Evan Suguitan
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
During the Communion Rite, when we say the Lord's Prayer, we do not say "Amen" until after we all say:
"For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever."
but in regular prayers we say "Amen" right after the Lord's Prayer. I also noticed that a lot of people at Mass are not saying "Amen" after praying the Lord's Prayer.
- Is this right or acceptable?
I still continue to say "Amen" but it seems like I'm the only one who is saying it during communal prayers.
Please advise me appropriately.
Thank you,
Evan
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{
Should we be saying "Amen" at this point at Mass or is it OK to say it after "For the kingdom ..."? }
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Mike replied:
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Hi Evan,
Thanks for the question.
What is being done is fine and acceptable.
We have to distinguish between our private prayers (those we say in the morning, afternoon [and/or] evening),
from the public prayer (or worship) of the Church with its members, called the Liturgy.
It's normal, but not necessary, for any private prayers we say, to end with the word, Amen.
This word means: So be it; or truly.
Nonetheless, it is the Teaching Authority of the Church that determines what form the Mass takes when we attend Mass each Sunday and all clergy, of all ranks, have to follow this set form.
In the Latin Rite we have two forms:
- the Ordinary form or Novus Ordo, with various options for the priest and
- the Extraordinary form or Latin Mass
I see no problem if you wish to say Amen, after the Lord's Prayer, as well as when liturgy tells us to say it.
I hope this helps,
Mike
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Evan replied:
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Hi Mike,
I think you misunderstood my question. My question is about saying "Amen" while praying the Our Father during group prayers, for example while praying the Rosary or at the Stations of the Cross in churches, (not during Mass) or at home. I apologize if I did not make my question clear.
- However, with your response, am I understanding you correctly that it's okay not to say "Amen" during group prayers?
Can you or one of your colleagues please confirm my understanding.
Thank you,
Evan
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Eric replied:
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Hi, Evan —
Nothing bad is going to happen if you omit the Amen from the Our Father during group prayers, such as the Rosary.
This may have arisen because it's omitted in the Mass. This happens frequently. Technically,
it should be included but in the larger scheme of things, I wouldn't worry about it.
Eric
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Evan replied:
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Thank you for your responses.
I think I'm being a stickler about this and should just let it go.
I'm sure, as long as the prayer is sincere, I don't think God minds whether "Amen" is said or not.
Wishing you the Best,
Evan Suguitan
"I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could be, but thank God, I am better than I used to be!"
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Mary Ann replied:
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Evan —
It is customary among Catholics to say the Amen whenever saying the Our Father except during Mass, when the Amen closes the praise that follows.
Mary Ann
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