Section — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
§ III. On the Manner of Conferring the Sacraments
- It is not enough if the minister diligently observes those things which pertain to the matter and form; but he ought studiously to observe all the laws of the Holy Church concerning the administration of the Sacraments. Let him take care that all things be performed gravely, religiously, and with the edification of the faithful. Let him beware lest because of excessive speed, or custom of acting, or even defect of memory, he omit anything. It will generally be safer if in reciting the prayers he has the Ritual before his eyes.
- Questions. - QUESTION 1º. Whether the use of the Roman Ritual in the administration of the Sacraments is of precept?
Resp. Affirmatively. For more than once the Sacred Congregation of Rites declared that those books alone are to be employed, and in them only those blessings which are conformable to the Roman Ritual, and that no others are to be employed, provided it is not clear that they have been approved by this Sacred Congregation (S. C. Rit. 7 April 1832, and 23 May 1835. In Gardellini 4681).
Therefore it must be guarded against most carefully, lest formulas of blessings be employed which it is not clear have been approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites. To this end it will be very useful to consult the recent edition of the Roman Ritual procured by the presses of the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide, with the Supplement or collection of new blessings which the Pontiff conceded and approved.
- Very recently, however, to this question proposed to the Sacred Congregation of Rites: Even if the Church of Le Mans may provide for itself concerning the Breviary and Missal again and again, as it pleases, whether a faculty of this sort is to be extended to the Pontifical, Ceremonial of Bishops, Martyrology, and Roman Ritual; namely, so that, with the Most Reverend Bishop tolerating, permitting, or even otherwise establishing something, Canons or other Priests can with uninjured conscience infringe or omit the preceptive rules of the aforesaid books, and thus the will of the Most Reverend Bishop in these cases is for them a sufficient dispensation? - the Sacred Congregation responded: Negatively and no further (S. C. Rit. 10 January 1852).
- QUESTION 2º. What sacred vestments are required for the administration of the Sacraments?
Resp. With the case of urgent necessity excluded, a stole and surplice are generally required. It is said, surplice; for however much a contrary use may prevail in many places, the rochet is not a sacred vestment to be employed in the administration of the Sacraments, and therefore for administering them the surplice must necessarily be used. Thus the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 10 January 1852, in the Le Mans case. But the stole ought not to be worn except in the confection of Sacraments and sacramentals, and in the act of preaching where the custom prevails, and also in certain other functions, as is prescribed in the Roman Ritual. But the use of wearing the stole as a sign of jurisdiction and preeminence is reproved as an abuse. - Thus the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 10 September 1816, 11 September 1847, and 7 September 1850.
More concerning the manner of administering the Sacraments will be treated where the individual Sacraments are treated in particular.