Mass in the Home

[multimis]

We are occasionally offered the opportunity to have Mass celebrated in our home, and we always accept. We are anticipating the opportunity to have Mass celebrated in the home of friends soon, after which Father is going to consecrate the family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and have the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture enthroned in the home. Our friends are concerned about the validity and appropriateness of having Mass in the home. I have never looked into this before, assuming if it was offered by a priest, it must be allowed. Please tell me, is it acceptable to have Mass celebrated in our home? Thank you.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It may require either express or implied permission from the bishop. If the priest is in good standing in the diocese, e.g. a parish priest in the diocese, I would assume he has the proper permissions. If he is from outside the diocese you might ask him if he needs permission, but it is really his problem, not yours…

 

[benedictgal]

The normal place for the Mass, according to the GIRM, is a church. Here is the citation:

The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for
the Celebration of the Eucharist

I. General Principles
288. For the celebration of the Eucharist, the people of God normally are gathered together in a church or, if there is no church or if it is too small, then in another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery. Churches, therefore, and other places should be suitable for carrying out the sacred action and for ensuring the active participation of the faithful. Sacred buildings and requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.108

The previous poster is correct in that special permission is needed from the Bishop. Of course, when the faithful are so large that even the laregest church in the diocese can’t hold them, then special provisions are made for Masses in public places such as stadiums, arenas and open fields, as in the case with the Papal Masses that are sometimes held at St. Peter’s Square or in other locations.

Now during times of persecution (Elizabethen England and the Mexican Revolution), “home” Masses were allowed because the churches were closed and the faithful had to move their worship underground, so to speak.

There also should not be any laxity when it comes to the rubrics. Kneeling is still the posture for the Eucharistic Prayer and for after communion is received. The homily can’t be interactive; it must be preached by the priest. And, glassware is forbidden for liturgical use (chalice, ciborria). You just have to be very careful and make sure that everything is followed.

 

[mystified]

Parish priests some times celebrate home Masses for shut-in, with family and friends also in attendance.

 

[benedictgal]

It may require either express or implied permission from the bishop. If the priest is in good standing in the diocese, e.g. a parish priest in the diocese, I would assume he has the proper permissions. If he is from outside the diocese you might ask him if he needs permission, but it is really his problem, not yours…

Just for clarification, here is the citation from Redemptionis Sacramentum regarding where Mass may be celebrated:

1. The Place for the Celebration of Holy Mass
   [108.] “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place”.197 The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis.

[109.] It is never lawful for a Priest to celebrate in a temple or sacred place of any non-Christian religion.

Therefore, you do need the permission of the local Ordinary (bishop) and he must review it on a “case-by-case basis” as indicated in RS.

Keep in mind also that the priest needs to wear the complete compliment of vestments when celebrating Mass, as RS further points out:

[126.] The abuse is reprobated whereby the sacred ministers celebrate Holy Mass or other rites without sacred vestments or with only a stole over the monastic cowl or the common habit of religious or ordinary clothes, contrary to the prescriptions of the liturgical books, even when there is only one minister participating.216 In order that such abuses be corrected as quickly as possible, Ordinaries should take care that in all churches and oratories subject to their jurisdiction there is present an adequate supply of liturgical vestments made in accordance with the norms.

It would also be advisable that he bring altar linen with him, as well as the sacred vessels. I hope this helps.

 

[multimis]

Thank you so much for your help with this question. God bless.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

We had Mass said in my home at my daughter and son’s Baptism, by a friend who is a priest.

He also celebrated Mass in my new house, when he came to bless it.

Jim

 

[John_Lilburne]

The Book of Blessings is an official liturgical book, the Latin edition was published in 1984. It includes “Order for the Blessing of a Family”. For this blessing within Mass, it has in the rubrics:
“62. … When the blessing of the family is carried out within a Mass celebrated in the family’s home, the rite must be arranged in accord with the principles and provisions of the Instruction on Masses with small groups, Actio pastoralis …”.

