Sunday homily

[Mark1124]

Is the homily always required at Sunday Mass?
I am thinking in particular of the Mass I went to this weekend on the Camino. The albergue in that town was run by a German organization, and the majority of the pilgrims staying there were Americans. To the best of my knowledge, the priest only spoke Spanish, but no one in the congregation spoke any Spanish. He did not give a homily. Was he correct to omit it?

 

[thistle]

Is the homily always required at Sunday Mass?
I am thinking in particular of the Mass I went to this weekend on the Camino. The albergue in that town was run by a German organization, and the majority of the pilgrims staying there were Americans. To the best of my knowledge, the priest only spoke Spanish, but no one in the congregation spoke any Spanish. He did not give a homily. Was he correct to omit it?

Can. 528 §1 The parish priest has the obligation of ensuring that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish. He is therefore to see to it that the lay members of Christ’s faithful are instructed in the truths of faith, especially by means of the homily on** Sundays and other Holydays of Obligation** and by catechetical formation. He is to foster works which promote the spirit of the Gospel, including its relevance to social justice. He is to have a special care for the catholic education of children and young people. With the collaboration of the faithful, he is to make every effort to bring the gospel message to those also who have given up religious practice or who do not profess the true faith.

 

[Mark1124]

Can. 528 §1 The parish priest has the obligation of ensuring that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish. He is therefore to see to it that the lay members of Christ’s faithful are instructed in the truths of faith, especially by means of the homily on** Sundays and other Holydays of Obligation** and by catechetical formation. He is to foster works which promote the spirit of the Gospel, including its relevance to social justice. He is to have a special care for the catholic education of children and young people. With the collaboration of the faithful, he is to make every effort to bring the gospel message to those also who have given up religious practice or who do not profess the true faith.

This doesn’t really answer the question, since in the circumstances I described, a homily would not have provided useful instruction to anyone.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

What is correct isn’t always practical (which I believe is your instance), and what is practical isn’t always correct. I recall back in the day (1950’s) before air conditioned churches, there would be an occasional July or August Sunday where Father would mercifully say about a 10-word “homily,” and that would be it. The world didn’t end.

 

[OraLabora]

1. The homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person.[65] In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate.

There is to be a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation at all Masses that are celebrated with the participation of a congregation;** it may not be omitted without a serious reason. **

From General Instructions of the Roman Missal.

My bold. Note that this of course means it can be omitted for serious reasons. Since no explicit directive as to what consists of a “serious reason” is given, I’m willing to cut the priest some slack that not being able to speak the language of the assembly is indeed such a reason. It is a matter of prudential judgement on behalf of the priest, and so yes he was in his rights to omit it under the circumstances.