Presbyter assistant
A cleric who assists the main celebrant in the celebration of Holy Mass is referred to as a presbyter assistens (Latin for 'helping priest') .
origin
The assistant presbyter had served in the pontifical office since the 10th century ; later his service was made mandatory. He is to be understood as a representative of the priestly college at the episcopal mass. In some places in the High Middle Ages there were two, in France up to six priests who sat or stood next to the bishop's cathedra at Holy Mass .
Since the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council, there is no longer any provision for a presbyter's assistant in the liturgy . In the extraordinary form of the Roman rite , the participation of a presbyter assistant is still possible today .
tasks
Since the liturgical celebrations of the bishop, especially the ordination of priests, had a very complex structure, the assistant presbyter had the function of helping the bishop. The service of the assistant presbyter was reserved for an experienced priest.
For example, it used the digitus to indicate the places to be read in the pontifical and functioned as a kind of ceremonial , which, clad in the cope , was always at the side of the celebrant. He was also responsible for directing the celebrant's often complicated movements. He also carried the missal aside while the altar was being consecrated .
Furthermore, a new priest was granted a presbyter assistant at the celebration of his primary mass .
Individual evidence
- ^ Josef Andreas Jungmann : Missarum Sollemnia. Volume 1, 5th, improved edition, Vienna et al. 1962, pp. 258ff, note 9; P. 267, note 53.
- ^ Josef Pfab: Brief headings ; Paderborn: Schöningh, 1961 2
- ^ Wilhelm Lurz : Brief rubricistics ; Munich: Seitz, 1958 2