SPLIT: What is a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest?

[Ockham]

II am also one of the people in my parish appointed to lead Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, in the event we would not have a priest unavailable to us. In this case also, I would approach and open the tabernacle.

What is a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest? Can you describe this for me and others not familiar with it?

 

[cricket36]

What is a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest? Can you describe this for me and others not familiar with it?

Thanks for the question. **Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest ** is exactly what the title implies. In those dioceses where there is a shortage of priests or an emergency: after trying to locate a priest to celebrate Mass and none is available, an appointed lay person who has gone through special formation, may lead the congregation at a special Sunday service like the Liturgy of the Hours or the like. If a deacon is available, the deacon presides. If there are enough consecrated Hosts in the tabernacle to serve the entire congregation, Communion is given as part of the service.

The object is to keep the congregation together as a living entity, even in times where no priest is available. In some far flung parishes, a priest might only be available once or twice a month. This celebration is important to keep the parish together as a family.

If you would like to learn more, here is the website of my diocese and the guidelines for these Sunday Celebrations. richmonddiocese.org/worship/docs/scap_policy.pdf

 

[Ockham]

Interesting. So do you or another lay person preach as well?

 

[Saintlucy]

Interesting. So do you or another lay person preach as well?

Who is this aimed at?

 

[Ockham]

I was thinking of Cricket, but the question would be open to anyone who “ministers” at these services without a priest.

 

[Phemie]

What is a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest? Can you describe this for me and others not familiar with it?

In Canada it’s called “Sunday Celebration of the Word”. It can either be with or without Communion.

There is a specific ritual book for it, called “Sunday Celebration of the Word and Hours.” published by the CCCB in 1995.

Usually in our parish, after the Gospel there is a long period for reflection OR Fr. writes a homily before he leaves and the person leading the celebration reads it to the congregation.

Consider yourself lucky if your parish has never had to avail itself of that Liturgy. In my parish it happens at least once every 2 years but more frequently if the pastor has to fly to another parish and gets weather bound and unable to make it back for Sunday.

For many parishes in my diocese it’s the only Liturgy for months at a time.

 

[cricket36]

Interesting. So do you or another lay person preach as well?

Only a deacon can preach if he is leading the service. A lay person can give a short reflection if s/he is leading the service.

 

[Ockham]

What is the “short reflection” on? Church teaching, the Gospel reading. Do you give it from the Gospel side, from the pulpit?

The Bishop’s policy allows for lay person preaching:

“After the Gospel, a homily is given by the presiding deacon or a reflection is given by the lay leader of prayer. In the absence of a priest or deacon, a lay leader is delegated by the bishop to preach at Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest.”

Do any other lay persons leading these “services” preach?

Does your parish or diocese allow for lay persons hearing confession or annointing the sick?

 

[cricket36]

What is the “short reflection” on? Church teaching, the Gospel reading. Do you give it from the Gospel side, from the pulpit?

The Bishop’s policy allows for lay person preaching:

“After the Gospel, a homily is given by the presiding deacon or a reflection is given by the lay leader of prayer. In the absence of a priest or deacon, a lay leader is delegated by the bishop to preach at Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest.”

Do any other lay persons leading these “services” preach?

Does your parish or diocese allow for lay persons hearing confession or annointing the sick?

---

The reflection can be on the Sunday readings. However, lay persons are not allowed to give a sermon or homily. We may not use the presider’s chair but use a folding chair that is placed outside the sanctuary. This is done to differentiate the role of the priest from our role as leaders of the service.

You obviously are not a Catholic if you are asking if lay persons can hear confessions or annoint the sick. Of course, we can’t do that. And neither can a deacon.

 

[Phemie]

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The reflection can be on the Sunday readings. However, lay persons are not allowed to give a sermon or homily. We may not use the presider’s chair but use a folding chair that is placed outside the sanctuary. This is done to differentiate the role of the priest from our role as leaders of the service.

You obviously are not a Catholic if you are asking if lay persons can hear confessions or annoint the sick. Of course, we can’t do that. And neither can a deacon.

