Would this prevent large groups of priests distributing communion? Couldn't they be the ministers of communion without being con-celebrants?
David B. | 05.23.08 - 5:38 pm | #

David, yes they can - priests who do not concelebrate at a Mass should participate "in choro" - that is, they should wear choir dress (cassock, surplice, optional biretta) - the same with deacons not assisting at the altar. When they receive Holy Communion, they put their stoles on, and, if needed, participate in the distribution of Communion to the faithful.
Tim Ferguson | 05.23.08 - 8:57 pm | #

But, in theorey, if a priest is at any Mass, can't he con-celebrate it? Why would the Pope limmit the number of priests and make celebrating at the altar with him something of a "gentleman's club?"
Dan | 05.26.08 - 3:38 pm | #

The Byzantine tradition provides some sensible guidelines on this matter. Our concelebrants completely encircle an altar. If you can lean your belly up against the square altar, you are a concelebrant. If not, you are in choir.

There is something far more sensible about this than hundreds of priests in a field who can't even see the eucharistic elements being fancied "concelebrants".
ASimpleSinner | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 2:04 am | #