What is the form for a communion service?

[Phemie]

But, does such a letter actually exist? It is a very odd thing for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to rule on since it has addressed this matter in RS. Furthermore, could these people not be told that there are other Masses available in other parishes? I know that when our parish doesn’t have Mass, I just drive to another parish or adjust my schedule to go at a later or earlier time. :

Furthermore, couldn’t the Cathedral have just gotten a priest to fill-in on the days when the rector is out? It’s very commonplace in my diocese? I also suspect that is the case in others as well.

PGA, it’s not that I’m doubting what you reported, but, without some sort of something in writing, it just seems rather nebulous. There appears to be more to this.

It’s even weirder when you consider that this was a communion service followed by a Mass and the parishioners attended both. Not even a case of the priest not being available for Mass. Makes no sense whatsoever considering RS and all the documents I’ve read about distribution of Communion outside the Eucharist.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

It’s even weirder when you consider that this was a communion service followed by a Mass and the parishioners attended both. Not even a case of the priest not being available for Mass. Makes no sense whatsoever considering RS and all the documents I’ve read about distribution of Communion outside the Eucharist.

Exactly. This is precisely what left everyone scratching their heads. But it did happen.

Now, anything is possible - and Rome could have even misunderstood the situation.

 

[Phemie]

Exactly. This is precisely what left everyone scratching their heads. But it did happen.

Now, anything is possible - and Rome could have even misunderstood the situation.

Or those who wrote misrepresented the situation.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Or those who wrote misrepresented the situation.

Also possible - but I prefer to not ascribe malice to them without any evidence.

Remember, the “letter of the law” is not always the final word; the letter of the law may be the direction for 99% of cases, but when authorities look at an individual situation they may make a decision which would appear contradictory.

At any rate, the communion services were presided over by a deacon. Although a large amount of people may have been going and then staying for mass, I speculate that Rome sympathized with the few who were going because they couldn’t go at any other time. This communion service was at 6:20 am and the mass was at 7.

 

[benedictgal]

Also possible - but I prefer to not ascribe malice to them without any evidence.

Remember, the “letter of the law” is not always the final word; the letter of the law may be the direction for 99% of cases, but when authorities look at an individual situation they may make a decision which would appear contradictory.

At any rate, the communion services were presided over by a deacon. Although a large amount of people may have been going and then staying for mass, I speculate that Rome sympathized with the few who were going because they couldn’t go at any other time. This communion service was at 6:20 am and the mass was at 7.

I think the problem lies with the scheduling of the two events so close to each other. Why not have a compromise and have the Mass at 6:30AM? Wouldn’t that solve the problem? Sure, the 7AM crowd would have to make a bit of a sacrifice, but, it’s better that way than to have dual services “competing”, if you will, against each other.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

I think the problem lies with the scheduling of the two events so close to each other. Why not have a compromise and have the Mass at 6:30AM? Wouldn’t that solve the problem? Sure, the 7AM crowd would have to make a bit of a sacrifice, but, it’s better that way than to have dual services “competing”, if you will, against each other.

I have to agree that this makes much more sense. Remember, this is an urban cathedral that used to have the communion service at 6:20, masses at 7:00 and 8:00 am, then afternoon masses at 11:30 and 12:10, and an evening mass at 5:10. It seems to be that the prevailing wisdom at one point favored making it advantageous as possible for the most people to attend mass. Since there have been clergy issues, it has been scaled back to masses at 7, noon, and 5:10 pm.

You and I agree that your approach makes more sense - but you would be amazed at how truly “little” people can be. When they are faced with getting up a little earlier, it’s amazing how they can howl!!! With that said, I’m not sure of the exact reason(s) the cathedral leadership didn’t choose this route.

 

[benedictgal]

I have to agree that this makes much more sense. Remember, this is an urban cathedral that used to have the communion service at 6:20, masses at 7:00 and 8:00 am, then afternoon masses at 11:30 and 12:10, and an evening mass at 5:10. It seems to be that the prevailing wisdom at one point favored making it advantageous as possible for the most people to attend mass. Since there have been clergy issues, it has been scaled back to masses at 7, noon, and 5:10 pm.

You and I agree that your approach makes more sense - but you would be amazed at how truly “little” people can be. When they are faced with getting up a little earlier, it’s amazing how they can howl!!! With that said, I’m not sure of the exact reason(s) the cathedral leadership didn’t choose this route.

I remember on one occasion I had to serve as a poll watcher for a candidate running for County Judge. My normal routine is to go to Mass during lunchtime (or, after work). Well, I had to report to the polling place earlier than 7AM. What I wound up doing was going to Mass at about 6:20AM with the Salesians. I was pleasantly surprised to see other poll watches (some from the opposing camp) going to Mass at that time, as well.

It is a sacrifice, but, it’s one that I’m willing to make. But, your observation in your last paragraph was certainly on target.