I think Ockham was being sarcastic with that comment, but who knows?

 

[Ockham]

There was no sarcasm in my question. I’ve never heard of these priestless services and trying to get an idea what they are all about. If lay people are substituting for priests on Sunday I wonder who ministers to those wishing to receive Holy Communion with a pure heart and those near death.

Why does the Bishop allow preaching in his policy but Cricket is saying it’s not allowed. What exactly is a reflection if it’s not a homily. If I were to read one of your reflections and a homily side by side what would be the difference?

What else goes on in these services? Are there prayers at the altar table? Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster? Are there strict rubics or room for interpretation like the NO Mass?

 

[cricket36]

There was no sarcasm in my question. I’ve never heard of these priestless services and trying to get an idea what they are all about. If lay people are substituting for priests on Sunday I wonder who ministers to those wishing to receive Holy Communion with a pure heart and those near death.

Why does the Bishop allow preaching in his policy but Cricket is saying it’s not allowed. What exactly is a reflection if it’s not a homily. If I were to read one of your reflections and a homily side by side what would be the difference?

What else goes on in these services? Are there prayers at the altar table? Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster? Are there strict rubics or room for interpretation like the NO Mass?

---

If you are familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours or with the Liturgy of the Word, you would realize that these consist of prayers and readings that can be lead by lay persons. They have nothing to do with the Liturgy of the Eucharist (The Mass consists of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist).

Here is an example of a Liturgy of the Word when used during this Sunday celebration in the absence of a priest. (And NOTE, this celebration may only be done on Sunday in an emergency)

"When the form used is a Celebration of the Word, changes have been made to make it more specific that this is not an abbreviated Mass. No entrance procession is permitted. There is a required introduction, sign of the cross, and greeting, and an opening prayer, which may be a seasonal prayer or the opening prayer of the specific Sunday, contained in an appendix in this book. (the formal book that I would use in these circumstances) There is no penitential rite. The readings are from the Lectionary for that Sunday. A homily or reflection on the readings follows and then the Profession of Faith and Prayers of the Faithful. If Communion is to be given, (We can only distribute Communion if there are enough Hosts to give to the entire congregation. We are not allowed to break the hosts) the ciborium is brought to the altar then, but the presider goes back to their designated chair, from which the Lord’s Prayer is led. Then he/she goes back to the altar and invites the assembled to Communion. It is then distributed under the single species of the sacred host. " (nfpc.org/archives_sunday-celebrations.html)

The parenthesis indicate words that I have added in explanation. Everything is done to insure that no one mistakes this service for a Mass. We are also required to say a special prayer for vocations because we acknowledge that we are only allowed this service because there is a shortage of priests.

As far as preaching, homily, reflection, sermon are concerned; it depends on one’s definition. To me, homilies and sermons are much more in depth; whereas, if I do a reflection on a reading, I am describing what speaks to me about what I have read. I use the word, preach, more in the context of a sermon or homily which I am not allowed to do.

I hope this clarifies it for you. My advice is for you to google the term, Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest and read from there. And please note: This is a “SUNDAY” celebration only…

 

[Phemie]

There was no sarcasm in my question. I’ve never heard of these priestless services and trying to get an idea what they are all about. If lay people are substituting for priests on Sunday I wonder who ministers to those wishing to receive Holy Communion with a pure heart and those near death.

Why does the Bishop allow preaching in his policy but Cricket is saying it’s not allowed. What exactly is a reflection if it’s not a homily. If I were to read one of your reflections and a homily side by side what would be the difference?

What else goes on in these services? Are there prayers at the altar table? Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster? Are there strict rubics or room for interpretation like the NO Mass?

I can’t tell you how it’s done in the US but in Canada the ritual is thus (quotes from the Ritual Book:

The community gathers.

If the Celebration is led by a Deacon he sits in a chair by the presidential chair. If led by a lay person, a chair is placed “in another suitable place, preferably in the sanctuary”.

