Masters of Ceremonies at Communion
Date: January 7, 2023
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.
Question: I would like your guidance on an issue I witnessed during one of our diocesan functions whereby the liturgical master of ceremonies vested in a cassock and surplice (with no stole). During communion he vested in a stole when he went to receive at the altar. Was that in order for an MC who is a priest to wear the stole during communion time so as to receive from the altar? Should an MC vested in cassock and surplice wear a stole on top during Mass? Do we have any liturgical document giving guidance on the same? – P.K., Kenya
Answer: There are actually three questions involved.
First, is it correct for the MC to receive take Communion at the altar if not a concelebrant? Second is it correct to wear the stole for Communion? Third, should an MC who is a priest wear a stole throughout the celebration?
The General Instruction for the Roman Missal says the following about non-concelebrating priests during Mass which would usually cover the MC:
With respect to choir dress:
“114. […] For it is preferable that Priests who are present at a celebration of the Eucharist, unless excused for a just reason, should usually exercise the function proper to their Order and hence take part as concelebrants, wearing sacred vestments. Otherwise, they wear their proper choir dress or a surplice over a cassock.”
Regarding the master of ceremonies the Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 36, states:
“The master of ceremonies wears either an alb or a cassock and surplice. Within a celebration a master of ceremonies who is an ordained deacon may wear a dalmatic and the other diaconal vestments.”
With respect to Communion under both kinds:
“283. In addition to those cases given in the ritual books, Communion under both kinds is permitted for: a) Priests who are not able to celebrate or concelebrate Mass.”
With respect to taking Communion at the altar we could refer to the instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," No. 94, which states:
"It is not licit for the faithful 'to take ... by themselves ... and, still less, to hand ... from one to another' the sacred host or the sacred chalice.…”
Only the celebrating or concelebrating priest may normally take Communion by himself, and this norm has been repeated on several occasions in different contexts by the Dicastery for Divine Worship.
Hence, even when it is legitimate for a priest who is not concelebrating to receive Communion under both species, a minister is always required to administer the sacrament; the priest may not take it directly from the altar.
Indeed, Pope Francis himself has observed this norm in recent times when, due to mobility issues, he has assisted at some Masses without celebrating. On these occasions he has received Christ's Body and Blood through the ministry of the deacons and celebrant at his chair. This was notable during the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, even though he presided at most of the celebration vested in cope rather than chasuble.
Therefore, since it is clear that the mind of the Church does not foresee any occasions when anybody except celebrating or concelebrating priests may receive at the altar itself, it would be incorrect for the master of ceremonies to take Communion at the altar if not a concelebrant.
Should he wear a stole to receive Communion from another minister?
While this is not regulated or obligatory it could be seen as an extension of the practice of Good Friday in which priests who are present for the Celebration of the Passion receive Communion first, wearing red stoles. It could be taken as a legitimate sign of devotion and respect but is not required except on Good Friday when there is no Mass.
Should the master of ceremonies who is a priest wear a stole throughout the celebration?
I would say no, as this would imply that he is a concelebrant.
As seen above, the Ceremonial of Bishops allows for the case of a deacon MC to be vested as a deacon. Even though this is permitted, several liturgists comment that, from a practical standpoint, it would seem better to avoid confusing the ministerial roles of deacon and MC.
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