While Canon Law strongly recommends there be at least one person with the priest (to make the responses), it also allows for a priest, in cases of necessity, to pray the Mass without anyone else present.Is a Mass without an altar boy/girl/server valid? My priest says daily Mass without a server and I can’t remember if the rule that at least one server must participate still applies, is traditional or just something I heard.
It’s not a problem. A priest can say Mass even if he’s the only one there (only human physically present, that is–the Communion of Saints and the Angels are present at every Mass).Is a Mass without an altar boy/girl/server valid?
My priest says daily Mass without a server and I can’t remember if the rule that at least one server must participate still applies, is traditional or just something I heard.
I guess I just assumed that one. But in this day and age, it’s worth repeating.Very few things make a mass truly invalid.
Lack of proper matter - the bread must be wheat and unleavened without additional flavorings or additions. The wine must be wine made from grapes.
Lack of proper intention - the priest must intend to consecrate the bread and wine into the Real Presence.
Lack of proper form - the form of the consecration must be present. “This is my body” “This is my blood”
**There is one more requirement: A validly ordained Priest or Bishop.
All of these are easy to ascertain but lack of intention. If a priest goes to the trouble of vesting and saying the prayers and performing the ceremonial, intention is presumed.**
I think an altar server is required, for a Mass with a congregation, without a deacon, and without a concelebrant.There is no rule that I know of that requires an altar server to assist at Mass. Weekday Masses at my parish don’t have altar servers.
No, not required. It is presumed that there will be at least one. Helpful yes, appropriate yes. We can use a lot of different words here, but “required” is not one of them.I think an altar server is required, for a Mass with a congregation, without a deacon, and without a concelebrant.
Having the assistance of at least one altar boy is very helpful to the priest. We do need them–although it’s possible to have Mass without one, it’s rather difficult.There were never alter servers at the Masses in College and there are none at the daily Masses here (with seven of us, who needs them?).
I’m sorry, FrDavid. I hope I didn’t offend you, or anyone else. I certainly didn’t mean to.Having the assistance of at least one altar boy is very helpful to the priest. We do need them–although it’s possible to have Mass without one, it’s rather difficult.
Why ever would you think that???I’m sorry, FrDavid. I hope I didn’t offend you, or anyone else. I certainly didn’t mean to.