Priest left Mass immediately after saying homily

[Don_Ruggero]

Yup, sure do, Father.

Keep in mind that the reasons I find it goofy are based on my observations of the typical concelebrated Masses I’ve seen in typical parishes. Some occasions may make sense to concelebrate (ordinations and chrism masses come to mind).

Some reasons:

1. It’s just clunky and awkward. The prayers are usually divided up and typically the priests aren’t quite sure when to stop/start. Nobody ever seems comfortable doing it.
2. There’s usually that introduction of Fr. So-and-so “joining us this morning from ______.” Then the obligatory applause to welcome him. This makes the Mass even more priest-focused than the usual versus populum arrangement.
3. If there are extra priests floating around, why not open up the confessional(s) instead of having 2+ priests saying the same Mass? Surely there is someone in need. (This is is my biggest beef with concelebration.)
4. In over-crowded parishes, why not have another Mass simultaneously in the chapel or other suitable space?
5. The extra priest(s) look like an accessory or decoration most of the time.

Yes, I know Holy Mother Church allows it. Still is goofy and awkward to me.

I couldn’t begin to count the number of times I have concelebrated over the decades…particularly in my visitations in the different countries. I am so grateful that the Council Fathers mandated its restoration in Sacrosanctum Concilium

 

[Rosebud77]

Yup, sure do, Father.

Keep in mind that the reasons I find it goofy are based on my observations of the typical concelebrated Masses I’ve seen in typical parishes. Some occasions may make sense to concelebrate (ordinations and chrism masses come to mind).

Some reasons:

1. It’s just clunky and awkward. The prayers are usually divided up and typically the priests aren’t quite sure when to stop/start. Nobody ever seems comfortable doing it.
2. There’s usually that introduction of Fr. So-and-so “joining us this morning from ______.” Then the obligatory applause to welcome him. This makes the Mass even more priest-focused than the usual versus populum arrangement.
3. If there are extra priests floating around, why not open up the confessional(s) instead of having 2+ priests saying the same Mass? Surely there is someone in need. (This is is my biggest beef with concelebration.)
4. In over-crowded parishes, why not have another Mass simultaneously in the chapel or other suitable space?
5. The extra priest(s) look like an accessory or decoration most of the time.

Yes, I know Holy Mother Church allows it. Still is goofy and awkward to me.

In my work at retreat centres, when there was a diocesan priest retreat, there would be thirty priests…

 

[Generic_Name]

I just can’t wrap my head around having confession during Holy Mass.
People have said this before.
I am so glad we don’t do this.

I am so glad we do. But we have more sinners than can be accommodated during 30-45 minutes’ time on Saturday afternoons.

But that’s derailing the thread, so I shall not take this further.

 

[zab]

I am so glad we do. But we have more sinners than can be accommodated during 30-45 minutes’ time on Saturday afternoons.

But that’s derailing the thread, so I shall not take this further.

I don’t understand why, if you have more than one priest in your parish, that they can’t schedule more times during the week for confessions. We have confessions scheduled at least three times a week and more on first Fridays- and we only have one priest assigned to our parish. It is great when we have visiting priests, too.

 

[Generic_Name]

I don’t understand why, if you have more than one priest in your parish, that they can’t schedule more times during the week for confessions. We have confessions scheduled at least three times a week and more on first Fridays- and we only have one priest assigned to our parish. It is great when we have visiting priests, too.

I don’t understand that either. I was referring not to my parish, but to the very common scenario of parishes offering confession once a week for half an hour. I see this often around the US in my travels.

 

[dshix]

I just can’t wrap my head around having confession during Holy Mass.
People have said this before.
I am so glad we don’t do this.

I know - I’ve never understood it either. To me, it’s on par with saying the rosary during Mass. Of course, if our priest wanted to hear confessions during Mass he’d have to bi-locate - he’s our only priest!

Tho he may wish he could bi-locate. Between 3 parishes he says 5 Masses every weekend.

I’m very puzzled by your revulsion. Confession is a beautiful sacrament. Confession of devotion (confession when not in a state of mortal sin) is a fantastic way to grow in holiness. Why in the world wouldn’t it be appropriate to go to confession before, after, during Holy Mass?

Additionally, in a parish with many parishoners, some of whom travel a rather long distance (hour or more) to come to mass, confession times are needed to be available as often as possible. At my parish, people go to confession very often through devotion, so the lines are always long (and confessions are provided every day of the week!).

There’s no valid reason why it would be inappropriate to have Confessions available during Mass.

