239 appointed day, which may be inconvenient. He also expressed a concern as to the individual communities recognizing the vote of the Convention participants as fi nal, when it is no more than a consultative vote. In Fr. Szczepaniak’s opinion, it would be best to leave this matter to the next General Chapter’s decision. Father Maciej Zachara said that, in his opinion, obtaining an appropriate privilege from the Apostolic See would be worthwhile, because it would present a perfect argument for all those who treat liturgical rubrics in a very rigorist manner; it may be also seen as an additional approval from the Church. Father Marian Pisarzak was of the opinion that the contents of our petition to the Congregation ought to be extended; a potential privilege ought to embrace also the Mass celebrated on a given day along with the obligatory memorial of the day. Thus, the petition to the Holy See would include three matters: 1. Offi ce for the Dead; 2. Holy Mass according to the formula for the deceased; 3. the possibility to extend the privilege to our ministry—[to involve] the participation of the faithful in the Marian churches. He also added that Tuesday seems to be the most appropriate day, since Monday—as a day following Sunday—usually gathers a lesser number of people; and all other days already have their specifi cs be they Marian, or vocational, or some other—depending on the liturgical season. When the debate was concluded, the Superior General stated that the vote on this matter would be only consultative for the General Government’s use and that it would be an indication as to whether or not a petition for the privilege ought to be sent to the Holy See before the General Chapter, which is supposed to fi nally settle the matter. Without a prior suggestion or decision from the Congregation, the General Chapter would not be able to make a binding decision. Thus, Father General asked the following question: “Who is for the motion to introduce the practice of reciting the Offi ce of the Dead and to celebrate Holy Mass according to the formula for the deceased once a week, independently from being obligatory, prescribed by the liturgical calendar, memorials for the dead in the entire Congregation? And consequently, should the Superior General petition the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments with a request for granting the appropriate privileges? Concrete regulations in this matter would be established later by the General Chapter.” Twenty eight members of the General Convention participated in the voting. The result was: 20 in favor and eight against. Father General declared that, upon obtaining the General Council’s consent, he would fi rst consult the Congregation about the possibility of obtaining such a privilege, and then, in case of a favorable opinion, he would send an appropriate letter to the Apostolic See. Recorded by Rafał Zalewski, MIC
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