Priestly Preparations

  • Thread starter Thread starter JMJ_coder
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

Maybe this has never been a problem in the Orthodox Church, I don’t know - but in the Latin Church at the peak of the last century, especially in the big cities (i.e., New York), Churches were overflowing. There wasn’t just one Church building for the whole city, but one for every neighborhood. On Sunday the Church was packed - standing room only. And it would be this way for two or three Masses.

To meet this need, the canons in the Latin Church read that two Masses may be celebrated by the same Priest per day (no mention of the altar), and an indult can be granted by the Bishop if the need arises.
Click to expand...
In these cases the bishops have given extra antimens (the cloth icon of Christ’s entombment, with the relics and the bishops signature, which is the actual place the DL is celebrated, its Latin for “instead of the [bishop’s] table/altar.” In my original parish the Sunday school had one. In some Coptic churches, if I remember correctly, they have side altars in the santuary for this reason. Multiple DL are avoided as much as possible.
 
Hello,
Isa_Almisry said:
Actually, besides the Saturday Eucharist (unusual),
Click to expand...
It is fairly common today in the Latin Church to have a Saturday Vigil Mass. But I realize that this is unusual in the Byzantine tradition.
Isa_Almisry said:
and the devotions to midnight (usually only a little after Vespers, then some at home), Matins at midnight (usually we do at 8 AM, Russians do it right after Vespers)
Click to expand...
This is surprising! I thought that the Orthodox (especially the Russians) were big into the All-Night Vigils.
Isa_Almisry said:
the length of the picnic (we knock off around 1 PM with coffee hour),
Click to expand...
It must be my Italian heritage, but to me a picnic/barbecue/social gathering that lasts less than 6-8 hours is just plain unheard of. 😃
Isa_Almisry said:
and the Sunday Vespers (only during Lent in Church),
Click to expand...
I hear that years ago, it was fairly common for the faithful in the Latin Church to regather for Sunday Vespers.
Isa_Almisry said:
that’s our usual weekend fare.
Click to expand...
Lucky! 😉
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

The way I think that a Latin parish would best spend the weekend:

Saturday Vigil beginning with the Sacrament of Confession and then a Vesperial Liturgy (combining of Vespers and Mass) and then praying the Rosary and Adoration until midnight. At midnight begin the Office of Readings (Matins) with all the extended readings and such and after that more adoration until dawn. The people will participate in the all-night vigil as they can - those with young children and the elderly probably can’t stay the whole night, but always a group is present for pray and adoration. At dawn pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) and then celebrate the Sunday Liturgy. When the full 3 hour Liturgy is over, everyone meets for the Sunday gathering - a kind of massive picnic until evening when the parish gathers once more to pray Vespers. Finally, after Vespers everyone goes home energized for another week. 👍
Click to expand...
Now THAT is a wonderfully zealous imagination! 👍

Arsenios
 
Just as a bit of an aside, the minimal for the Ruthenians is much the same.

Note the following for Saturday:
Vesting Prayers for Vesperal Vestments if Vespers Public
Fast from noon meal to after Vigil DL.
Vespers (may be done privately)
Vesting prayers for Proskomedia vestmens if no vespers but vigil DL.
Proskomedia for Vigil DL (if done)
Vesting prayers for DL if Vigil DL
DL
Prayers after the DL.

Compline (may be private, usually is)

Sunday AM:
Fast from Midnight to after DL.
Vesting Prayers for Matins Vestments (if public matins)
Matins (may be private)
Vesting Prayers for Proskomedia Vestments (if no public matins)
Proskomedia
Vesting Prayers for DL Vestments
DL
Prayers after the DL.

Every vestment has a prayer. The Sticharion, the Epitrachelion/orarion, the epimanikia, the phelonian, and the Zone. Even the Cassock and the Pectoral Cross. Rev. Fr. Steve used to have them posted in the vestry, in bold 64pt.

Amongst the “mundane” elements of preparation:
Heating the water for the fervor.
Filling the cruet for the wine.
Loading the Boat with the incense.
Starting the coals for/in the censor.
Placing the offerings upon the proskomedia table.
lighting the candles before the icons on the iconostas.
Coordinating, selecting, and instructing the cantors and lector(s).
Picking which options for the day’s feast(s) will be used.
Preparing for the sermon.
Unlocking the church.

Note that a DL preceded by public Matins or Vespers may have a reading in each… or more… and so one or more lectors may be chosen to chant the readings.

A priest’s life is replete with daily prayers, as well: the divine office is required of Catholic Priests. The details of the divine office vary by Rite, but the requirement to observe them is universal save for those too infirm, or most of the laicized.

One other note: when a priest is to offer the DL twice a day, the second may have fasting waived or reduced.
 
Aramis said:
One other note: when a priest is to offer the DL twice a day, the second may have fasting waived or reduced.
Click to expand...
A priest is to celebrate the Divine Liturgy each Sunday and feast day as prescribed. A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Divine Liturgy twice in the same day, nor may he permit the celebration of two Divine Liturgies on the same Holy Table or antimension in the course of one day in any temple.
 
