Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: On "Pontifical Masses"
ROME, APRIL 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Related to our piece on the "Pontifical Mass of the Chrism" (see March 18), a Dallas, Texas, reader asked: "I recently heard of a diocese with two co-cathedrals having two Chrism Masses each year. Is this proper, given the fact that it seems to take away from the sign of the oneness of the diocesan celebration? Are their any norms or standard practices for dioceses with two cathedrals in regards to Chrism Masses?"
The Holy See's Circular Letter on celebrating this feast says the following regarding the Chrism Mass:
"35. The Chrism Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with his presbyterium, and at which the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the oils blessed, manifests the communion of the priests with their bishop in the same priesthood and ministry of Christ. [38] The priests who concelebrate with the bishop should come to this Mass from different parts of the diocese, thus showing in the consecration of the Chrism to be his witnesses and cooperators, just as in their daily ministry, they are his helpers and counselors.
"The faithful are also to be encouraged to participate in this Mass and to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
"Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week. If, however, it should prove to be difficult for the clergy and people to gather with the bishop, this rite can be transferred to another day, but one always close to Easter. The Chrism and the oil of catechumens is to be used in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation on Easter night.
"36. There should be only one celebration of the Chrism Mass, given its significance in the life of the diocese, and it should take place in the cathedral or, for pastoral reasons, in another church that has a special significance.
"The Holy oils can be brought to the individual parishes before the celebration of the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, or at some other suitable time. This can be a means of catechizing the faithful about the use and effects of the Holy oils and Chrism in Christian life."
Therefore it is clear that in principle there should be only one Chrism Mass per diocese, even if there is more than one cathedral.
Even if there are more churches with the title of "cathedral," each diocese, properly speaking, has only one.
The multiplication of cathedrals usually comes about due to some historic circumstances, such as when a new cathedral is built on a site different from the old, when dioceses are amalgamated, or when the bishop's principal residence is transferred to another town within the same diocese.
One case in which two Chrism Masses would be justified is when two dioceses are united in the person of the bishop without formally establishing a new unified diocese. In this situation the prelate is bishop of two dioceses, but the clergy are incardinated in only one of the two. A similar situation is when one bishop temporarily administrates another diocese during the vacancy of the episcopal see.
Related to our piece on the "Pontifical Mass of the Chrism" (see March 18), a Dallas, Texas, reader asked: "I recently heard of a diocese with two co-cathedrals having two Chrism Masses each year. Is this proper, given the fact that it seems to take away from the sign of the oneness of the diocesan celebration? Are their any norms or standard practices for dioceses with two cathedrals in regards to Chrism Masses?"
The Holy See's Circular Letter on celebrating this feast says the following regarding the Chrism Mass:
"35. The Chrism Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with his presbyterium, and at which the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the oils blessed, manifests the communion of the priests with their bishop in the same priesthood and ministry of Christ. [38] The priests who concelebrate with the bishop should come to this Mass from different parts of the diocese, thus showing in the consecration of the Chrism to be his witnesses and cooperators, just as in their daily ministry, they are his helpers and counselors.
"The faithful are also to be encouraged to participate in this Mass and to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
"Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week. If, however, it should prove to be difficult for the clergy and people to gather with the bishop, this rite can be transferred to another day, but one always close to Easter. The Chrism and the oil of catechumens is to be used in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation on Easter night.
"36. There should be only one celebration of the Chrism Mass, given its significance in the life of the diocese, and it should take place in the cathedral or, for pastoral reasons, in another church that has a special significance.
"The Holy oils can be brought to the individual parishes before the celebration of the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, or at some other suitable time. This can be a means of catechizing the faithful about the use and effects of the Holy oils and Chrism in Christian life."
Therefore it is clear that in principle there should be only one Chrism Mass per diocese, even if there is more than one cathedral.
Even if there are more churches with the title of "cathedral," each diocese, properly speaking, has only one.
The multiplication of cathedrals usually comes about due to some historic circumstances, such as when a new cathedral is built on a site different from the old, when dioceses are amalgamated, or when the bishop's principal residence is transferred to another town within the same diocese.
One case in which two Chrism Masses would be justified is when two dioceses are united in the person of the bishop without formally establishing a new unified diocese. In this situation the prelate is bishop of two dioceses, but the clergy are incardinated in only one of the two. A similar situation is when one bishop temporarily administrates another diocese during the vacancy of the episcopal see.
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