The Position of the Bishop when present at but not celebrating Mass

[Bertpanton]

Where exactly in the sanctuary does the Bishop sit during a mass at which he his presiding but not celebrating?

 

[Brendan]

Where exactly in the sanctuary does the Bishop sit during a mass at which he his presiding but not celebrating?

If it is within his diocese, he should sit in the presiders chair. After all, that is what he is doing.

 

[AJV]

Where exactly in the sanctuary does the Bishop sit during a mass at which he his presiding but not celebrating?

The Ceremonial of Bishops says “then the bishop goes in the most direct way to the chair (cathedra)”. I have seen churches which have a special cathedra for the bishop. In the absence of that, then as Brendan indicated, the chair would be the most appropriate.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I thought the terms presider and celebrant were the same.

In my experience, when our bishop is in the sanctuary he is the main celebrant.

Sometimes he comes early to our charismatic conference and sneaks into the back of the church during a mass.

 

[jesuitinnam]

Where exactly in the sanctuary does the Bishop sit during a mass at which he his presiding but not celebrating?

If it’s in the cathedral, the bishop sits on the throne which is normally to the left of the altar.

In a normal parish church, the presider’s chair

 

[AJV]

I thought the terms presider and celebrant were the same.

In my experience, when our bishop is in the sanctuary he is the main celebrant.

Sometimes he comes early to our charismatic conference and sneaks into the back of the church during a mass.

Generally, the presider most commonly celebrates the Mass. But technically, one who celebrates the Mass will ‘perform’ the Consecration (and thus recite the Preface, Eucharistic Prayer and so forth).The presider is one who officiates over the ceremony.

The Ceremonial of Bishops does forsee the case when the bishop, for one reason or another, cannot celebrate the Mass. A priest(s) may celebrate the Mass instead, in the presence of the bishop.

In this case, because of his dignity and rank, as Shepherd and Pastor who “teaches, sanctifies and governs”, it is encouraged that he preside at the celebration. So although he does not say anything from the Preparation of the Gifts to the *Prayer after Communion *(that being reserved for the celebrating priest), he:

• incenses the altar at the beginning
• says the prayers and exhortations of the introductory rites and the Liturgy of the Word (including the Creed and the introduction/conclusion to the Intercessions)
  -says the Prayer after Communion and gives the final blessing.

 

[Digitonomy]

What if the bishop is visiting say a Vietnamese church, where he does not know the language… would he still act as presider, and if so how would that be done? If not, where does he sit?

 

[chicago]

There are cases when a bishop is present for a Mass, perhaps involved in some way even, but not celebrating (or even formally concelebrating.) There are guidelines for such situations (like the bishop kneeling at a prie dieu off to the side of the sanctuary.)

 

[eddy1]

Generally, the presider most commonly celebrates the Mass. But technically, one who celebrates the Mass will ‘perform’ the Consecration (and thus recite the Preface, Eucharistic Prayer and so forth).The presider is one who officiates over the ceremony.

The Ceremonial of Bishops does forsee the case when the bishop, for one reason or another, cannot celebrate the Mass. A priest(s) may celebrate the Mass instead, in the presence of the bishop.

In this case, because of his dignity and rank, as Shepherd and Pastor who “teaches, sanctifies and governs”, it is encouraged that he preside at the celebration. So although he does not say anything from the Preparation of the Gifts to the *Prayer after Communion *(that being reserved for the celebrating priest), he:

• incenses the altar at the beginning
• says the prayers and exhortations of the introductory rites and the Liturgy of the Word (including the Creed and the introduction/conclusion to the Intercessions)
  -says the Prayer after Communion and gives the final blessing.

I found the phrase ‘(that being reserved for the celebrating priest)’ slightly confusing. As you say below, the presiding Bishop does indeed say the Prayer after Communion.(C.E.184)

 

[AJV]

I found the phrase ‘(that being reserved for the celebrating priest)’ slightly confusing. As you say below, the presiding Bishop does indeed say the Prayer after Communion.(C.E.184)

I meant those parts from the Preparation of the Gifts upto, but not including, the Prayer after Communion