THE CODE OF CANON LAW |
CODEX IURIS CANONICI (1983) |
BOOK IV:
THE SANCTIFYING OFFICE
OF THE CHURCH
Can. 834 §1 The Church
carries out its office of sanctifying in a special way in the sacred liturgy,
which is an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. In the liturgy,
by the use of signs perceptible to the senses, our sanctification is symbolised
and, in a manner appropriate to each sign, is brought about. Through the
liturgy a complete public worship is offered to God by the head and members
of the mystical body of Christ.
§2 This worship takes place when it is offered in the name of the
Church, by persons lawfully deputed and through actions approved by ecclesiastical
authority.
Can. 835 §1 The sanctifying
office is exercised principally by Bishops, who are the high priests,
the principal dispensers of the mysteries of God and the moderators, promoters
and guardians of the entire liturgical life in the Churches entrusted
to their care.
§2 This office is also exercised by priests. They, too, share in
the priesthood of Christ and, as his ministers under the authority of
the Bishop, are consecrated to celebrate divine worship and to sanctify
the people.
§3 Deacons have a share in the celebration of divine worship in accordance
with the provisions of law.
§4 The other members of Christ’s faithful have their own part
in this sanctifying office, each in his or her own way actively sharing
in liturgical celebrations, particlarly in the Eucharist. Parents have
a special share in this office when they live their married lives in a
christian spirit and provide for the christian education of their children.
Can. 836 Since christian worship,
in which the common priesthood of Christ’s faithful is exercised,
must proceed from and rest upon faith, sacred ministers are to strive
diligently to arouse and enlighten this faith, especially by the ministry
of the word by which faith is born and nourished.
Can. 837 §1 Liturgical
actions are not private but are celebrations of the Church itself as the
‘sacrament of unity’, that is, the holy people united and
ordered under the Bishops. Accordingly, they concern the whole body of
the Church, making it known and influencing it. They affect individual
members of the Church in ways that vary according to orders, role and
actual participation.
§2 Since liturgical matters by their very nature call for a community
celebration, they are, as far as possible, to be celebrated in the presence
of Christ’s faithful and with their active participation.
Can. 838 §1 The ordering
and guidance of the sacred liturgy depends solely upon the authority of
the Church, namely, that of the Apostolic See and, as provided by law,
that of the diocesan Bishop.
§2 It is the prerogative of the Apostolic See to regulate the sacred
liturgy of the universal Church, to publish liturgical books and review
their vernacular translations, and to be watchful that liturgical regulations
are everywhere faithfully observed.
§3 It pertains to Episcopal Conferences to prepare vernacular translations
of liturgical books, with appropriate adaptations as allowed by the books
themselves and, with the prior review of the Holy See, to publish these
translations.
§4 Within the limits of his competence, it belongs to the diocesan
Bishop to lay down for the Church entrusted to his care, liturgical regulations
which are binding on all.
Can. 839 §1 The Church
carries out its sanctifying office by other means also, that is by prayer,
in which it asks God to make Christ’s faithful holy in the truth,
and by works of penance and charity, which play a large part in establishing
and strengthening in souls the Kingdom of Christ, and so contribute to
the salvation of the world.
§2 Local Ordinaries are to ensure that the prayers and the pious
and sacred practices of the christian people are in full harmony with
the laws of the Church. |
LIBER IV
DE ECCLESIAE MUNERE SANCTIFICANDI
Can. 834 - § 1. Munus sanctificandi Ecclesia peculiari modo adimplet
per sacram liturgiam, quae quidem habetur ut Iesu Christi muneris sacerdotalis
exercitatio, in qua hominum sanctificatio per signa sensibilia significatur
ac modo singulis proprio efficitur, atque a mystico Iesu Christi Corpore,
Capite nempe et membris, integer cultus Dei publicus exercetur.
§ 2. Huiusmodi cultus tunc habetur, cum defertur nomine Ecclesiae
a personis legitimedeputatis et per actus ab Ecclesiae auctoritate probatos.
Can. 835 - § 1. Munus sanctificandi exercent imprimis Episcopi,
qui sunt magni sacerdotes, mysteriorum Dei praecipui dispensatores atque
totius vitae liturgicae in Ecclesia sibi commissa moderatores, promotores
atque custodes.
§ 2. Illud quoque exercent presbyteri, qui nempe, et ipsi Christi sacerdotii
participes, ut eius ministri sub Episcopi auctoritate, ad cultum divinum
celebrandum et populum sanctificandum consecrantur.
§ 3. Diaconi in cultu divino celebrando partem habent, ad normam iuris
praescriptorum.
