Christ in the Eucharistic Prayer

7. After the Communion chant or hymn.

It is hoped that this information and set of guidelines will help Catholic Charismatics to be comfortable with the use of their charisms in the liturgy, and will understand more the nature of singing in tongues during the Mass.  It is most important that the charismatic expressions be submitted to the Church’s good order, and the legislation of the Bishop, or the direction given during the Liturgy by the celebrant.  God is a God of order, and not disorder.

                                                                              Sincerely,

                                                                              Fr. Don Malin, VF

                                                                              C-4 Coordinator

Speaking in Tongues at Mass: Some guidelines

To contact us:

E-mail: frdonmalin@aol.com

The Colorado Catholic Charismatic Committee

Fr. Don Malin, Coordinator

515 S Pagosa Blvd.

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

E-mail: frdonmalin@aol.com