Our Seminarian is Distributing the Eucharist During Communion, Is This an Abuse?

[John_Lilburne]

…

The question referred to a “communion service” conducted on a weekday as a substitute for daily Mass when a priest is not only available but is celebrating Mass on both the previous and following Sundays.

There is no justification for this, and it is completely forbidden by the Church. …

Can you quote a document that says this?

 

[benedictgal]

Can you quote a document that says this?

Here is the citation from Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[166.] Likewise, especially if Holy Communion is distributed during such celebrations, the diocesan Bishop, to whose exclusive competence this matter pertains, must not easily grant permission for such celebrations to be held on weekdays, especially in places where it was possible or would be possible to have the celebration of Mass on the preceding or the following Sunday. Priests are therefore earnestly requested to celebrate Mass daily for the people in one of the churches entrusted to their care.

I hope this helps.

 

[FrDavid96]

Can you quote a document that says this?

The documents have been quoted, repeatedly at that. Please read the thread.
There is no point in me repeating what has already been posted simply because you refuse to aknowlege it.

I am growing weary of responding to your nonsense.

 

[Cluny]

1.to help reduce this posters stress i will from now on refer to the two species as precious body, and precious blood.

Good. I’m glad you’ve learned and realized that both Species are the Eucharist.

1. Read it.

You never actually explained where you got this idea, though, beyond saying that you “thought” it was the case.

WHY did you think it was the case?

1. Statement not worthy enough to respond to.

In other words, you have no answer.

 

[cknick]

Good. I’m glad you’ve learned and realized that both Species are the Eucharist.

You never actually explained where you got this idea, though, beyond saying that you “thought” it was the case.

WHY did you think it was the case?

In other words, you have no answer.

THATS OKAY CLUNY BECAUSE WE HAVE YOU-THE POSTER WITH ALL THE ANSWERS:thumbsup:

 

[Cluny]

THATS OKAY CLUNY BECAUSE WE HAVE YOU-THE POSTER WITH ALL THE ANSWERS:thumbsup:

I’m glad you realize it. I’m willing to help you at any time.

BTW–did you know that all caps is considered shouting?

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

However, Communion Services should only be held following very specific parameters. These are mostly the Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest and have strict guidelines as to when such can be done. Weekday “communion services” should not be happening.

Weekday Communion services can take place under certain conditions. The bishop of Hawaii explains it well:

Daily celebration of the Eucharist should be the center of the life of every priest, and many lay faithful are nourished by participation in the Eucharist during the week when they are able to attend. Therefore, weekday Masses are the norm, and Communion Services should be the rare exception. Reasons for which a Communion Service may replace the Mass on a weekday could include the following:

•If, for a good reason, no priest is available to celebrate a weekday Mass; e.g. when all the priests of the diocese are gathered in Convocation, when the majority of priests in an area are on retreat together, or when all the priests in the house of a religious congregation are away for a congregational meeting or retreat. Attempts should always be made beforehand to secure a substitute priest whenever possible.
•A true emergency that prevents the priest from celebrating Mass, such as unanticipated illness and the lack of availability of another priest.
•If a priest is alone in a parish, is away on his day off, and no other priest is available to cover for him.
•In situations for which the Bishop gives specific written permission.

catholichawaii.org/article.php/2007082809422458

 

[estesbob]

Weekday Communion services can take place under certain conditions. The bishop of Hawaii explains it well:

We have a communion service very Monday as we only have one Priest and Monday is his day off. The man who leads the service always has a Eucharistic Misister give him communion and he gives communion to everyone else. Instead of a homily he reads the reflection for that day from the “Magnificat” Magazine

 

[Phemie]

We have a communion service very Monday as we only have one Priest and Monday is his day off. The man who leads the service always has a Eucharistic Misister give him communion and he gives communion to everyone else. Instead of a homily he reads the reflection for that day from the “Magnificat” Magazine

Since there is no obligation to attend daily Mass and no obligation on the priest to celebrate one and since there is Mass in your parish every other day, according to Redemptionis Sacramentum your parish doesn’t seem to have a good reason for a “Communion service” on Mondays.

 

[Joannm]

Since there is no obligation to attend daily Mass and no obligation on the priest to celebrate one and since there is Mass in your parish every other day, according to Redemptionis Sacramentum your parish doesn’t seem to have a good reason for a “Communion service” on Mondays.

I totally agree. THey should have communal Morning Prayer instead.

 

[estesbob]

Since there is no obligation to attend daily Mass and no obligation on the priest to celebrate one and since there is Mass in your parish every other day, according to Redemptionis Sacramentum your parish doesn’t seem to have a good reason for a “Communion service” on Mondays.

