Priest Posture for the Celebration of Mass
In the Diocese of Jackson, Masses with a Congregation (one or more present) are celebrated versus populum.
Mass may be celebrated ad orientem in private.

Masses celebrated outside of churches, such as at hotels for conventions or at campgrounds, deserve the same amount of reverence and preparation. The vessels used should be brought from the church and made of metal (see note below on sacred vessels). Purificators  should be brought from the church as they are set apart for the sole purpose of purifying the sacred vessels. Plastic cups, wine glasses, napkins, and/or paper towels must not be used in these celebrations for a matter of convenience. It is disrespectful to the sacrament and the congregation.

For more updated diocesan directives on the Mass click the Order of Mass button in the left menu. These address vesture, posture at Communion, discouragement of accessing the tabernacle during the celebration of Mass.

A FEW NOTES ABOUT HOSTS AND WINE

Elements used for the Mass (all Masses including daily Mass) should be as follows: Hosts are to be made from unleavened bread. Please do not use pita bread or Hawaiian bread. Please obtain from a reputable source.

Altar wine should be made from grapes with no additives. It is recommended that it have at least 13% alcohol. Please do not use muscadine, strawberry infused or Ripple.

In preparation for Mass, put out enough hosts and wine for consecration for those present at that Mass. Please refrain from distributing Holy Communion from the tabernacle as a constant habit.

PURIFICATION OF SACRED VESSELS AFTER HOLY COMMUNION
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS AND OPTIONS FOR PARISHES

Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under both Species
•    Both the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, and the United States document, Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States, uphold the principle that “Holy Communion has a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds. For in this manner of reception a fuller sign of the Eucharist banquet shines forth.” (GIRM, #281, Norms, 320)
•    Distribution and reception of Holy Communion under both species has been the practice in the parishes of the Diocese of Jackson for the last 35 years.
•    There should be no change to this laudable practice and Communion from the Chalice should continue and be encouraged for all the faithful.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and the purification of sacred vessels:
•    Extraordinary Ministers should continue to consume reverently whatever is left of the precious blood after everyone has received communion, but should no longer pour water into the chalice, swirl and consume. That action is reserved for the priest, deacon or instituted acolyte.
•    Extraordinary Ministers may wipe the chalices and ciboria thoroughly with the purificator immediately after the priest, deacon or instituted acolyte has purified them.
•    Extraordinary Ministers should also continue to wash the chalices and store them after Mass after they have been purified by the priest, deacon or instituted acolyte.

Basic instructions for Extraordinary Ministers (EMs):

1. After everyone has received communion return to the credence table with your chalice.
2. Consume what is left of the Precious Blood in the chalice. PLEASE do not consume the remaining Precious Blood while walking. If there is more than you are able to consume then ask for assistance from another EM or the celebrant.
3. If you helped distribute the consecrated hosts, then bring your ciborium to the corporal on the altar to be combined into one ciborium for transfer to the tabernacle.
4. Bring empty ciboria to credence table.
5. After the priest, deacon or instituted acolyte have purified the vessels, take a purificator and thoroughly dry each vessel. See “options for priests…” below.
6. Return to your places.
7. After Mass bring purified vessels to sacristy for washing and storing.
8. In some cases the priest may choose to purify the vessels immediately following Mass. If this happens it is preferable that the vessels should remain on the credence table covered by purificators or an appropriate cloth until they are purified.

Options for priests, deacons and instituted acolytes when there is a large number of vessels or there are time constraints:

1. Pour a fair amount of water into one ciborium to get fragments of consecrated hosts. That water may then be poured into the next ciborium.
2. Pour the water from the ciborium into main chalice and swirl in the customary manner to purify. You may want to add some more water.
3. Pour the water from the main chalice into the next chalice and swirl, then pour that water into the next chalice and swirl and so on. This way you will only have to consume the ablution from one chalice. In this fashion the water begins in the first ciborium and finishes in the last chalice.
4. EMs will thoroughly dry ciboria and chalices with purificators after the vessels have been purified and then return to their places.
5. The priest, deacon or instituted acolyte who is purifying should remain with EMs until drying process is completed so that all can return to their places in an orderly fashion. The drying process may begin as soon as the first ciborium is purified.
6. The whole process should take only about 1-3 minutes, so in the interest of the dignity and the sacredness of the sacrament, it would be best to do this immediately following communion and not wait until after Mass. This also will give people in the pews a few extra minutes to reflect on the sacrament.

