Can a priest say Mass at someone's home?

[blaskoman]

My family is good friends with a retired priest who is currently visiting us from out of town. He offered to say Sunday mass in our home tommorrow, with only my family and a few relatives in attendance. Is this permissible? I have no idea what he would use as an altar. I also hope he has an appropriate chalice, and of course, I hope he uses the appropriate species for the Eucharist

 

[JerryZ]

My family is good friends with a retired priest who is currently visiting us from out of town. He offered to say Sunday mass in our home tommorrow, with only my family and a few relatives in attendance. Is this permissible? I have no idea what he would use as an altar. I also hope he has an appropriate chalice, and of course, I hope he uses the appropriate species for the Eucharist

He can you a table as the altar and yes a priest can offer mass pretty much anywhere.
As for the spieces that is pretty clear he must use unlevened bread and wine.

It’s quite easy to confect you only need wheat flour and water and it is baked.
As for the chalice for the wine do you believe that Jesus had a cup made of gold?
The only reason for deference on the chalice is that once the mass is done and the eucharist executed that chalice has been in contact with the blood of Jesus which makes it sacred. That why we use great care in handling them.

 

[Sirach2]

Yes. Since the priest is retired, he is more free to celebrate mass, since he does not have the duties of a parish where he is limited to a certain number per day. Most likely, he will have the necessary items with him for the liturgy. When I was in the Holy Land, we celebrated mass with a priest who used a white linen cloth on a stone monument outdoors at the religious site we visited.

Here is an answer from Father David that another poster had asked about this.

 

[Joe_5859]

I would presume the priest knows whether or not he has permission to do this. If he made the offer, I would presume the answer is “Yes, he is allowed.”

Most priests I know have travelling Mass kits with everything they would need to celebrate Mass: a little chalice (often one where the cup part screws into the stem), a paten, a crucifix, a couple candles, some bread, wine and water, a purificator, a corporal… basically everything one would need to celebrate Mass anywhere. All he will likely need from you is a flat surface (i.e. a table).

 

[Corki]

As Joe alluded to, he needs permission to do this. Since you said “out of town”, he may be also “out of diocese”. He needs permission to offer Mass in the dioscese (faculties) and he needs permission to say Mass in a location other than a Church. Most priests who travel a lot take care of these permisssions routinely.

 

[marytk]

A priest who is relate to me by my sister’s marriage (her nephew by marriage) said that it is no problem, if it is just the family that lives there (or close relatives) He refused to have a large Mass for all of his relatives in this town.(Plus all the other visiting ones (I think he got out of it without a outright refusal of an aunt). He said Mass everyday he stayed at their house. This was also for him and the (Fransican) brother that traveled with him.

 

[Sirach2]

As Joe alluded to, he needs permission to do this. Since you said “out of town”, he may be also “out of diocese”. He needs permission to offer Mass in the dioscese (faculties) and he needs permission to say Mass in a location other than a Church. Most priests who travel a lot take care of these permisssions routinely.

He would need permission from the new diocese to say mass within a parish - but this is a private mass, not a public one. I don’t see any reason not to celebrate it for this family, especially since priests usually celebrate mass daily, whether celebrates alone in private or in public at a parish. This would be his daily offering of mass. I would trust him to know whether or not he is allowed to celebrate, and it seems that he is making an offer based on knowing the regulations in that regard.

 

[Aggies08]

I would assume he has a Mass kit and the appropriate allowances.

Is there a reason you doubt his offer, or think there is something sinister going on?

 

[englishredrose]

Ive had communion brought to me at home when I had been sick with septic shock and once hospital released me the priest carried on visiting me at home till I was strong enough to start going to church. But then the communion has already been consecretated I think but the rest of the Mass is said.

Don’t know what happens when the communion hasn’t already been consecrated especially if the priest is doing it out of favour rather than a purpose but I guess the priest will know

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

My family is good friends with a retired priest who is currently visiting us from out of town. He offered to say Sunday mass in our home tommorrow, with only my family and a few relatives in attendance. Is this permissible? I have no idea what he would use as an altar. I also hope he has an appropriate chalice, and of course, I hope he uses the appropriate species for the Eucharist

I have served mass for a Priest in someone’s home. It was for a Sacred Heart Enthronement ceremony. We used a table that was not often used, with a white cloth draped over it. The Priest likewise brought a relic of the Holy Cross which was left on the “Altar” during mass. The family even supplied us with a Sanctus bell. All in all it was a very beautiful Liturgy.

 

[William777]

Bookmark.

 

[Lapey]

He would need permission from the new diocese to say mass within a parish - but this is a private mass, not a public one. I don’t see any reason not to celebrate it for this family, especially since priests usually celebrate mass daily, whether celebrates alone in private or in public at a parish. This would be his daily offering of mass. I would trust him to know whether or not he is allowed to celebrate, and it seems that he is making an offer based on knowing the regulations in that regard.

If the people are members of a parish and a diocese, the priest needs permission from the pastor of the parish, and if from outside of the diocese, he also needs permision from his bishop and the bishop of where the Mass is to be held. Even if the Mass is “private”. To do so with out these permissions is disobedient.

The reason is simple, the people are the responsibility of the pastor and bishop, not the visiting priest.

