Help needed to clarify ambiguity

[St_Barnabus]

There is a strong argument in another forum about the wording in the USCCB's Manual of Indugences regarding the conditions for a plenary as one says the rosary. I sent copies of this letter to several places, EWTN, USCCB, Fr. Z, and AskAnApologist, hoping to learn the truth.

On page 41 of Manual of Indulgences it states:
-- recitation of the Marian rosary or of the hymn Akathistos, in church or an oratory; OR in a family, a religious community, or a sodality of the faithfuful OR, in general, when several of the faithful are gathered for any good purpose.

This does not say that it must be prayed in a group, or that it must be prayed audibly.

Page 58 of the Manual states:
Regarding the plenary indulgence for the recitation of the Marian rosary, the following is prescribed:

1. The recitation of a third part of the rosary is sufficient, but the five decades must be recited without interruption.

2. Devout meditation on the mysteries is to be added to the vocal prayer.

3. In its public recitation the mysteries must be announced in accord with approved local custom, but in its private recitation it is sufficient for the faithful simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer.

A well-meaning person has disturbed the faithful by stating on Catholic Answers' forum that this plenary grant applies only if the rosary is "recited" audibly using one's vocal chords, implying that this is the true definition of "vocal" prayer. In other words, privately praying the rosary in church using mental prayer would not entitle the person to receive a plenary indulgence.

Would someone please confirm or deny the specific meaning of the bishops in this Manual? My practice has been for many months to daily work for a plenary both for my deceased loved ones and those in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them. It would be a shame to not take advantage of this grant, but if that is the concept, I will simply switch to praying the Way of the Cross or read scripture for half an hour.

Thank you sincerely,
　

 

[FullyMT]

Vocal means out-loud, but this could even be in a whisper.

I do not think you need to worry about your prayers being useless though. I am sure that your prayers of and for intercession are heard by our loving God.

 

[Michie]

I've asked this question before. I've always wondered if reciting a prayer audibly had more value than saying it internally. Never thought of this until I became Catholic.

 

[FullyMT]

What I'm unsure about here is whether or not your first quote is directly related to second. If so, it assumes praying the rosary in a group of 2 or more.

 

[St_Barnabus]

That's the ambiguity. The Manual refers to the conditions for a plenary on both pages. Page 41 simply says to pray it in church. Page 58, item 3, says it may be prayed privately, suggesting that you don't need to be in a group - simply meditate on the mysteries.

Since pg. 58 uses the word "vocal" prayer, some interpret this literally that it must be aloud. Yet if a person is alone IN CHURCH before the Blessed Sacrament, what need is there to pray the rosary out loud? Article 3 gives the permission to pray it privately (outside of a group).

In the Carmlelite tradition, the Order's Saints specifically wrote about prayer of all forms. Prayer is the primary charism of the Order. Vocal prayer was never understood or taught by them as having to speak audibly. Rather, it is a prayer formula composed by others, whose words are used in one's personal prayer to God, whether spoken publicly, audibly, or in the privacy of one's heart. It has many varying uses and expressions all under the one heading "vocal." LoTH is considered "vocal" prayer, yet there is no obligation to recite it audibly or in community in order to be in union with the entire liturgical prayer of the church. It simply calls for the proper breviary to use the same "vocal" words as the rest of the church.

This is why the Manual is confusing to anyone who reads it, for there is a great deal of clarification needed to understand how the Bishops meant the word "vocal." Do we use the saints' broad interpretation, or the dictionary literal interpretation?

Hopefully, someone reading this will have an answer.

 

[FullyMT]

If you're reading it from a Religious Order's perspective and it makes sense to you that way, do it that way. God is not a legalist.

 

[Michie]

If you're reading it from a Religious Order's perspective and it makes sense to you that way, do it that way. God is not a legalist.

Thank you Jesus.

Catholicism sometimes leaves me feeling that way though.

Forgive me for saying so.

 

[St_Barnabus]

If you're reading it from a Religious Order's perspective and it makes sense to you that way, do it that way. God is not a legalist.

You're a sweetheart! That was my initial reaction, too. One person got snippy telling me I don't know how to obey the Church! Geesh! A legalist, for sure. I'm not out to win a war or prove a point, but now that they created this doubt, I need to know what the truth is - for the sake of the others, as well, who may now be confused.