§4. In munere sanctificandi propriam sibi partem habent ceteri quoque
christifideles actuose liturgicas celebrationes, eucharisticam praesertim,
suo modo participando; peculiari modo idem munus participant parentes
vitam coniugalem spiritu christiano ducendo et educationem christianam
filiorum procurando.
Can. 836 - Cum cultus christianus, in quo sacerdotium commune christifidelium
exercetur, opus sit quod a fide procedit et eadem innititur, ministri
sacri eandem e xcitare et illustraresedulo curent, ministerio praesertim
verbi, quo fides nascitur et nutritur.
Can. 837 - § 1. Actiones liturgicae non sunt actiones privatae,
sed celebrationes Ecclesiae ipsius, quae est "unitatis sacramentum," scilicet
plebs sancta sub Episcopis adunata et ordinata; quare ad universum corpus
Ecclesiae pertinent illudque manifestant et afficiunt; singula vero membra
ipsius attingunt diverso modo, pro diversitate ordinum, munerum et actualis
participationis.
§ 2. Actiones liturgicae, quatenus suapte natura celebrationem communem
secumferant, ubi id fieri potest, cum frequentia et actuosa participatione
christifidelium celebrentur.
Can. 838 - § 1. Sacrae liturgiae moderatio ab Ecclesiae auctoritate
unice pendet: quae quidem est penes Apostolicam Sedem et, ad normam iuris,
penes Episcopum dioecesanum.
§ 2. Apostolicae Sedis est sacram liturgiam Ecclesiae universae ordinare,
libros liturgicos edere eorumque versiones in linguas vernaculas recognoscere,
necnon advigilare ut ordinationes liturgicae ubique fideliter observentur.
§ 3. Ad Episcoporum conferentias spectat versiones librorum liturgicorum
in linguas vernaculas, convenienter intra limites in ipsis libris liturgicis
definitos aptatas, parare, easque edere, praevia recognitione Sanctae
Sedis.
§4. Ad Episcopum dioecesanum in Ecclesia sibi commissa pertinet, intra
limites suae competentiae, normas de re liturgica dare, quibus omnes tenentur.
Can. 839 - § 1. Aliisve quoque mediis munus sanctificationis peragit
Ecclesia, sive orationibus, quibus Deum deprecatur ut christifideles sanctificati
sint in veritate, sive paenitentiae et caritatis operibus, quae quidem
magnopere ad Regnum Christi in animis radicandum et roborandum adiuvant
et ad mundi salutem conferunt.
§ 2. Curent locorum Ordinarii ut orationes necnon pia et sacra exercitia
populi christiani normis Ecclesiae plene congruant. |
PART I :
THE SACRAMENTS
Can. 840 The sacraments of
the New Testament were instituted by Christ the Lord and entrusted to
the Church. As actions of Christ and of the Church, they are signs and
means by which faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is offered
to God and our sanctification is brought about. Thus they contribute in
the most effective manner to establishing, strengthening and manifesting
ecclesiastical communion. Accordingly, in the celebration of the sacraments
both the sacred ministers and all the other members of Christ’s
faithful must show great reverence and due care.
Can. 841 Since the sacraments
are the same throughout the universal Church, and belong to the divine
deposit of faith, only the supreme authority in the Church can approve
or define what is needed for their validity. It belongs to the same authority,
or to another competent authority in accordance with can. 838
§§3 and 4, to determine what is required for their lawful celebration,
administration and reception and for the order to be observed in their
celebration.
Can. 842 §1 A person
who has not received baptism cannot validly be admitted to the other sacraments.
§2 The sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the blessed Eucharist
so complement one another that all three are required for full christian
initiation.
Can. 843 §1 Sacred ministers
may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are
properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.
§2 According to their respective offices in the Church, both pastors
of souls and all other members of Christ’s faithful have a duty
to ensure that those who ask for the sacraments are prepared for their
reception. This should be done through proper evangelisation and catechetical
instruction, in accordance with the norms laid down by the competent authority.
Can. 844 §1 Catholic
ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members
of Christ’s faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only
from catholic ministers, except as provided in §§2, 3 and 4
of this canon and in can. 861 §2.
§2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends
it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ’s
faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a
catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the
Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non catholic ministers in whose
Churches these sacraments are valid.
§3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance,
the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches
not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously
ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of
other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position
as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.
§4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan
Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing
need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments
to other christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who
cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously
ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect
of these sacraments and are properly disposed.
§5 In respect of the cases dealt with in §§2, 3 and 4,
the diocesan Bishop or the Episcopal Conference is not to issue general
norms except after consultation with the competent authority, at least
at the local level, of the non catholic Church or community concerned.
Can. 845 §1 Because they
imprint a character, the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and order
cannot be repeated.
§2 If after diligent enquiry a prudent doubt remains as to whether
the sacraments mentioned in §1 have been conferred at all, or conferred
validly, they are to be conferred conditionally.
