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170.
QUERY: In
the manner of concelebrating we find the following differences: a. Sometimes
the celebrant's voice stands out clearly, while the concelebrants recite the
eucharistic prayer in a low or subdued voice. In other cases, conversely, a
clash of loud voices is heard, as though each were striving to outdo the
others. b. In carrying out the epiclesis before the consecration not all
concelebrants stretch out their hands toward the gifts to invoke the action of
the Holy Spirit, but they are extremely careful to do so during the
consecration. c. During the epiclesis some bring their hands back as soon as
the principal concelebrant has made the sign of the cross over the gifts;
others keep their hands outstretched until the text of the epiclesis is
concluded. Which ways are right? REPLY: To decide which of the differences are
right, it is enough to consider the nature of the functions that each
concelebrant performs and the nature of the corresponding gesture: a. According
to the GIRM no. 170 the assembly of the faithful must distinctly hear the voice
of the one presiding. This can be achieved by use of a sensitive and well -
placed microphone and especially by the modulation of the concelebrants' voices
(«submissa voce»). Otherwise, as in the second case cited, the unity of tone
and rhythm for the assembly's understanding of the text cannot be achieved. b.
It is rather odd that the norms of the Missal envision a situation quite the
opposite from the one alleged: during the epiclesis of the consecration all the
concelebrants must hold their hands over the gifts (GIRM nos. 174a, 180a, 184a,
188a: "with hands outstretched toward the gifts") in invoking the
action of the Holy Spirit. But during the consecration, the concelebrants hold
the right hand toward the bread and the chalice, "if this seems
appropriate" (GIRM nos. 174c, 180c, 184c, 188c) and they do so as they
recite the «words of the Lord», namely, up to "Do this in memory of
me" inclusive. c. The act of holding the hands outstretched must accompany
the words of the prayer. This is why the rubrics of the Order of Mass (nos. 90,
103, 110, 119) indicate the end of this action by saying: "He joins his
hands": Not 14 (1978) 303304, no. 6. See also DOL 242.
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