A dear Carmelite friend is going to post it on her Catholic website where she is a moderator. Somewhere, the truth will out!

 

[Virgil the Roman]

FullyMT is right. We're Catholics; not cold legalists. Especially in matters such as this.


Christ's Peace be upon thee, St Barnabas.

 

[St_Barnabus]

FullyMT is right. We're Catholics; not cold legalists. Especially in matters such as this.
Christ's Peace be upon thee, St Barnabas.

Your prayer was answered, Virgil. I did find much peace last night, but I couldn't post this because the software was sitting in wonderland again.

A bit of daylight is piercing the darkness. I found some information that confirms my understanding of vocal prayer as I was taught by the Carmelite saints, and as I understand is the "mind of the Church." What puzzles me is why the poster at CAF omitted this when he was offering his views, because these points were there all along. Instead, he chose those definitions that corresponded with his views, rather than provide the fullness of the teaching.

One example is the CCC definition that he skipped over and went instead to #2704. Here's the first in the series on vocal prayer, and it is important to note that the Our Father is called a "vocal prayer" - not because of being prayed aloud, but because it is the essential classification of that prayer expression.

2701 Vocal prayer is an essential element of the Christian life. To his disciples, drawn by their Master's silent prayer, Jesus teaches a vocal prayer, the Our Father. He not only prayed aloud the liturgical prayers of the synagogue but, as the Gospels show, he raised his voice to express his personal prayer, from exultant blessing of the Father to the agony of Gesthemani.

The second reference is Fr. Bruno Cocuzzi, OCD (Order Carmelites Discalced) who had this to say:
"Private prayer is of two kinds: Vocal and Mental. We must not look for the distinguishing element of these two kinds of prayer in the native meaning of the words. Use of lips and vocal chords is not the essential note of vocal prayer, nor is all silent prayer necessarily mental prayer. Instead, we call that prayer Vocal that is made using prepared formulas, whereas Mental Prayer is that which wells up spontaneously from the depths of the heart."

Had the poster presented the fullness of Fr. Bruno's teaching rather than Father's snippets that agreed with his perspective, he would have prevented this difficulty and the hours I spent researching, not to mention the perplexity of seeing an "apparent" contradiction to Carmelite teachings in a priest who should know them.

Silly me, I was looking for every reference I could find on "plenary indulgences" when all I had to do was look for "vocal prayer!"

Finally, from Fr. Hardon's Dictionary:
"VOCAL PRAYER: The form of prayer that is a "conversation" with God, or the angels and saints, and is formed in words or equivalent symbols of expression. More technically, vocal prayer involves the use of some set formulas, since it is assumed that even when a person prays mentally he necessarily employs some form of at least internal speech. So that in practice the distinction between mental and vocal prayer is more a matter of emphasis, whether one's own unrehearsed sentiments predominate (mental prayer) or a person rather employs verbal expressions that are not, at the time, the immediate product of communication with God."

In the mind of the Church, who has always understood from her saints this classification between vocal, mental, and contemplative prayer, I am aligning myself with that "mind" rather than the literal dictionary definition that some are focusing on there. I await further confirmation from the sources I have contacted, and am prepared to shift gears if I am mistaken. For the sake of those who were confused by those posts, I pray the wait won't be too long.

Thanks to all of you for listening and sending your assurance and support!

 

[thereselittleflower]

There is a strong argument in another forum about the wording in the USCCB's Manual of Indugences regarding the conditions for a plenary as one says the rosary. I sent copies of this letter to several places, EWTN, USCCB, Fr. Z, and AskAnApologist, hoping to learn the truth.

On page 41 of Manual of Indulgences it states:
-- recitation of the Marian rosary or of the hymn Akathistos, in church or an oratory; OR in a family, a religious community, or a sodality of the faithfuful OR, in general, when several of the faithful are gathered for any good purpose.

This does not say that it must be prayed in a group, or that it must be prayed audibly.

Recitation means doing so outloud

re·cite verb /riˈsīt/ 



recited, past participle; recited, past tense; recites, 3rd person singular present; reciting, present participle

1. Repeat aloud or declaim (a poem or passage) from memory before an audience
   • - we provided our own entertainment by singing and reciting poetry
2. State (names, facts, etc.) in order
   • - she recited the dates and names of kings and queens

​

Page 58 of the Manual states:
Regarding the plenary indulgence for the recitation of the Marian rosary, the following is prescribed:

1. The recitation of a third part of the rosary is sufficient, but the five decades must be recited without interruption.

