Lay Liturgical Leadership

Celebrations

of the Divine Office with Communion

of the Word and Communion

for Weekday celebrations in the absence of a priest

NB: This booklet was first published in 2002 and has now been superseded by the provisions of the diocesan pastoral plan Go out and bear fruit – see the supplementary sheet

and the sheet containing changes caused by the revised translation of the Roman Missal

1. More and more frequently, parish communities are gathering in the absence of a priest to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours or the word of God on weekdays, and increasingly even on Sundays. These celebrations are often associated with the distribution of communion, using bread consecrated at a previous Mass. The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is preparing a ritual book for use in these circumstances. The present booklet is already available for diocesan use.

2. Vatican II recalled the importance for “that more complete form of participation in the Mass” of receiving the Body of the Lord from the same eucharistic celebration, for it is both sacrifice and banquet; and the General Instruction on the Roman Missal reminds us that “it is most desirable that the faithful receive the Lord's body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass...”.

3. Celebrations of the Divine Office with distribution of communion, and celebrations of word and communion, are therefore “emergency responses” to a less-than-ideal situation to provide for a pastoral need; and the distribution of communion at such services is always to be considered as something abnormal and not as a replacement for the celebration of Mass.
    The ideal is that communion is the culmination of what is celebrated in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass. In a celebration of the word and communion there can be no Eucharistic Prayer, which requires the presence of a priest; and therefore, although a lot of people refer to these services as “eucharistic services”, it is incorrect to do so since no eucharistic action as such is included in them.

4. In these celebrations the word of God is integral, and holy communion may not be distributed without a Liturgy of the Word. Celebrations of the Divine Office include a very short scripture reading, which is replaced by readings from the Lectionary in the context of a celebration with distribution of communion.

5. Liturgical and spiritual formation is of the utmost importance for the parish and the particular ministers involved. In particular, those who will lead these liturgies should be chosen with care, should be recognised by and acceptable to the parish, and should be well prepared.

6. Indeed, the preparation of the whole parish for these celebrations is of vital importance. Proper and advance notice of the celebrations should be given.

7. This booklet is in two parts.
In the first part are given details of Divine Office combined with the distribution of communion. This is the preferred option in the Diocese of Portsmouth.
If Divine Office with distribution of communion is not celebrated, a celebration of the word and communion may take place. The second part of this booklet gives details of this celebration.

[An extract from the introduction to the booklet]

To order free copies of the complete 16-page booklet, phone 01329 835583 or e-mail the Director of Liturgy

See also the document Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest

Details of training courses in lay liturgical leadership