56e.

QUERY 1: May the singing of «Shalom» replace the singing of the «Agnus Dei»? REPLY: No. The Ordinary of the Mass in all its parts must be followed as it appears in the Missal. Some slight adaptation is countenanced in the «Directory for Masses with Children» no. 31. What is established for children, however, is not transferable to other assemblies: Not 11 (1975) 205.

QUERY 2: How many times must the «Agnus Dei» be said or sung, according to the indications in the Order of Mass? REPLY: The point of the «Agnus Dei» is to accompany the breaking of the consecrated bread until a particle is dropped into the chalice (GIRM no. 56e). In practice two situations are to be considered: a. If there is only one celebrant presiding or if there are only a few concelebrants, the breaking of the bread is done quite quickly. Usually the «Agnus Dei» said or sung three times, as indicated in the Order of Mass no. 131, is enough to accompany the rite. b. In the case when there are many concelebrants or the breaking of the bread takes a long time, then the «Agnus Dei» may be repeated until the completion of the breaking of the bread, following the rubric in the Order of Mass no. 131: "This may be repeated. . ." and the directive of the GIRM no. 56e: "This invocation may be repeated as often as necessary to accompany the breaking of the bread. The final reprise concludes with the words, «grant us peace»": Not 14 (1978) 306, no. 8.