2. Devout meditation on the mysteries is to be added to thevocal prayer.

3. In its public recitation the mysteries must be announced in accord with approved local custom, but in its private recitation it is sufficient for the faithful simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer.

A well-meaning person has disturbed the faithful by stating on Catholic Answers' forum that this plenary grant applies only if the rosary is "recited" audibly using one's vocal chords, implying that this is the true definition of "vocal" prayer. In other words, privately praying the rosary in church using mental prayer would not entitle the person to receive a plenary indulgence.

I highlighted the word "recitation" above in your quote.


That is what RECITE means. . . . he is right,.

Would someone please confirm or deny the specific meaning of the bishops in this Manual? My practice has been for many months to daily work for a plenary both for my deceased loved ones and those in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them. It would be a shame to not take advantage of this grant, but if that is the concept, I will simply switch to praying the Way of the Cross or read scripture for half an hour.

Thank you sincerely,
　

There is much more to a plenary indulgence than simply reciting it out loud.

saying it outloud is a specific condition for thie plenary indulgence.

The general conditions remain. The abilty to obtain a plenary indulgence is quite rare I would think.


As far as the ambiguity, there is really nothing ambigiuous about it at all. The Church sets conditions, the Church has the power to bind and loose such condtions on the faithful. This is not "legalism" . this is the Church doing what She has been empowered to do for the good of the faithful..

These are the rules. You cannot obtain a plenary indulgance outside these conditions imposed by the Church. If you pray the Rosary with the intention of gaining a plenary indulgence, you must do it as the Church has prescribed, meeting ALL the conditions (ie rules) for the plenary indulgence. Otherwise, you receive a partial indulgence only.

 

[Anhelyna]

TLF

you must do it as the Church has proscribed,

Since you are saying that rules must be adhered to then please make sure your spelling is correct - the word required here is PRESCRIBED


Oh the legalism

 

[thereselittleflower]

TLF



Since you are saying that rules must be adhered to then please make sure your spelling is correct - the word required here is PRESCRIBED


Oh the legalism

Is there a reason you could have not been much, much more charitable about a simple typo?

I do have a neurlogical conditon that makes it hard to type and I often confuse letters. You should see the gibberish I type out initially. Responding to a post can be very laborious for me.

And you feel called to call me out for a typo?

Since it evidently bothered you enough to call me out like that, I have fixed it for you so you won't suffer any further distress.

In general, I am not going to worry overy much about typos. If that bothers you, I offer the other cheek.

 

[Anhelyna]

TLF

I had no idea that you suffer from a neurological condition .

However you have very satisfactorily, made a long entry re recitation [ copy and paste from a dictionary - a sensible way for all of us ] , and quoted facts that point out that all conditions [ and there are plenty of them ] that have to be satisfied to gain a plenary indulgence .

How is a poor person who is not as well educated as either of us , spots a 'new ' word , looks up in a dictionary and finds the word PROSCRIBED and realises that it means forbidden to realise that you actually made a typo ?

BTW due to various injuries I can no longer write more than about 4 words without horrendous pain due to past injuries , typing is not always easy either - we all have our crosses to bear.

 

[St_Barnabus]

TLF, why am I not surprised that you would counter my post?

As I stated in closing at CA, and will also state here, I will no longer debate with those who attempt to oppose the Mind of the Church with sophistries and misunderstanding of Her teaching, solely based on a literal translation of a word in the dictionary. It is tantamount to proving Jesus had "brothers" because of the word in scripture, rather than look to the only source authorized by God to interpret its meaning truthfully.

Sure, I can find the word "recite" in the dictionary and give it the meaning you obviously omitted; i.e., to recall from memory, to enumerate (doesn't the rosary do this)? Nevertheless, that doesn't fit the third requirement on pg. 58, which says, 3. "but in its private recitation it is sufficient for the faithful simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer." Does God not hear us when we pray the rosary privately? We need to say it aloud so He can listen?