SACRED VESSELS

Hans Memling, Chalice of St. John the Evangelist 1470, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC Open Access

There have been some recent questions about sacred vessels at Mass and whether the use of glass and ceramic materials is possible. Paragraphs 327-330 from the GIRM and paragraphs 117-118 from Redemptionis Sacramentum imply that glass and ceramic materials should not be used as sacred vessels because of their fragile nature. Therefore we ask that glass and ceramic chalices and ciboria not be used for liturgies in the Diocese of Jackson.

The Extraordinary Form may be celebrated in accordance with Traditionis Custodes by a priest trained in this form’s ritual who understands the language.

Diocesan Norms Implementing Traditionis Custodes

A. Music

• Only music that is sacred and liturgical in nature and origin should be used. Secular music is not to be used in a church setting.
• The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of the community. It should be sung or recited by the entire congregation and never be performed as a solo. (Ordo Missae, 126)

B. Wake Services

• Because of the often social nature of visitation, it is preferable for visitation NOT to be held in a church. If visitation must be held in a church, then every effort must be made to maintain the dignity and sacredness of the space.
• Wake services not the Funeral Mass are the appropriate time for family and friends to share stories and anecdotes about the deceased.

C. Where celebrated

• The proper place for a Funeral Mass is in the parish church.
• Funeral Masses in a funeral home should be avoided.

D.  Eulogy

• A eulogy is a short tribute to the life of the deceased loved one, offered by a family member or close personal friend, who knew the deceased well.
• The Order of Christian Funerals clearly states that a “brief homily should be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy” may replace the homily (#141)
• If a eulogy is to be given at the Funeral Liturgy it must follow the Prayer after Communion.  The family should indicate to the priest, deacon, or LEM at the time of the funeral planning if they would like someone to deliver a eulogy.
• The eulogy should be brief, done by one person and not last more than a few minutes (2-5).

E. Proper terminology in public notices and obituaries

• In the preparation for public notification of death and funeral services, as well as the publication of a “worship aid,” for the celebration of funeral rites, the appropriate wording should be as follows: “THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL.”  “THE MASS OF RESURRECTION” IS NOT PROPER TERMINOLOGY.

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

August 5, 2014 – Dedication of Santa Maria Maggiore
Celebration of Mass
Updated May 15, 2023

Priest Posture for the Celebration of Mass
In the Diocese of Jackson, Masses with a Congregation (one or more present) are celebrated versus populum.
Mass may be celebrated ad orientem in private.

Decorum
Masses celebrated outside of churches, such as at hotels for conventions or at campgrounds, deserve the same amount of reverence and preparation. The sacred vessels used should be brought from the church and made of metal (see note below on sacred vessels). Purificators and corporals should be brought from the church as they are set apart for the sole purpose of purifying the sacred vessels. Plastic cups, wine glasses, napkins, and/or paper towels must not be used in these celebrations as a matter of convenience. It is disrespectful to the sacrament and the congregation.

• Vestments for the celebration of Mass are given in the GIRM ¶119 -- alb, stole, and chasuble for priests, dalmatic for deacons -- cincture and amice if needed. Please take time to make sure vestments are put on in an orderly fashion.
• Masters of Ceremonies wear alb or cassock and surplice.
• In preparing for Mass, put out enough hosts and wine for consecration for those present at that Mass. Please refrain from distributing Holy Communion from the tabernacle as a constant habit. When the Bishop is present for the celebration, he expects that enough hosts are put out and that the tabernacle will not be accessed until after the Distribution of Communion.
• For posture during the distribution of Holy Communion, see instruction below on Distribution of Communion

SPRINKLING RITE
The Sprinkling Rite may take the place of the penitential rite during Eastertime.

The GLORIA
The Gloria follows the sprinkling rite. It should not be used as music for the sprinkling rite – they are two separate entities.

GIRM 53
The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text. The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or by two parts of the congregation responding one to the other.
It is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character. ©ICEL, 2010.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

• Taken from Lectionary
• Could be a substituted seasonal psalm
• Preferably Sung or at least the people’s response
•  Songs or hymns may not  be used as a substitute for the psalm

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

• Alleluia, except during Lent
• Sung by all, while standing
• Verse sung by choir or cantor
• If not sung it is generally best to omit

CREED
The Creed should be introduced prior to reciting it with the congregation. Words similar to “Let us stand and profess our faith…” work well.