Can. 846 §1 The liturgical
books, approved by the competent authority, are to be faithfully followed
in the celebration of the sacraments. Accordingly, no one may on a personal
initiative add to or omit or alter anything in those books.
§2 The ministers are to celebrate the sacraments according to their
own rite.
Can. 847 §1 In administering
sacraments in which holy oils are to be used, the minister must use oil
made from olives or other plants, which, except as provided in can. 999,
n. 2, has recently been consecrated or blessed by a Bishop. Older oil
is not to be used except in a case of necessity.
§2 The parish priest is to obtain the holy oils from his own Bishop
and keep them carefully in fitting custody.
Can. 848 For the administration
of the sacraments the minister may not ask for anything beyond the offerings
which are determined by the competent authority, and he must always ensure
that the needy are not deprived of the help of the sacraments by reason
of poverty. |
PARS I
DE SACRAMENTIS
Can. 840 - Sacramenta Novi Testamenti, a Christo Domino instituta
et Ecclesiae concredita, utpote actiones Christi et Ecclesiae, signa exstant
ac media quibus fides exprimitur et roboratur, cultus Deo redditur et
hominum sanctificatio efficitur, atque ideo ad communionem ecclesiasticam
inducendam, firmandam et manifestandam summopere conferunt; quapropter
in iis celebrandis summa veneratione debitaque diligentia uti debent tum
sacri ministri tum ceteri christifideles.
Can. 841 - Cum sacramenta eadem sint pro universa Ecclesia et ad
divinum depositum pertineant, unius supremae Ecclesiae auctoritatis est
probare et definire quae ad eorum validitatem sunt requisita, atque eiusdem
aliusve auctoritatis competentis, ad normam Can. 838, §§ 3 et 4, est decernere
quae ad eorum celebrationem, administrationem et receptionem licitam necnon
ad ordinem in eorum celebratione servandum spectant.
Can. 842 - § 1. Ad cetera sacramenta valide admitti nequit, qui
baptismum non recepit. § 2. Sacramenta baptismi, confirmationis et sanctissimae
Eucharistiae ita inter se coalescunt, ut ad plenam initiationem christianam
requirantur.
Can. 843 - § 1. Ministri sacri denegare non possunt sacramenta
iis qui opportune eadem petant, rite sint dispositi, nec iure ab iis recipiendis
prohibeantur.
§ 2. Animarum pastores ceterique christifideles, pro suo quisque ecclesiastico
munere, officium habent curandi ut qui sacramenta petunt debita evangelizatione
necnon catechetica institutione ad eadem recipienda praeparentur, attentis
normis a competenti auctoritate editis.
Can. 844 - § 1. Ministri catholici sacramenta licite administrant
solis christifidelibus catholicis, qui pariter eadem a solis ministris
catholicis licite recipiunt, salvis huius canonis §§ 2, 3 et 4, atque
Can. 861, § 2 praescriptis.
§ 2. Quoties necessitas id postulet aut vera spiritualis utilitas id suadeat,
et dummodo periculum vitetur erroris vel indifferentismi, licet christifidelibus
quibus physice aut moraliter impossibile sit accedere ad ministrum catholicum,
sacramenta paenitentiae, Eucharistiae et unctionis infirmorum recipere
a ministris non catholicis, in quorum Ecclesia valida exsistunt praedicta
sacramenta.
§ 3. Ministri catholici licite sacramenta paenitentiae, Eucharistiae et
unctionis infirmorum administrant membris Ecclesiarum orientalium quae
plenam cum Ecclesia catholica communionem non habent, si sponte id petant
et rite sint disposita; quod etiam valet quoad membra aliarum Ecclesiarum,
quae iudicio Sedis Apostolicae, ad sacramenta quod attinet, in pari condicione
ac praedictae Ecclesiae orientales versantur.
§4. Si adsit periculum mortis aut, iudicio Episcopi dioecesani aut Episcoporum
conferentiae, alia urgeat gravis necessitas, ministri catholici licite
eadem sacramenta administrant ceteris quoque christianis plenam communionem
cum Ecclesia non habentibus, qui ad suae communitatis ministrum accedere
nequeant atque sponte id petant, dummodo quoad eadem sacramenta fidem
catholicam manifestent et rite sint dispositi.
§ 5 Pro casibus de quo in §§ 2, 3 et 4, Episcopus dioecesanus aut Episcoporum
conferentia generales normas ne ferant, nisi post consultationem cum auctoritate
competenti saltem locali Ecclesiae vel communitatis non catholicae, cuius
interest.
Can. 845 - § 1. Sacramenta baptismi, confirmationis et ordinis,
quippe quae characterem imprimant, iterari nequeunt.