What about those who go to mass and pray the rosary privately beforehand? Are they to disturb the congregation by using their vocal chords? It doesn't count, otherwise? For decades, when Catholics mention the rosary, they use the expression "reciting it" - common terminology - whether or not it is prayed aloud or in silence. The language arose from encouraging families to pray it together, but in practice, it is often prayed/recited by individuals. I have difficulty believing the Church mercifully granted a plenary for its "recitation" but made it very difficult for people to do so when they attend mass by stipulating it must be prayed aloud.

"The rosary has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints. While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers (it can and should be prayed silently when necessary so as not to disturb others),"
"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII)." (Link)​

The Mind of the Church has always been to understand "vocal prayer" in accord with the saints who were named Doctors of the Church for their teachings on it. These holy teachers have never reduced the understanding of this prayer form to exclusively meaning praying aloud, although that may sometimes be the mode of expression. When the Church adopts and uses that commonly understood definition, She doesn't need to spell out for the legalists what "vocal prayer" means. Catholics familiar with these saints' writings on prayer know what it means. And that is where I will hang my hat until the USCCB, et al, writes back to me to the contrary. ​

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Your prayer was answered, Virgil. I did find much peace last night, but I couldn't post this because the software was sitting in wonderland again.

I'm glad that God has given you peace. His peace is the only that truly fulfills (as Fr Freedy told us in a homily of his); nothing else, save Jesus alone, gives one true peace. A man is restless; for as St Augustine said:

"O Lord, our hearts are restless, till they find their rest in Thee."​

It is as our Saviour said whenever He was here Himself on earth:

"Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened; I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourselves, and learn from me; I am gentle and humble of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
— St Matthew XI, 28-9.​

You're blessed.

 

[isshinwhat]

TLF, why am I not surprised that you would counter my post?

As I stated in closing at CA, and will also state here, I will no longer debate with those who attempt to oppose the Mind of the Church with sophistries and misunderstanding of Her teaching, solely based on a literal translation of a word in the dictionary. It is tantamount to proving Jesus had "brothers" because of the word in scripture, rather than look to the only source authorized by God to interpret its meaning truthfully.

Sure, I can find the word "recite" in the dictionary and give it the meaning you obviously omitted; i.e., to recall from memory, to enumerate (doesn't the rosary do this)? Nevertheless, that doesn't fit the third requirement on pg. 58, which says, 3. "but in its private recitation it is sufficient for the faithful simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer." Does God not hear us when we pray the rosary privately? We need to say it aloud so He can listen?

What about those who go to mass and pray the rosary privately beforehand? Are they to disturb the congregation by using their vocal chords? It doesn't count, otherwise? For decades, when Catholics mention the rosary, they use the expression "reciting it" - common terminology - whether or not it is prayed aloud or in silence. The language arose from encouraging families to pray it together, but in practice, it is often prayed/recited by individuals. I have difficulty believing the Church mercifully granted a plenary for its "recitation" but made it very difficult for people to do so when they attend mass by stipulating it must be prayed aloud.

"The rosary has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints. While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers (it can and should be prayed silently when necessary so as not to disturb others),"
"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII)." (Link)​

The Mind of the Church has always been to understand "vocal prayer" in accord with the saints who were named Doctors of the Church for their teachings on it. These holy teachers have never reduced the understanding of this prayer form to exclusively meaning praying aloud, although that may sometimes be the mode of expression. When the Church adopts and uses that commonly understood definition, She doesn't need to spell out for the legalists what "vocal prayer" means. Catholics familiar with these saints' writings on prayer know what it means. And that is where I will hang my hat until the USCCB, et al, writes back to me to the contrary. ​

/\
This.

 

[thereselittleflower]

TLF

I had no idea that you suffer from a neurological condition .

However you have very satisfactorily, made a long entry re recitation [ copy and paste from a dictionary - a sensible way for all of us ] , and quoted facts that point out that all conditions [ and there are plenty of them ] that have to be satisfied to gain a plenary indulgence .

How is a poor person who is not as well educated as either of us , spots a 'new ' word , looks up in a dictionary and finds the word PROSCRIBED and realises that it means forbidden to realise that you actually made a typo ?

BTW due to various injuries I can no longer write more than about 4 words without horrendous pain due to past injuries , typing is not always easy either - we all have our crosses to bear.

And that is an excuse for being uncharitable how? An apology would have been sufficient.

 

[thereselittleflower]

TLF, why am I not surprised that you would counter my post?

