Welcome to the forums. Unfortunately, you are not going to like my response, but, I cannot in good conscience lead you to do something that the Church does not condone unless there are extreme circumstances. Samaritana, contrary to what has probably been explained to you, and contrary to what you might read in succeeding posts, the laity should not be preaching a homily, nor, should they be leading the Vigil for the Deceased… Now, inasmuch as it’s great to be a part of the bereavement ministry, lay people really should not be overseeing the entire Vigil service. This is for the priest and/or deacon to do. Please note what Ecclesia de Mysterio states:
Unless you live in a remote area where there is that “true absence of sacred ministers”, the priest and/or deacon should be doing this.
Are you with a parish? Talk to your priest – especially an older priest; when they’ve done hundreds upon hundreds of funerals, they’ll probably have some things to share with you.
Mark, with all due respect, the OP should not be doing this. Ecclesia de Mysterio specificlly states that this is for the priest and/or deacon to do, unless there is a true absence of sacred ministers. Ecclesia de Mysterio is a binding document and has not been abrogated.
You are correct that its not technically called a homily. However, the Order of Christian Funerals #27 does state, “Laypersons who preside at the funeral rites give an instruction on the readings.”
Thanks, that’s what I thought but I didn’t have the reference.
However, Ecclesia de Mysterio notes that laity even doing this only applies when there is a true absence of sacred ministers.
Well, if the priest or deacon isn’t going to the wake then there’s an absence of sacred ministers. Now one could certainly argue that the priest or deacon is in dereliction of duty but that’s not the fault of the layperson who is simply trying to help out…
Not necessarily, Father. Down here, the funerals have taken it upon themselves to find clergy. In fact, one funeral home is co-owned by a deacon, who has actually done the services. Furthermore, the parishes will find substitute clergy for both the vigil and the funeral. So, unless the OP lives in a truly remote area, one can certainly find clergy.
That is why, of all the sections in that document, it seems that the Church is most adamant about the funeral rites. Furthermore, the document notes “rites” in the plural, so as to encompass everything, from vigil to burial.
Must be nice “down there.” But your experience is not universal. When my mother died, the clergy of her parish refused to do anything for the Vigil. Despite being staffed by two priests and two deacons, the best they had to offer was an EMHC to lead a rosary. Thanks but no thanks. I arranged the Vigil myself and it was led by a friend of mine.
But, your situation is precisely why the Church specifically states that priests and deacons should make themselves available, even at some sacrifice to themselves, in this particular instance. I cannot believe that in your area, with a plethora of clergy, none could be found to do this. Hopefully, with the new Archbishop, things will change.
But, in an area such as where Susicpe is, there should be no problem in finding clergy. Now, if he were in some remote part of the world where clergy are hard to come by, I could understand that. However, the clergy, whether priests or deacons, should be available. What is so hard to understand about that? This is a key component of their ministry. The faithful should be the last resort if there is a true absence of sacred ministers.
What a document says should happen may be very nice, but it doesn’t mean that it does happen in practice.
) who say “wait a minute…I want it done right.” And then you do the best you can.You have said it yourself, “should” be available. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Before the Holy Father erected our diocese 10 years ago, we were part of another one and were 150+ miles from that See. However, the priests and deacons managed (and still do) to cover for each other. Furthermore, we also have colonias (unincorporated areas) that are mission territories that have a priest assigned to about two or three of them. They manage to cover their funerals. My parochial vicar also helps out quite a bit. So, the distance should not really be a factor, either, unless you are in some mountainous, remote area.
That is great that it works that way in your area. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case in every area. As has been pointed out.
Local custom, twopekinguys, does not necessarily mean dispensing with the sacred ministers. You seem to be hung up on that one phrase to try and justify something that really should not be happening unless there is a true absence of sacred ministers.
No, but different customs develop in various areas for a variety of reasons. And its more and more common for areas of the US to have fewer and fewer priests. Priests and decons have days off, vaction time, retreats, as well as any number of possible meetings and events.
And some are hung up on pointing out things to the OP that aren’t part of the equation. The OP asked about preaching when laypeople lead a Vigil. Its something is foreseen in the Order of Christian Funerals. To make hay that the OP shouldn’t even be there in the first place is not helpful to a parish volunteer who’s just trying to help out.
Once again, depends where you are. Here in New England deacons are only part time so it is possible that a deacon might not be available.
However, with all due respect, Father, priests are not part-time.