Pre-Diaconate "Reflections"

[mercygate]

We have a deacon candidate in our parish, who is not due to be ordained until next June.

He has begun giving “reflections” at daily Mass. These are delivered directly after the Gospel reading. Canonically, they cannot be called “homilies” because no one not ordained at least to the diaconate may give a homily. OK. But it looks like a homily, it sounds like a homily, it smells like a homily, it is structured like a homily. There will be no perceptible change in the form or style after this guy is ordained . . .

The rationale is that deacon-candidates need to practice. Is this the norm in other dioceses? Why does he need to practice? Why shouldn’t the first year after his ordination be the break-in period? What’s the payoff here? Our bishop is pretty orthodox, so I’m thinking this may be a carry-over policy.

Should I pose the question to him?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

mercygate:

We have a deacon candidate in our parish, who is not due to be ordained until next June.

He has begun giving “reflections” at daily Mass. These are delivered directly after the Gospel reading. Canonically, they cannot be called “homilies” because no one not ordained at least to the diaconate may give a homily. OK. But it looks like a homily, it sounds like a homily, it smells like a homily, it is structured like a homily. There will be no perceptible change in the form or style after this guy is ordained . . .

The rationale is that deacon-candidates need to practice. Is this the norm in other dioceses? Why does he need to practice? Why shouldn’t the first year after his ordination be the break-in period? What’s the payoff here? Our bishop is pretty orthodox, so I’m thinking this may be a carry-over policy.

Should I pose the question to him?

In my diocese we “practiced” our homilies with each other during homiletics class. For practice in delivery we wrote two minute reflections that were delivered after the prayer after communion and before the announcements. This would be the normal time.

However, I also know that our seminarians were doing these at the normal homily time (we had one seminarian at my parish). While it is contrary to canon and liturgical law, it seems to be a widespread practice in this country.

Deacon Ed

 

[hydrochief]

mercygate:

Should I pose the question to him?

You sure should! That way you’ll know what he knows about this practice. And let us know what you find out.

I too think these reflections would be best placed elsewhere, say at the end of the Mass like they do with others who wish to speak to the congregation…

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I have added bold emphsis to the words that I think are key in this quote.

mercygate:

We have a deacon candidate in our parish, who is not due to be ordained until next June.

He has begun giving “reflections” at daily Mass. These are delivered directly after the Gospel reading. Canonically, they cannot be called “homilies” because no one not ordained at least to the diaconate may give a homily. OK. But it looks like a homily, it sounds like a homily, it smells like a homily, it is structured like a homily. There will be no perceptible change in the form or style after this guy is ordained . . .

The rationale is that deacon-candidates need to practice. Is this the norm in other dioceses? Why does he need to practice? Why shouldn’t the first year after his ordination be the break-in period? What’s the payoff here? Our bishop is pretty orthodox, so I’m thinking this may be a carry-over policy.

Should I pose the question to him?

A Homily is only required at Sunday Liturgies. Canon 767 covers this.

Can. 767 §1 The most important form of preaching is the homily, which is part of the liturgy, and is reserved to a priest or deacon. In the course of the liturgical year, the mysteries of faith and the rules of christian living are to be expounded in the homily from the sacred text.
§2 At all Masses on Sundays and holydays of obligation, celebrated with a congregation, there is to be a homily and, except for a grave reason, this may not be omitted.
§3 It is strongly recommended that, if a sufficient number of people are present, there be a homily at weekday Masses also, especially during Advent and Lent, or on a feast day or an occasion of grief.
§4 It is the responsibility of the parish priest or the rector of a church to ensure that these provisions are carefully observed.

So as you can see, a homily is only requried on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation. Even with the rest of this Canon I do not see any thing that would preclude a diaconiate candidate from giving a reflection during a Daily Mass as long as it is not called a homily, which according to mercygate.

If you are going to pose a question about it, I would suggest that you first take it to the pastor of the church.

 

[mercygate]

ByzCath:

I have added bold emphsis to the words that I think are key in this quote.

A Homily is only required at Sunday Liturgies. Canon 767 covers this.

If you are going to pose a question about it, I would suggest that you first take it to the pastor of the church.

Dear Byz,

Thanks for this. I had already come to the conclusion (without the superb canonical backup you provided) that it was the distinction between daily and Sunday Mass that made this possible. I hope I did not give the impression with this question that I thought some appalling abuse was being willfully perpetrated.

I was chatting with the about-to-be deacon’s wife, who added that her husband will soon be doing this on Sundays. This would change the complexion of the matter somewhat.

Once again, many thanks for the outstanding response to my question. THIS is what a forum is FOR!

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

In our diocese, permission was given to candidates in their last year of study to do a reflection at daily mass. This is always done through the bishop, who has the last say on everything. I’m am amazed at the the number of faithful that do not understand the office of bishop. The bishop is a decendant of the apostles. In many cases, the GIRM says "should"or “can” or even “must” in giving a regulation. But the bishop can get permission from Rome to bypass any regulation (With good reason). For example the western bishops were able to have certain Holy Days moved to Sunday and others removed from “A day of obligation.”

The church is not a democracy. The bishop rules!

 

[AngelicDoctor]

This is not an uncommon practice in various dioceses. I am a seminarian finished with 2 years of theology, 1 more year of study for deaconate, and one more for priesthood (God willing!). I personally, would not be comfortable giving a reflection at Mass because, even if the Bishop gives approval, this is just too confusing for the people of the parish (who you would have to burden with awkward explanations–this will sound like a homily, but don’t worry, its not really a homily).

My pastor did allow me to give a talk/reflection at the beginning of a special holy hour. The Blessed Sacrament was already exposed, and the hour began with my brief talk on one of the Psalms, and then long period of silent prayer, and then we concluded by praying Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. I thought this was acceptable because it was a reflection given in the context of a devotion–eucharistic adoration–rather than the liturgy (Night Prayer is part of the liturgy of the Church, but I did not preach a sermon in the middle of Night Prayer). Thus, it was also clear that I was not preaching a homily (because it was not Mass).
This still was practice for me (I basically was preaching on Scripture) and yet I did not have to do it at Mass.

 

[mercygate]

AngelicDoctor:

I personally, would not be comfortable giving a reflection at Mass because, even if the Bishop gives approval, this is just too confusing for the people of the parish (who you would have to burden with awkward explanations–this will sound like a homily, but don’t worry, its not really a homily).

My pastor did allow me to give a talk/reflection at the beginning of a special holy hour.

My feelings exactly on both counts. Although in our case, the Bishop has spoken. Perhaps if/when these “reflections” begin on Sunday, I’ll revisit the question of gently querying the bishop for claification . . .

 

[Gouletdr]

In my dioceses we give our reflections after Communion. In my experience the priest will announce that the seminarian will give a reflection after Communion. On Sunday, the priest will give a very, very brief homily and then announce that the Seminarian will give a reflection after communion, although some parishes on Sunday will have the reflection given after the Creed since some people leave after receiving Communion. I have not yet given a Sunday reflection yet, we are still working out the part to keep aligned with the rubrics and not having people walk out! But on weekdays I either offer the reflection after Communion or after the Gospel if I am leading the Communion Service.

-Dan G.