Can a priest say Mass at someone's home?

[Lapey]

Originally posted this because I knew this priest to have liberal beliefs (for example in believes that homosexual acts are not sinful)… At any rate, the mass today appeared to be somewhat “liberal” in certain aspects… The priest used the Old translation of the Mass for keys prayers in the mass (ie, glory to god prayers, and hosanna). He requested a glass which he used to consecrate the wine; he did not direct us to kneel during the consecration… (will continue this thread later)

This is presicely why the bishop and pastor must be in controll of permissions, even in private settings. The faithfull involved are the responsibility of the pastor and bishop. If they are misled by this rogue priest they will have to answer for it, sad but true.

These issues must be reported to the pastor of the territory involved here. If none available this must be reported to the office of worship at the diocese. If nothing is done there then the bishop’s office.

Sounds like a very sorry situation. It is times like this that knowing whether he has faculties becomes important. This priest doesn’t sound like he made the transition to the new Roman Missal.

Sad situation indeed. Unfortunately this is something that happens too often.

 

[Kevin812]

 

[clem456]

Before we go off on a priest, let’s remember where we are, on an internet forum reading an anonymous story from one person’s point of view. Please.

 

[blaskoman]

I have to state that I’ve known this priest and I value his friendship and service to the church. He offered to say a private mass for my family because of a recent death of a family member. The mass he said today seemed to be somewhat off kilter. A group of myself and 8 other family members were gathered around our dining table with the priest seated at the head. It appeared that he was unprepared. He did wear his vestments but I was somewhat amazed with what followed. We provided the crucifix and candles. A white table cloth was already covering the table. He then asked that we provide him with a plate and drinking glass. As mentioned earlier, some of his prayers were of the old translation. He used the drinking glass for the wine and the common dinner plate was used to break up the hosts. At the time for reception of the Eucharist he simply handed the plate with hosts to the person to his right and we passed around the plate. Likewise the glass of wine was passed around. After the mass I did not notice the priest clean out the glass. The whole experience seemed a bit odd. It seemed thaty priest friend did not properly conduct the mass. He was seated the entire mass. He did not direct us to stand or kneel at the appropriate times. The positives I took out of this was his heartfelt homily which consoled us in our time of pain. His gesture to say mass for us was also a nice gesture, although I fear he may have cut some corners.

 

[freshwind]

We had a Mass in my parents’ backyard for their 60th wedding anniversary. My father’s health did not allow him to travel for a regular mass in a church.
The celebrant was a relative, a semi-retired Franciscan. (elderly, so now he teaches)
I am under the impression he had gone through some sort of channels of notification because he asked my brother to drive him to the local church to pick up vessels and hosts.
They had things ready for him when he arrived and they were back shortly.
It was a wonderful celebration, and in my view a tremendous witness of the faith to the neighbours.
It was also a chance for my ailing father to be present at a celebration of a Mass.
I read earlier of “travelling” papers, I wonder if he may have had something like this since he has spent the majority of his life in missionary work?
Interesting discussion whether these things are allowed, as to me, this was what the faith is all about, the family gets together for a celebration, and the Mass and Christ was the central focus - to me, we need more of this, not less.
Am I way off base here?

 

[Joan_M]

I have to state that I’ve known this priest and I value his friendship and service to the church. He offered to say a private mass for my family because of a recent death of a family member. The mass he said today seemed to be somewhat off kilter. A group of myself and 8 other family members were gathered around our dining table with the priest seated at the head. It appeared that he was unprepared. He did wear his vestments but I was somewhat amazed with what followed. We provided the crucifix and candles. A white table cloth was already covering the table. He then asked that we provide him with a plate and drinking glass. **I hope that you are aware that, once something has been used to hold either the Body or the Blood of Christ, they can never be used for ordinary use again. That plate and glass should probably be carefully smashed into tiny pieces and buried in a place where they would not be likely to be dug up or otherwise disturbed. **As mentioned earlier, some of his prayers were of the old translation. He used the drinking glass for the wine and the common dinner plate was used to break up the hosts. At the time for reception of the Eucharist he simply handed the plate with hosts to the person to his right and we passed around the plate. Likewise the glass of wine was passed around. After the mass I did not notice the priest clean out the glass. The whole experience seemed a bit odd. It seemed thaty priest friend did not properly conduct the mass. He was seated the entire mass. He did not direct us to stand or kneel at the appropriate times. The positives I took out of this was his heartfelt homily which consoled us in our time of pain. His gesture to say mass for us was also a nice gesture, although I fear he may have cut some corners.