This document, Actio pastoralis, is also referred to the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal: “32. Special celebrations of Mass should observe the guidelines established for them: For Masses with special groups, cf. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Instruction Actio pastoralis, on Masses with special groups, 15 May 1969: AAS 61 (1969), pp. 806-811;”.

Here are some extracts from Actio Pastoralis:
“2. It is right to include the following among those special groups for whose benefit the eucharist may be celebrated:
… e. gatherings in the home, around the sick or elderly who are house-bound and can never take part in the celebration of the eucharist; included are neighbors and others taking care of such people;
f. gathering in the home on the occasion of a wake or other special religious occasion.
3. In most cases the eucharistic celebration for special groups is to be held in a place of worship.
4. The faculty of allowing a eucharistic celebration for special groups to take place outside a place of worship is reserved to the local Ordinary or, for his own houses, to the Ordinary of religious. But, especially when it is a question of private homes or institutions, they are to grant this faculty only if the place is suitable and decent. …
Futhermore, care must be taken that the concern for a more spacious and finer place does not lead to deliberate favoritism toward certain families and so to the restoration under another guise of the privileges that the Constitution on the Liturgy repudiates.”

The 2004 Instruction Redemptions Sacramentum also refers to Actio Pastoralis:
“[114.] … While it is permissible that Mass should be celebrated for particular groups according to the norm of law,
[footnote 203: Cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter *Dies Domini, esp. n. 36: AAS 90 (1998) pp. 713-766, here pp. 735-736; S. Congregation for Divine Worship, Instruction Actio pastoralis: AAS 61 (1969) pp. 806-811.]
these groups are nevertheless not exempt from the faithful observance of the liturgical norms.”

To sum up, Actio pastoralis permits Mass in the home. Liturgical books refer to it. So in some circumstances, as decided by the bishop, home Masses are permitted.

 

[benedictgal]

The Book of Blessings is an official liturgical book, the Latin edition was published in 1984. It includes “Order for the Blessing of a Family”. For this blessing within Mass, it has in the rubrics:
“62. … When the blessing of the family is carried out within a Mass celebrated in the family’s home, the rite must be arranged in accord with the principles and provisions of the Instruction on Masses with small groups, Actio pastoralis …”.

This document, Actio pastoralis, is also referred to the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal: “32. Special celebrations of Mass should observe the guidelines established for them: For Masses with special groups, cf. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Instruction Actio pastoralis, on Masses with special groups, 15 May 1969: AAS 61 (1969), pp. 806-811;”.

Here are some extracts from Actio Pastoralis:
“2. It is right to include the following among those special groups for whose benefit the eucharist may be celebrated:
… e. gatherings in the home, around the sick or elderly who are house-bound and can never take part in the celebration of the eucharist; included are neighbors and others taking care of such people;
f. gathering in the home on the occasion of a wake or other special religious occasion.
3. In most cases the eucharistic celebration for special groups is to be held in a place of worship.
4. The faculty of allowing a eucharistic celebration for special groups to take place outside a place of worship is reserved to the local Ordinary or, for his own houses, to the Ordinary of religious. But, especially when it is a question of private homes or institutions, they are to grant this faculty only if the place is suitable and decent. …
Futhermore, care must be taken that the concern for a more spacious and finer place does not lead to deliberate favoritism toward certain families and so to the restoration under another guise of the privileges that the Constitution on the Liturgy repudiates.”

The 2004 Instruction Redemptions Sacramentum also refers to Actio Pastoralis:
"[114.] … While it is permissible that Mass should be celebrated for particular groups according to the norm of law,
[footnote 203: Cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter *Dies Domini

, esp. n. 36: AAS 90 (1998) pp. 713-766, here pp. 735-736; S. Congregation for Divine Worship, Instruction Actio pastoralis: AAS 61 (1969) pp. 806-811.]
these groups are nevertheless not exempt from the faithful observance of the liturgical norms."

