Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Michaela
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Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 8:37pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela
the Gospel during Mass?

I was sure noone can except for the priest, but then I remembered a Deacon can.

If a layperson cannot, would it affect the validity of the Mass?



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kingvozzo
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Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 9:17pm | IP Logged Quote kingvozzo
A layperson cannot read the Gospel during a Mass. It does not affect the validity of the Mass, although it is illicit (illegal). A deacon, who is not a layperson, can. In fact, the proclamation of the Gospel is properly done by a deacon when one is present.
From the USCCB website, quoting the GIRM:

When there is a deacon present at the Eucharistic celebration, he should exercise his ministry wearing sacred vestments. (1) The deacon:

assists the priest and processes at his side (unless he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, in which case, he precedes the priest);

ministers the chalice or the book ( Roman Missal) at the altar;

proclaims the Gospel and, at the request of the priest celebrant, may preach the homily (see GIRM no. 55);

gives timely directions to the faithful and announces the intentions in the General Intercessions;

assists the priest celebrant in distributing Communion, especially as minister of the Precious Blood, and cleanses and arranges the sacred vessels;

as needed, performs the offices of other ministers when none of them are present (GIRM, 171).

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Michaela
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Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 9:30pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela
Thank you for posting that, Noreen. I'm going to have to lookup what it means when a Mass is illicit.

I have a child who is very upset about what happened tonight at Mass and I'm not sure how concerned I should be abot it.   Maybe our priest, who has been under the weather this past year, was given permission to have the layperson read the Gospel.

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cathhomeschool
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Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 9:48pm | IP Logged Quote cathhomeschool
A layperson cannot read the Gospel except during the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. The Deacon can read the Gospel. See #59 in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Redemptionis Sacramentum states it clearly as well in #63.

This doesn't affect the validity of the Mass, though. The Mass is only invalid when there are specific issues involving the consecration...or actually the *lack* of consecration, which is why the Mass is invalid -- like a priest wasn't the one presiding or he didn't use unleavened bread and grape wine (in the Latin rite, which is the one most of us attend in the US), etc. Other abuses are "illicit" so they take away from the Mass but don't make it invalid.

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kingvozzo
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Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 9:49pm | IP Logged Quote kingvozzo
This link does a good job of explaining the difference between "invalid" and "illicit."
I'm sorry that your child was upset by Mass tonight. It so tough when the kids get older and start noticing these things...It's my understanding that a layperson may never properly be given permission to do the Gospel. Is it possible to talk to your priest about it? I find it difficult to have those types of discussions with my pastor (I tend to want to hide ) but I might find the courage if I was looking for an answer for one of my kids.

I will pray for you and your child.


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