ASK FATHER: Masses in living rooms (Catholic Caucus)

WDTPRS ^ | June 4, 2015 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

[NYer]

QUAERITUR:

I have observed several Priests of my acquaintance celebrating Mass in various private residences for different occasions, the latest of which was Mother’s Day (the strangest being Christmas Midnight Mass). Most if not all of these private Masses have taken place in non-consecrated space, i.e. in normal living rooms. Are Priests allowed to do this for their families and friends, particularly when there is a church available (though perhaps not with the same measure of “privacy”)?

Canon 932 stipulates that Holy Mass should be offered in a sacred place, “unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise, in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.”

The universal law leaves it up to the priest who will offer the Mass to determine if this is a case of necessity and also to determine what may be a “decent place.” The strong preference of the Church is for sacred actions to take place in sacred places.

Having Mass in Mom’s parlor when there’s a perfectly good church down the street would generally be contrary to the mind of the church. On the other hand, there may be a number of good reasons for saying Mass in Mom’s parlor, including Mom’s inability to get around very well, a nearby pastor who is adamantly opposed to a visiting priest saying Mass in his church (yes, such … creatures exist), a priest on an overdue vacation at home, not wanting to draw the attention which he knows saying Mass at the church down the street would occasion.   There are all sorts of reasons.

 

[NYer]

Certain friends of mine celebrate mass in their backyard, led by a priest without a parish. The priest was their pastor but their parish was closed and the priest retired. Nothing like looking at photos of a garden mass with attendees sitting on lawn chairs.

Catholic ping!

[Tax-chick]

Father Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor, celebrated Mass in the back yard of some of our parishioners last year. There were well over 100 people in attendance. (Big yard.) People sat on lawn chairs and on blankets. It was tri-lingual: English, Spanish, and the native African dialect of one of the MOP brothers.

Good memories ...

[freedumb2003]

In the comments:

>>KateD says:
4 June 2015 at 6:47 AM
God bless priests who say Masses in living rooms. They will be ready for the time when living rooms are the only place where a Mass can be said.<<

Very cutting and accurate assessment!

[Kartographer]

Does it matter if it is a Castle or in the dungeon as long as two or more gather it his name?

[miss marmelstein]

Interesting question! I’d love to know the answer.

[katana]

I thought what Jesus said was “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

[left that other site]

I am not Catholic, but I always find pictures like this quite poignant and inspiring.

[Rodentking]

These questions are always interesting. Read Scripture, see the intent. Hold your services where they will do good.

[rwa265]

This picture is very poignant to me. This is how my Dad attended Mass when he was in the Pacific during WWII.

[Salvation]

That’s how the gatherings started — liturgies in home churches.

[Salvation]

Thanks. That takes care of my second comment. What about a Mass on the hood of a jeep?

[freedumb2003]

>>That’s how the gatherings started — liturgies in home churches.<<

We should be worried that is how they will end.

[onedoug]

Check out this Mass on a rolling LST in the Pacific in WWII:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8SwNRCqeJs

[NYer]

his picture is very poignant to me. This is how my Dad attended Mass when he was in the Pacific during WWII.

It is a beautiful photo that demonstrates the lengths to which our Church will go to provide the Sacraments to those serving in the amphitheater of war. I don't think it compares with a backyard mass on a picnic table next to a barbeque.

[JoeFromSidney]

My cousin, who is a priest, attended our family reunion at a state park. On Sunday morning he said Mass in one of the cabins, so that we could all attend.

I've also heard Mass on the deck of a destroyer.

Sometimes a church simply isn't available.

[left that other site]

My Dad was there too!

And, since he was a navy photographer, i grew up with a box of pictures just like that.

[left that other site]

Yep.

[left that other site]

Oh wow...my dad drove one of those in WW2.

[circlecity]

I believe the very first masses were held in living rooms, porches, yards and even stables. I believe that’s where Prisca and Aquila held there services. “Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” 1Cor 16:19 This is one where you can truly say, “if it was good enough for the Apostle Paul it’s good enough for me”