Asking priests for a copy of their sermon

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peony25

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Would this be a weird thing to do? Our parish is fortunate to have a number of priests who are excellent preachers. Sometimes I feel that I can’t take everything in while they are speaking if I’m reflecting on the earlier points. It would be great to get a copy of sermon to read fully later.

I’m not sure how they would react to being asked for this though, I know they spend a lot of time writing them so it feels like asking for a copy someone’s university essay or similar. Anyone ever done this?
 
We had a rather talented priest at one time. He was generous enough that he published all his sermons for the past few years into a book, where people can buy a copy.

It depends on the priests. Some speak from the cuff, others from short notes while others read from prepared text.

I think it is a great encouragement to them that their notes are being in demand. It shows that we take their sermon seriously.

Personally I don’t do that, perhaps out of laziness, but given the opportunity I would never fail to give compliment to them on a good sermon.

Good bless.
 
peony25 said:
mon to read fully later.
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You can ask, and I’m sure the priest will be flattered. But a number of priests talk in a stream of consciousness and not from a prepared written text.
 
“Speaking from short notes”

I remember seeing the notes that one priest used to give his homily. If I remember correctly, it consisted of three words. It would be hard to get a copy of that homily!
 
It maybe hard to do. Some priest speak from the heart and only write down notes. I would tell him how much you enjoyed it.
 
Aside from the “does he even have a script?” question, there’s another consideration or two:
  • the homily is part of the context of the Mass. Taking it out of that context and treating it like a speech to be given at a conference isn’t what Catholic Liturgy is all about.
  • the homily is part of the context of a particular Mass. In other words, it speaks to a particular congregation, situated in a particular place and time, and addresses their ‘Sitz im Leben’, so to speak. Taking it outside of that context breaks that relevance.
  • generally, priests have faculties in a particular diocese. I’ve seen where some priests have gotten themselves in trouble with bishops from other dioceses, when their words have been broadcast (on the internet, for example), and those bishops call up the priest’s bishop and ask “hey! what’s your guy doing?!?!? He said such-and-such and my people are coming to me with it!”
 
Depends on the priest.

Some publish their homilies, some even post them online! Others speak from the heart and don’t write down more than some guideline notes.

Ask the Secretary, she will know how this particular priest handles these requests.
 
Never had too…we don’t have sermon “readers”…our parish has long been blessed with priest giving homilies without a script…not that there is anything wrong with that.
 
I don’t understand your issues. There was nothing in the OP about reading the sermon “at a conference.” It was clear from the context of the OP that the poster was AT the particular Mass, in the particular congregation, when the sermon was heard (And yes, I know it was a homily, but I’m using the poster’s words.) Finally, there was nothing in the original post about putting it up on the Internet. I agree with those who have said this is a gesture appreciated by priests / deacons if in fact a full reading copy is available.
 
Ask. Most of the priests I know would be happy to supply their notes, or their written homilies.
 
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Ask. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one upset with that request. If they just speak off of notes, they’ll tell you, and might give you a copy anyway. One priest I know writes everything out word-by-word, uses a system of formatting to cue his delivery, and practices so that by the time he’s presenting it, he’s not just reading anymore. I very much appreciate that kind of preparation - and I like that I can get a complete copy if I ask! Another does a sort of scratch copy that he edits as he delivers it, and he told me that before he sent me the written version.

My mother has a copy of every homily written by her favorite priest for many years. I think I remember hearing that it got to the point where he would just hand it to her the next time he saw her after the last Mass on Sunday. 🤣

I once asked a very new priest for a copy of his homily. It turns out he only made sketchy notes, and then threw them away. I always wondered if he ever started preparing more carefully or keeping more robust records… I was sorry I couldn’t spend more time with the ideas in that one, though.

Go ahead and ask. Even if he doesn’t have anything to give you, you’ll be paying him a very concrete sort of compliment.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I’m pretty sure the Sunday homilies are written out to some extent as I can see typed paragraphs on the sheets of paper they refer to - although when they are speaking they never appear to be reading off them, which is a talent!

I will definitely ask next time.
 
Keep in mind that if it’s typed, it’s probably saved. If you’re asking this question because of a particular recent homily you heard, and you regret not asking for a copy at the time, you can always email the priest. 🙂
 
MrsAngelala said:
Keep in mind that if it’s typed, it’s probably saved.
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No one types anything nowadays, they word-process on a computer, so if it appears typed it was almost undoubtably composed on a computer and necessarily saved.
 
I’m using “typed” in its contemporary sense – as opposed to “hand-written.” A computer is the only source to which I attribute a recently-typed document. When I said “probably saved,” I considered the question to be whether the priest is of a sufficiently administrative bent to actually save it, or just prints it and closes out.
 
My pastor posts them on our website. I would ask him to do that (assuming your parish has s website).
 
One of the priests at my parish has a website that he uploads some of his sermons as audio files. I discovered it the other day and am looking forward to listening. He may have something similar
 
Mattapoisett64 said:
I don’t understand your issues.
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Yep. I think you misread me. 😉
There was nothing in the OP about reading the sermon “at a conference.”
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What I said was that this treats the homily as if it were simply a conference speech.
Finally, there was nothing in the original post about putting it up on the Internet.
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True. But, the problem with publishing it is that it is available for wide distribution. Thought experiment: if I give you the text of a speech I gave, how difficult is it for you to put it on the internet? 🤔 😉
I agree with those who have said this is a gesture appreciated by priests / deacons if in fact a full reading copy is available.
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I think a priest or deacon would be flattered. However, I know that people get upset when they ask and are told, “thank you, but I’m going to decline the request.” 🤷‍♂️
 
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Various priests in our area put their talk on the parish website. Some have them available through email. Some have recorded versions of a particular Mass.
 
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