To sum up, Actio pastoralis permits Mass in the home. Liturgical books refer to it. So in some circumstances, as decided by the bishop, home Masses are permitted.

However, the key to all of this is that permission of the bishop is required. I’m curious, now that Jim mentioned this, regarding Bapitisms. Was this baptism carried out in the residence? I ask this because the Church is very particular that Nuptional liturgies must be celebrated in the church, unless dispensation is granted by the local Ordinary (bishop).

 

[JimR-OCDS]

However, the key to all of this is that permission of the bishop is required. I’m curious, now that Jim mentioned this, regarding Bapitisms. Was this baptism carried out in the residence? I ask this because the Church is very particular that Nuptional liturgies must be celebrated in the church, unless dispensation is granted by the local Ordinary (bishop).

The Baptism was carried out in my home.

The problem is that you don’t have all the information required to make sound judgment on the issue. The priest however, is given the authority by the Bishop to make the decision in these specific cases, being the Bishop can’t be in every place at all times throughout the dioceses.

Jim

 

[Brendan]

The Baptism was carried out in my home.

The problem is that you don’t have all the information required to make sound judgment on the issue. The priest however, is given the authority by the Bishop to make the decision in these specific cases, being the Bishop can’t be in every place at all times throughout the dioceses.

Jim

That is not necessarily a given. The bishop would have to specifically delagate the decision making to the priest in this case.

I don’t know if that was specifically done. I will assume, absent evidence to the contrary, that permission was given.

But if it was on a case by case basis, or by specific delegation, we cannot say.

 

[benedictgal]

That is not necessarily a given. The bishop would have to specifically delagate the decision making to the priest in this case.

I don’t know if that was specifically done. I will assume, absent evidence to the contrary, that permission was given.

But if it was on a case by case basis, or by specific delegation, we cannot say.

Brendan, I think that the only time that I can recall a bishop delegating authority is when he has an Episcopal Vicar. In our former diocese, we were 150 miles away from the diocesan See (this was before we became our own diocese). The bishop delegated a priest in my city to serve as his Episcopal Vicar and charged him with the Ordinary’s authority on certian matters. This is one time that I can remember a priest being given that kind of authority in our area. My PV (parochial vicar) once served as Episcopal Vicar and the bishop had delegated to him the faculty to administer the sacrament of Confirmation.

Nonetheless, the Bishop should review the requests for a home Mass on a case-by-case basis. It’s not like the priest has a carte blanche to celebrate Masses away from the actual church building.

By the way, Brendan, I love those sheep you have. They look like they are wearing bishop’s hats. Where did you get them?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .Nonetheless, the Bishop should review the requests for a home Mass on a case-by-case basis. It’s not like the priest has a carte blanche to celebrate Masses away from the actual church building. . . .

I suspect the approval is rather routine in some cases. For example, we celebrate mass in two retirement homes each month. I doubt the bishop spends much time studying the case each month.

 

[benedictgal]

I suspect the approval is rather routine in some cases. For example, we celebrate mass in two retirement homes each month. I doubt the bishop spends much time studying the case each month.

The retirement homes and the prisons I can definitely understand. My PV celebrates Mass at both locations because, obviously, these folks can’t leave these areas. However, Mass in someone’s private house (along with the celebration of sacraments such as Baptisms) would need to have a dispensation from the Bishop. I think the only obvious one is the Annointing of the Sick (or, the Last Rites) if the person is home-bound and bed-ridden (as indicated in your reference).

But, to simply have a home Mass just to have one does need special permission from the local Ordinary, as indicated in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

 

[Brendan]

Brendan, I think that the only time that I can recall a bishop delegating authority is when he has an Episcopal Vicar.

Actually, it’s pretty common. For example, the removal of the excommunicaiton due to abortion is reserved to the bishop, but almost all bishops in the US have delegated that to priests.

By the way, Brendan, I love those sheep you have. They look like they are wearing bishop’s hats. Where did you get them?

Those are galeros.,a bishops would be purple, but these ones are the red of a Cardinal.

