At What Point Does A Mass Become Invalid?

[Margarite]

I read a question about this a couple of weeks ago, but I'd like to know if the mass can be invalid due to abuses done during the liturgy, i.e. a lay person giving the homily, the words of the consacration being wrong, inapropiate music during the wrong times, etc.

How many things can be wrong and still be a valid mass? or, what has to be wrong for it to be invalid?

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
5/16 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

Margarite,

Good question. There are a very small number of things that can render a Mass invalid, and they have to be pretty radical. For instance, a Mass is invalid if...

1.) The wrong kind of bread or wine is used (i.e. rice cakes or Chianti; leavened bread is legit).
2.) The priest-celebrant doesn't receive both consecrated species.
3.) The priest-celebrant dies during Mass.
4.) The priest-celebrant isn't really a priest.
5.) The priest-celebrant intentionally says the wrong words of consecration.

It's things of this nature that invalidate a Mass; pretty extreme stuff. Now, I've heard of these happening, but that doesn't take away their rare nature. Typically, you can count on a Mass being valid. A layman giving the homily, inappropriate music, and things like that, though illicit, do not invalidate a Mass. A priest can do a thousand illicit things, but the Mass retains its validity. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono

[at0m1c]

Wait a minute! It says homily cannot be given out by a layman? What about the liturgy of the word for children? I'm in the Childrens' liturgy group. Does this mean we are not allowed to give homily?