 

[Lapey]

I would assume he has a Mass kit and the appropriate allowances.

Is there a reason you doubt his offer, or think there is something sinister going on?

I agree here, the priest knows what is proper; or at least should know. Whther he is loyal or not is another question that we can not figure out from the info given.

 

[Sirach2]

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.

 

[Sirach2]

Dear Lapey,

Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is not known to the rector of the church, provided either that he presents commendatory letters, not more than a year old, from his own Ordinary or Superior, or that it can be prudently judged that he is not debarred from celebrating.

[Again, this is not for a parish, but a private mass in a home]

Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic Sacrifice the work of redemption is continually being carried out, priests are to celebrate frequently. Indeed, daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and of the Church in which priests fulfil their principal role.

Can. 906 A priest may not celebrate the eucharistic Sacrifice without the participation of at least one of the faithful, unless there is a good and reasonable cause for doing so.

I am interested in learning what is truly permitted, so if you can present your source if it is other than what I posted, please let us know.

 

[Lapey]

Dear Lapey,

Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is not known to the rector of the church, provided either that he presents commendatory letters, not more than a year old, from his own Ordinary or Superior, or that it can be prudently judged that he is not debarred from celebrating.

[Again, this is not for a parish, but a private mass in a home]

Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic Sacrifice the work of redemption is continually being carried out, priests are to celebrate frequently. Indeed, daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and of the Church in which priests fulfil their principal role.

Can. 906 A priest may not celebrate the eucharistic Sacrifice without the participation of at least one of the faithful, unless there is a good and reasonable cause for doing so.

I am interested in learning what is truly permitted, so if you can present your source if it is other than what I posted, please let us know.

My sources are really from my experience in “home Masses”. The people involved are the reasonability of a pastor that pastor needs to give that permission. On the tour situation you mentioned the people with the priest would more than likely be responsible for them.

As far a as priest coming in to a diocese, or deacon for that matter, he must present a current letter showing the local ordinary his “fit for duty” recommendation from his own bishop. Even a retired priest has to be incardinated to a diocese or a community, so that authority needs to vouch for him. Especially in these days of scrutiny of the clergy, one must ask for the credentials.

I haven’t looked into the canons you quoted, but I assure you they do not read in a way that gives a non-incardinated priest permission to celebrate Mass, operate in the priestly function, without the knowledge and permission of the local ordinary; even the priest we bring in to preside over Lenten and Advent missions would need the same permission. It is proper and most often taken care of with a simple faxed letter from the diocese where the visiting priest calls home.

I am no canon law expert but I do see what happens in these situations, so thats what i rely on.

 

[Lapey]

Dear Lapey,

Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is not known to the rector of the church, provided either that he presents commendatory letters, not more than a year old, from his own Ordinary or Superior, or that it can be prudently judged that he is not debarred from celebrating. What is prudently judged is decided by the local ordinary, therefore the bishop is responsible for determining this. Therefore notifying the bishop is well, required.

[Again, this is not for a parish, but a private mass in a home]Agreed Mass at home is different, but still under the pastor and bishops’ control.

Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the Eucharistic Sacrifice the work of redemption is continually being carried out, priests are to celebrate frequently. Indeed, daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and of the Church in which priests fulfill their principal role. He doesn’t need a congregation at someone’s home to say Mass. He can celebrate Mass in his office or hotel room alone. I’ll address that in a second.

Can. 906 A priest may not celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice without the participation of at least one of the faithful, unless there is a good and reasonable cause for doing so. This would be at the discretion of the priest of a “good and reasonable cause”. And again no requirement to notify anyone because there are no other souls present. If there were then the person responsible for them would need to approve, as in the pastor. The hierarchy of a given location matters, bishop and pastor. They are charged with the responsibility of the souls charged to them, this is the reason for the permission.

I am interested in learning what is truly permitted, so if you can present your source if it is other than what I posted, please let us know.

My canon law books are at my office, but here goes nothing. I’ll place my statements of “opinion” in the statements you listed.

Mass at home is very special and very traditional. This is where the early Christians celebrated Mass, in the homes among other places. It can be done by this visiting priest without too much leg work, and I’m sure he already has “traveling papers” just for this. I would bet all he needs to do is fax it to the bishop’s office and contact the local pastor.

 

[Sirach2]

Thank you, Lapey. I am still a bit unsure, because Fr. David, whose post I referenced earlier, said this:

To have an occasional Mass in a private home (perhaps once during Lent) many bishops have particular law which says that this sort of thing is permitted without further inquiry. In my own case, my letter of faculties specifically allows me to permit this (delegated authority from the bishop) for a particular occasion.

So maybe all the OP needs is the pastor’s “delegated authority” for this particular occasion, and not that of the bishop additionally.

EDIT: I understand now that Fr. David is speaking about his own ability to offer mass in a home due to “delegated authority from the bishop.” I don’t think he means that he must delegate an out-of-town priest to pray a mass for a private person in their home, since it does not concern the parish at large. The OP may just need to verify that the priest has “faculties.” Gee, that would be an insult, since he knows him personally.

Two differing opinions add to the confusion, but I know that when Fr. David was active in L&S, he was very orthodox in his presentations.

 

[blaskoman]

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)

 

[Sirach2]

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.