Chaplain Gerald F. Clune conducts Catholic Mass for men of Heavy Mortar Co., 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Headquarters, 14 October 1951.
One priest can do everything himself quite handily and reverently.
If more pomp is required, an acolyte can help.
There is no need for a non-priest to do readings or distribute Communion. There is no need to place the unconsecrated bread and wine at the back of the church and then walk it up to the altar.
The Mass is designed to enable a missionary by himself in the middle of nowhere to say a full and valid Mass.
In WWII before Vatican II, priests had a small suitcase with an altarstone, stole, chalice, paten, crucifix and lectionary in it and said thousands of Masses on the hoods of Jeeps throughout the South pacific.
In WWII before Vatican II, priests had a small suitcase with an altarstone, stole, chalice, paten, crucifix and lectionary in it and said thousands of Masses on the hoods of Jeeps throughout the South pacific.>>>
Like Father Emil Kapaun, namesake for our East side Catholic high school here in Wichita! (Kapaun Mt. Carmel) He is called affectionally around here as a "shepherd in combat boots". I hope that he is declared a saint soon.