Sunday Celebration of Liturgy in the Absence of a Priest in Catholic Dioceses in the U.S.A.

Abstract

For lack of priests the faithful of many dioceses are unable to celebrate Sundays and Church holidays by attending the liturgy of Holy Mass in their own communities on those days. In recognition of the meaning of Sunday and the Eucharist for the Christian faithful, the Apostolic See issued Directorium de celebrationibus dominicalibus absente presbytero (Directory on the celebration of Sunday in the absence of a priest). As a result, numerous episcopal conferences —in consideration of local circumstances—developed not only separate standards but also liturgical books featuring the celebration of the Sunday liturgy in which the leadership of deacons and lay leaders who have been appointed by the bishop is described. The American Episcopal Conference has issued a book entitled Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest in English and Spanish (Celebraciones dominicales en ausencia de presbitero), used by deacons and lay leaders during Sunday and holiday celebrations of liturgy in the absence of a priest. The article presents both general indications and legal norms of bishops in this respect, the rights of parish priests, deacons and the laity, as well as the form of liturgical celebrations without a priest. American bishops recommend mainly the celebration of the liturgy of the Divine Word and a fragment of the Liturgy of the Hours: Mattins and Vespers, which can involve the administration of the Holy Communion.