Eucharistic prayer service

[FrDavid96]

Does anyone know if this could fulfill the Sunday obligation?

No, they definately do not fulfill the Sunday obligation. However, as other posters have rightly reminded us, if attending Mass is not possible because there is no priest available then the obligation itself would not apply.

 

[Cluny]

In the Eastern tradition, they have a “Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts”. I think it is similar in concept to the “Communion service”.

Not quite.

It is celebrated ONLY on the weekdays of Great Lent, and then customarily only on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as the first three days of Holy Week. (And on Thursday during the Fifth Week as well.)

It is basically Lenten Vespers. After the Psalms and Lessons, the pre-sanctified Gifts prepared for this purpose on the previous Sunday are brought through the Congregation as the people kneel or prostrate.

And it can ONLY be celebrated by a Priest. Not even a DEACON may (though he may assist according to his order).

Now, in Monasteries (and presumably in Missions, if the Bishop permits), a Priest or Deacon may lead Typica (basically the Liturgy of the Word with some other prayers) and distribute communion from the Reserved Gifts. But this is simply Typica and Communion. It is NOT the same as the Presanctified Liturgy.

 

[Oreoracle]

After all, attending Mass is the most important thing you do all week (in fact, the most important thing you do in your lifetime).

I’m not gonna lie. That’s one of the most depressing things I’ve ever heard. I can tell there wasn’t much thought behind it.

 

[japhy]

In the Eastern tradition, they have a “Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts”. I think it is similar in concept to the “Communion service”.

Not quite.

Wow! Thank you for that information, Cluny.

 

[japhy]

I’m not gonna lie. That’s one of the most depressing things I’ve ever heard. I can tell there wasn’t much thought behind it.

That’s not a very charitable attitude. You might think “there wasn’t much thought behind it”, but you’re wrong. To a Catholic, the Eucharist (and by extension, Holy Mass) is the source and summit of our whole life of faith.

 

[diggerdomer]

You are probably referring to a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest, basically the Liturgy of the Word followed by a Communion service using Hosts consecrated at a previous Mass.

No, this does not fulfill your Sunday obligation.

Even if your parish offers this, you are still obligated to attend Mass at another parish if there is one you can reasonably get to. If it is impossible for you to get to Mass anywhere, you are most likely excused from your obligation to attend Mass.

I wouldn’t take this too lightly. I would be happy to drive an hour to Mass if it were the only one available. After all, attending Mass is the most important thing you do all week (in fact, the most important thing you do in your lifetime).

Not exactly.

It can fulfill the Sunday obligation. The diocesan bishop is responsible to determine the situations that would allow SCAP to be celebrated. If you’re in a circumstance that the Bishop has allowed SCAP, and that’s your only option, fine. Of course, part of SCAP (and what the Bishop would have to carefully consider) is of course encouraging people to get to a Mass if at all possible. Again, that will depend on local circumstances. If the bishop decides that SCAP will be celebrated at such and such a parish, then celebrating that liturgy and not going to Mass does not mean you’ve failed to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

Cheers

 

[FrDavid96]

Not exactly.

It can fulfill the Sunday obligation. The diocesan bishop is responsible to determine the situations that would allow SCAP to be celebrated. If you’re in a circumstance that the Bishop has allowed SCAP, and that’s your only option, fine. Of course, part of SCAP (and what the Bishop would have to carefully consider) is of course encouraging people to get to a Mass if at all possible. Again, that will depend on local circumstances. If the bishop decides that SCAP will be celebrated at such and such a parish, then celebrating that liturgy and not going to Mass does not mean you’ve failed to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

Cheers

It’s important to keep in mind that attendance at these services does not at all fulfill the Sunday obligation to be at Mass. Not in any way.

Since these are only allowed if it’s impossible to have a priest to celebrate Mass, in that situation the obligation does not apply. So it is not attendance that fulfills the obligation, but it’s the absence of a Mass which excuses from the obligation.

 

[diggerdomer]

It’s important to keep in mind that attendance at these services does not at all fulfill the Sunday obligation to be at Mass. Not in any way.

Since these are only allowed if it’s impossible to have a priest to celebrate Mass, in that situation the obligation does not apply. So it is not attendance that fulfills the obligation, but it’s the absence of a Mass which excuses from the obligation.

I was confused. Thanks.

 

[Oreoracle]

What would you say, Oreoracle, is the “most important thing that one can do”?

Sorry japhy, but I’m apparently not allowed to answer that, as my answer was removed by a moderator, thus stripping my effort here of all its momentum. I can only hope the absurdity of attending a prayer service being the most important thing in life speaks for itself.

And with that, I tip my hat and leave this thread.