“In the Church, the tribute mass does not exist”
The mass only pays homage to God
The notion of homage comes from feudal culture where it designates the promise of loyalty and devotion of a vassal towards his lord. It is not part of the vocabulary of the Church.
However, we can encounter it in Eucharistic prayer number 1 at the moment where the priest mentions the faithful who participate in the celebration: “Remember, Lord, your servants and all those who are gathered here, whose faith and attachment you know. We offer you for them, or they offer you for themselves and all theirs, this sacrifice of praise, for their own redemption, for the salvation they hope for; and they pay this homage to you, eternal living and true God.”
The word here translates the idea of commitment made to God. This is one of the traditional ways of considering participation in mass: honoring a commitment that binds us to God. From the point of view of the Church, it is therefore wrong to speak of a “tribute mass” to someone.*
Praying for the deceased is not paying homage to the deceased
During every celebration of Mass, the Church prays for the deceased. Thus, in Eucharistic prayer number 2, the priest says: “Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and remember, in your mercy, all the departed: welcome them in the light of your countenance.”
She can pray more particularly for one or more people – what is called a “mass intention” – without ever excluding others. This is the request received by Mgr Philippe Ballot. The Catholic Church believes in a purification of the soul after death. It does not minimize the acts committed by a person nor the justice that has been done but it presents the soul of every deceased person to God “judge of the living and the dead”. Praying for the deceased is not paying homage to them.
This place left to God’s judgment is found in the celebration of funerals: the Church welcomes the testimonies of the living about the deceased while asking for moderation and reserve in the moral appreciation of his life. *
So what is the problem posed by this mass in Verdun?
The main problem is the media exploitation of this mass. Members of the Association to Defend the Memory of Marshal Pétain have the right to ask for prayers for him. But was that their only intention? Without impugning their intentions, we can only note that they welcomed the positive response from the diocese of Verdun as an authorization to organize “a mass in homage to Marshal Pétain and his soldiers”, according to their site.
Their opponents seize on their own words; the mayor of the town prohibits mass for risk of disturbing public order; the administrative court rejects the municipal decree; the mass takes place and the church square becomes a media stage where everyone tries to score points. Sad sight.
