Anything wrong with a person reading and serving at the altar at the same Mass?

[Duesenberg]

Anything wrong with a person reading and serving at the altar at the same Mass? In essence being an altar server and a reader at the same Mass. I know in some cases our altar servers (who are also commissioned as altar servers) do distribute communion as necessary, but only one reads and serves at the same Mass.

Other than the prospect of creating a “super-duper liturgical layman/laywoman” is there any prohibitions?

 

[superblue]

nope, no prohibitions.

 

[Entwhistler]

Technically, as superblue noted, there are no prohibitions. However, I would be concerned that by both lecturing and serving the importance and reverence for the reading might be lessened somewhat. “Oh, it’s just another thing the server does.” Yet of all the prudential judgments that have to be made during a Mass, that is probably the smallest. Basically, as long as it is not the norm it is perfectly fine.

 

[Norseman82]

When I read and there is no altar server, I end up doing “double duty” and perform some of the altar server functions (I especially like ringing the bells when I get the chance).

 

[PJM]

SO WHY ISN’T THE PRIEST DOING BOTH READINGS?

You’re speaking of a church Practice which are changeable; but I doubt that the rubics permit such as thing as a NORM… So without good cause, it is an abuse.

God Bless you
Patrick

 

[Duesenberg]

SO WHY ISN’T THE PRIEST DOING BOTH READINGS?

You’re speaking of a church Practice which are changeable; but I doubt that the rubics permit such as thing as a NORM… So without good cause, it is an abuse.

God Bless you

Patrick

No. The “office” of lector is of the laity. Sure, the priestly celebrant could read the OT reading, the psalm and the NT epistle reading along with proclaiming the Gospel but it would certainly be preferred that a layperson do so.

It’s certainly not an abuse. The reason I asked was to see if I was missing a custom or anything like that.

 

[Michael16]

No, it’s not an abuse. At my church; usually the NT reading is done by a Deacon.

 

[Duesenberg]

No, it’s not an abuse. At my church; usually the NT reading is done by a Deacon.

It’s not an “abuse”, that I am certain of. The NT Epistle should be read by laity if at all possible.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

It’s not prohibited but the GIRM does specifically note that each distinct ministry should be carried out by different individuals whenever possible and avoid the double-duty scenarios.

 

[Duesenberg]

It’s not prohibited but the GIRM does specifically note that each distinct ministry should be carried out by different individuals whenever possible and avoid the double-duty scenarios.

Do you happen to know the GIRM # perchance? Thanks…