Nor my decision-If I have an opportunity recieve the Eucharist I take. Archbishop Chaput evidentltly has no problem with it.

 

[benedictgal]

Nor my decision-If I have an opportunity recieve the Eucharist I take. Archbishop Chaput evidentltly has no problem with it.

He is probably not aware of this. I believe that if he were made aware of it, he would probably put an end to the practice. Unfortunately, many things happen without the permission of the bishop.

The thing is that the Church has very strict parameters as to how and when such services should be conducted. A weekday is not justifiable according to Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Now, you say that you have a Eucharistic Minister conducting these. If that is the case, then he should not be doing that. He should be celebrating Mass. Please bear in mind that the Eucharistic Minister is the priest/bishop as only he can confect (cause to happen) the Sacrament. Laity may serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. But, as far as the Communion Service is concerned, this should not be done.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Since there is no obligation to attend daily Mass and no obligation on the priest to celebrate one and since there is Mass in your parish every other day, according to Redemptionis Sacramentum your parish doesn’t seem to have a good reason for a “Communion service” on Mondays.

That may be your opinion, however bishops have stated that they allow communion services on a priest’s day off. The Bishop is the one who has the authority in each diocese to make the judgment on such matters.

 

[Provigil]

Why would they be abusive? If a seminarian cannot give out Communion than a layperson shouldn’t either. After allhje is studying for the priesthood and he is also allowed to have a communion service and can read the Gospel, but he cannot say “The Lord Be With You” He would startt reading the gospel and tell you where it is taken from.

PROVIGIL

=================================================================

 

[benedictgal]

That may be your opinion, however bishops have stated that they allow communion services on a priest’s day off. The Bishop is the one who has the authority in each diocese to make the judgment on such matters.

With all due respect, Fr., I do not believe that this is how Redemptionis Sacramentum sees it:

[166.] Likewise, especially if Holy Communion is distributed during such celebrations, the diocesan Bishop, to whose exclusive competence this matter pertains, must not easily grant permission for such celebrations to be held on weekdays, especially in places where it was possible or would be possible to have the celebration of Mass on the preceding or the following Sunday. Priests are therefore earnestly requested to celebrate Mass daily for the people in one of the churches entrusted to their care.

Thus, the granting of this kind of activity should not be easily done, especially if Mass was celebrated on the preceding Sunday.

 

[Phemie]

Why would they be abusive? If a seminarian cannot give out Communion than a layperson shouldn’t either. After allhje is studying for the priesthood and he is also allowed to have a communion service and can read the Gospel, but he cannot say “The Lord Be With You” He would startt reading the gospel and tell you where it is taken from.

PROVIGIL

=================================================================

At Mass, reading the Gospel is reserved to the Deacon or the Priest so just because someone is a seminarian doesn’t mean he gets to do that.

GIRM59. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

With all due respect, Fr., I do not believe that this is how Redemptionis Sacramentum sees it

I think you’re overlooking some very important words in what you are quoting: the diocesan Bishop, to whose exclusive competence this matter pertains

It falls within the diocesan Bishop’s competence to make the decision. You may disagree, and that’s your right as a human being, but the Bishop ultimately is the one who makes those decisions. If the diocesan bishop has allowed it then the accusation of “abuse” is baseless. Afterall, the document states that it must not be granted easily, it doesn’t say it can’t be granted at all.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

At Mass, reading the Gospel is reserved to the Deacon or the Priest so just because someone is a seminarian doesn’t mean he gets to do that.

What you’re quoting is the GIRM which pertains to MASS. The seminarian is free to read the Gospel in a communion service.

 

[Phemie]

What you’re quoting is the GIRM which pertains to MASS. The seminarian is free to read the Gospel in a communion service.

I believe I did say “AT MASS”.

 

[benedictgal]

I think you’re overlooking some very important words in what you are quoting: the diocesan Bishop, to whose exclusive competence this matter pertains

It falls within the diocesan Bishop’s competence to make the decision. You may disagree, and that’s your right as a human being, but the Bishop ultimately is the one who makes those decisions. If the diocesan bishop has allowed it then the accusation of “abuse” is baseless. Afterall, the document states that it must not be granted easily, it doesn’t say it can’t be granted at all.

Inasmuch as the diocesan bishop does have the competency, and no one is denying that, such services should not be permitted unless there is a compelling reason. The reason why this issue came up in RS was that these have been done (and continue to be done) at a rate that is not justified. There should be no reason why a parish should have a communion service unless there is compelling justification for it. These things have been happening all too often to the point that they are the norm rather than the exception.