Diocese of Belleville
Sunday Celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word and the Distribution
of Holy Communion
Diocesan Norms Concerning Sunday Celebrations when a Priest is not Available
Advent 2005
I. Introduction
In Advent the Church prepares to celebrate the three-fold coming of Jesus
Christ. We recall His coming in history, we rejoice at His coming in the present,
and we anticipate His future coming in glory. (“Christ has died.
Christ is risen. Christ will come again!”) As Catholics
we know that Christ is always with the Church, especially in the celebration
of the Eucharist. This is why participating each week in the Sunday celebration
of the Eucharist is a central part of the Christian identity of faithful Catholics.
For many years in certain parts of the world it has not always been possible
for Catholics to participate in the Mass on Sunday because priests were not
available. In more recent years this same situation has developed in the United
States and here in our Diocese. As we continue to pray and work for vocations
to the priesthood it is necessary to provide for the Pastoral needs of our
people by establishing Norms Concerning Sunday Celebrations when
a Priest is not Available.
In 1988 the Holy See released the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in
the Absence of a Priest which stated, “The fundamental point of
the entire Directory is to ensure, in the best way possible and in
every situation, the Christian celebration of Sunday. This means remembering
that the Mass remains the proper way of celebrating Sunday, but it also means
recognizing the presence of important elements even when Mass cannot be celebrated.”
This Directory was “not intended to encourage, much less facilitate
unnecessary or contrived Sunday assemblies without the celebration of the
Eucharist. The intent is simply to guide and to prescribe what should be done
when real circumstances require the decision to have Sunday celebrations in
the absence of a priest.”
When the Bishops of the United States implemented this document in 1994, they
wrote, “Before Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest are begun
in any Diocese or parish, it is essential that there be diocesan-wide catechesis
on the nature of these celebrations and the necessity of fostering vocations
to the priesthood so that eventually no community will be denied the Sunday
celebration of the Eucharist each week.”
II. Rites Approved for use when Mass is not Possible
The Directory stresses that if Mass cannot be celebrated in a parish
community on Saturday evenings or on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, Solemnities
and Feasts of the Lord, every effort should be made for the Christian Faithful
to take part in one of the rites contained in Sunday Celebrations in the
Absence of a Priest, under the guidelines established by the Church and
the Bishop of the Diocese (cf. Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a
Priest, #10). These rites may take the form of a Celebration of the Liturgy
of the Word or Morning or Evening Prayer. Whichever rite is followed, Holy
Communion may be distributed.
For the present in the Diocese of Belleville permission is being
authorized only for the use of the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion
rite (Chapter II).
The Need for Explanation and Catechesis
In parishes where these “Communion Services” are permitted, Pastors
and Parish Life Coordinators must make use of every opportunity to explain
to the faithful the reason for these rites. Their catechesis should stress
the primacy of Sunday and the centrality of Eucharist. The nature and importance
of the Christian community and the nature of the Sunday obligation and the
exceptional nature of these services should be carefully explained as indicated
in Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, #1-9.
Restricted Use of the Rite
Parish celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion rite from
Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest must be approved in writing
by the Bishop himself and must be limited to true emergency
situations and to those situations where prior planning has indicated its
Pastoral necessity.
Procedures:
1. Area parishes, clusters and deaneries should continue making every effort
to develop schedules and plans to provide priests for the celebration of the
Eucharist every Sunday, if at all possible.
2. The norms listed in the Introduction for Sunday Celebrations in the
Absence of a Priest should be carefully followed; any exceptions will
be noted in these Norms.
3. In emergency situations such as the unplanned absence of the priest due,
for example, to sudden illness, or when no other priest is available, the
celebration of the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion rite from Sunday
Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest is permitted if a deacon or a Leader
of Prayer, who has received training and has been commissioned for this role
by the Bishop, is available. If it is impossible for a priest to consecrate
sufficient hosts at an earlier Mass needed for a Sunday communion service,
permission is granted for the Leader of Prayer to conduct a Liturgy of the
Word service without the distribution of Holy Communion. In the rare event
that a deacon or an appointed Leader of Prayer is not available, signs listing
area Masses should be posted at the Church doors. Every effort should be made
to contact the Bishop’s Office about the situation beforehand. When
this is not possible the Vicar General or the Chancellor should be informed
as soon as possible.
