Another question about Scalia funeral

[babochka]

I was wondering why a deacon did not proclaim the gospel at the funeral. I thought it was the responsibility of a deacon, if present, to proclaim the gospel. Father Scalia specifically acknowledged, at the beginning of his homily, the presence of deacons.

The funeral was beautiful, the homily one of the best funeral homilies I’ve ever heard, and I’m sure that everything was done according to the rubrics. That’s why I’m confused.

Am I incorrect that it is always the responsibility of the deacon to proclaim the gospel during Mass?

 

[ProVobis]

I was wondering why a deacon did not proclaim the gospel at the funeral. I thought it was the responsibility of a deacon, if present, to proclaim the gospel. Father Scalia specifically acknowledged, at the beginning of his homily, the presence of deacons.

The funeral was beautiful, the homily one of the best funeral homilies I’ve ever heard, and I’m sure that everything was done according to the rubrics. That’s why I’m confused.

Am I incorrect that it is always the responsibility of the deacon to proclaim the gospel during Mass?

AFAIK, this would be true if it were a Solemn Requiem Mass. Or at least a priest or bishop acting as deacon.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I was just looking at the video of the funeral Mass here: c-span.org/video/?404962-1/justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass

It is, indeed, a deacon who proclaimed the gospel. Perhaps because he’s wearing a dalmatic you confused him with a priest.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I was just looking at the video of the funeral Mass here: c-span.org/video/?404962-1/justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass

It is, indeed, a deacon who proclaimed the gospel. Perhaps because he’s wearing a dalmatic you confused him with a priest.

Interesting observation. If my local parishes are any indication, dalmatics on deacons seem to be very scarce. I know some pastors actively discourage them lest the deacon supposedly be “confused” with a priest. No wonder a deacon in a dalmatic wouldn’t be recognized.

 

[babochka]

I was just looking at the video of the funeral Mass here: c-span.org/video/?404962-1/justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass

It is, indeed, a deacon who proclaimed the gospel. Perhaps because he’s wearing a dalmatic you confused him with a priest.

Ah, could be. Mostly I think my confusion stemmed from the fact that CNN identified him as “Rev. Colin Davis, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington”. When I watched before, I only saw the proclamation of the gospel, so I did not see his whole body, which made it harder to distinguish the vestment. Apparently CNN made a mistake in covering religion. Who knew that was possible? According to the diocesan website, he was ordained to the diaconate last June.

 

[Marysann]

The gospel was proclaimed by a deacon at Justice Scalia’s funeral. He was wearing the deacon’s proper vestment, a dalmatic. A dalmatic has sleeves, and the priest’s chasuble doesn’t. The Rev. Mr. Colin Davis is a deacon of the Diocese of Arlington, his name is on our list of seminarians. CNN must have been confused.

 

[DaveBj]

The gospel was proclaimed by a deacon at Justice Scalia’s funeral. He was wearing the deacon’s proper vestment, a dalmatic. A dalmatic has sleeves, and the priest’s chasuble doesn’t. The Rev. Mr. Colin Davis is a deacon of the Diocese of Arlington, his name is on our list of seminarians. CNN must have been confused.

Wouldn’t be the first time

I didn’t see it, but I understand that it was a beautiful service. Our priest quoted from Father Scalia’s homily at the beginning of his own yesterday.

 

[Phemie]

I was just looking at the video of the funeral Mass here: c-span.org/video/?404962-1/justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass

It is, indeed, a deacon who proclaimed the gospel. Perhaps because he’s wearing a dalmatic you confused him with a priest.

Yes, it was the same Deacon who was at Fr. Scalia’s side throughout and read the General Intersessions.

 

[frizzgrig]

There were 2 deacons assisting Fr. Scalia at the Mass, one of them did proclaim the Gospel. There were also about 36 deacons in choir to the left and right behind the altar with I’d estimate 60 or so priests in the center. There were also a good number of priests, deacons and religious in the congregation.

 

[Memaw]

I was wondering why a deacon did not proclaim the gospel at the funeral. I thought it was the responsibility of a deacon, if present, to proclaim the gospel. Father Scalia specifically acknowledged, at the beginning of his homily, the presence of deacons.

The funeral was beautiful, the homily one of the best funeral homilies I’ve ever heard, and I’m sure that everything was done according to the rubrics. That’s why I’m confused.

Am I incorrect that it is always the responsibility of the deacon to proclaim the gospel during Mass?

A Deacon can read the Gospel but I don’t believe it’s an absolute rule he has to. Gd Bless, Memaw

 

[babochka]

A Deacon can read the Gospel but I don’t believe it’s an absolute rule he has to. Gd Bless, Memaw

I’m pretty sure it is a rule, if a deacon is present, that the deacon reads the gospel. I know that this is the case in the Byzantine Rite and a deacon always reads the gospel at Papal Masses.

Edit:

I looked up the rules.

When there is a deacon present at the Eucharistic celebration, he should exercise his ministry wearing sacred vestments (no. 338). The deacon:

assists the priest and processes at his side (unless he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, in which case, he precedes the priest);

ministers the chalice or the Roman Missal at the altar;

proclaims the Gospel and, at the request of the priest celebrant, may preach the homily (no. 55);

gives timely directions to the faithful and announces the intentions in the Universal Prayer;

assists the priest celebrant in distributing Communion, especially as minister of the Precious Blood, and cleanses and arranges the sacred vessels;

as needed, performs the offices of other ministers when none of them are present (no. 171).

 

[Brendan]

A Deacon can read the Gospel but I don’t believe it’s an absolute rule he has to. Gd Bless, Memaw

It is part of the GIRM. if a Deacon is present and serving, he is the one who proclaims the Gospel

Mass with a Deacon

When there is a deacon present at the Eucharistic celebration, he should exercise his ministry wearing sacred vestments (no. 338). The deacon:
1.assists the priest and processes at his side (unless he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, in which case, he precedes the priest);

2.ministers the chalice or the Roman Missal at the altar;

3.proclaims the Gospel and, at the request of the priest celebrant, may preach the homily (no. 55);

4.gives timely directions to the faithful and announces the intentions in the Universal Prayer;

5.assists the priest celebrant in distributing Communion, especially as minister of the Precious Blood, and cleanses and arranges the sacred vessels;

6.as needed, performs the offices of other ministers when none of them are present (no. 171).

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/the-deacon-at-mass.cfm

 

[Brendan]

. I know some pastors actively discourage them lest the deacon supposedly be “confused” with a priest. .

That is somewhat sad. One would hope that the response of a priest to confusion about a Church teaching would be to enlighten the faithful, not to allow them to continue in ignorance.