Master of Ceremonies

[SMHW]

For big Masses, particularly with visiting clergy they can certainly make sense.

My guess is that those Masses are the ones that typically have MCs. If a parish has MCs for simpler Masses then maybe it’s kind of practicing for more complicated ones.

An MC is no substitute for well trained celebrants, con-celebrants, deacons and laypersons.

True. But often these groups don’t train together. When priests con-celebrate it’s often because one is a visitor. If you have large numbers of lay persons and several priests and deacons then you get the cases where the priest is waiting for a reader who is waiting for an altar server who is waiting for the deacon who is waiting for the the cantor who is waiting for the user… An MC can discretely tell the reader do whatever even without all the others doing whatever they should have been doing. That usually cues the lagging persons to do their jobs.

In my opinion an MC is something like a director for a play. A liturgy is a bit like a play or a dance in that timing can make the difference in whether a liturgy seems jerky or beautiful. When the MC is doing his/her job right then it seems like they are doing nothing.

 

[zab]

Our priests never monitor the movements in the sanctuary. They just know everything will run smoothly since everyone knows before Mass begins what they are to do and don’t need anyone to remind them. The readers know when to go to the Ambo, the servers know what they need to do, the EMHCs know when to come up and which station to go to, and concelebrants, if we have any, know exactly what to do. We don’t need another person running around the sanctuary directing people as they are all well trained…and yes, they are trained separately since they are different ministries. Why does an EMHC need to be trained with readers or servers since they do not serve in that role. I just can’t see the point in having another person in the sanctuary when they are not needed if everyone knows already what they are supposed to do.

In our parish, the older Altar Servers are trained to be MC’s. If we didn’t have MC’s, they would still be in the sanctuary as an Altar Server. The MC has special duties, like giving instruction to the Altar Servers before Mass, who will light the candles, who will be the cross bearer, who will ring the bells, etc. Some of the things the MC does during Mass are: prepares the Altar, turns the pages for the priest during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and guides the Altar Servers when needed.

 

[MrDickerson]

The answer to your question is – yes! Since the position of MC is not an ordained position (although it’s usually filled by a cleric) there is nothing to preclude a woman from serving in that role. In fact, the head of our diocesan office of worship is a woman and she frequently serves the bishop as his MC.

Deacon Ed

Gross. Women should NOT be at the altar with the bishop, or in the sanctuary at all. That is a male’s role. :dts:

…and anyway, wouldn’t a woman be a Mistress of Ceremonies?

 

[Dauphin]

Gross. Women should NOT be at the altar with the bishop, or in the sanctuary at all. That is a male’s role. :dts:

…and anyway, wouldn’t a woman be a Mistress of Ceremonies?

Amen!

It’s a backdoor attempt at the “ordination” of women. Once we have females swarming the sanctuary, it will make little difference to the faithful whether there’s one more up there.

The sanctuary is a place where the unique role of men in the Church should be expressed. Water this down, and the downhill slide begins.

 

[Joannm]

In our parish, the older Altar Servers are trained to be MC’s. If we didn’t have MC’s, they would still be in the sanctuary as an Altar Server. The MC has special duties, like giving instruction to the Altar Servers before Mass, who will light the candles, who will be the cross bearer, who will ring the bells, etc. Some of the things the MC does during Mass are: prepares the Altar, turns the pages for the priest during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and guides the Altar Servers when needed.

The priest can’t turn his own pages? Again our altar servers know what to do. The sacristian lights the candles and the kids decide among themselves who will be server # 1,2,3 or 4, which indicates what they do in the Mass and the priest is always in the sacristy to intervene if there are problems, which allows him to interact with the kids and it is a chance for the priest to get to know the kids. The deacon or servers prepare the altar, but one of our priests likes to do it himself. If a server forgets all they need is a look from the priest, or the kids poke each other to be reminded. Our moderator of servers used to be in the Marines so he has them well trained and a look is all they need to get them back on track. It really sounds like an unnecessary position in a parish church.

