Priestless Masses and Childrens' Masses

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Archbishop_10-K

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How are these types of Masses handled? I mean, I know there are some parishes and towns that do not have priests, so how do they celebrate Mass? Also, is there a separate liturgy or rubric for children?
 
Mass can not be celebrated without a priest. Period. A layman may hold a communion service, but that would not fulfill one’s Sunday Mass obligtion. If one can not get to any Mass, then one is not obligated to attend this type of communion service (although it would still be a pious act).

There is a separate lectionary for children’s Masses along with several other differences. The Apostle’s Creed is used in place of the Nicene Creed, for instance. Perhaps someone else knows of other differences.
 
Archbishop 10-K:
How are these types of Masses handled? I mean, I know there are some parishes and towns that do not have priests, so how do they celebrate Mass? Also, is there a separate liturgy or rubric for children?
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As was pointed out there is no such thing as a “priestless Mass”. the Church speaks of “Sunday worship in the absence of a priest”.

It would be very important that a parish without a resident priest. arrange for a priest to visit at least once a month for Confessions, Anointing of the Sick and Mass. If a Communion service can be offered it should be. This at least allows everyone access to Holy Communion weekly. This might require someone to travel an hour or so in some places to obtain the Blessed Sacrament at a Saturday Mass in another parish, for use at the priestless parish on Sunday.
 
In a parish where a priest is not present, mass cannot be said. But a Communion service provided with previously consecrated Holy Eucharist stored in the tabernacle can be lead by deacons or lay ministers. Deacons are also a valuable asset to a parish because they also can administer the sacraments of baptism and marriage. Lay ministers or deacons can also officiate at funeral services or distribute viaticum to the dying. Pray always for vocations. Only priests can consecrate Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ as well as administer the Sacrament of the Sick formally called Last Rites or Extreme Unction.
 
So if there is a community with no priest, does the local church just go unused? Or do they gather for something more similar to a Protestant service?
 
The kind of service you would likely see at a parish with no priest would probably consist of a the Liturgy of the Word followed by the distribution of Holy Communion. At least that is what you would probably see on a Sunday. During the week, the community might gather to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, pray the rosary, or have some other kind of formal liturgy or informal prayer service.
 
A Liturgy of the Word service implies everything except the Eucharistic Prayer and the Consecration. You have opening prayers, readings, a homily by a deacon, prayers of the faithful and prayers for communion, distribution of the Holy Eucharist and the final blessing. Songs can be sung, Psalms can be recited. It is a least a opportunity where Catholics can receive the Body of Christ. Pray for vocations!
 
Bishops have allowed deacons and lay people to lead services in case a priest is not available in order that the community may gather and received Communion (Previously Consecrated by a Priest). More and more of these type of services are being conducted. There is a great need of prayer for vocations. Also, families do not encourage their children to consider religious life, as they did in the old days. Some feel that this is a test allowed by God to see if the faithful will step foreward and offer themselves in service to the church. Not only “Talk the talk,” but also, " Walk the Walk!

Deacon Tony SFO
 
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