 

[edward_george]

Fr. Zuhlsdorf relates that in a recent reply to this very question of hearing confessions during Mass, the Congregation for Divine Worship made a rather striking recommendation:

Consequently, it is clearly lawful, even during the celebration of Mass, to hear confessions when one foresees that the faithful are going to ask for this ministry. In the case of concelebrations, it is earnestly to be desired that some priests would abstain from concelebrating so as to be available to attend to the faithful who wish to receive the sacrament of Penance.

wdtprs.com/blog/2016/08/ask-father-confessions-during-mass-followup/

Not only can confession be made available during Mass, but priests are even encouraged to refrain from concelebrating to make confession more readily available. In my parish, we have one evening every week where there is a Mass going on while the other two priests in the parish occupy the confessionals, starting a half hour before Mass and usually not ending until about a half hour after Mass has ended, depending upon the lines.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Bonnie]

I’m very puzzled by your revulsion. Confession is a beautiful sacrament. Confession of devotion (confession when not in a state of mortal sin) is a fantastic way to grow in holiness. Why in the world wouldn’t it be appropriate to go to confession before, after, during Holy Mass?

I can go to Mass only once a week. So why would I want to miss it to go to Confession instead? Even tho confession at our parish is scheduled for only a half hour a week (before the Saturday Mass at the other parish), one can make an appointment with the priest at any time.

Confession is a great sacrament, but the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is even greater!

 

[Str84ward]

Maybe he had to anoint a sick person.

Could be any reason. Called away, taken unwell… I would not even ave noticed and certainly not noted as you have… The Mass was honoured.

 

[goout]

I don’t understand that either. I was referring not to my parish, but to the very common scenario of parishes offering confession once a week for half an hour. I see this often around the US in my travels.

When lines form such that a half hour is not enough time, hours can be added. Any priest I know is glad to hear confessions.
It’s a practical thing.

 

[zab]

Maybe he had to anoint a sick person.

And maybe he just wanted to prepare for his next Mass. We really don’t have to come up with some great reason why the homilist left immediately after giving the homily. He doesn’t need to stay.

 

[Generic_Name]

I can go to Mass only once a week. So why would I want to miss it to go to Confession instead? Even tho confession at our parish is scheduled for only a half hour a week (before the Saturday Mass at the other parish), one can make an appointment with the priest at any time.

Confession is a great sacrament, but the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is even greater!

Why do you have to miss it? Is the confessional not in the church?

 

[Bonnie]

Why do you have to miss it? Is the confessional not in the church?

I don’t know about you, but I can’t split my attention between 2 things. I’d be either focused on my confession, or focused on the Mass. Somehow, focusing on myself - even in the context of a sacrament - just doesn’t seem right.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I don’t know about you, but I can’t split my attention between 2 things. I’d be either focused on my confession, or focused on the Mass. Somehow, focusing on myself - even in the context of a sacrament - just doesn’t seem right.

I think its great that such an opportunity exists in many parishes. I guess the people assisting the priest in the Novus Ordo manage to not be distracted, so why would Confession be distracting? Depends on the individual

 

[Bonnie]

I think its great that such an opportunity exists in many parishes. I guess the people assisting the priest in the Novus Ordo manage to not be distracted, so why would Confession be distracting? Depends on the individual

We are all assisting at Mass, so I’m not sure what you mean.

 

[SyroMalankara]

We are all assisting at Mass, so I’m not sure what you mean.

No, everyone is participating but assisting implies an assigned task - server, thurifer, lector, etc

 

[Bonnie]

No, everyone is participating but assisting implies an assigned task - server, thurifer, lector, etc

But those people are participating in the Mass, not off participating in their confession. Assisting at Mass may not be a common term anymore, but it means being present.

 

[SyroMalankara]

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur224.htm

Cultural factors also come into play. Priests and faithful hailing from an Irish, Anglo-Saxon and North European heritage are, by and large, accustomed to a separation of the two sacraments. The priests are generally reluctant to make confession available during Mass.

The practice is more common, although not universal, in Italian, Latino and Polish communities, and many faithful go to confession during Mass even though it is also offered at other times.

From the normative point of view it is certainly not forbidden. In 2001 the Holy See gave an official answer to this question in a letter published in the June-July edition of Notitiae, the official organ of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

In its response the congregation affirmed the preference for celebrating reconciliation outside of Mass. But in virtue of the canonical norm that “Reconciliatio penitentium omni tempore ac die celebrari potest” (Reconciliation may be carried out at any time and day, “Ordo Paenitentiæ,” 13), it specifically allows the hearing of confessions during Mass. It even recommends that, during large concelebrations attended by numerous faithful, some priests refrain from concelebrating so as to be available for confession.

 

[zab]

I think its great that such an opportunity exists in many parishes. I guess the people assisting the priest in the Novus Ordo manage to not be distracted, so why would Confession be distracting? Depends on the individual

It would be distracting for the person going to Confession and trying to attend Mass at the same time.

 

[deaconjohnO]

This happens sometimes with our deacons. The multiple weekend Masses are shared among two priests, but one deacon will preach at all the Masses on a given weekend. The deacon will be on the altar for several entire Masses but occasionally will just come up to do the Gospel and homily at one or two of the Masses. I.

The deacon is vested and present as the Sacramental Sign of Christ the Servant. The Deacons Role in the Liturgy is the minister of the word and of the cup. I find it very hard to believe there are parishes out there where deacons would do such a thing. If so it is completely not allowed.