Priests and private masses on Sunday

[twf]

A priest who is a parish pastor is canonically obliged to celebrate a public mass for the faithful of his parish. Am I right to assume that a priest who is not a pastor would satisfy his Sunday obligation by saying a private mass in his own private chapel? (Assuming he did not have other responsibilities). For example, a retired priest or a professor or a chaplain.

 

[ServusHumilis]

A priest usually celebrates mass daily, whether it be in his private chapel or in the church.

 

[catholictiger]

A priest usually celebrates mass daily, whether it be in his private chapel or in the church.

and I should add to this he should always try to do it with people. Mass is a prayer of the community not the individual prayer of the priest. Sometimes a priest may have to do it in private but he should always try and do it with other people.

 

[ProVobis]

and I should add to this he should always try to do it with people. Mass is a prayer of the community not the individual prayer of the priest. Sometimes a priest may have to do it in private but he should always try and do it with other people.

Question on this. If a priest finds himself being the only one in attendance, whom does he face? Or is it better to say the Mass ad orientem style?

 

[catholictiger]

Question on this. If a priest finds himself being the only one in attendance, whom does he face? Or is it better to say the Mass ad orientem style?

I would say that it is usually better for the priest to fast towards the east. But this isn’t the question of the thread.

 

[dshix]

and I should add to this he should always try to do it with people. Mass is a prayer of the community not the individual prayer of the priest. Sometimes a priest may have to do it in private but he should always try and do it with other people.

Certainly the Mass is for the faithful, but there is no reason to say that the priest is wrong to offer private masses. Furthermore, the mass is not about “community”. It is about the sacrifice. That sacrifice can be done whether or not there is a single other soul present.

 

[FrDavid96]

A priest who is a parish pastor is canonically obliged to celebrate a public mass for the faithful of his parish. Am I right to assume that a priest who is not a pastor would satisfy his Sunday obligation by saying a private mass in his own private chapel? (Assuming he did not have other responsibilities). For example, a retired priest or a professor or a chaplain.

Yes to your question.

It seems like you’re reading this:

Can. 534 §1. After a pastor has taken possession of his parish, he is obliged to apply a Mass for the people entrusted to him on each Sunday and holy day of obligation in his diocese. If he is legitimately impeded from this celebration, however, he is to apply it on the same days through another or on other days himself.

Is that right?

If that’s the case, it calls for some explanation.

 

[catholictiger]

Certainly the Mass is for the faithful, but there is no reason to say that the priest is wrong to offer private masses. Furthermore, the mass is not about “community”. It is about the sacrifice. That sacrifice can be done whether or not there is a single other soul present.

I didn’t say a priest saying a private mass is wrong all I’m saying is that the Mass is the prayer of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ. We are offering our thanksgiving and worship to God in the Mass. We as Christians are obligated to do this in our lives so it is the great wisdom of Christ that he gave us his Body as a sacrifice and we now celebrate this by actually consuming him in the Mass. The Church of God since the time of Adam and Eve have always offered worship and thanksgiving for God for the people. A priest should always strive to say the Mass with other people, sure he can say it by himself but as I said the Mass isn’t the individual prayer of the priest it is the prayer of thanksgiving and worship of God, where we remember the sacrifice of Christ on calvary.

If I’m wrong someone who can quote Canonical law or Church documents please let me know.

Again I’m not saying private masses are wrong, I’m just saying a priest should always try to do Mass with others present at the Mass, sometimes situations call for his own private Mass.

to add: yes the Mass is also about sacrifice but it is so much more than that as well.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I didn’t say a priest saying a private mass is wrong all I’m saying is that the Mass is the prayer of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ. We are offering our thanksgiving and worship to God in the Mass. We as Christians are obligated to do this in our lives so it is the great wisdom of Christ that he gave us his Body as a sacrifice and we now celebrate this by actually consuming him in the Mass. The Church of God since the time of Adam and Eve have always offered worship and thanksgiving for God for the people. A priest should always strive to say the Mass with other people, sure he can say it by himself but as I said the Mass isn’t the individual prayer of the priest it is the prayer of thanksgiving and worship of God, where we remember the sacrifice of Christ on calvary.

If I’m wrong someone who can quote Canonical law or Church documents please let me know.

Again I’m not saying private masses are wrong, I’m just saying a priest should always try to do Mass with others present at the Mass, sometimes situations call for his own private Mass.

to add: yes the Mass is also about sacrifice but it is so much more than that as well.

You’re right.

 

[twf]

Yes to your question.

It seems like you’re reading this:

Can. 534 §1. After a pastor has taken possession of his parish, he is obliged to apply a Mass for the people entrusted to him on each Sunday and holy day of obligation in his diocese. If he is legitimately impeded from this celebration, however, he is to apply it on the same days through another or on other days himself.

Is that right?

If that’s the case, it calls for some explanation.

Thank you Father. I was more interested in whether a private mass said in his own private chapel would satisfy a priest’s Sunday obligation. For example, my confessor in Santo Domingo (when I’m here) was rector of the cathedral, but is now “retired”. Monday to Saturday he says mass at a convent for the sisters. On Sundays I have no idea what he does, but assume he must say a private mass (unless the current rector asks him to fill in).

 

[FrDavid96]

Thank you Father. I was more interested in whether a private mass said in his own private chapel would satisfy a priest’s Sunday obligation. For example, my confessor in Santo Domingo (when I’m here) was rector of the cathedral, but is now “retired”. Monday to Saturday he says mass at a convent for the sisters. On Sundays I have no idea what he does, but assume he must say a private mass (unless the current rector asks him to fill in).

Yes, it does fulfill his own Sunday obligation. No doubt about it.