As I stated in closing at CA, and will also state here, I will no longer debate with those who attempt to oppose the Mind of the Church with sophistries and misunderstanding of Her teaching, solely based on a literal translation of a word in the dictionary.

Dear Barnabas. . you have not demonstrated you know the mind of the Church on this matter, neither have you demonstrated that the Church does not expect you to pray outloud the Rosary as a condition of the Plenary Indulgence.

Wishful thinking is wishful thinking and nothing more, and to think that the Bishops do not know how to use the English language and would choose a word that means one thing - to say something outloud - when that was not what they intended, and to use it multiple times, is really to do the Bishops a disservice.

It is tantamount to proving Jesus had "brothers" because of the word in scripture, rather than look to the only source authorized by God to interpret its meaning truthfully.

This is only an improper argument as the word in the original language for brother has many meanings other than literal blood brothers.

This does not compare with the english use of the word recitation at all since the english word "recitation" does not have the permutations that the greek word "brother" does. So the comparison is meaningless.

It seems that people are all too willing to stretch things to great lengths to try to force words to mean things they do not mean.

Sure, I can find the word "recite" in the dictionary and give it the meaning you obviously omitted; i.e., to recall from memory, to enumerate (doesn't the rosary do this)?

No . not just that Barnabas. . to do so OUTLOUD. You are leaving part of the defintion out.

One has to wonder why?

Nevertheless, that doesn't fit the third requirement on pg. 58, which says, 3. "but in its private recitation it is sufficient for the faithful simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer." Does God not hear us when we pray the rosary privately? We need to say it aloud so He can listen?

You can recite something privately outloud - what would prevent you? In fact, the contrast of the verbal recitation with the mental mediation even more cleary portrays this intended meaning.

Why fear saying it out loud?

It is not about God hearing or not hearing us.

It is about an ACT we must perform, and it requries much more from us to say it outloud than it does to say it mentally.

What about those who go to mass and pray the rosary privately beforehand? Are they to disturb the congregation by using their vocal chords? It doesn't count, otherwise?

This is a silly argument.

Praying the Rosary always carries a partial indulgence, so anyone praying the rosary silently before mass will be granted such.

But to receive the plenary indulgence the criteria set out must be met, and since recitation is an act of speach, it must be spoken.

Twisting and turning the language and trying to make vocal prayer mean something obscure in light of the context which the word recitatoin gives us, isn't going to yeild understanding, just confusion.

For decades, when Catholics mention the rosary, they use the expression "reciting it" - common terminology - whether or not it is prayed aloud or in silence. The language arose from encouraging families to pray it together, but in practice, it is often prayed/recited by individuals. I have difficulty believing the Church mercifully granted a plenary for its "recitation" but made it very difficult for people to do so when they attend mass by stipulating it must be prayed aloud.

I am not sure you understand what is required for a plenary indulgence. and just because one has trouble believing something, does not mean it isn't so.

What are the other conditions?

And many times after Mass the rosary is prayed outloud, and offers the opportunity for receiving a plenary indulgence

"The rosary has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints. While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers (it can and should be prayed silently when necessary so as not to disturb others),"
"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII)." (Link)​

Yes, but that does not mean this at all has in mind the requirements for the plenary indulgence, and the Plenary indulgence was not the focus of his words.

One does not get a plenary indulgence willy nilly . . they are difficult to get. And so the requirements are higher than the usual for a partial indulgence.

One must RECITE the rosary. That means outloud. Not pray it silently.


I will continue my response in the next post . . please read it all before giving into temptation to respond prematurely.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Continuation of response to post Originally Posted by St_Barnabus


Regarding Vocal Prayer:

