What are the rules for a "special event" Mass?

[sw00d]

Hi all, I recently helped to facilitate a “Scout Sunday Mass” for the Pack and Troop that my boys are involved in. Now that it’s over, I have some questions about what are the rules regarding the parts of the Mass and to what extent lay people (in this case, esp. children/youth, but also adults who aren’t necessarily trained lectors, etc.) can and should be involved in the various parts of the Mass and what sort of “extras” can legitimately be included/added to the liturgy?
E.g. Procession/Recession - is it all right for scouts to be a part of the entrance procession and the recession? May they carry flags (the pack flag, troop flag, American flag) and post them somewhere near (not in) the sanctuary?
Is it all right for scouts to read the 1st and 2nd readings and the Prayers of the Faithful? If so, is there any age requirement or recommendation?
I feel pretty confident that scouts bringing up the gifts is fine as churches routinely select random attendees to bring up the gifts, including young children if they do a children’s liturgy.

Are these things addressed specifically in the rubrics? Or are some of these things up to pastoral discretion?

I want to be attentive to the fact that we are at Mass to worship God, and it’s not about the scouts. I just want to help maintain proper balance, but I don’t know what the rules are. I want to be informed before I make any recommendations to the committee. Thank you!

 

[SMHW]

Unless your diocese has specific rules about what you mention, those are pastoral decisions.

Those who are readers ought to be trained but you haven’t said anything to suggest they weren’t.

 

[sw00d]

The readers weren’t really “trained.” Those who read the scriptures were supposed to be Star rank or higher (which means they are probably at least 15 years old, and by this point have some experience with public speaking.) The prayers of the faithful were read by cub scouts… so elementary aged kids probably as young as 6 or 7 and up to 11. We had a rehearsal the night before so that everyone who was reading could practice what they were supposed to read and how to stand at the microphone, etc. (However, there were changes in the 30 minutes before Mass started, which made me uncomfortable, but that was out of my control.) I gave the scripture readings to the reader a week in advance so that he could practice at home and I called attention to the tricky words. However, the prayers of the faithful were only available to me the night before the Mass at the rehearsal. (The little kids did great, BTW, but the last minute changes made me nervous that we could potentially cause some wrinkles in the liturgy, and that doesn’t sit right with me.)

 

[1ke]

I want to be attentive to the fact that we are at Mass to worship God, and it’s not about the scouts. I just want to help maintain proper balance, but I don’t know what the rules are. I want to be informed before I make any recommendations to the committee. Thank you!

Speak to your pastor.

Selection of readers and other liturgical ministries and their qualifications is up to your pastor.

The procession and recession are up to your pastor.

 

[SMHW]

The readers weren’t really “trained.” Those who read the scriptures were supposed to be Star rank or higher (which means they are probably at least 15 years old, and by this point have some experience with public speaking.)

Public speaking practice can count toward training. One of the big things is knowing to say, “A reading from…,” and, “The Word of the Lord,” at the beginning and end of the readings.

I’m glad things seem to have gone well at your parish. Again, it is a pastoral matter as to what is allowed (unless your diocese has has special requirements.) You are certainly free to discuss your concerns with your pastor.

 

[LateranBasilica]

Instead of looking for error and abuse in an event that has happened, go and talk to the Priest who celebrated the Mass.

You sound like you have scruples and our answers could make them worse.
I am flagging this thread on that note.

You are in my prayers as is your committee.

 

[sw00d]

I am sensitive to respecting the liturgy as our worship to God and keeping things in their proper order. If I facilitate the event again, I want to make sure I am doing my “Duty to God” (which is also a reference to the Scout Oath.) If it is simply a matter to discuss with the priest, then I will do so. I just wanted to find out if there was already rules about it as I don’t expect the other volunteer parents who help with scouting to be experts in liturgy. The priest at this Mass is technically not my pastor since I go to a different parish than the one where my boys do scouts, but I’ll address it at the parish level in this case. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

As someone who attended Catholic school Masses from a very young age and the nuns had us kids reading the non-Gospel readings and the General Intercessions from a very young age (like about First Communion age on up), don’t worry so much about it. And we typically got like one run-through before doing the reading for real. That’s all the “training” we got. The teachers would of course select kids who were confident public speakers and good at reading and enunciating and generally responsible. They would maybe give the very shy kid one General Intercession to read, or let him take up the gifts instead so he wouldn’t have to talk.

The vast majority of young readers I’ve seen do a fine job, and on the rare occasions when they make a mistake, the priest is usually able to graciously fix it in some way. I have also seen adult readers make mistakes, such as read the completely wrong reading for the day and the priest had to guide them back to the proper one.

 

[SMHW]

I have also seen adult readers make mistakes, such as read the completely wrong reading for the day and the priest had to guide them back to the proper one.

Sometimes that adult might even be an ordained member of the clergy. Ordination does not miraculously keep deacons and priests from stumbling over words or marking the wrong page.

 

[Diaconia]

Special Masses such as these are special - thus you are not going to find this sort of thing addressed in the GIRM or elsewhere.

Having school children (and in this case, Boy Scouts) proclaim the Readings is a beautiful thing - it may very well encourage some of them to become Lectors later on.

The same is true for serving at the altar, singing in the choir, serving as ushers and the like. Even taking up the gifts can make a strong impression upon someone.

We are in the sanctification business, that is, helping people to grow in holiness. Pray that some of the Scouts visit the seminary, achieve their Ad Altare Dei award, become missionaries, and so forth.

My own time in Scouting brought me to study for the priesthood - and later on, to become a deacon.

Deacon Christopher

 

[Glennon_P]

I am neither a liturgist not a canonist, but as far as I know, there is nothing here that is not permitted.

Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross by the celebrant and ends with the dismissal. Involving the Scouts in the processional and recessional is permitted. Our parish had Scout Sunday yesterday and they brought in their colors, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and recited the Scout oath. Then the celebrant began Mass. The Knights of Columbus do something similar when they have Corporate Communion several times a year.

Having youngsters read the Scriptures and General Intercessions is a pastoral decision and is certainly well within the discretion of the celebrant. Of course, you want to select people who are going to be comfortable in performing that role and who would do a good job.

Thank you for your work with the Scouts. Be at peace about the Mass.

 

[1ke]

I am sensitive to respecting the liturgy as our worship to God and keeping things in their proper order. If I facilitate the event again, I want to make sure I am doing my “Duty to God” (which is also a reference to the Scout Oath.) If it is simply a matter to discuss with the priest, then I will do so.

So, there really isn’t a special scout mass. There is mass, with scouts attending.

The mass is the regular mass of the day or a ritual or votive mass depending on the day. The pastor selects this based on the guidelines for feast days ranks, etc. The same rubrics apply as they do to all masses.

The requirements for those who serve in a liturgical capacity are outlined in canon law, and applied by the pastor. Whether the scouts process in/out, sit in designated seating, etc., are not really things covered by the rubrics.

 

[LateranBasilica]

It is for the Priest to make decisions about the Mass. His decisions are to be respected. If you have concerns, he is the correct person to speak with.
The priest is the expert in the Liturgy, he went to university and seminary to ensure that he is the expert.
You need to addresss your concerns with the priest involved, which will mean going to his Parish and making an appointment to speak with him.