4. In situations where the absence of a priest is anticipated, a process of
prior planning may indicate the pastoral necessity for the use of the Liturgy
of the Word with Holy Communion rite from Sunday Celebrations in the Absence
of a Priest. The need to provide sacramental coverage to several communities,
a sabbatical approved by the Bishop (with no available replacement), extended
illness, and the lack of a Pastor or a sacramental minister, are examples
of possible circumstances in which the Bishop might give permission for the
use of this rite. If a parish community is in doubt about having a legitimate
reason for using this rite, the Bishop’s Office should be consulted.
5. If pastoral circumstances are such that the Celebration of the Liturgy
of the Word with Holy Communion rite must be celebrated on a regular (even
weekly) basis, permission for this must be obtained in writing from the Bishop.
When this is the case, these rites should be celebrated at the same time Mass
would be celebrated. However, serious consideration should be given to the
wisdom of multiplying these rites. If, for example, a parish was accustomed
to having a 7:00 A.M. and a 9:30 A.M. Sunday Mass, it might be preferable
to have only one “Communion Service” at 9:30 A.M. rather than
two. Approval will normally be granted for only one Communion service. If
the pastoral needs of the people (not simple convenience) warrant it, multiple
celebrations may be allowed infrequently.
III. Who May Serve as Leaders of Sunday Celebrations?
1. Deacons, by virtue of their ordination, are official Leaders of Prayer
in the Diocese. Wherever deacons are present they should be the first to be
recommended to the Bishop for this ministry. Deacons must also participate
in the special training program.
2. Parish Life Coordinators, by virtue of their appointment by the Bishop,
minister as Leaders of Prayer within the parishes they serve. They may be
recommended for this ministry.
3. When there is a genuine necessity Religious Sisters, Religious Brothers,
and other members of the Christian Faithful may be recommended to the Bishop
as Leaders of Prayer by the Pastor or Parish Life Coordinator. This should
normally be in consultation with the Parish Council and other leaders of the
community of faith. Because of the importance of this new ministry in the
Church, care should be taken in selecting potential candidates. It is not
a position for which the parish should simply seek “volunteers.”
Only worthy parishioners should be invited to be candidates for this ministry.
Procedures:
1. Therefore, those recommended to the Bishop as Leaders of Prayer should
be committed Catholics of deep personal faith, who live in fidelity to the
teachings of the Church. They should be held in high regard by their fellow
parishioners and exhibit:
- a life of personal holiness;
- a genuine appreciation for Scripture and a deep reverence for the Real Presence
of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist;
- an active life of prayer and a personal life that is beyond reproach;
- above average skills in public speaking;
- a spirit of cooperation and recognized involvement in the life of the Church;
- the ability to exercise leadership with the laity and clergy of the parish
community;
- both a strong desire and an ability to foster authentic liturgical participation;
- a sensitivity to ritual, a sense of presence in movement, gesture and prayer;
- a manifest desire to serve in this capacity and the time to do so.
All candidates for Leaders of Prayer recommended to the Bishop must meet the
following requirements:
- they must already be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in their
parish;
- they must have manifested a desire and made efforts to deepen their knowledge
of their faith during their adult years;
- they must be recommended by their Pastor or Parish Life Coordinator;
- they must faithfully complete the training provided by the Diocese.
2. The Pastor or Parish Life Coordinator should explain this new ministry
carefully and indicate the requirements for selection to all those who are
consulted for suggestions. This consultation should be discrete and respectful.
Two (no more than three) parishioners may be recommended for training as Leaders
of Prayer.
3. The Pastor or Parish Life Coordinator should then write a letter to the
Bishop explaining the pastoral need for the use of this rite and recommending
the candidates he or she has chosen indicating the ways in which they meet
the requirements listed above.
4. Once they have been approved by the Bishop as candidates, those nominated
must then complete the formation and training facilitated by the Office of
Pastoral Services in the Diocese of Belleville.
5. Upon completion of this training the Bishop will then appoint them as Leaders
of Prayer, mandated to lead the Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word with
Holy Communion rite.
IV. Appointment and Term of the Lay Leader of Prayer
Because of the extraordinary importance of this new ministry of Leaders of
Prayer the Bishop himself makes the appointment after all training is completed.
The lay Leader of Prayer is appointed to serve in his or her parish only
for a period of three years. The Bishop or the Vicar General may rescind
this appointment at any time deemed appropriate.
Procedures:
1. The appointment to serve the parish as Leader of Prayer should be made
known to the community by a brief, public commissioning, where possible. The
“Order for the Blessing of Those Who Exercise Pastoral Service,”
contained in the Book of Blessings, may be used for this purpose.
