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contemplative
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From the Diocese of Rochester, NY -
Cornell University Campus Priest is explainin’ lay preachers to campus students in his musing column in the weekly church bulletin here.
Here starts out like this…
Musings from Fr. Dan,
I have received some questions about lay preaching in our community. Many quoted some of the liturgical laws that govern our common prayer. There are, however, other canonical laws and liturgical guidelines that enlarge the role of lay preaching even at Eucharist.
While it is true that a lay person may never preach the homily this does not mean that a lay person may never preach at the liturgy . The homily is only one form of preaching, that is done by a priest of deacon at liturgy. The law specifically allows a lay person to preach at a liturgy by using words other than homily which are referred to as explanation of the readings and speaking after the gospel. The laws in question are found in the liturgical books and in other liturgical documents such as The 1973 Dirctory for Masses with Children, The 1988 Dirctory for Sunday Celebration in theAbsece of a Presbyter, and The 1984 Book of Blessings.
The distinction between a homily and lay preaching might seem arbitrary. However, the Directory for Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Presbyter also says,
“The preaching of a homily is part of most liturgical rites and is, by its very definition, reserved to a priest or deacon. However, the bishop may allow a lay person who is properly trained to explain the word of God at Sunday celebrations in the absece of a priest or deacon and at other specified occasions.”
The authority to preach at the Sunday Eucharist is received from the local ordinary. The tradition of lay praching in theDiocese of Rochester extends back thirty years. Many experts have assisted Bishop Clark (who is himself a canonist by training) in the interpretation of the vast body of liturgical and canonical law. He has deemed it necessary and appropriate for lay preaching in the parishes of his diocese. He also made it clear that the presider speak immediately prior to the lay preacher. candidates must satisfy a rigid set of requirements. They are then commisioned for a limited number of years. Atfter receiving Episcopal permission the local pastor or pastoral administrator determines the occasions and format of lay preaching even at Sunday Eucharist.
Cornell University Campus Priest is explainin’ lay preachers to campus students in his musing column in the weekly church bulletin here.
Here starts out like this…
Musings from Fr. Dan,
I have received some questions about lay preaching in our community. Many quoted some of the liturgical laws that govern our common prayer. There are, however, other canonical laws and liturgical guidelines that enlarge the role of lay preaching even at Eucharist.
While it is true that a lay person may never preach the homily this does not mean that a lay person may never preach at the liturgy . The homily is only one form of preaching, that is done by a priest of deacon at liturgy. The law specifically allows a lay person to preach at a liturgy by using words other than homily which are referred to as explanation of the readings and speaking after the gospel. The laws in question are found in the liturgical books and in other liturgical documents such as The 1973 Dirctory for Masses with Children, The 1988 Dirctory for Sunday Celebration in theAbsece of a Presbyter, and The 1984 Book of Blessings.
The distinction between a homily and lay preaching might seem arbitrary. However, the Directory for Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Presbyter also says,
“The preaching of a homily is part of most liturgical rites and is, by its very definition, reserved to a priest or deacon. However, the bishop may allow a lay person who is properly trained to explain the word of God at Sunday celebrations in the absece of a priest or deacon and at other specified occasions.”
The authority to preach at the Sunday Eucharist is received from the local ordinary. The tradition of lay praching in theDiocese of Rochester extends back thirty years. Many experts have assisted Bishop Clark (who is himself a canonist by training) in the interpretation of the vast body of liturgical and canonical law. He has deemed it necessary and appropriate for lay preaching in the parishes of his diocese. He also made it clear that the presider speak immediately prior to the lay preacher. candidates must satisfy a rigid set of requirements. They are then commisioned for a limited number of years. Atfter receiving Episcopal permission the local pastor or pastoral administrator determines the occasions and format of lay preaching even at Sunday Eucharist.
Hi friend!
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