A question about "Straw" Subdeacons

[ctb95]

Hi all! I have heard in some circles about the use of “straw” subdeacons in the extraordinary form of the mass when there are no clerics around to fill the role. Is this true?

If so, who can serve as a straw subdeacon? Is this a role only for instituted acolytes or seminarians?

I can’t imagine a scenario where a regular altar server would be allowed to serve in this role.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I believe PCED limited it’s answer to instituted acolytes and seminarians – however, excluding the traditional orders, prior to Deacon, most seminarians are generally not consecrated to any of the lower orders, so they are essentially laypersons. So… the answer is sometimes laymen maybe, but don’t hold me to that.

 

[pulsence]

I believe that only acolytes can be straw sub-deacons. When they are, their role as sub-deacon is slight adjusted and the deacon takes on some of their dutes. Particularly during preparation of the altar and the canon I believe.

…excluding the traditional orders, prior to Deacon, most seminarians are generally not consecrated to any of the lower orders, so they are essentially laypersons…

This though isn’t quite right. Most seminaries, here in the north east at least, do institute to the orders of lector and acolyte. Usually lector is sometime 1st theology, acolyte is 2nd theology, then deacon end of third and priesthood end of fourth. In the Latin Rite, even if you are instituted to the lower orders you are still technically a layperson so that point it correct. I don’t know about our eastern brethren.

Edit to add further resources:
rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/04/straw-subdeacon-pced-letter.html
wdtprs.com/blog/2017/05/ask-father-is-having-a-straw-subdeacon-for-a-solemn-tlm-okay/

 

[SyroMalankara]

I stand corrected.

In the Traditional Syriac/Malankara, anyone from Deacon to altar server (always male) is called “Deacon”, although by various sub-categories.

sor.cua.edu/vestments/

Deacons

Deacons wear a white kutino and an uroro ‘stole’ in various shapes according to their rank.

Singers (mzamrono) wear the kutino without the uroro.

Readers (qoruyo) wear the uroro in the form of a Cross.

Subdeacons (apodyaqno) wear the uroro folded around the neck.

Deacons (shamosho) wear the uroro over the left shoulder, on either side like wings.

Archdeacons (archedyaqno) wear the uroro round the neck. They also wear a zenoro and zende similar to priests.

 

[peter26]

On a related point, does the role of the deacon in the Tridentine have to be played by a priest, or could an actual deacon fill the role?

 

[pulsence]

Yup, the role of the Deacon can be filled by an actual Deacon, which is why a priest can be the deacon because he is still a deacon. On account of how history developed, it ended up as the deacon usually bring a priest.

 

[corsair]

A number of years ago, I was at Holy Rosary church in Portland, OR for a Solemn High Mass. The sub-deacon was Dr. William Mahrt, who, at the time taught at Stanford University.

Most of you know that he is now affiliated with “New Liturgical Movement” as it’s publisher.

So the sub-deacon must be able to sing the Epistle in Latin and know his part in the Mass.
Dr. Mahrt, as I recall, did a great job.

 

[OraLabora]

A number of years ago, I was at Holy Rosary church in Portland, OR for a Solemn High Mass. The sub-deacon was Dr. William Mahrt, who, at the time taught at Stanford University.

Most of you know that he is now affiliated with “New Liturgical Movement” as it’s publisher.

So the sub-deacon must be able to sing the Epistle in Latin and know his part in the Mass.
Dr. Mahrt, as I recall, did a great job.

As I’m sure he would! I met him 8 years ago at our annual Gregorian Institute of Canada colloquium. He was our keynote speaker.