PREPARATION/PRESENTATION
The altar is prepared.

• All vessels containing elements to be consecrated must sit on a corporal. This may require more than one corporal (i.e. one large central and two smaller side ones; two of equal size; or one large and one small corporal. Whatever fits best.) Sitting a vessel simply on the altar cloth for consecration is not the best option.
• If there are several side chalices in addition to the main chalice, these may be filled prior to Mass and placed on the corporal(s) during the preparation of the altar.

1. The procession of the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory chant or song, which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar. Singing may always accompany the rite at the offertory, even when there is no procession with the gifts. [GIRM 74]
2. For the MINGLING OF WATER INTO THE CHALICE, only the main chalice need have water mingled in it. Ancillary chalices do not need to have water mingled in them.
3. All chalices should be filled and on the altar prior to the blessings of the gifts. The mingling of water and wine occurs in the main chalice and not in the carafe or flagon container prior to pouring into the chalice.
4. Since the taking of bread and wine is expressed primarily by the action, normally both blessings will be uttered inaudibly during the singing or music. If no music is being played, the priest may say them aloud. In this case, the people may respond with the acclamation “Blessed by God for ever.” The two blessings should be seen as a unit; for one to be said inaudibly and the other aloud should never happen, nor should the two be joined into one prayer. (Introduction to the Order of the Mass, 106

THE LORD’S PRAYER – OUR FATHER
It is encouraged that the Lord’s Prayer be chanted or sung.

Many parishes already do this either with simple chant or with familiar tunes. If you choose to chant or sing, we would like to remind everyone to stop singing for the priest to pray the embolism. He may chant or recite this. Then the congregation  concludes by singing the doxology.

RITE OF PEACE
The sign of peace is given to those around you. Clergy and servers should remain in the sanctuary and not go into the congregation to offer the sign of peace. At special Masses such as funerals the celebrant may exchange the sign of peace with the immediate family of the deceased.

AGNUS DEI – LAMB OF GOD
The Lamb of God can be expanded when the fraction rite is prolonged due to a large number of concelebrants. However only the formula may be used: Lamb of God, you…have mercy on us. Final should conclude with …grant us peace. There should be no epithets such as Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, etc. used. Only the formula is used.

Once the Lamb of God has begun, the Rite of Peace is over.  Allow the transition to happen.

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
The Communion Procession is a pilgrimage into the Heart of God as the Body of Christ moves in unison to receive the Body of Christ. This procession should be continuous and flowing.for the congregation to approach the ciborium and chalice and receive.
Communion is to be distributed under both species. The consecrated hosts may be received on the tongue or in the hands. It is the choice of the communicant. The Normative Posture for reception of Holy Communion is standing, but if someone chooses to kneel, he or she should not be refused. The use of communion rails or kneelers is not to be implemented.

Intinction is at this time NOT an option for the parishes in the Diocese of Jackson. Self-intinction by a communicant is never allowed.

SONG OF PRAISE/SACRED SILENCE

• After all have received Communion and have returned to their places – a psalm, hymn, or song may be sung preferably by the entire congregation as an act of thanksgiving. Marian Hymns are not appropriate. The Regina Caeli or Salve Maria may be sung after the blessing and before the dismissal.
• Please avoid using the terminology: “Communion Meditation”
• A period of silence may also be observed instead of a song of praise

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements should be done prior to Mass or after the prayer after communion.
The Post-Communion Prayer concludes the Communion Rite. Therefore, any announcements or presentations should occur AFTER this prayer.

Weddings are a joyous celebration in the life of a parish, but oftentimes they can pose challenges in maintaining the sacredness of the space and the ceremony. In light of this, Pastors, Lay Ecclesial Ministers and Pastoral Ministers should make every effort to remind couples and their families, prior to the rehearsal and ceremony, of the dignity and sacred nature of the celebration and the space in which it is held.

Each parish should establish wedding policies and follow them. These policies should address such issues as wedding coordinators, photographers, times of weddings, placement of flowers in the church, etc. Below are diocesan policies that are to be incorporated into all parish policies.

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Sacred Space:
•    Weddings must take place in a sacred space. In the Diocese of Jackson a sacred space is defined as a recognized church or chapel of the diocese.