You see, those sheep are *Prudence , Temperance , Fortitude *, and Justice.

The Four Cardinal Vert Ewes.

(I put them together awhile ago, after I doodle I did in a Moral Theology class)

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

slaps knee At last the sheep are explained! I am amused!

 

[Brendan]

slaps knee At last the sheep are explained! I am amused!

Sheesh, all you had to do was ask

 

[Macd144]

I’m not as concerned about whether this is allowed by the Bishop or not, as much as I am concerned about the impact of ‘home masses’. Sounds like GIRM makes exceptions for holding Mass outside of the Church where it should normally be held, but if the priest of my parish is going to start holding weeknight masses at homes throughout the parish, then do I need to really go to Sunday Mass? Can’t I just start thinking that Sunday mass at Church is not that big of a deal, heck I can stay home and have my own ‘home mass’ by turning on the TV. Why would a parish such as mine want to start having regular weekly masses at various homes throughout the neighborhood in the summer months? Is it so that parishoners can get to know one another better as it said in the bulletin? Maybe, but I just don’t see the logic in having Mass outside of the Church just because it is something different. Convince people that ‘home mass’ is just as valuable as Sunday Mass at Church and guess what…people will start waking up on Sunday morning and watch mass on TV while drinking coffee and eating a bagel. Much more convenient that getting dressed, fasting before mass, and driving there right? I just don’t understand what is going on with some parishes anylonger.

 

[FrDavid96]

We are occasionally offered the opportunity to have Mass celebrated in our home, and we always accept. We are anticipating the opportunity to have Mass celebrated in the home of friends soon, after which Father is going to consecrate the family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and have the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture enthroned in the home. Our friends are concerned about the validity and appropriateness of having Mass in the home. I have never looked into this before, assuming if it was offered by a priest, it must be allowed. Please tell me, is it acceptable to have Mass celebrated in our home? Thank you.

If this is something that happens only on very rare occasions, then the permission of the bishop is not necessarily required. It is up to the prudent judgement of the priest celebrating. If this happens on a regular basis then the bishop’s permission is certainly required. When the liturgical law talks about the proper place for Mass, it’s speaking about the regular place.

In the past, many parishes even had portable altar stones to facilitate celebrating Mass in places other than the church building.

One caution though, the old canon law used to say that Mass may never be celebrated in a bedroom. Even though this is not strictly speaking illicit, it’s good to remember that the Church has for a very long time considered a bedroom to be not a “dignified place” for the Mass. In many diocese this is also the current particular law.

 

[FrDavid96]

Speaking of faculties. Every priest receives a pagella of faculties from his own bishop.

Here are a few samples I found on the web.

Archdiocese of Cincinnati
rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9PowgNKA0UB_eFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzaTVuOXFyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1FSVzJfMTI0/SIG=142dfpuv3/EXP=1241846888/**http%3a//www.catholiccincinnati.org/files/clergy_communications/2007/August/pagella_of_faculties_for_priests.pdf

Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph
rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9PowgNKA0UBAeJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzN2FxM2prBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1FSVzJfMTI0/SIG=129c4j9qe/EXP=1241846888/**http%3a//www.diocese-kcsj.org/_docs/Faculties-final.pdf

Diocese of San Diego
rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8szxgNKFl0Bx.hXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzdXIwOWh1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1FSVzJfMTI0/SIG=12k3skm3q/EXP=1241847731/**http%3a//www.diocese-sdiego.org/Handbook/Handbook_PDFs/Clergy1.pdf

I’m not trying to make any points by posting these, simply sharing with readers out there who might never have seen such a document the opportunity to do so. Also, keep in mind that these are only samples and they only apply to that particular diocese. In some cases, other faculties are added (or removed) depending upon the individual priest and/or his assignment.

Please note that these are posted on the web pages of the dioceses, so that means that if the local bishop did not want the public reading them, they wouldn’t be posted (in other words, no confidence is being breached by posting them).