Frustratingly the car is taking longer than hoped for. This led to my home visits being re-scheduled which, though regretable, was not entirely bad news. I say that because it has been a most profitable day at the computer. Admin caught up on, magazine prepared, sermon finished, article written for Church Observor and new booklet designed and printed! Phew!
The booklet in production is for use on those exceptional occasions when I am not able to make Mass, and is intended to ensure that devotions may continue. It is certainly not healthy if worship remains entirely dependent on one man! In most parishes the absence of a Vicar is not so problematic- curates and retired clergy are able to step into the breach- but this is not the case in downtown Tunbridge Wells; fervently evangelical territory in which few can afford to retire and even fewer know how to offer worship in the Catholic tradition! Here we rely on a different form of help.
Thus Michael Smith, (pictured above holding the Missal) server and parish treasurer, has recently accepted the voluntary role of Pastoral Assistant, which he is in the process of being trained for. It is a role of support and will enable him to take the sacrament to the sick, lead non-sacramental worship and visit people amongst other things. I have no doubt he will grow into this role and thrive in it- and I am delighted to support him in his new ministry. In time I hope that others may join him, creating a team. But we must understand what this role is and what it is not. Thus we return to the booklet, which contains a rite for a service of the Word, with an opportunity for reception of communion from the Reserved Sacrament.
Catholic Christians believe that the Sacraments of the church can only be authenticated by one who has been ordained into the holy priesthood. Without a priest to bless the bread and the wine, offered to God as signs of all that we are, we cannot authenticate the miracle that transforms these simple gifts. Transforming them into the body and blood of Christ, the gift of himself to us. That is why every worshipping community requires a priest.
But there are occasions when access to a priest can prove problematic. Many remote churches, especially in the third world, only see a priest every few months. Some monastic communities struggle to find a priest every day of the week. And in an age where vocations and church resources are limited- many priests struggle to find cover when absent.
On extra-ordinary occasions such as these it is acceptable to offer a service of the word, with communion from the ‘Reserved Sacrament’. This service does not require a priest, because no blessing of the gifts is required, the transformation of bread and wine into body and blood has already happened, hence Michael is eligible to conduct it. The gathered community do not receive formal absolution, but otherwise observe the ministry of the word as usual. The Eucharistic prayer is ommitted and a short explanation – that the bread and wine were transformed into body and blood at a previous service-is offered. The people then receive, in one kind only, a host from the Reserved Sacrament. That is the body of Jesus, already blessed at Mass, placed for safe keeping in the tabernacle. At the end of the service no blessing is given for Michael cannot authenticate God’s blessing. Instead the people share the grace together.
Thus a perfectly acceptable act of worship is offered, the rhythm of prayer continues, but without the priest. People must be quite clear that this service is in no way ‘sacramental’. Rather it is an extension of the ancient act of ‘taking’ the sacrament to the sick and the housebound. This type of service is becoming increasingly common throughout the Church of the West. It is the exception and not the rule, but without it prayer might cease.
Good idea. Catholics have the right, and sometimes the duty, to present themselves at the tabernacle outisde of Mass for Communion, which is given of course at the discretion of the priest.
I gather in days past it wasn’t unusual for people to present themselves at the tabernacle if they had been prevented from attending Mass, or before going into battle without time to organise a celebration of the liturgy. And let us not forget the great ascetic saints like Mary of Egypt who requested that Communion be taken to her in the deserts of Jordan.
I also think it’s good to retain the basic structure of Eucharistic Worship for those days when you can’t celebrate in our church. Some of your faithful might have made preparation the night before and so are ready to receive communion and oughtn’t be denied the Sacrament.
It’s always good to explain it though, unless people see a layman at the altar and wonder if their church has gone Methodist!
Thank you for the comments ex fide; I agree that it needs thorough explanation, hence the blog item, a magazine item and a special booklet with full explanation too…though I doubt anyone could walk into S. B’s and think it was Methodist!!!
Using laity to dish out the reserved sacrament isn’t new. Many parishes have used it for years. In Sheringham with dozens of OAP homes, a team of laity visit these each week, taking the sacrament.