The lay-homilist concept is one I have heard only a little about.  And in those cases it was for parishes that didn't have a full time priest.

Part of me says "No" we should not allow laypersons to deliver the homily.  But the other part says it is a good idea as long as lay people aren't just picked at random and have been "certified" or trained in some way.  Perhaps that need to be catechists first before moving into this role. 

I do feel that lay people can in some cases relate to the congregation at mass at times than the priest on certain subjects.  Recently we had one of our lay people deliver a homily of sorts about tithing and how it benefited their family.  I got a more "personal" feeling and urge to tithe properly than I did when our priest speaks of tithing.  And I think a lot of the parish did too.  My only concern abut lay-homilists is that it would become the norm when it should be a special event.

Pristinus I would love to read anything you wrote.  In fact I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts here.  I have even copied and pasted in word format and printed out some of your postings so I can re-read them to stimulate thought or provide different "angle" about some subject matter.   

Have you ever thought about writing a book?  Or how about CE featuring you as contributor to the site with some of your writings.

Ave Maria!

One may read the instructions of the Holy See regarding the proper liturgical worship in REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM which can be found at the Vatican website at

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

It does not matter how gifted or talented you are or how wonderful  your priest thinks you are!  Unless one is ordained, it is a liturgical abuse to preach the homily. Yes, I know there are ways around it and the 'lay preaching' is called a reflection or some such.

And certainly I know that many are angry because the preaching at Holy Mass is limited to the ordained. I have an Aunt who wants to leave the church because 'Sister' can no longer preach. Well, sister never could!  It was always a liturgical abuse and a prideful disobedience!

We lay folks do not get to vote and even our priests are to STOP changing the norms of the Mass, no matter how meaningful they might personally feel the changes to be. That is what has gotten us in so much trouble  over the past decades and what John Paul II and our present Holy Father have been addressing and trying to reign in.

And, yes, there are other ways to be 'heard' other than preaching the homily.  And with prayer, you will find that way.  A book? Articles submitted to magazines?  Adult education workshops?

I know there are dioceses promoting all sorts of innovations but the innovations have only wreaked havoc. Millions have left the church!

We are not protestants to continually tinker with things. Our Lord was obedient unto death. He is our Example.  We must be faithful to the Holy Father and the magisterium and the norms laid down by them for the proper celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is imperative.

Ave Maria!

I was thinking about this at Mass while Father was telling us about how he went to see Beowulf...

It is rather a shame that lay people even must debate some of the things that belong to the duty of priests.  In spite of the poor homily we heard this morning, it is father's responsibility to preach. I  wish it would be the Gospel!  But for him to sit on his duff and let another take on one of his priestly roles is not proper either.

We have this idea that 'full, active and conscious' participation means some exterior 'ministry'. There are 'ministries' for many things! But really the participation desired by church fathers is interior.  We are to enter into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that is not just a sharing of meal and ministry but the most perfect worship of God! We have lost sight of that in  many cases.  Our service this morning was a protestant like Mass. We sang about ourselves with a jazz mass and so on. 

Lay people visit the sick who are in nursing homes and homebound and in the hospital. Father goes to the gym. Something is very wrong with this picture!  Yet that is what happens here.  It is difficult to get father to come to the sick.  Patients are our VA essentially never see a priest! And only a priest can administer the Sacrament of the Sick and so many are in need. I mention this because too many priests have abdicated thier responsibilities!

To write homilies for a priest!!!!  A homily, a teaching, should be of the fruit of a priest's prayer life and his union with God. If he has such then why would he need someone to put words into his mouth?

As talented and as gifted as many lay folks are, it is not their arena to usurp priestly obligations. And many are encouraged to do so; it is not their fault to be seeking them therefore.

I have been invited to speak to the RCIA in December on Our Lady and the Saints. I sometimes am invited to speak to the youth. I have also spoken on the Holy Eucharist and adoration and vocations and Divine Mercy.  I do not seek out the opportunities; they come to me.  But my place is not in the sanctuary at Mass. There are other ways!