Only Priests and Deacons

[eightydeuce82]

That does bring up a question I’ve pondered.

If we stand at the Gospel because the Word becomes flesh as it is proclaimed by a cleric, should we stand when a member of the laity reads the Gospel in other instances? This has come up occasionally when certain classes have started with a reading from the gospels.

Just an idle though about the difference between reading and proclaiming the Gospel and it’s relationship to the laity and clergy.

If a lay person tried to consecrate the host we would not kneel because he would not be consecrating the host. Same goes for the Word.

 

[eightydeuce82]

Yup, and ALL that could be done by a layperson. I’ll even invent a new vestment for laypeople right here on the spot. I’ll call it the “AuspicatusGarb” or AG for short – sort of like a religious scapular which is worn over an alb.

We already have enough liturgical abuse going on good thing we are not in charge of the liturgy. Might I recommend you go back and read what I wrote about being sent.

 

[TimothyH]

I would like to correct a small mistake on this thread.

The deacon is the ordinary minister of the word in the Church. Every priest and bishop is also a deacon and their ministry was given to them at their ordination as a deacon.

The priest proclaims the Gospel because he is also a deacon. When a priest, bishop or even the Pope approaches the ambo to proclaim the Gospel he exercises the ministry he received when he became a deacon.

-Tim-

 

[G_S]

I would like to correct a small mistake on this thread.

The deacon is the ordinary minister of the word in the Church. Every priest and bishop is also a deacon and their ministry was given to them at their ordination as a deacon.

The priest proclaims the Gospel because he is also a deacon. When a priest, bishop or even the Pope approaches the ambo to proclaim the Gospel he exercises the ministry he received when he became a deacon.

-Tim-

Taken a bit further… In a Mass with a deacon, the priest is not to proclaim the Gospel. In a concelebrated Mass without a deacon, a priest concelebrant ought to proclaim the Gospel rather than the primary celebrant. Note that in a Mass celebrated by the Pope, a deacon still proclaims the Gospel. When I was ordained a deacon, the bishop wore a dalmatic under his chasuble (on the hottest day ever!) signifying that he too is still a deacon. I believe the Pope often does so as well, at least at certain times. Those of us who are old enough to remember the Solemn High Mass remember the priest wearing a dalmatic when he served as a deacon and another priest wearing a tunicle as he served as a subdeacon.

 

[MaryT777]

Taken a bit further… In a Mass with a deacon, the priest is not to proclaim the Gospel. In a concelebrated Mass without a deacon, a priest concelebrant ought to proclaim the Gospel rather than the primary celebrant. Note that in a Mass celebrated by the Pope, a deacon still proclaims the Gospel. When I was ordained a deacon, the bishop wore a dalmatic under his chasuble (on the hottest day ever!) signifying that he too is still a deacon. I believe the Pope often does so as well, at least at certain times. Those of us who are old enough to remember the Solemn High Mass remember the priest wearing a dalmatic when he served as a deacon and another priest wearing a tunicle as he served as a subdeacon.

Very informative. Thanks for posting this.

Mary.

 

[Gorgias]

So when a cleric stumbles and mumbles and struggles through the “proclamation” (not at all uncommon in my parish), it’s still somehow more edifying (even if it cannot be understood) to those listening because of his special “charism”?

The claim isn’t that it’s “edifying” because of the skill (or lack thereof) of a cleric – the claim is that it’s a proclamation of Christ’s living Word because it’s being proclaimed by a cleric. Subtle – yet critically important – difference!

Yes, as you claim, all the ‘actions’ could be performed by a layperson; yet, those actions would not be a ‘proclamation’ in the sense that it is in the context of a Catholic liturgy.