Can the deacon's wife participate in the homily?

[maggiemay2u]

The deacon at our parish read the Gospel and gave the homily last evening. During the middle of the homily, the deacon asked his wife participate and explain a portion of the parable. When she finished, the deacon resumed. I was taught the priest and the deacon are the only ones allowed to read the Gospel and give the homily during the celebration of the Mass. Did I miss the memo changing this?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If this happens again, you might politely ask the deacon to provide you with a copy of “the memo” from the Vatican that allows his wife to participate in the homily in such a fashion. When he is unable to provide such documentation, show him this instruction in Redemptionis Sacramentum, which makes no provision for the participation during the homily of a layperson – including the deacon’s wife:

The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of holy Mass and is a part of the liturgy itself, “should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a deacon, but never to a layperson. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate."

It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1 Code of Canon Law]. This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom. (RS 64-65, emphasis added).