Hymn

Sign of the Cross
Greeting
Introductory Remarks

Opening Rites (6 options: Rite of Thanksgiving and Sprinkling, Penitential Rite, Litany of Praise; Sung Kyrie; Sung Gloria; Other opening rites such as you would have if you were celebrating a special feast or a Baptism or Funeral)

Opening Prayer

Procession and Enthronement of the Word

First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily or Reflection depending on who is doing it. A longer period of silent reflection may be substituted.

Profession of Faith

General Intercessions

Proclamation of Praise (12 options: 10 different Prayers of Praise based on Scripture; Litany of Praise; Psalm or Song of Praise)

If there is no Communion this is followed by:

The Lord’s Prayer
The Sign of Peace
Announcements
Collection (which is never brought forward as at Offertory)
Blessing
Dismissal

If there is Communion the Proclamation of Praise is followed by:

The Sign of Peace

Communion Rite

The Blessed Sacrament is brought to the Altar

The Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Communion: The EMHC "genuflects and taking a Host from the ciborium raises it slightly…says aloud:

God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people;
draw near to receive them with praise and thanksgiving.
OR
Behold the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to the banquet of the Lamb.

We respond: Lord, I am not worthy…

Communion

Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Period of Silence
Prayer after Communion

Announcements
Collection
Blessing
Dismissal

The Lord’s Prayer

 

[Jean_Anthony]

aaa

 

[centurionguard]

I can’t tell you how it’s done in the US but in Canada the ritual is thus (quotes from the Ritual Book:

The community gathers.

If the Celebration is led by a Deacon he sits in a chair by the presidential chair. If led by a lay person, a chair is placed “in another suitable place, preferably in the sanctuary”.

Hymn

Sign of the Cross
Greeting
Introductory Remarks

Opening Rites (6 options: Rite of Thanksgiving and Sprinkling, Penitential Rite, Litany of Praise; Sung Kyrie; Sung Gloria; Other opening rites such as you would have if you were celebrating a special feast or a Baptism or Funeral)

Opening Prayer

Procession and Enthronement of the Word

First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily or Reflection depending on who is doing it. A longer period of silent reflection may be substituted.

Profession of Faith

General Intercessions

Proclamation of Praise (12 options: 10 different Prayers of Praise based on Scripture; Litany of Praise; Psalm or Song of Praise)

If there is no Communion this is followed by:

The Lord’s Prayer
The Sign of Peace
Announcements
Collection (which is never brought forward as at Offertory)
Blessing
Dismissal

If there is Communion the Proclamation of Praise is followed by:

The Sign of Peace

Communion Rite

The Blessed Sacrament is brought to the Altar

The Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Communion: The EMHC "genuflects and taking a Host from the ciborium raises it slightly…says aloud:

God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people;
draw near to receive them with praise and thanksgiving.
OR
Behold the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to the banquet of the Lamb.

We respond: Lord, I am not worthy…

Communion

Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Period of Silence
Prayer after Communion

Announcements
Collection
Blessing
Dismissal

The Lord’s Prayer

I see this happening in various parishes both in the English and French sectors of my diocese. My biggest question about Lay Led Liturgical Services such as these is :
Does this kind of service fulfill your obligation to Sunday Mass since there is NO official liturgy of the Eucharist ? My first answer would be NO it does not. You could probably watch Sunday Mass for Shut Ins on TV or E.W.T.N. and get the same benefits.
Increasingly as is seen in a number of parishes throughout Canada with the lack of priests, Lay Led Liturgical services are sadly becoming the norm.

 

[cricket36]

I see this happening in various parishes both in the English and French sectors of my diocese. My biggest question about Lay Led Liturgical Services such as these is :
Does this kind of service fulfill your obligation to Sunday Mass since there is NO official liturgy of the Eucharist ? My first answer would be NO it does not. You could probably watch Sunday Mass for Shut Ins on TV or E.W.T.N. and get the same benefits.
Increasingly as is seen in a number of parishes throughout Canada with the lack of priests, Lay Led Liturgical services are sadly becoming the norm.