**Your description as to how this Mass was celebrated is quite horrible! I am glad that I have never been subjected to that level of liturgical abuse by a priest. I would have been severely tempted to assault him! I would certainly have made my feelings known to him in no uncertain terms after the Mass, and would absolutely not have received Communion in such a manner.

“he may have cut some corners” That is the understatement of the year!!**

 

[Lapey]

I have to state that I’ve known this priest and I value his friendship and service to the church. He offered to say a private mass for my family because of a recent death of a family member. The mass he said today seemed to be somewhat off kilter. A group of myself and 8 other family members were gathered around our dining table with the priest seated at the head. It appeared that he was unprepared. He did wear his vestments but I was somewhat amazed with what followed. We provided the crucifix and candles. A white table cloth was already covering the table. He then asked that we provide him with a plate and drinking glass. As mentioned earlier, some of his prayers were of the old translation. He used the drinking glass for the wine and the common dinner plate was used to break up the hosts. At the time for reception of the Eucharist he simply handed the plate with hosts to the person to his right and we passed around the plate. Likewise the glass of wine was passed around. After the mass I did not notice the priest clean out the glass. The whole experience seemed a bit odd. It seemed thaty priest friend did not properly conduct the mass. He was seated the entire mass. He did not direct us to stand or kneel at the appropriate times. The positives I took out of this was his heartfelt homily which consoled us in our time of pain. His gesture to say mass for us was also a nice gesture, although I fear he may have cut some corners.

Most of what you write about here may be disconcerting; however not too serious; except everything about the EP, words of institution, and the handling of the sacred species itself. Those issues are of great concern.

A dinner plate and a drinking glass are not sacred vessels and not appropriate, neither is passing them down the line from one hand to another. What is especially concerning to me is that you state from what you saw the plate and glass were not purified. This is one area that we as clergy do not do a good job where it comes to protecting from “profanation” of the sacred species. Many simply rinse and pour the remaining species down the sacrarium if there is one; these vessels needs to be rinsed and the contents consumed. The particles and droplets on these “vessels” are to be shown as much reverence and respect as one would the host in the monstrance during adoration.

I would take these issues and go speak to your pastor; he will help you rectify the situation. I understand this is a family friend and something can be done and keep him as your family friend. Just need to let the Church handle this, but they have to know about it. The chancery needs to know so that if this priest requests permission in the future it can be handled properly.

It matters what we do in the liturgy. If the celebrant or deacon or lay minister teaches with our actions or inactions we mislead the faithful and can make profane what is sacred.

 

[tafan]

I could be wrong and will need to do more research to agree with you Lapey. It was my understanding from the priest who went on tour with us to the Holy Land that he was permitted to celebrate mass for us. I’m not aware that he had to apply to every religious site all over Israel to get permission to say mass there, because it was not for the locals, but only for our tour group - a private function for which he may lawfully say mass.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa is taking a group to Israel in December, and I have no little doubt that he will be saying mass without any red tape.

The priest who went with you on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land likely had permission to say mass but likely did have to schedule the mass at every location he did so. Likely whoever organized the pilgrimage scheduled each of the masses ahead of time and when doing so forwarded a copy of a letter from the priest’s Bishop verifying his faculties. Chapels and churches at sites where pilgrimages are common have this process fairly simplified, but they require scheduling ahead of time. I do know of a priest who scheduled a mass for our family at St Peter’s with just a day’s notice (but there are lots of altars at St Peters).

I am sure the Fr Pacwa is not bypassing this red tape, althrough he is likely not doing the detailed work himself.