The cultic Mac

[presbyter]

Just picked up from a link in "Pray Tell"

http://www.cultofmac.com/priest-celebrates-mass-with-ipad/52425

I confess to being a convinced macolyte but I do not possess an iPad. I have never thought that such a device could have a liturgical function.

[alan29]

Presumably the first reading was from Genesis - Adam and Eve and the Apple?
And something about being lost sheep for the gospel?

[musicus]

It could just as easily been a laptop (Windows, Mac or Linux - no platform wars here!) or a notebook. Indeed, anything capable of displaying the printed words. That includes paper, of course. I suppose the question is, is anything other than the official Roman Missal permitted (i.e. the object, not merely its content)?

[Southern Comfort]

The full discussion at PrayTell will be found here: http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2011/03/31/priest-celebrates-mass-with-ipad/

[musicus]

...and it is worth reading.

But I don't think it answers my question. Anyone?

[presbyter]

But I don't think it answers my question. Anyone?

Well, I can remember a Mass some years ago at a meeting at Upholland where the celebrant used no book whatsoever - deliberately presided from memory. I wouldn't trust myself to do that.

[Southern Comfort]

While the norm is to use an altar missal, there are many occasions where travelling or pilgrimage priests will use a reduced size version, such as the St Luke's Missal, or indeed a folder with everything needed (including special chants) for that celebration (this happens at most of our diocesan celebrations and many other special occasions too). The trick is to make the folder look attractive if it is to be held up as well as lie on the altar.

Does that help to answer your question, musicus ?

It's largely a matter of common sense. There's an ideal, but pastoral reasons can dictate divergences from the ideal.

[musicus]

Thank you, SC. I'm all in favour of common sense.