Homily

[FrenzyJen]

I have read the rules about who is permitted to preach a homily, but I am wondering if it is okay (as I believe this is what happened at the mass that I went to yesterday) if a layperson may read a homily written by the priest. The priest seemed a little off, like perhaps he was not feeling well, and instead asked the lector to read the homily.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

No, that is not allowed. If the priest simply can’t preach the homily due to illness, then he is allowed to omit it since a homily may be omitted “for a grave cause”.

 

[Just_Lurking]

Can. 930 §2. A blind or otherwise infirm priest licitly celebrates the eucharistic sacrifice by using any approved text of the Mass with the assistance, if needed, of another priest, deacon, or even a properly instructed lay person.

 

[Beryllos]

It could be argued that the priest gave the Homily, since it was his own words, though transmitted by unconventional means. In our parish, we occasionally have a Homily “given” by the Archbishop, only he’s not there, and he is not even speaking live. His Homily is conveyed on a DVD, reconstructed on a laptop computer, piped into speakers and projected onto a big screen for all to hear and see. That would seem to suggest that the essential element of the Homily is the word, not the medium.

 

[Beryllos]

Can. 930 §2. A blind or otherwise infirm priest licitly celebrates the eucharistic sacrifice by using any approved text of the Mass with the assistance, if needed, of another priest, deacon, or even a properly instructed lay person.

Oh, that’s even better, not only because it is Canon Law, but further as it asserts that a “properly instructed lay person” could even pronounce the Eucharistic Prayer, if needed.

 

[e_c]

Father must still actually pronounce the words of institution, or else it is not a valid mass. Notice the canon does not say “read,” but “assist.”

Father does not have to give a homily at a daily mass. Lay people should not speak when it could be reasonably confused for a “homily.” Father needs to give a homily on Sunday if there is a congregation of even one, but it could be as simple as, “Today’s Gospel is about love.”