---

I quote from my original message: The object is to keep the congregation together as a living entity, even in times where no priest is available. In some far flung parishes, a priest might only be available once or twice a month. This celebration is important to keep the parish together as a family.

“Watching” a Mass on EWTN is not the same as participating in a Sunday Service such as SCAP (Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest). Again… it is important for a parish community to be together if there is no priest available.

If one has no other option for attending a Mass, there is no obligation…

 

[Phemie]

I see this happening in various parishes both in the English and French sectors of my diocese. My biggest question about Lay Led Liturgical Services such as these is :
Does this kind of service fulfill your obligation to Sunday Mass since there is NO official liturgy of the Eucharist ? My first answer would be NO it does not. You could probably watch Sunday Mass for Shut Ins on TV or E.W.T.N. and get the same benefits.
Increasingly as is seen in a number of parishes throughout Canada with the lack of priests, Lay Led Liturgical services are sadly becoming the norm.

If there is no Mass available, there is obviously no obligation to attend one.

I lived in Dartmouth for 3 years. The Francophone community would sometimes find itself without a priest and would resort to a Liturgy of the Word with Communion. Did it fulfil our obligation? They thought it did but as far as I’m concerned if you have to cross 5 to 9 parishes with English Masses to get to a Liturgy of the Word in your own language, nope, sorry it doesn’t fulfil your obligation.

But, it’s interesting to note that when this type of service came about, the Canadian Western Conference of Bishops put out a document outlining this liturgy and in the document they made the assertion that it was more important to gather as a community for this liturgy and thus maintain the integrity of the community than it was to attend Mass outside the community. I still have that book floating around at home.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is what Eccleisa de Mysterio says regarding Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest:

Article 7

Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest

1. In some places in the absence of priests or deacons,(90) non-ordained members of the faithful lead Sunday celebrations. In many instances, much good derives for the local community from this useful and delicate service when it is discharged in accordance with the spirit and the specific norms issued by the competent ecclesiastical authority.(91) A special mandate of the Bishop is necessary for the non-ordained members of the faithful to lead such celebrations. This mandate should contain specific instructions with regard to the term of applicability, the place and conditions in which it is operative, as well as indicate the priest responsible for overseeing these celebrations.

1. It must be clearly understood that such celebrations are temporary solutions and the text used at them must be approved by the competent ecclesiastical authority.(92) The practice of inserting into such celebrations elements proper to the Holy Mass is prohibited. So as to avoid causing error in the minds of the faithful,(93) the use of the eucharistic prayers, even in narrative form, at such celebrations is forbidden. For the same reasons, it should be emphasised for the benefit of those participating, that such celebrations cannot substitute for the eucharistic Sacrifice and that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy days is satisfied only by attendance at Holy Mass.(94) In cases where distance or physical conditions are not an obstacle, every effort should be made to encourage and assist the faithful to fulfil this precept.

Now, here is what Redemptionis Sacramentum notes:

1. Particular Celebrations carried out in the Absence of a Priest
   [162.] On the day known as the Lord’s Day, the Church faithful gathers together to commemorate the Lord’s Resurrection and the whole Paschal Mystery, especially by the celebration of Mass.263 For “no Christian community is built up unless it is rooted in and hinges upon the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist”.264 Hence it is the Christian people’s right to have the Eucharist celebrated for them on Sunday, and whenever holy days of obligation or other major feasts occur, and even daily insofar as this is possible. Therefore when it is difficult to have the celebration of Mass on a Sunday in a parish church or in another community of Christ’s faithful, the diocesan Bishop together with his Priests should consider appropriate remedies.265 Among such solutions will be that other Priests be called upon for this purpose, or that the faithful transfer to a church in a nearby place so as to participate in the Eucharistic mystery there.266

[163.] All Priests, to whom the Priesthood and the Eucharist are entrusted for the sake of others,267 should remember that they are enjoined to provide the faithful with the opportunity to satisfy the obligation of participating at Mass on Sundays.268 For their part, the lay faithful have the right, barring a case of real impossibility, that no Priest should ever refuse either to celebrate Mass for the people or to have it celebrated by another Priest if the people otherwise would not be able to satisfy the obligation of participating at Mass on Sunday or the other days of precept.

