Faculties to Say Mass

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Can a priest say Mass wherever he wants? Or does he need faculties to say Mass in each diocese he visits? For example, if a priest from Archdiocese of NY travels to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, can the priest say Mass publicly, or does he first need to receive permission from the Ordinary?

Thanks!
J.
 
He always has the faculties to celebrate a valid Mass anywhere. However, to the best of my knowledge, yes, he would need the local ordinary’s and/or some local pastor’s permission to say it publically.
 
ProVobis said:
He always has the faculties to celebrate a valid Mass anywhere. However, to the best of my knowledge, yes, he would need the local ordinary’s and/or some local pastor’s permission to say it publically.
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I think you need faculties from your home diocese, and then you’d need the permission of the pastor at the parish you’re visiting.

I’m not sure how it would work if it was an “outside parish event” like a conference or something though.
 
curlycool89 said:
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I’m not sure how it would work if it was an “outside parish event” like a conference or something though.
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I think permission is obtained by the sponsors of the event when planning it.

I think there may be some blanket permissions for priests from nearby dioceses.
 
Just having hosted a conference here, one must approach the Bishop for permission. The speaker must be orthodox whether priest or lay but pass it through the bishop.
 
I’m pretty sure that a priest must request permission from the ordinary of the (arch)diocese to celebrate any sacrament in that location, except for danger of death (baptism, anointing and confession).

This past January, we had a group from the parish take a bus to the West Coast Walk for Life. Our priest, a Franciscan friar, went with us and celebrated Mass in San Francisco at the national shrine of St Francis (which is run by his own order). He had to get permission from the archbishop of San Francisco to celebrate the Mass. I don’t think it was difficult or complicated, but it had to be done. I think he also had to go through his Provincial. Now, for all we know, it might have been an auxillary bishop or vicar in SF who gave the OK, but it was not automatic or blanket.
 
All of your answers lead one to think you know allot of this subject. So I will offer yet another question instead of beginning a thread. Can a Priest say Mass alone? I ask this because a Priest in our Parish asked to take a “Mass Kit” ( I think this is what it was called) with him on vacation. It is a suitcase of sorts that has a Chalice, Paten and Crucifix as well as a small bottle for unconsecrated wine and host’s. He was traveling with a fellow Priest from within the Diocese.
First, I must say I was very impressed that he wanted to have this in order to say Mass if they were not in the vicinity of a Catholic Church. ((Roughing it vacation in the middle of nowhere)) Now, if he were alone can a Priest say Mass by himself? Or is at least one person required for a ??Congregation??
Personally I think it is awesome that for so many people in a profession they “Can’t wait to get away from the in’s and out’s of “Work”” And here this Priest said he “Needs daily Mass” Great Priest…I’ll stop there for fear I bore anyone. Just curious if Mass alone is possible. Thank you,
 
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P38.HTM
Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted to celebrate even if the rector of the church does not know him, provided that either he presents a letter of introduction from his ordinary or superior, issued at least within the year, or it can be judged prudently that he is not impeded from celebrating.
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Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic sacrifice the work of redemption is exercised continually, priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed, daily celebration is recommended earnestly since, even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function.
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Can. 906 Except for a just and reasonable cause, a priest is not to celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice without the participation of at least some member of the faithful.
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JerrySeibert said:
All of your answers lead one to think you know allot of this subject. So I will offer yet another question instead of beginning a thread. Can a Priest say Mass alone? I ask this because a Priest in our Parish asked to take a “Mass Kit” ( I think this is what it was called) with him on vacation. It is a suitcase of sorts that has a Chalice, Paten and Crucifix as well as a small bottle for unconsecrated wine and host’s. He was traveling with a fellow Priest from within the Diocese.
First, I must say I was very impressed that he wanted to have this in order to say Mass if they were not in the vicinity of a Catholic Church. ((Roughing it vacation in the middle of nowhere)) Now, if he were alone can a Priest say Mass by himself? Or is at least one person required for a ??Congregation??
Personally I think it is awesome that for so many people in a profession they “Can’t wait to get away from the in’s and out’s of “Work”” And here this Priest said he “Needs daily Mass” Great Priest…I’ll stop there for fear I bore anyone. Just curious if Mass alone is possible. Thank you,
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A priest may celebrate Mass alone, but it is encouraged to do it with one other person (usually that person serves too).
 
