Retired California Bishop Takes Pope's Invitation to Speak His Mind

[Rhamiel]

Must we have a liturgy celebrated by a priest? There are and have been several places, the rural areas of Australia and villages of Central and South America come to mind, where it is impossible for priests to come every Sunday for Mass. So then what?

for the Divine Liturgy, or for the Mass, you need a priest

there are other types of prayer services that do not strictly require a priest

but to have a Mass, you need a priest
that is just how Christianity is

 

[FriendofFrancis]

Must we have a liturgy celebrated by a priest? There are and have been several places, the rural areas of Australia and villages of Central and South America come to mind, where it is impossible for priests to come every Sunday for Mass. So then what?

The Reserved Sacrament is used. A priest can consecrate enough hosts to last weeks. This is the same Sacrament taken to the sick/ infirm by Eucharistic Ministers [who can be laymen/ women].

 

[benedictaoo]

Must we have a liturgy celebrated by a priest? There are and have been several places, the rural areas of Australia and villages of Central and South America come to mind, where it is impossible for priests to come every Sunday for Mass. So then what?

Then its not Mass but a service. Without a priest, you don't have a Mass. That's just the way it is. No amount of wishful thinking can change this fact.

 

[benedictaoo]

The Reserved Sacrament is used. A priest can consecrate enough hosts to last weeks. This is the same Sacrament taken to the sick/ infirm by Eucharistic Ministers [who can be laymen/ women].

Its a prayer service but not a Mass.

 

[FriendofFrancis]

Yes, it is not a Mass that incorporates the consecration of the holy Communion but rather the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ. Religious [nuns/ monks] as well as the laity provide the Sacrament to those unable to attend a Mass.

 

[Martinius]

Yes, it is not a Mass that incorporates the consecration of the holy Communion but rather the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ. Religious [nuns/ monks] as well as the laity provide the Sacrament to those unable to attend a Mass.

Thanks for all the replies to my question about liturgies and communion without a priest. Are the prayer/communion services that are not Masses still considered liturgies?

As far as a priest consecrating hosts and keeping them in reserve for weeks, aren't there some rules about that? I would be concerned about freshness and spoilage.

How does all this work when the Church requires us to participate in the Mass every Sunday? Will the Church have to amend its rules to take into account this issue?

 

[Erose]

Thanks for all the replies to my question about liturgies and communion without a priest. Are the prayer/communion services that are not Masses still considered liturgies?

Yes they can be. Liturgy or liturgical prayer is a form of prayer. The Mass is a Liturgical prayer. So is the Divine Office, and the rites for all the Sacraments. The Communion Service, which many call the type of service you are speaking of, is a liturgical service.

I liturgical prayer that isn't a mass or Sacramental prayer, does not require a priest. The Divine office can be led by a lay person for example.

How does all this work when the Church requires us to participate in the Mass every Sunday? Will the Church have to amend its rules to take into account this issue?

No, why? The rules say when possible one must attend Mass on Sunday. The communion service is for those parishes that are unable to attend Mass on Sunday.

 

[benedictaoo]

And eventually those hosts will run out. A priest will be needed to consecrated. Remember folks. No priest, no Jesus.

 

[Martinius]

And eventually those hosts will run out. A priest will be needed to consecrated. Remember folks. No priest, no Jesus.

"No priest, no Jesus"? I am not so sure about that. That would presume that Jesus is found ONLY in the Eucharist, which Jesus himself tells us is incorrect. What about when two or three gathered in his name? What about how we treat the least of our brothers (and sisters) is how we treat Christ?

Jesus Christ is revealed to us in more ways than through the Eucharist. If I were stranded on an island, and consecrated hosts were not available to me, I do not feel that I would be outside the reach of Jesus.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

"No priest, no Jesus"? I am not so sure about that. That would presume that Jesus is found ONLY in the Eucharist, which Jesus himself tells us is incorrect. What about when two or three gathered in his name? What about how we treat the least of our brothers (and sisters) is how we treat Christ?

Jesus Christ is revealed to us in more ways than through the Eucharist. If I were stranded on an island, and consecrated hosts were not available to me, I do not feel that I would be outside the reach of Jesus.

Oy vey......physically dude......physically.