Roman Rite Solemn Pontifical Mass

Overview

Roman Rite Solemn Mass celebrated by a Bishop.

Roles and Seating

• Master of Ceremonies
• Boat Bearer
• Thurifer
• Acolyte 1, Lucifer 1
• Acolyte 2, Lucifer 2
• Acolyte 3, Lucifer 3
• Acolyte 4, Lucifer 4
• Crucifer / Bell Ringer
• Book Bearer
• Mitre Bearer
• Crozier Bearer

Those Servers who attend to the Bishop sit near the Cathedra:

• Book Bearer
• Mitre Bearer
• Crozier Bearer
• Master of Ceremonies

All other servers sit in their Choir Stalls.

Preparation

As usual for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, with:

• Vimpae for Mitre Bearer and Crozier Bearer.
• A seventh Crossing Altar#Candles is added and lit¹ if the Bishop Celebrant is celebrating in his own diocese.
• Three seats (or spaces in Choir Stalls) near the Cathedra for the Book Bearer, Mitre Bearer, and Crozier Bearer.
• Missal and Stand start near Book Bearer's seat.
• A second Lavabo set for the Bishop².
• A third Lavabo set in the Sacristy.
• An extra metal platter on the Credence Table on which to put the Bishop's skullcap.

Order of Mass

Prior to Mass

• It may be appropriate to formally receive the Bishop before Mass⁴.
• Before the Bishop Celebrant vests, Acolytes 1 and 2 assist him in washing his hands with the Lavabo set³:
  • Approach with items, Profound Bow
  • Wash hands
  • Profound Bow, depart.

Introductory Rites

Entrance

Procession#Long Cloister Walk Procession to Crossing Altar, see Procession#When there is a Bishop.

• It is important for the Thurifer to time the Procession correctly so that all are in place in front of the Sanctuary when the Introit begins, since everyone will reverence simultaneously.

Reverence to the Altar, Greeting, Penitential Act, Kyrie, Gloria, Collect, Lesson, Gradual

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, except:

• Crozier Bearer, Mitre Bearer, and Book Bearer attend to the Bishop Celebrant under direction from the MC.
  • Upon reaching the Sanctuary, the Bishop Celebrant will give his Mitre and Crozier to the Mitre Bearer and Crozier Bearer (or indirectly through Assistant Deacons). These servers Profound Bow with the items and proceed to their seats⁵.
  • After the Bishop Celebrant sits (after the Collect), the Mitre Bearer assists the Assistant Deacon in assisting the Bishop in putting on his Mitre⁶.

Acclamation (Alleluia / Tract)

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, except:

• The Bishop Celebrant will impose incense from a seated position, an Assistant Deacon will assist with the boat as usual.
• After the Bishop Celebrant blesses the Deacon to read the Gospel, he takes off the Mitre⁷ and gives it to the Mitre Bearer, and the Crozier Bearer gives him the Crozier to hold during the Gospel⁸.

Gospel

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass.

Homily

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass. Likely preached by Bishop Celebrant, if so:

• Crozier Bearer and Mitre Bearer assist Bishop Celebrant with Crozier and Mitre as needed, they may need to escort the Bishop to the Ambo.
• After the Homily, the Bishop Celebrant gives up the Crozier and Mitre.

Credo, Universal Prayer

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Offertory, Preface

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, Acolytes 1 and 2 assist with the Offertory, except:

• After the Prayer over the Offerings, the MC collects the Bishop Celebrant's skullcap and places it on a platter on the Credence Table⁹.

Sanctus through Great Amen

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, except:

• Eucharistic Prayer#Formation includes four¹⁰ Torch bearers, a Thurifer, and a Boat Bearer.

Our Father, Rite of Peace, Agnus Dei

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass.

Communion

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, except:

• If desired by those Ministers, Acolytes 1 and 2 hold Patens for the Priests distributing Communion, returning them to the Priests when they are finished.

Ablutions

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass, except:

• The Bishop Celebrant stands at the Cathedra until the Eucharist is reposed in the Tabernacle, then sits in the Cathedra while the vessels are purified. The Priest Concelebrants perform the Ablutions.
• Acolytes 1 and 2 attend to the usual Ablutions duties.
• Acolytes 3 and 4 wash the Bishop's hands¹¹:
  • Cue: Bishop sits in the Cathedra.
  • Retrieve Lavabo pitcher, bowl, and Finger Towel.
  • Approach Bishop, Profound Bow.
  • Wash and dry the Bishop's hands.
  • Profound Bow, return items to Credence Table.
• The MC returns the Bishop Celebrant's skullcap after Acolytes 3 and 4 wash his hands¹².

Postcommunion Prayer

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass.

The Concluding Rites

• Before The Lord be with you, the Mitre Bearer gives the Mitre to the Bishop Celebrant.
• Before the blessing, the Crozier Bearer gives the Crozier to the Bishop Celebrant.

Recession

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass:

• As all form up for the Recession, the Crozier Bearer and Mitre Bearer should stand off to the side, so as to readily get into position behind the Bishop when appropriate.
• The Crucifer should line up several pews deep so as to allow all of the Concelebrants and other attendants.
• The Crucifer should go slowly, to allow the Bishop to bless people along the way.

References

• CotMRR > Chapter 8.
• CEfS > Chapter 11.

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1. See CotMRR > p474, CEfS > p900. ↩

2. See CotMRR > par. 476. ↩

3. CEfS > par. 905, CotMRR > par. 481. ↩

4. See CotMRR > p479-482. ↩

5. CotMRR > par. 484 - 485. ↩

6. CotMRR > par. 487. ↩

7. CotMRR > par. 488. ↩

8. CotMRR > par. 489. ↩

9. CotMRR > par. 496. ↩

10. Up to 8 are allowed, CEfS > par. 910, but we only have 4. ↩

11. CEfS > par. 911, CotMRR > par. 502 ↩

12. CEfS > par. 911, CotMRR > par. 502 ↩