Concelebrants at Mass?

[David_B]

Should concelebrants reverence the altar with a kiss in the entrance procession?

Must they also reverance the altar with a kiss in the recessional?

 

[benedictgal]

Should concelebrants reverence the altar with a kiss in the entrance procession?

Must they also reverance the altar with a kiss in the recessional?

Yes. If you observe the Papal Masses, you will find that the concelebrating cardinals, bishops (and, in some rare cases, priests) kiss and reverence the altar at the entrance and the recessional.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Should concelebrants reverence the altar with a kiss in the entrance procession?

Must they also reverance the altar with a kiss in the recessional?

The best place to look for things like this is in the GIRM (see usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml)).

In the section on a concelebrated Mass you’ll find:

1. On reaching the altar, the concelebrants and the principal celebrant, after making a profound bow, venerate the altar with a kiss, then go to their designated seats. The principal celebrant, if appropriate, also incenses the cross and the altar and then goes to the chair.
2. Before leaving the altar, the concelebrants make a profound bow to the altar. For his part the principal celebrant, along with the deacon, venerates the altar with a kiss in the usual way.

 

[benedictgal]

The best place to look for things like this is in the GIRM (see usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml)).

In the section on a concelebrated Mass you’ll find:

1. On reaching the altar, the concelebrants and the principal celebrant, after making a profound bow, venerate the altar with a kiss, then go to their designated seats. The principal celebrant, if appropriate, also incenses the cross and the altar and then goes to the chair.
2. Before leaving the altar, the concelebrants make a profound bow to the altar. For his part the principal celebrant, along with the deacon, venerates the altar with a kiss in the usual way.

Mea culpa on the second part. You’re right.

 

[Digitonomy]

Yes. If you observe the Papal Masses, you will find that the concelebrating cardinals, bishops (and, in some rare cases, priests) kiss and reverence the altar at the entrance and the recessional.

So if there are scads of concelebrants, do they have to take turns doing this on account of space?

 

[benedictgal]

So if there are scads of concelebrants, do they have to take turns doing this on account of space?

In the Papal Masses, for example, when Pope Benedict XVI was installed, all 115+ cardinals venerated the altar during the entrance procession. They also did that when the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was the principal celebrant of both the funeral Mass for JPII and for the opening of the Conclave.

 

[Sr_Sally]

So if there are scads of concelebrants, do they have to take turns doing this on account of space?

Yes. Usually they go up in pairs or however they are in the procession. So the first pair/person starts and then each takes their turn as they arrive at the altar.

 

[Joannm]

At large diocesan masses in our diocese only those priests and deacons sitting in the sanctuary kiss the altar. The others simply bow.

 

[Brendan]

At large diocesan masses in our diocese only those priests and deacons sitting in the sanctuary kiss the altar. The others simply bow.

If they are not in the sanctuary, they are definied as being “in choir” and are not considered concelebrants.

If they are “in choir” they should be dressed in either a cassock and surplice, or alb and stole alone, and should not be dressed in a chasuble.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

If they are not in the sanctuary, they are definied as being “in choir” and are not considered concelebrants.

If they are “in choir” they should be dressed in either a cassock and surplice, or alb and stole alone, and should not be dressed in a chasuble.

At the chrism mass all the priests of our diocese wear chasubles, do not sit in the sanctuary, and I don’t think they kiss the altar. But they all extend their hands at the consecration.

 

[Sanctus_Paladin]

If they are not in the sanctuary, they are definied as being “in choir” and are not considered concelebrants.

If they are “in choir” they should be dressed in either a cassock and surplice, or alb and stole alone, and should not be dressed in a chasuble.

Amen we have a huge problem of that at my parish.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Amen we have a huge problem of that at my parish.

Really? I’m trying to imagine having so many concelebrated Masses that there’d be a problem with who is in the sanctuary and who is not. Is it a special church of some sort?