GwenL said:
I’m pretty sure that a priest must request permission from the ordinary of the (arch)diocese to celebrate any sacrament in that location, except for danger of death (baptism, anointing and confession).

This past January, we had a group from the parish take a bus to the West Coast Walk for Life. Our priest, a Franciscan friar, went with us and celebrated Mass in San Francisco at the national shrine of St Francis (which is run by his own order). He had to get permission from the archbishop of San Francisco to celebrate the Mass. I don’t think it was difficult or complicated, but it had to be done. I think he also had to go through his Provincial. Now, for all we know, it might have been an auxillary bishop or vicar in SF who gave the OK, but it was not automatic or blanket.
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This is an interesting situation because many priests would be leading pilgrimages to sites far aware from their diocese. On one hand, the private tour group could be considered a private group. On the other hand, there is really no official definition of private or public. The bishop I presume would make that definition for his diocese since its under his authority to regulate public Liturgy. But moreover, its a courtesy thing really to just inform the bishop and ask for permission. I don’t think any bishop would deny it in such circumstance.
 
JerrySeibert said:
All of your answers lead one to think you know allot of this subject. So I will offer yet another question instead of beginning a thread. Can a Priest say Mass alone? I ask this because a Priest in our Parish asked to take a “Mass Kit” ( I think this is what it was called) with him on vacation. It is a suitcase of sorts that has a Chalice, Paten and Crucifix as well as a small bottle for unconsecrated wine and host’s. He was traveling with a fellow Priest from within the Diocese.
First, I must say I was very impressed that he wanted to have this in order to say Mass if they were not in the vicinity of a Catholic Church. ((Roughing it vacation in the middle of nowhere)) Now, if he were alone can a Priest say Mass by himself? Or is at least one person required for a ??Congregation??
Personally I think it is awesome that for so many people in a profession they “Can’t wait to get away from the in’s and out’s of “Work”” And here this Priest said he “Needs daily Mass” Great Priest…I’ll stop there for fear I bore anyone. Just curious if Mass alone is possible. Thank you,
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This is what priests do, and God bless them for it. But offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is their primary duty, and offering it daily, though not required, is the norm.That is part of why Mass kits are made. Also, remember that the priesthood is not merely a profession.
 
Except for a just or reasonable cause" Does that not leave the door open for speculation?

I a Priest is alone and want’s to celebrate Mass as my Priest was hiking. He could then in fact celebrate Mass, or this is my opinion. I see nothing illicit in this. Actually, it is one of the reasons I respect this Priest so much. How awesome. You are hiking as well in some remote forest in Canada. And you see a Priest offering Mass to the God he so loves. If he is in the middle of nowhere would that not be reasonable cause? I think so.
Not to disagree with Cannon Law but it does leave the door open for some speculation. Again, take the above scenario. Would that not leave an impression if you were the person that walked the same trail and saw that?
 
JerrySeibert said:
Except for a just or reasonable cause" Does that not leave the door open for speculation?

I a Priest is alone and want’s to celebrate Mass as my Priest was hiking. He could then in fact celebrate Mass, or this is my opinion. I see nothing illicit in this. Actually, it is one of the reasons I respect this Priest so much. How awesome. You are hiking as well in some remote forest in Canada. And you see a Priest offering Mass to the God he so loves. If he is in the middle of nowhere would that not be reasonable cause? I think so.
Not to disagree with Cannon Law but it does leave the door open for some speculation. Again, take the above scenario. Would that not leave an impression if you were the person that walked the same trail and saw that?
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I don’t know if a priest who decides to go hiking is reasonable cause but I certainly think this would be:
 
JerrySeibert said:
Except for a just or reasonable cause" Does that not leave the door open for speculation?

I a Priest is alone and want’s to celebrate Mass as my Priest was hiking. He could then in fact celebrate Mass, or this is my opinion. I see nothing illicit in this. Actually, it is one of the reasons I respect this Priest so much. How awesome. You are hiking as well in some remote forest in Canada. And you see a Priest offering Mass to the God he so loves. If he is in the middle of nowhere would that not be reasonable cause? I think so.
Not to disagree with Cannon Law but it does leave the door open for some speculation. Again, take the above scenario. Would that not leave an impression if you were the person that walked the same trail and saw that?
Click to expand...
The way I’ve heard it explained that if at all possible, someone else should be there, but if it is between not celebrating on a given day, and celebrating by himself, he may celebrate alone if he wishes.
 
Thank you MC. That is the way I was understanding this as well.
 
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