Priest Celebrating Mass alone

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DominicC

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Is a priest allowed to Celebrate alone or not?

Can. 904 Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic sacrifice the work of redemption is exercised continually, priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed, daily celebration is recommended earnestly since, even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function.

Can. 906 Except for a just and reasonable cause, a priest is not to celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice without the participation of at least some member of the faithful.
 
Unless I’m missing something, yes, a priest does celebrate Mass alone - for example on his weekly day off.

I also gather he can celebrate either the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form without permission needed to celebrate the latter when he does it alone.

@edward_george1
 
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Does he typically only celebrate alone on his day off?

My parish doesn’t have Mass on Monday.

Is Father obliged to say Mass on this day in private?

Thank you for your time, Father.
 
catholic03 said:
Does he typically only celebrate alone on his day off?
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I would guess so. In one parish where I was assigned I didn’t have a public Mass every day, even on days where I was otherwise working, so I’d say a private Mass then.
catholic03 said:
Is Father obliged to say Mass on this day in private?
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He might feel obliged, but he is not obligated. There is a difference. The law strongly encourages daily celebration of Mass, but does not mandate it.
 
Interesting, thank you Father.

For some reason I was under the impression that a priest was obliged to celebrate Mass every day.
 
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The homily can be omitted even when there is a congregation. It’s only mandatory on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
 
Again, I might feel obliged. That’s a subjective condition, mostly emotional.

I am not obligated, which is an objective legal reality.

But that’s just me being pedantic with language.
 
Well, that would insure the priest of an intelligent speaker, and a good audience.
 
Sorry for being a pain. What, therefore, is Can. 906 intended for?
 
To ensure that priests don’t celebrate Mass without some member of the faithful present, barring a just and reasonable cause.
 
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