Laity Explanation of the Gospel

[SteveGC]

Although it might not sound like it as one reads this post, 2 to 3 minutes is actually quite a long time.

If it happens before the sign-of-the-cross I don’t think it would be an abuse against the letter of the liturgical law, but it would certainly be one against the spirit of the law.

Note that the Sacramentary (and GIRM) allows for a very brief introduction to the Mass after the blessing “the Lord be with you.” Not just a brief introduction, but a very brief introduction. Personally I believe that anything longer that let’s say “today is the feast of St. soandso, a 4th century martyr and the patron saint of suchandsuch” is taking things too far. That’s just me. But I do think that anything that would exceed a full minute would be too much–remember not just brief but very brief.

Even if it’s done before the sign of the cross, I think it comes down to this: if it sounds like a homily then it’s a homily and it should not be done. The very fact that people might be confused is a good indicator that it isn’t appropriate.

Thanks FrDavid. Could you give me a source document that I can refer to when I go to my parish and tell them that while I agree to do this brief talk, I wish to do it at the end, during the announcement period, as opposed to right after the priest’s homily? Thanks.

 

[feargalmac]

Sounds like a homily to moi.

Ditto!!!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Bumping this thread a bit only because I have a question similar to the OP…

There is an occasional practice at my parish, during the seasonal stewardship focus, to have a layperson speak to the parishoners during the Mass, specifically right after a brief homily from the priest. The purpose of this brief talk is to appeal to the parishoners to consider and act upon the call to stewardship (time, talent, treasure) within the parish. It usually is about 2-3 minutes in length, and then the Mass continues with the creed, etc…

My instinct is that this is not just disruptive and inappropriately placed in the middle of Mass, but that it is borderline abusive to the liturgy. Does this classify as “commentation” as described in this thread? My guess is ‘no’.

I’ve been asked to do this talk this year…end of this month…and although I agreed, I am quite hesitant to agree to the timing of the talk. Is it indeed an abuse? If not, is it atleast discouraged in most diocese? How did parishes evolve to the point where they thought this would be a good idea…as opposed to before the processional, or atleast during the announcements at the end? I can understand that they want a captive audience, a difficult thing at many parishes outside of Mass, but right smack in the middle of Mass? Seems strange. Anyway, thanks in advance for the guidance…

Tell you pastor that you will speak but at the announcements time. That is when a talk like that is supposed to happen. Yes, some people will have left already, but I doubt they are the ones righting the big checks anyway.

 

[FrDavid96]

Thanks FrDavid. Could you give me a source document that I can refer to when I go to my parish and tell them that while I agree to do this brief talk, I wish to do it at the end, during the announcement period, as opposed to right after the priest’s homily? Thanks.

OK. The rubric for the introduction at the beginning of Mass is found in the Sacramentary itself. “The priest, deacon, or other suitable minister may very briefly introduce the Mass of the day” is found right after the blessing “The Lord be with you”

The part about the homily is in different places, but most notably in Redemptionis Sacramentum:

adoremus.org/RedemptionisSacramentum.html#anchor1186479

[64.] The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself,142 “should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson.143 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate”.144

[65.] It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the Eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1.145 This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.

[66.] The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as “pastoral assistants”; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association.146

[74.] If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily,156 nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.

 

[Digitonomy]

Note that the Sacramentary (and GIRM) allows for a very brief introduction to the Mass after the blessing “the Lord be with you.” Not just a brief introduction, but a very brief introduction. Personally I believe that anything longer that let’s say “today is the feast of St. soandso, a 4th century martyr and the patron saint of suchandsuch” is taking things too far. That’s just me. But I do think that anything that would exceed a full minute would be too much–remember not just brief but very brief.

1. 
   *]Is this instruction intended to spell out and limit what the commentator does at this point, or could there be a commentator in addition to the “lay minister” specifically mentioned in this instruction?
   .
   *]The priest also has the opportunity to introduce the Liturgy of the Word “very briefly”(GIRM 128). I’ve witnessed occasions where the priest spends perhaps a minute and a half discussing how what we are about to hear fits into the pattern of the Gospels from previous weeks, especially if he’s hammered those points in previous homilies. It certainly doesn’t seem out of place, and for me at least it makes it easier to be attentive to the same scriptures I’ve heard so many times.
   
   I don’t agree that a “very brief” introduction should be limited to a single sentence simply based on the choice of that phrase, since it would otherwise constrain the priest in the same way.
   .
   *]It’s worth noting for those who may have misunderstood you, the “very briefly” applies to the introduction to the mass, not to the “testimony” described in Redemtionis Sacramentum, which is apparently what the OP is planning. So I don’t think there is technically any time limit to this testimony. Personally, I’d suggest that not only is brevity the soul of wit, it’s also prudent here.

