Consecrating the Elements through sign language

[u/guiioshua]

Discussing with some friends, this topic came up.

First, is there any official document regarding that? I remember seeing an article made by some theologian from the LCMS, but I have no idea from who or from where it was.

Can it be valid if its done by a deaf priest or to a community of deaf congregants?

[u/audreyseattle]

I’m genuinely curious why you or they think it wouldn’t be valid?

[u/guiioshua → u/audreyseattle]

No specific reason. Just the fact that it is a significant change from the way the rite was originally instituted and traditionally celebrated. The question inevitably leads to how much of the act we can modify to "accommodate" while still preserving the core of it. But if we take sign language as any other language that just needs a proper translation that preserves the evangelical and sacrificial nature of the Eucharist, then there would be no real problem.

[u/audreyseattle → u/guiioshua]

While sign language isn’t a word for word translation of the rite, it’s as much a language as any other and I do believe the spirit of the rite would override any words lost in translation.

[u/guiioshua → u/audreyseattle]

Just learned that there are actual gramatical limitations to American sign language regarding passive/active voice. But yes, I don't think that it is really a problem to celebrate the Eucharist.

[u/LCMS_Rev_Ross]

I don’t see why the consecration would be invalid by using ASL. It is a whole language, just as much as German, Hebrew, Spanish, or English.

[u/boilermakerspecial6]

Yes it is valid, however because there is not a true passive voice in ASL, the signing is different than what English speakers would be used to hearing. Rev Reinke is an excellent resource and an excellent representative of deaf Lutheranism. No document is needed because deaf ministry has a 100+ year history in the LCMS

[u/jcreinke → u/boilermakerspecial6]

I am not sure if you are talking about myself (Rev. Joshua Reinke) or my fathe (Rev. John Reinke)r, but either way, thanks for the endorsement and high praise!

[u/boilermakerspecial6 → u/jcreinke]

I have worked with your father. I’m sure you are great too!

[u/LifeInTheAfterAge → u/boilermakerspecial6]

You just jangled loose a memory that was buried in the wasteland of my brain!

IIRC, isn't it something like "On the night Judas betrayed Jesus..." ? Because if you tried to render it word-for-word, it would come out like "On the night Jesus betrayed [someone else]" ? I vaguely remember learning that at a District Convention once

Edit: I should have just scrolled down more to see jcreinke provide the answer! Many thanks!

[u/Boots402]

If sign language is used, I think the best practice would be to use sign and speech if at all possible; especially since best practice with sign is often the speak while signing if you are capable of it. I believe this is how Rev. Wolfmueller does it at Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, maybe someone with direct experience can correct me if I’m wrong.

Edit: before anyone has a chance to roast me, I am not saying sign only would be invalid.

[u/kirolsen]

I’m not an expert but I don’t see why this would be an issue. ASL is a language, same as English or Spanish or German

[u/Wallabunga657]

I think it would be valid. Why would God not "speak" through ASL? If the priest/pastor signs the Words of Institution, I see no reason for it to be invalid. Jesus is there and the Eucharist is blessed.

[u/mpodes24]

"It must be done in the original German as St. Paul intended it."

{kidding} 😄

[u/JaguarKey600]

Consecrating the elements is not a magic trick. Language matters not. Your ability to hear it, matters not.

[u/McBeardedson]

Not sure I have a good answer for that, I also don't think there is any official documentation on it.

I can ask a friend of mine, Rev. John Reinke, he is a deaf LCMS pastor with World Lutheran Deaf Outreach, probably the best resource to use on a question like this.

[u/Bakkster → u/McBeardedson]

There's a lot of deaf ministries in the LCMS, I'm sure someone will have an answer.

[u/jcreinke → u/Bakkster]

I would certainly pray that the words of institution are valid. My deafness impact's my English there verbally as I don't say the night Jesus was betrayed, instead I say it happened the same night Judas betrayJesus, Jesus took bread. Since there's no passive voice, you have to add in the actor or who is doing the betraying.

[u/SobekRe → u/jcreinke]

I don’t know sign language, so TIL about no passive voice.

[u/National-Composer-11]

As a young child in the 1970s, I visited St. Matthews Lutheran in Newark several times. For the parishioners, audible liturgy made little sense. The signing carried the day for prayer, preaching, the verba, and even "singing" the hymns. It was a remarkable fellowship and, I understand, the congregation is still going even though they've moved:

https://www.njdistrict.org/deaf-ministry.html