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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Cantor substituting for Deacon Vince Friday, April 8, 2005

Question:

Is it permissable, for the Celebrant Priest/Pastor to allow the Cantor, during Mass, to read the words written in the Missal that are directly identified and assigned specifically, in bold print, for the Deacon.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Vince,

No.  If for some reason the deacon cannot sing his words, then he should recite them.  If the is no deacon, then the priest should sing/recite them.

There is only one time I believe that the Missal allows that a cantor may take the deacon's words:  for the singing of the lengthy Exsultet at the Easter Vigil.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.