Mickey said:
A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Divine Liturgy twice in the same day, nor may he permit the celebration of two Divine Liturgies on the same Holy Table or antimension in the course of one day in any temple.
Click to expand...
That restriction is apparently not in the CCEO, and thus can be modified by the legitimate authority of the Church Sui Iuris. I checked canons 329-398 (clergy) and 667-895 (Divine Worship) in preparing this post …

In the Ruthenian Church Sui Iuris, it is not uncommon (sadly) for a priest to have 2 parishes. In such cases, he is permitted to celebrate the DL at each.

Likewise, Ruthenian Particular Law does not make such restriction. (byzcath.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=334)
 
Aramis said:
In the Ruthenian Church Sui Iuris, it is not uncommon (sadly) for a priest to have 2 parishes. In such cases, he is permitted to celebrate the DL at each.
Click to expand...
Understood. As a former Ruthenian, I witnessed the shortage of priests and the lack of vocations.
 
Paisius said:
Just a quick aside, I wonder how many priest actually lay it out that perfectly?
Click to expand...
You would be surprised at how carefully each piece is layed out in it’s proper position, and on a consistant basis.
 
Well. I like kids. Does that make me prepared?

……………………,-~’’’¯¯¯’’~-,
…………………,-‘’ ; ; ;,—,_ ; ;’’-,………………………………,—,
……………….,’ ; ; ;,-‘ , , , , , ‘-, ; ;’-,—’’’’’’~–,……,-~’’ ; ; ; ;;’-,
……………….| ; ; ;,’ , , , ,-~’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ¯’’~’-, ,-~’’ , , ‘, ;’,
……………….’, ; ; ‘-, ,-~’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’’-, , , , , ,’ ; |
…………………’, ; ;,’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’-, , ,-‘ ;,-‘
………………….,’-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’’-‘ ;,-‘
…………………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘-,’
………………,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘’¯: : ’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; _ ; ; ; ; ;’,
………………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;| : : : : : 😑 ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘’¯: ¯’’-, ; ; ;’,
…………….,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘-,: : ,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; | : : : : : 😑 ; ; ; |
……………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ¯¯ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’-, : :,-‘ ; ; ; ;|
……………,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-~’’ , , , , ,--, , , , _ ; ; ;¯¯ ; ; ; ; ;|
……………,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’ , , , , , , ,( : : : : ) , , , ,’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;|
……….,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’, , , , , , , , ,’~—~’’ , , , , , ,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’,
…….,-‘’ ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘’~-,–~~’’’¯’’’~-, , ,,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘,
….,-‘’-~’’,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; | ; ; | . . . . . . ,’; ,’’¯ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ‘-,
……….,’ ; ;,-, ; ;, ; ; ;, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘, ; ;’, . . . . .,’ ;,’ ; ; ; ;, ; ; ;,’-, ; ;,’ ‘’~–‘’’
………,’-~’ ,-‘-~’’ ‘, ,-‘ ‘, ,- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘, ; ; ‘~-,-‘’ ; ,’ ; ; ; ; ‘, ;,-‘’ ; ‘, ,-‘,
……….,-‘’ ; ; ; ; ; ‘’ ; ; ;’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘’-,_ ; ; ; ,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ;’-‘’ ; ; ; ‘’ ; ;’-,
………,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;¯¯’’¯ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’’-,
……,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; |, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘-,
……,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;|…’-, ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ‘,
….,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; | ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’…….’’’,-~’ ; ; ; ; ; ,’
…,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’~-,–’’’’’’~-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’……,-~’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-
…| ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’…,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘
…’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,’….’, ; ; ; ; _,-‘’
….’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’…….’’’’¯
……’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘
………’’~-, ; ; ; ; ,-~’’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘
…………| ; ; ;¯¯’’’’¯ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘
…………’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘
…………| ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;|
…………’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ~-,__ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’,
………….’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘….’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘,
…………,’ ‘- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘’……….’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘,
……….,’ ; ;’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘…………….’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’,
………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘’…………………’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; |
………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,-‘………………………’’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; |
………| ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’…………………………,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;,’
………| ; ; ; ; ; ; ,’…………………………,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,’’
………| ; ; ; ; ; ;,’……………………….,-‘ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘
………’,_ , ; , ;,’……………………….,’ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ,-‘
………’,’,¯,’,’’|……………………….| ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘–,
………….¯…’’…………………………’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’’~,
……………………………………………’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;’’~-,
…………………………………………………’’-, ; ; ; ; ; ,_ ; ;’-,’’-,
……………………………………………………’, ; ; ; ; ; ; ‘-,__,\–\.
……………………………………………………’-, ; ; ;,-~’’’ \ , ,|, |
………………………………………………………’’~-‘’_ , , ,’,_/–‘
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top