[164.] “If participation at the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible on account of the absence of a sacred minister or for some other grave cause”,269 then it is the Christian people’s right that the diocesan Bishop should provide as far as he is able for some celebration to be held on Sundays for that community under his authority and according to the Church’s norms. Sunday celebrations of this specific kind, however, are to be considered altogether extraordinary. All Deacons or lay members of Christ’s faithful who are assigned a part in such celebrations by the diocesan Bishop should strive “to keep alive in the community a genuine ‘hunger’ for the Eucharist, so that no opportunity for the celebration of Mass will ever be missed, also taking advantage of the occasional presence of a Priest who is not impeded by Church law from celebrating Mass”.270

[165.] It is necessary to avoid any sort of confusion between this type of gathering and the celebration of theEucharist.271 The diocesan Bishops, therefore, should prudently discern whether Holy Communion ought to be distributed in these gatherings. The matter would appropriately be determined in view of a more ample co-ordination in the Bishops’ Conference, to be put into effect after the recognitio of the acts by the Apostolic See through the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It will be preferable, moreover, when both a Priest and a Deacon are absent, that the various parts be distributed among several faithful rather than having a single lay member of the faithful direct the whole celebration alone. Nor is it ever appropriate to refer to any member of the lay faithful as “presiding” over the celebration.

[167.] “Similarly, it is unthinkable on the Lord’s Day to substitute for Holy Mass either ecumenical celebrations of the Word or services of common prayer with Christians from the … Ecclesial Communities, or even participation in these Communities’ liturgical services”.272 Should the diocesan Bishop out of necessity authorize the participation of Catholics for a single occasion, let pastors take care lest confusion arise among the Catholic faithful concerning the necessity of taking part at Mass at another hour of the day even in such circumstances, on account of the obligation.273

My parish has a copy of the SCAP ritual; however, given the fact that we can always find a substitute priest, I do not see the need for having it, at least in our case. In Phemie’s case, things are different.

 

[Ockham]

I lived in Dartmouth for 3 years. The Francophone community would sometimes find itself without a priest and would resort to a Liturgy of the Word with Communion. Did it fulfil our obligation? They thought it did but as far as I’m concerned if you have to cross 5 to 9 parishes with English Masses to get to a Liturgy of the Word in your own language, nope, sorry it doesn’t fulfil your obligation.

Are you saying that in the entire city of Halifax/Dartmouth you couldn’t find a priest to say Mass on a Sunday? If it’s a language issue then that’s just one more proof for why we should all be attending the Tridentine Mass.

The “service” you described sounds like heresy to me. It is a priestless Mass and if that’s acceptable then we’ll soon not have any. Why not just load up a tupperware container of consecrated hosts and hang with the Lutherans on Sunday morning?

Lay people should not be saying prayers at the altar, preaching, nor touching a consecrated host. These services are contributing to the decline of the Church and should be stopped immediately.

 

[Lujack]

Are you saying that in the entire city of Halifax/Dartmouth you couldn’t find a priest to say Mass on a Sunday? If it’s a language issue then that’s just one more proof for why we should all be attending the Tridentine Mass.

Probably even in the 1950’s, when the Latin Mass was the norm, you would have seen this in an emergency. After all, there were still non-territorial parishes for the Italians or the Poles, and they would cross the city to get to them, whether they spoke English or not.

The “service” you described sounds like heresy to me. It is a priestless Mass and if that’s acceptable then we’ll soon not have any. Why not just load up a tupperware container of consecrated hosts and hang with the Lutherans on Sunday morning?

Lay people should not be saying prayers at the altar, preaching, nor touching a consecrated host. These services are contributing to the decline of the Church and should be stopped immediately.

It can’t be heresy if its a prescribed rite of the Church. Besides, what do you want towns that can’t find a priest to do, lock the church on Sunday?