 

[Stromboli]

In our parish, the older Altar Servers are trained to be MC’s. If we didn’t have MC’s, they would still be in the sanctuary as an Altar Server. The MC has special duties, like giving instruction to the Altar Servers before Mass, who will light the candles, who will be the cross bearer, who will ring the bells, etc. Some of the things the MC does during Mass are: prepares the Altar, turns the pages for the priest during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and guides the Altar Servers when needed.

All that is done by servers at my parish.

 

[Stromboli]

Gross. Women should NOT be at the altar with the bishop, or in the sanctuary at all. That is a male’s role. :dts:

…and anyway, wouldn’t a woman be a Mistress of Ceremonies?

Don’t be a sexist. In this context, MCs are nothing more than altar servers. Women are allowed to serve at the altar in at least the OF Mass. Put their Church first, not your personal opinions of what should or should not be allowed.

 

[Stromboli]

The priest can’t turn his own pages? Again our altar servers know what to do. The sacristian lights the candles and the kids decide among themselves who will be server # 1,2,3 or 4, which indicates what they do in the Mass and the priest is always in the sacristy to intervene if there are problems, which allows him to interact with the kids and it is a chance for the priest to get to know the kids. The deacon or servers prepare the altar, but one of our priests likes to do it himself. If a server forgets all they need is a look from the priest, or the kids poke each other to be reminded. Our moderator of servers used to be in the Marines so he has them well trained and a look is all they need to get them back on track. It really sounds like an unnecessary position in a parish church.

Again

 

[Stromboli]

Amen!

It’s a backdoor attempt at the “ordination” of women. Once we have females swarming the sanctuary, it will make little difference to the faithful whether there’s one more up there.

The sanctuary is a place where the unique role of men in the Church should be expressed. Water this down, and the downhill slide begins.

That is not only ridiculous it’s also offensive. Women are allowed to serve Mass. That’s something you need to come to terms with.

 

[zab]

The priest can’t turn his own pages? Again our altar servers know what to do. The sacristian lights the candles and the kids decide among themselves who will be server # 1,2,3 or 4, which indicates what they do in the Mass and the priest is always in the sacristy to intervene if there are problems, which allows him to interact with the kids and it is a chance for the priest to get to know the kids. The deacon or servers prepare the altar, but one of our priests likes to do it himself. If a server forgets all they need is a look from the priest, or the kids poke each other to be reminded. Our moderator of servers used to be in the Marines so he has them well trained and a look is all they need to get them back on track. It really sounds like an unnecessary position in a parish church.

As Altar Servers get into their teens, they usually get disinterested in Altar Serving. By letting them serve as MC’s it helps to keep them interested in serving at the Altar. It is a way of encouraging vocations to the priesthood.

 

[zab]

All that is done by servers at my parish.

MC’s in our parish are Altar Servers, too.

 

[Stromboli]

As Altar Servers get into their teens, they usually get disinterested in Altar Serving. By letting them serve as MC’s it helps to keep them interested in serving at the Altar. It is a way of encouraging vocations to the priesthood.

That’s the whole point though. In this context, MCs sound like servers.

 

[zab]

That’s the whole point though. In this context, MCs sound like servers.

They are servers with a little extra responsibilities. Kind of a small elevation after years of serving at the altar. We have more teenage altar servers now than we have ever had.

 

[stanthonyserver]

When I started this thread I had no idea that it would generate so much discussion but I have enjoyed reading all the responses, both pro and con, and have learned much from many of them.

On Saturday I will be installed as a Master of Ceremonies for my parish. I feel humble and blessed to be offered this opportunity to participate more fully in the liturgical life of our church. I have been receiving instruction and studying since last summer and I feel confident that I can provide valuable assistance to our priests, deacons and the rest of the ministries involved in the liturgy here.

What I am looking forward to the most is being able to participate at each of the Holy Week services this Easter season. If you agree with the M.C. position or not, I ask that you pray for me as I offer my services to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in this special way.

Thank you,
David