Pastors or priest sacramental ministers should ordinarily be responsible for
this simple commissioning during a Sunday Mass. This commissioning prayer
may also provide an opportunity to catechize the faithful on the importance
of Sunday Mass and the need for priests. It might also be an occasion to remind
them of the profound difference between a “communion service”
(where the faithful simply receive Communion) and the Mass (where the bread
and wine are consecrated and the faithful participate intimately in this Eucharistic
action.)
2. Those appointed by the Church as Leaders of Prayer embrace the responsibility
for continuing personal growth through prayer and study beyond the formation
period. They will need to ground themselves more deeply in the mystery of
Christ (especially the mystery of the Eucharist and the Real Presence.) They
should take every advantage of retreats and Days of Recollection, parish adult
formation programs and workshops that address the needs of sacred worship.
The discipline of reading periodicals and books on liturgy, prayer, and the
spiritual life, and the study of Scripture should become a part of their lives.
This will nourish them and those they are appointed to serve.
3. Deans, Pastors, priest sacramental ministers, Parish Life Coordinators,
and the parish faith community should be sensitive to the challenges those
appointed as Leaders of Prayer may face in their new ministry. They should
welcome them with enthusiasm. They should be patient with them and offer them
genuine support, encouraging them in their ongoing personal growth as they
assume their new service as public Leaders of Prayer.
4. A process of evaluation involving the parish community, Pastor or Parish
Life Coordinator, and the Leader of Prayer should be developed as the basis
for ongoing formation and a possible appointment by the Bishop to a second
three-year term of service.
V. Liturgical Roles and Ministries
The distinction between the Mass itself and the Liturgy of the Word Communion
Rite must always be clear. Those appointed as lay Leaders of Prayer are to
avoid ritual elements proper to priests or deacons, such as greetings and
blessings, standing at the altar or sitting in the celebrant’s chair
designated for the priest celebrant only (cf. Sunday Celebrations in the
Absence of a Priest: Leader’s Edition.)
When the Rite of the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion is celebrated
the Leaders of Prayer should never assume roles customarily assigned to other
liturgical ministers. They should not serve as lectors, cantors, musicians,
or servers. Since neither a priest nor a deacon is present, permission is
given for a lector to read the Gospel. Appropriate liturgical ministers should
be appointed for this rite as they are for Sunday Mass.
Preaching
Only deacons with faculties to preach from the Bishop may preach as leaders
of these Sunday services where a priest is not present.
The three Scripture readings on Sunday are always proclaimed. After the Gospel
is read lay Leaders of Prayer should invite the faithful to spend a few moments
in quiet reflection on the meaning of the readings. Permission may be given
for them to read a scriptural reflection approved by the Bishop. After the
Diocese has had some experience with this new ministry, the Bishop may consider
granting the mandate to preach to lay leaders if they have the necessary skills
and abilities, and appropriate training and preparation programs can be arranged
for them.
Prayers for Vocation
In every celebration prayers for vocations to the priesthood must be included
in the Prayers of the Faithful. This will deepen the parish’s awareness
that we are celebrating this rite only until such time as we have priests
to celebrate Sunday Mass.
Vesture
Deacons who preside at the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion should
always vest in alb and stole. Lay Leaders of Prayer should always vest in
alb only. Neither a stole nor anything resembling a stole may ever
be worn by lay leaders. If during the initial weeks after their appointment
some lay leaders cannot obtain albs, temporary permission is given for them
to dress in suit and tie and modest professional business attire. Casual,
informal attire is never permitted under any circumstances. Albs
should be obtained as soon as possible.
Music
When the Christian community gathers for prayer, music is an important part
of that prayer. Just as every effort should be made to provide appropriate
music for the celebration of Sunday Mass, a similar effort should be made
to insure appropriate music during Sunday celebrations when a priest cannot
be present for Mass.
Procedures:
1. Note that some Eucharistic hymns appropriate for Mass may not be appropriate
for these services. Leaders of Prayer and musicians must be thoroughly familiar
with Music in Catholic Worship, Liturgical Music Today and the Guidelines
for Music contained in Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest:
Leader’s Edition.
2. Pastors, Parish Life Coordinators, and the Parish Liturgy Committee should
make every effort to have an adequate number of trained musicians available
for these Sunday celebrations. Often they will be the same person already
providing music for the Mass usually scheduled at a given time.
VI. Some Specific Questions
The introduction of Sunday Liturgy of the Word celebrations where Holy Communion
is distributed will inevitably give rise to a number of specific questions
that we should be prepared to respond to with pastoral sensitivity.
