When several priests offer one Mass together, what exactly is happening? Dr. Brant Pitre traces concelebration from its scriptural roots to its revival at the Second Vatican Council.
What Is Concelebration? Biblical Roots and the History of Priests Offering One Mass
Dr. Brant Pitre explains concelebration as the rite in which several priests together offer a single Eucharist — a practice the Church says manifests the unity of the priesthood, the sacrifice, and the whole People of God (GIRM no. 199; Sacrosanctum Concilium 57-58). The session looks first at the scriptural imagery: Simon the high priest surrounded by "a garland of brethren" in Sirach 50, and the twenty-four elders around the Lamb in Revelation. Pitre then follows the historical thread — the bishop giving thanks "with the whole presbytery" in the Apostolic Tradition, the papal custom recorded in the Book of Pontiffs, and the medieval question Innocent III and Aquinas took up: when many priests speak the words of consecration, who consecrates? He closes with the practice's near-disappearance in the West and its deliberate revival at Vatican II. The video maps the sources and the theology.
Key passages & sources examined: Sirach 50:1-21; Revelation 4:2-4, 5:6-7; GIRM no. 199; Sacrosanctum Concilium 57-58; Apostolic Tradition 4; Liber Pontificalis (Zephyrinus); Amalar of Metz; Pope Innocent III, Mysteries of the Mass 4.25; St. Thomas Aquinas (ST III q.82 a.2); Benedict XIV; Josef Jungmann; Eucharisticum Mysterium (1967) no. 47
What is concelebration in the Catholic Mass? The session defines it from the GIRM: several priests offering one and the same sacrifice together, which the Church says expresses the unity of the priesthood and the People of God.
What are the biblical roots of concelebration? Pitre points to Old Testament priestly imagery in Sirach and the heavenly liturgy of Revelation; the connections are drawn out in the video.
If several priests say the words together, who consecrates? The video presents how Innocent III and St. Thomas Aquinas answered this question about intention and the "same instant" of consecration.
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This is some outstanding advice for couples who are struggling in todays world and toxic culture. If you want to begin healing, find peace or just looking for advice; this is highly recommended.
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These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
This is a subscription where the content is accessed online through your account. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
This is some outstanding advice for couples who are struggling in todays world and toxic culture. If you want to begin healing, find peace or just looking for advice; this is highly recommended.
The Mass Explained and the Mass Readings Explained
These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
