Priests Attending Mass But Not Concelebrating

[God Conquers]

I know a priest who will sometimes attend mass at a local parish but not concelebrate. What does this mean? Is it normal? He doesn't wear clerics or anything, and the likelihood of him already having celebrated 2 masses already is very unlikely. What's your take?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='God Conquers' date='05 April 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1270520417' post='2087379']
the likelihood of him already having celebrated 2 masses already is very unlikely.
[/quote]

Normally, priests are only allowed to say Mass one time per day.

"A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law permits him to celebrate or concelebrate more than once on the same day." ([i]Code of Canon Law[/i], Can. 905 §1)

[MissyP89]

And beside that, these guys rarely ever get a break. It must feel good to be back in the pews and be ordinary. My chaplain does it now and then, and I would say it's entirely normal.

[God Conquers]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='05 April 2010 - 10:33 PM' timestamp='1270521223' post='2087386']
Normally, priests are only allowed to say Mass one time per day.

"A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law permits him to celebrate or concelebrate more than once on the same day." ([i]Code of Canon Law[/i], Can. 905 §1)
[/quote]

Sure.

Either way, what's your take?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='God Conquers' date='05 April 2010 - 09:53 PM' timestamp='1270522408' post='2087404']
Sure.

Either way, what's your take?
[/quote]

A priest just attending Mass is fine. He should assist in choro, though.

[Ed Normile]

This priest sounds like a very devout man, I mean celebrating Mass and then attending mass also, seems he can not get enough. I wish we had more like him.


ed

[zunshynn]

Rex what would happen in the EF on either Holy Thursday or Holy Saturday where there were only two priests... So not enough for a solemn high mass, but when they also could not celebrate each of their own? Do you know?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='05 April 2010 - 10:02 PM' timestamp='1270522937' post='2087412']
Rex what would happen in the EF on either Holy Thursday or Holy Saturday where there were only two priests... So not enough for a solemn high mass, but when they also could not celebrate each of their own? Do you know?
[/quote]

If there was an acolyte, he could function as a sub-deacon, and then the second priest could function as a deacon. Then they'd be able to have a Missa Solemnis.

If, however, for whatever reason, there was no man who could function as a sub-deacon, the second priest would assist [i]in choro[/i], distribute Holy Communion, and possibly preach.

[Mercy me]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='05 April 2010 - 11:33 PM' timestamp='1270521223' post='2087386']
Normally, priests are only allowed to say Mass one time per day.

"A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law permits him to celebrate or concelebrate more than once on the same day." ([i]Code of Canon Law[/i], Can. 905 §1)
[/quote]

Really? We have 2 daily masses and 5 Sunday masses and only 2 priests. I guess my parish is exempt from the law?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Mercy me' date='05 April 2010 - 10:10 PM' timestamp='1270523450' post='2087418']
Really? We have 2 daily masses and 5 Sunday masses and only 2 priests. I guess my parish is exempt from the law?
[/quote]

"If there is a shortage of priests, the local ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays and holy days of obligation." (Code of Canon Law, Can. 905 §2)

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Mercy me' date='05 April 2010 - 10:10 PM' timestamp='1270523450' post='2087418']
Really? We have 2 daily masses and 5 Sunday masses and only 2 priests. I guess my parish is exempt from the law?
[/quote]
I believe that in parishes or diocese where there is a shortage, the bishop can ask that the priest celebrate more Masses.

[Brother Adam]

Parish priests in NO parishes are permitted to preside at three Masses. Sometimes even more. For our Easter schedule Father celebrated the Vigil and then 3 Sunday Masses. It is not preferable but when you don't have many priests to go around and tons of Catholics, you do what you can to get the Sacraments to the faithful.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='05 April 2010 - 10:13 PM' timestamp='1270523599' post='2087423']
Sometimes even more.
[/quote]

Three is the maximum number of Masses that a priest of the Latin Church may ever celebrate in one day.

[Luigi]

He's probably a spy from the neighboring parish, dropping in to see if your priest is celebrating the EF or the NO. Keep on eye on that one!

[Brother Adam]

Canonically, from midnight to midnight yes. Pertaining to a Sunday Mass, including Saturday vigils, priests in some areas celebrate 4 Masses on a "Sunday" during significant solemnities when "culture" Catholics attend church.