 

[SteveGC]

OK. The rubric for the introduction at the beginning of Mass is found in the Sacramentary itself. “The priest, deacon, or other suitable minister may very briefly introduce the Mass of the day” is found right after the blessing “The Lord be with you”

The part about the homily is in different places, but most notably in Redemptionis Sacramentum:

adoremus.org/RedemptionisSacramentum.html#anchor1186479

[74.] If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily,156 nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.

74 here seems to be what I was looking for, thanks FrDavid.​

Digitonomy:

It’s worth noting for those who may have misunderstood you, the “very briefly” applies to the introduction to the mass, not to the “testimony” described in Redemtionis Sacramentum, which is apparently what the OP is planning. So I don’t think there is technically any time limit to this testimony. Personally, I’d suggest that not only is brevity the soul of wit, it’s also prudent here.

I was not the OP, but I think you’re talking about me here. Yes, perhaps I’m not in need to rush through my testimony, but certainly makes sense to appeal to my parish folks that my talk should be at the end of Mass. I’m curious, going back to para 74 above, what the concept of “serious reasons” is. My talk certainly doesn’t seem “serious”, and hence I’m not even convinced that it should be done even at the end (during announcements).

Anyway, thanks to all for the help. It is much appreciated.

 

[FrDavid96]

1. 
   *]Is this instruction intended to spell out and limit what the commentator does at this point, or could there be a commentator in addition to the “lay minister” specifically mentioned in this instruction?

1. 
   How precise it is/is not depends upon how one looks at it. “Introduce the Mass of the day” on the one hand means just that–introduce the Mass, so anything that’s not an introduction to the Mass would not be permitted at this moment. On the other hand, introduce the Mass could mean either the celebration of the day (ie the calendar) or the readings, or something that’s happening at the Mass (a Confirmation Mass for example), or announcing the scheduled Mass intention; so in that sense it’s fairly broad (but still limited to a proper introduction to the Mass, so announcing someone’s birthday is out). I don’t think there could be a “minister” whose only role is to offer such an introduction. In American Catholic language today, the word “minister” is a much over-used and indeed abused word. People don’t sneeze anymore, they “exercise their ministry of sneezing.” When the Church uses the word, it’s not so broad. The rubrics say priest, deacon, or “appropriate minister” which precludes simply having “someone” stand up and offer an introduction; but likewise it’s not a very specific rubric.
   .
   

   *]The priest also has the opportunity to introduce the Liturgy of the Word “very briefly”(GIRM 128). I’ve witnessed occasions where the priest spends perhaps a minute and a half discussing how what we are about to hear fits into the pattern of the Gospels from previous weeks, especially if he’s hammered those points in previous homilies. It certainly doesn’t seem out of place, and for me at least it makes it easier to be attentive to the same scriptures I’ve heard so many times.

   Yes. No problem here. If the rubrics allow it, it’s allowed. Personally I think such commentary should be done during the homily, but that’s a personal opinion.
   

   I don’t agree that a “very brief” introduction should be limited to a single sentence simply based on the choice of that phrase, since it would otherwise constrain the priest in the same way.

   That’s why I was careful to say that I was offering my own personal opinion. I believe it should be no more than a sentence or two. But at the same time, we also have to keep in mind that the Church does not merely say “briefly” but qualifies that by saying “very briefly” so however one might interpret that, it would have to be very brief. This is not the time for a “first homily.”
   .
   

   *]It’s worth noting for those who may have misunderstood you, the “very briefly” applies to the introduction to the mass, not to the “testimony” described in Redemtionis Sacramentum, which is apparently what the OP is planning. So I don’t think there is technically any time limit to this testimony. Personally, I’d suggest that not only is brevity the soul of wit, it’s also prudent here.

   Duly noted. But I was addressing a question about what happens at the beginning of the Mass. A very brief introduction is acceptable at the beginning, but any such “testimony” belongs first of all outside of Mass, and only if truly necessary after the post-Communion collect. Yes, it should be brief. Among other reasons for keeping it brief, it must never be something to be confused with the homily, and it must not be a regular occurance. The Church allows it, and I don’t dispute that fact, so there’s nothing illicit about it so long as it’s not something which is abused.
   
   This rubric has always puzzled me because I cannot imagine how it could be appropriate to offer such “testimony” or announcements, or anything else for that matter after the post-Communion prayer. I think the celebrant should do the final blessing and then we can have testimony (if opportune) or announcements or whatever else. I just cannot see any necessity, or for that matter any sense in saying that this is appropriate during the Mass. In my opinion (and my practice): end the Mass then say what needs to be said. I simply cannot see any legitimate reason for this odd rubric.
   
   My experience has been that it’s something which is abused more than anything else–my own parishioners for example sometimes tell me horor stories of going to Mass somewhere out of town and such a thing goes on for 1/2 an hour or longer, sometimes with films shown at this time. There is no objective criteria to determine what’s appropriate, but unfortunately some priests/parishes do abuse this opportunity. Personally (note that word) I don’t say anything or allow anyone else to say anything at this point. I do the final blessing, then we have necessary announcements, with the emphasis on necessary.