Vocal prayer

Prayer may be classified as vocal or mental, private or public. In vocal prayer some outward action, usually verbal expression, accompanies the internal act implied in every form of prayer. This external action not only helps to keep us attentive to the prayer, but it also adds to its intensity. Examples of it occur in the prayer of the Israelites in captivity (Exodus 2:23); again after their idolatry among the Chanaanites (Judges 3:9); the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9); Christ's own prayer after resuscitating Lazarus (John 11:41); and the testimonies in Hebrews 5:7, and 13:15, and frequently we are recommended to use hymns, canticles, and other vocal forms of prayer. It has been common in the Church from the beginning; nor has it ever been denied, except by the Wyclifites and the Quietists. The former objected to it as unnecessary, as God does not need our words to know what goes on in our souls, and prayer beinga spiritual act need be performed by the soul alone without the body. The latter regarded all external action in prayer as an untoward disturbance or interference with the passivity of the soul required, in their opinion, to pray properly. It is obvious that prayer must be the action of the entire man, body as well as soul; that God who created both is pleased with the service of both, and that when the two act in unison they help instead of interfering with one another's activities. The Wyclifites objected not only to all external expression of prayer generally, but to vocal prayer in its proper sense, viz. Prayer expressed in set form of words, excepting only the Our Father. The use of a variety of such forms is sanctioned by the prayer over the first-fruits (Deuteronomy 26:13). If it be right to use one form, that of the Our Father, why not others also? The Litany, Collective and Eucharistic prayers of the early Church were surely set forms, and the familiar daily prayers, the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed, Confiteor, Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, all attest the usage of the Church in this respect and the preference of the faithful for such approved forms to others of their own composition.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12345b.htm
​

So, if prayer is mental is not vocal as the first sentence above makes these two ways of praying two different catagories. To pray vocally means you are not simply praying mentally. To pray mentally means you are not praying vocally.


Now, regarding the heretical views mentioned above in regards to vocal prayer.

It has been common in the Church from the beginning; nor has it ever been denied, except by the Wyclifites and the Quietists. The former objected to it as unnecessary, as God does not need our words to know what goes on in our souls, and prayer being a spiritual act need be performed by the soul alone without the body. The latter regarded all external action in prayer as an untoward disturbance or interference with the passivity of the soul required, in their opinion, to pray properly.
​

Compare that to what you said above:

"Does God not hear us when we pray the rosary privately? We need to say it aloud so He can listen?"

​

Sounds something like the arguments the Wycliffs and Quietists used, as delineatd above, to defend not praying outloud.

In contrast the Mind of the Church is thus - and tells us why we need to pray outloud, why it is important:

It is obvious that prayer must be the action of the entire man, body as well as soul; that God who created both is pleased with the service of both, and that when the two act in unison they help instead of interfering with one another's activities.
​

With this understanding it becomes even more clear the purpose of requiring recitation, ie praying outloud, the Rosary in order to obtain the highest form of indulgence possible, a plenary indulgence.




ADDITIONALLY - your post attempts to force only one of two possible meanings of "vocal prayer" onto the words of the Church in this particular context of the Rosary and plenary indulgences, as if there is only one use of the term "vocal prayer" and so ingnoring altogether that there is not just one standard definition use by the Church for this term, BUT TWO:

We begin then by asking ourselves what is vocal prayer? In the Church there are two standard meanings of vocal prayer. One, a generic meaning and the other more specific. In its broadest, generic sense, vocal prayer is prayer that follows a set form of words. In vocal prayer the words may be those of someone, someone whom we’ve never met. But it’s someone else and the words of the one who is praying. Again, in vocal prayer in the broadest sense it may be using the words of Sacred Scripture. Or using the words of our Lord when He taught us the Lord’s Prayer. Or it may be a prayer composed by one of the saints, like saint Francis of Assisi, or naturally, St. Ignatius of Loyola. That’s the one meaning of vocal prayer.

The other meaning is more specific. Vocal prayer is vocalized prayer. It is articulated prayer. It is prayer that can be heard, of course by the one who prays or by someone else. It is prayer that is perceptible to the senses. And that is the cleanest theological definition of vocal prayer. Thus vocal prayer as we are speaking of it is the second meaning that we give to vocal prayer. It is therefore distinguished from mental prayer. In mental prayer we use our own thoughts to express our mind and heart to God. In vocal prayer we adjust our thoughts to the ideas expressed by someone else and that’s the kind of vocal prayer by which we are meditating in this conference. Certainly, certainly vocal prayer whether articulated or not should express and involve our own minds and hearts unlike say, the Hindus, who are expected to recite thousands of times a certain quote, prayer, or formula and the vocal prayer that we as Christians understand is never to be divorced from the mind being aware of what it is doing and the heart wanting to pray but when I pray vocally I am both using someone else’s formula and for our purpose we expressed ourselves in some sensibly perceptible form.

