Does anyone know if Liturgical Dancers are approved or permitted? There were some in our church recently and I am not sure. I am inclined to believe not, but I would like to know for sure. Also, if the priest says "This is my body broken for you" instead of "This is my body which will be given up for you" at the consecration is the Eucharist valid &/or licit?

-- Joseph Carl Biltz (jcbiltz@canoemail.com), December 09, 2002

Answers

They're not permitted during the Mass, though they might be permitted before or after (for example, during the dedication of a church).

Here is a link to a web site which will give you a LOT of really good info - Is Your Mass Valid?" - there is a whole section on what makes a Mass valid and/or illicit, and it's all taken from official Church documents. Hope this helps you! :-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christinelehman@hotmail.com), December 09, 2002.

The day I see liturgical dancers in mass is the day I start listening for approaching hoofbeats. One thing's for sure, they'd get me to confession pronto.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), December 10, 2002.

Joe,

If you were in the legion you should already know the answer to this.

Regarding Liturgical Dancers, didn't King David Dance his way to the Temple?

The legionary, uck, uck, uck, in me would say No, no , no, but my reformed self would say as long as it is respectful and enhances the Mass then OK. I've seen the Gospel mimed by children on special occasions and it was a very positive experience and no doubt the children in question had to reflect on it before and during the event. Regarding the words bit, I don't think you can use other words, other than what is written in the Missal. But the words you suggest shouldn't invalidate the Eucharist, but the priest in question shouldn't invent them either.

Life is not made up of the legionary list of do's and don'ts, there is a vast grey area between both.

-- James Xwing (james_xwing@hotmail.com), December 10, 2002.

Thank you Christine for posting that site for me, I just wanted to know what the offical word was out on the subject.

-- Joseph Carl Biltz (jcbiltz@canoemail.com), December 10, 2002.

Dear Joseph:
You're right to question each one of these things. You've sensed an importance in the words of consecration, but here's what escapes your notice. Though the words ''broken'' and ''given up '' are obviously far apart, they do not make a consecration in themselves. The words, ''This is my Body, --and, This is my Blood'' (the cup of my blood) are the form making transubstantiation what it truly is; a miraculous actuality.

As for the other question, don't please-- DON'T listen to James X wing; he's on another planet. Because, he makes the ''Legionarie Leap'' at every opportunity; and supposes this makes him bright. Sorry, but:

''The legionary, in me would say No, no , no, but my reformed self would say as long as it is respectful and enhances the Mass then OK.''

--This is a bad parody of goodness. James is ever so mistaken. Only the BISHOP of a diocese is able to give permission, or withdraw permission for any action during Holy Mass. Not because our taste runs to something; or because we ''think'' it's OK.

What our bishop thinks is good--THAT'S GOOD. It may or may not include dance, bands, girl servers, healing Masses, crying rooms or anything. We are a heirarchical Church. James may have glimmers of understanding, but he wasn't called to make judgments. Neither was I-- but I can direct us all to the proper place. The bishop. If you see something recurring with no objection in your parish, chance is, your BISHOP has given his permission. He has that authority.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), December 10, 2002.

Dear Eugene, Sorry I haven't responded for a while, but I wanted to thank you for the prayers and I will definately try to get my hands on that story about the leper priest. In Christ,

-- Andrew Boyd (andrewboyd100@hotmail.com), December 17, 2002.

I really don't like litrugical dancing. I don't really tanke a strong side on this argument, because I haven't really looked into it to much. If someone knows where the Church officially say not to do it, that would be helpful to me.

From my following comments, don't think that I am saying liturgical dancing is good, I just want some feedback on the comment. When I was at World Youth Day, I think after communion there was some liturgical dancing (and the Pope was right there), I was also told that in '89 in Miami they danced after communion. Does anybody know if this is true?

IN Christ,

-- Andrew Boyd (andrewboyd100@hotmail.com), December 17, 2002.

Andrew, scroll up and find the link left by Christine ("Is your Mass valid?"). Click on it and then scroll down to "5.3 Performing Liturgical Dance." You will then have the answer you seek.
JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@@hotmail.com), December 18, 2002.