1. Since it is possible to receive Communion at these services aren’t
they more or less the same as Mass?
We must be clear that the answer to this question is no, they are not. A Sunday
prayer service during which the Eucharistic action does not take place, that
is during which a priest is not present to proclaim the Eucharistic prayer,
is not and can never be the same as the celebration of Mass. This rite is
a pastoral adaptation made by the Church so that the faithful who cannot participate
in the Mass may at least assemble for worship, listen to and reflect upon
the meaning of the Word of God, and be nourished by the Body and Blood of
Jesus. However, it is not the memorial given to us by Christ Himself at the
Last Supper. When we faithfully participate in the Mass we are caught in His
once and for all sacrificial offering of Himself to the Father in love. It
is only during Mass that the priest prays the Prayers of Consecration during
which bread and wine become the sacramental presence of the Body and Blood
of Christ. Any confusion between the Mass and a “Communion Service”
in the minds of the faithful must be carefully avoided. Rather than giving
the faithful a sense that they have fully celebrated their faith, these celebrations
should “increase the desire of the faithful to be present at and participate
in the celebration of the Eucharist.”
2. Do these Sunday Celebrations fulfill our Sunday obligation?
Yes, they do. The Church has always recognized that our obligation to keep
the Lord’s Day is a part of our deepest tradition rooted in the Mosaic
Law, the mystery of the resurrection of Christ, and witness of Scriptures.
It is the belief of the Catholic Church that we should preserve the unique
status of Sunday even when it is not possible to participate in Sunday Mass,
due to the unavailability of a priest. Thus, those parishioners in parishes
where this rite is permitted, the obligation to keep the Lord’s Day
is fulfilled by prayerfully participating in the celebration of the Liturgy
of the Word with Holy Communion. It should be clear that the faithful must
respect the Church’s intention here. Parishioners who have a priest
for Sunday Mass in their parish may not seek out these services simply for
personal convenience.
3. What should a parish do if some parishioners choose to go to a neighboring
parish where Mass is being celebrated rather that attending the “Communion
Service?”
While the faithful should always be encouraged to worship in their own parishes,
it is not appropriate or possible to penalize those who travel an extra distance
to attend Mass.
4. How can we be sure we will have enough consecrated hosts for Sunday services?
Anticipating this need, priest celebrants should consecrate a sufficient number
of extra hosts for the coming Sunday(s) which should be reserved in ciboria
in the tabernacle. In some situations a neighboring parish might be able to
consecrate extra hosts. The consecrated Eucharist must never be “stored”
in a cabinet or other unsuitable place. The Blessed Sacrament must be treated
with utmost respect and reverence in every circumstance. In the rare circumstance
when a sufficient number of consecrated hosts are not available, the Sunday
Liturgy of the Word Service without the distribution of Holy Communion should
be celebrated. Gradually, parishes will be able to determine how many hosts
will be needed.
5. May extra wine be consecrated at Mass so that Communion may be distributed
under both species during these new rites?
No. This is never permitted under any circumstances.
6. May the regular Sunday collection be taken up at this Liturgy of the Word
services?
Yes. The regular Sunday collection and other collections for the work of the
Church may be taken up at the end of this Liturgy of the Word service. These
offerings of the faithful make it possible to continue the work of the Church.
7. May “Mass intentions or Mass Stipends” be collected for these
rites?
No. This is never permitted under any circumstance. This rite is not a Mass.
8. May the same Liturgy of the Word service approved for Sundays be adapted
for use on weekdays?
No. When pastoral circumstances warrant it (e.g. in parishes where daily Mass
is celebrated for a significant number of people and the priest must be absent
for retreat, convocation, or vacation), the parish should use the “Rite
of Distributing Communion Outside of Mass with the Celebration of the Word,”
found in “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside
Mass” (2002 Edition).
9. May announcements be made at the end of a “Communion Service?”
Yes. Just as during the Sunday Mass, brief and important announcements may
be made toward the end of this rite (cf. Directory).
VII. Ritual Books Needed
Each parish using this rite must have the following ritual books
- Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest: Leader’s Edition.
- Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass (2002 Edition).
- The Liturgy of the Hours: Morning and Evening Prayer.
- Sacramentary and Lectionary
- Book of Blessings (1989).
For more information please contact:
DIOCESE OF BELLEVILLE
Office of Pastoral Services
Sue Huett, Associate Director
235-9601 ext. 144
shuett@diobelle.org