What are the forms, at least some of the forms of vocal prayer? As we know the Latin word, vox, meaning voice, has an adjective which is vocalis, so vocal prayer is voiced prayer. In vocal prayer therefore, the voice is used, then we can distinguish various ways of praying vocally in other words, ways in which we can realize our sentiments to God and put that realization into practice. I’ve got seven classifications, but I said to myself one page is enough.



Some of the forms of mental prayer which is vocal, vocal prayer.

• First, it may be simply articulated. Words are spoken. That’s vocal prayer. We get the words from somebody else and then we read those words.
  
  
• Or second, vocal prayer may be ritual, ritual prayer, where the words are accompanied by symbolic gestures or signs, like the sign of the cross or bowing or kneeling, or folding one’s hands. The vocality therefore of vocal prayer is not only because it is spoken with the lips and heard by somebody’s ears. No. The vocality means sense perceptibility.
  
  
• Or third, vocal prayer can be either prosaic or poetic. Depending on the style in which the vocal prayer was originally composed. The sounds are poetic. Most of the New Testament, for that matter the Old Testament is not poetic.
  
  
• Fourth, vocal prayer can be either individual or collective depending on whether one person is praying or several, or many are praying together.
  
  
• Fifth, vocal prayer can be ordinary or it can be musical. When the vocal prayer is accompanied by some or several musical instruments.
  
  
• Sixth, vocal prayer can be recited or sung. And we find both forms in Sacred Scripture and both forms in the Church’s daily practice. I like St. Augustine’s statement, when we sing we pray twice. Meaning what? We are not only reciting words, we are also joining our voices in song.
  
  
• Number seven, the prayer can be either private or liturgical. In the latter case the Church officially composes and approves certain prayers to be said or sung in public. In other words the Liturgy is the public prayer of the Church. The public may be a physical nearness to one another of those who are engaging in the liturgy or it may be public because the whole believing world joins with us and we with it and the object or purpose the finality of the prayer when it is liturgical is public because it’s intended to embrace and obtain grace for the whole human race.
  
  
• Let’s call this either Seven “A” or number Eight if you wish. I thought I should add this. Vocal prayer can be for want of a better word, either continuous or repetitive depending on whether the prayer is progressive in thought from beginning to middle and to the end. Or, it may be expressed and then you repeat what you’ve just said, like the rosary. We’re still on the forms.

http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Commandments/Commandments_016.htm
​

And so we see that this 2nd standard definition of "vocal prayer" is not as you suggest it must be, but is indeed prayer that is vocalized, audible, perceptible to the senses . . . and additionally is

"the cleanest theological definition of vocal prayer."
​

Couple that with the repeated us of the word recitation, and you have a very clear and UNambiguous meaning of the Bishops and the mind of the Church.

To be granted the plenary indulgance for reciting the Rosary, one must pray it outloud.


I highly recommend reading the above writing by Fr Hardon on vocal prayer as it answers many questions such as:

Why must we practice vocal prayer? Notice this is not an option, it’s an obligation. We must practice vocal prayer because we are not angels but human beings. I believe the angels do carry on a conversation; how they do it, don’t ask me. God wants us to honor Him in our prayerful worship on two levels. By speaking to Him and conversing with Him in our own deep heartfelt soul experience. This we may say is the soul of all prayer. That God wants us to give Him prayerful worship, I repeat as human beings. How? By expressing our prayerful sentiment in bodily form using our voice and lips, using our ears, using our bodily gestures, our bodily…and our bodily movement.
​

Much more worth reading at that site.

The Mind of the Church has always been to understand "vocal prayer" in accord with the saints who were named Doctors of the Church for their teachings on it. These holy teachers have never reduced the understanding of this prayer form to exclusively meaning praying aloud, although that may sometimes be the mode of expression. When the Church adopts and uses that commonly understood definition, She doesn't need to spell out for the legalists what "vocal prayer" means. Catholics familiar with these saints' writings on prayer know what it means. And that is where I will hang my hat until the USCCB, et al, writes back to me to the contrary. ​

I think you are unclear as to the Mind of the Church in this matter. There is nothing legalistic about the proper use and understanding of the English language. Claims to the contrary are simply absurd.

Additionally, if you have written to the USCCB for an answer (which means you don't know so would not need to ask if you did), why argue here as if you already know their answer?