Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 27, 2010 / 15:52 pm
A Mexican archbishop issued a memo this week clarifying to priests and the faithful where the sacraments can be celebrated – other than Church buildings – and still protect “the dignity of the Sacred Liturgy.”
In his memo, Archbishop Constancio Miranda of Chihuahua said priests should charitably explain “the reasons for which the Church calls on us … to discover in the sacraments an encounter with the Lord, which leads us to a strong communitarian and social commitment.”
He said church authorities can authorize the celebration of the Mass outside a sacred place, as long as “a substantial number of the faithful attend or the distance to the closest place of worship is considerable.”
In addition, he said, the Mass must be held in “a place that is worthy and appropriate for the celebration. An altar with a cloth, a corporal, a crucifix and candles ought to be set up.”
“The Eucharist cannot be celebrated in individual homes,” the archbishop added.
He also remarked that First Communions, Quinceaneras, marriage anniversaries or other celebrations must not be held “in hotels, social or recreation centers.”