A. Rite of Marriage and Sundays:
•    In the Diocese of Jackson weddings Masses on Sunday or Saturday evenings after 4 p.m. are strongly discouraged. The Rite for Marriage Outside Mass should be used. Those who would prefer an evening Wedding Mass should schedule on another night such as Friday.
•    The seasons of Advent and Lent are solemn penitential seasons. If marriages are to take place during these seasons, couples should be reminded that wedding plans should respect the special nature of the liturgical season by refraining from too much pomp or display with regards to music, altar decorations and size of wedding party.
•    During Advent and Lent, Wedding Masses on Sunday or Saturday evenings after 4 p.m. may not be celebrated. The Rite for Marriage Outside Mass should be used.

B. The Mass and mixed marriages:
•    In the Diocese of Jackson wedding Masses are strongly discouraged between a Catholic and a non-Catholic because of the occasional tensions that may arise around exclusion from Communion. The Rite for Marriage Outside Mass should be used.

C. Music: (Ordo Missae, 40-46)
•    Only music that is sacred and liturgical in nature and origin should be used. Secular music is not to be used in a church setting.
•    The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of the community. It should be sung or recited by the entire congregation and never be performed as a solo even at a nuptial ceremony.(Ordo Missae, 126)

D. Unity Candles:
•    The practice of incorporating Unity Candles into the ceremony is to be stopped. There is no place for it in the ritual and therefore should not be added. Unity candles may certainly be used at the reception, but never in the church.

E.  Photographers and Videographers
•    Photographers and Videographers should not be allowed to take over the church and sanctuary. Photographers should never be allowed in the sanctuary or near the altar before, during and after the ceremony. Each should be given specific instructions as to how long, where and when they are allowed to setup, make photographs, etc.
•    Because the ceremony is a sacred moment in the life of the entire parish community, photographers should refrain from using flash photography during the actual ceremony.
•    No inappropriate poses are to be allowed in the church. If absolutely necessary, these may be taken at the reception unless the reception is on church property.

Children and Pets as Participants
•    Because of the dignity and sacredness of the moment, children who participate as ring bearers and/or flower girls should be mature enough in age and demeanor. In the Diocese of Jackson the minimum age for child participants is first grade.
•    Pets are never allowed to participate in wedding ceremonies. Service animals, of course, may be included but not as ring bearers or best men.

Modesty of Dress
•    Brides should be reminded that the ceremony is taking place in a sacred space. Dresses for brides and bridesmaids should reflect a sense of modesty and respect for the sacredness of the ceremony and the space. Strapless dresses, plunging necklines, and open backs should not be chosen. A suitable and decorative wrap covering these areas may be incorporated for the ceremony and photographs in the church.

Rice, birdseed, etc.
•    The practice of throwing rice, birdseed, flower petals, etc., on church property (church steps, parish centers, parking lots, wherever) is to be stopped completely.

(Includes distribution of Holy Communion when Mass is not available)

Updated September 23, 2014

Since we do not want to create a culture or a custom where “getting” Holy Communion on a daily basis becomes the focus among our faithful and therefore seen as an equal alternative to participation in the celebration of the sacrifice of Mass, we have developed these directives for the Diocese of Jackson concerning Weekday Celebrations when a priest is not available to celebrate Mass.

1. Whenever possible, the Mass schedule of nearby parishes should be available to parishioners. If a nearby parish is celebrating Mass on a given weekday, serious consideration should be given to encouraging people to participate in that Mass. Communion services should not be offered if Mass is available nearby.
2. Weekday Celebrations with the distribution of Holy Communion should not occur in the Jackson tri-county area or in cities and towns with more than one Catholic Church where Mass is available daily or several times a week.
3. Weekday Celebrations should not include the distribution of Holy Communion if Mass is available in a nearby parish (15-20 mile radius). These celebrations should take place if at all possible under the form of Morning or Evening Prayer. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament could very easily be incorporated into these celebrations.
4. The specialized provisions for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest are NOT appropriate for weekday celebrations. Where Mass is not available in a nearby parish, Weekday Celebrations may include the distribution of Holy Communion. This should be done using the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside Mass.
5. Weekday celebrations on Holy Days of Obligation should follow the above directives.
6. A Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Holy Communion should never be scheduled for the purpose of ‘providing a role’ for deacons or lay ministers. Likewise, choosing the option of the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass solely to provide a role for the deacon is inappropriate. It is also inappropriate to have the deacon preside at the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass when a priest is available to celebrate a Funeral Mass.
7. The Distribution of Communion should not be connected with the Stations of the Cross in any way.