55g.

QUERY: In the intercessions of Eucharistic Prayer III, this parenthesis appears ("Saint N. - the saint of the day or the patron saint"). How should these words be interpreted? Must the saint of the day or the patron saint be mentioned? And even on a Sunday or on more solemn days? May the blessed also be mentioned? REPLY: a. The words quoted, as is rightly noted, are in parenthesis; therefore, mention of the saint of the day or the patron saint is to be considered as optional. But it should not be omitted all the time, because mention of the saint adds something concretely relevant to the participants, the place, and the circumstances. b. There may, therefore, always be a mention of the saint of the day or of the patron saint, even if celebration of a Mass in honor of the saint is impeded, and even on Sunday and more solemn days. Special conditions of people and places may sometimes favor omission, for example, if mention of a little - known saint may cause puzzlement. The celebrant should always guard against imposing his own personal devotion on the faithful. c. What has been said about saints is applicable to the blessed, but only in keeping with places and ways established by law (see CIC can. 1277, 2): Not 14 (1978) 594 - 595, no. 17.