www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization a particular kind of Priest

Akemmer,
They were known as "Mass" priests and were ordained solely for the Liturgy. There had been some talk about doing this again but where would they come from?
Better to just ordain those who now are married deacons to serve the Church if that is there calling.
Yes the unforgiveable sin. Married Clergy no less!
Stephanos I

New York and Missouri, that's where! :p

Historically, "Massing Priests" were ordained to celebrate Mass (in the Western Church) because there were a lot of stipends given for Masses to be 'said' for specific intentions, including the repose of the deceased.

Thus, "collegiate Churches" would have a high altar and a collection of side altars where Masses would be said for specific intentions.

This is in clear opposition to the Eastern understanding of "one church building, one altar, one liturgy" per day for the COMMUNITY.

Liturgy is not 'Rosary' that can be done as often as one wishes. The Eucharistic Celebration is, in essence, a communal celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Doing it again and again and again in the same location is a perversion of the original intent of reenactment of the Paschal/Passover ritual for the community. It perverts the Mass into a quasi-Magical ritual that has validity in itself and completely ignores the theology that it is the community's celebration of the memorial of Christ's Last Supper. Having a "Mass" without the people is just wrong. Even Roman Canon Law prohibits a priest from "saying Mass" without at least a server who represents 'the people'.

Christ is Risen!!!