§ 2. Si, diligenti inquisitione peracta, prudens adhuc dubium supersit
num sacramenta de quibus in § 1 revera aut valide collata fuerint, sub
condicione conferantur.
Can. 846 - § 1. In sacramentis celebrandis fideliter serventur
libri liturgici a competenti auctoritate probati; quapropter nemo in iisdem
quidpiam proprio marte addat, demat aut mutet.
§ 2. Minister sacramenta celebret secundum proprium ritum.
Can. 847 - § 1. In administrandis sacramentis, in quibus sacra
olea adhibenda sunt, minister uti debet oleis ex olivis aut aliis ex plantis
expressis atque, salvo praescripto Can. 999, n. 2, ab Episcopo consecratis
vel benedictis, et quidem, recenter; veteribus ne utatur, nisi adsit necessitas.
§ 2. Parochus olea sacra a proprio Episcopo impetret eaque decenti custodia
diligenter asservet.
Can. 848 - Minister, praeter oblationes a competenti auctoritate
definitas, pro sacramentorum administratione nihil petat, cauto semper
ne egentes priventur auxilio sacramentorum ratione paupertatis. |
TITLE I: BAPTISM
Can. 849 Baptism, the gateway
to the sacraments, is necessary for salva-tion, either by actual reception
or at least by desire. By it people are freed from sins, are born again
as children of God and, made like to Christ by an indelible character,
are incorporated into the Church. It is validly conferred only by a washing
in real water with the proper form of words. |
TITULUS I: DE BAPTISMO
Can. 849 - Baptismus, ianua sacramentorum, in re vel saltem in
voto ad salutem necessarius, quo homines a peccatis liberantur, in Dei
filios regenerantur atque indelebili charactere Christo configurati Ecclesiae
incorporantur, valide confertur tantummodo per lavacrum aquae verae cum
debita verborum forma. |
CHAPTER I : THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
Can. 850 Baptism is administered
according to the rite prescribed in the approved liturgical books, except
in a case of urgent necessity when only those elements which are required
for the validity of the sacrament must be observed.
Can. 851 The celebration of
baptism should be properly prepared. Accordingly:
1° an adult who intends to receive baptism is to be admitted to the
catechumenate and, as far as possible, brought through the various stages
to sacramental initiation, in accordance with the rite of initiation as
adapted by the Episcopal Conference and with the particular norms issued
by it;
2° the parents of a child who is to be baptised, and those who are
to undertake the office of sponsers, are to be suitably instructed on
the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attaching to it. The
parish priest is to see to it that either he or others duly prepare the
parents, by means of pastoral advice and indeed by prayer together; a
number of families might be brought together for this purpose and, where
possible, each family visited.
Can. 852 §1 The provisions
of the canons on adult baptism apply to all those who, being no longer
infants, have reached the use of reason.
§2 One who is incapable of personal responsibility is regarded as
an infant even in regard to baptism.
Can. 853 Apart from a case
of necessity, the water to be used in conferring baptism is to be blessed,
in accordance with the provisions of the liturgical books.
Can. 854 Baptism is to be
conferred either by immersion or by pouring, in accordance with the provisions
of the Episcopal Conference.
Can. 855 Parents, sponsors
and parish priests are to take care that a name is not given which is
foreign to christian sentiment.
Can. 856 Though baptism may
be celebrated on any day, it is recommended that normally it be celebrated
on a Sunday or, if possible, on the vigil of Easter.
Can. 857 §1 Apart
from a case of necessity, the proper place for baptism is a church or
an oratory.
§2 As a rule and unless a just reason suggests otherwise, an adult
is to be baptised in his or her proper parish church, and an infant in
the proper parish church of the parents.
Can. 858 §1 Each
parish church is to have a baptismal font, without prejudice to the same
right already acquired by other churches.
§2 The local Ordinary, after consultation with the local parish priest,
may for the convenience of the faithful permit or order that a baptismal
font be placed also in another church or oratory within the parish.
Can. 859 If, because
of distance or other circumstances, the person to be baptised cannot without
grave inconvenience go or be brought to the parish church or the oratory
mentioned in can. 858 §2, baptism may and must
be conferred in some other church or oratory which is nearer, or even
in some other fitting place.
Can. 860 §1 Apart from
a case of necessity, baptism is not to be conferred in private houses,
unless the local Ordinary should for a grave reason permit it.
§2 Unless the diocesan Bishop has decreed otherwise, baptism is not
to be conferred in hospital, except in a case of necessity or for some
other pressing pastoral reason. |
CAPUT I: DE BAPTISMI CELEBRATIONE
Can. 850 - Baptismus minstratur secundum ordinem in probatis liturgicis
libris praescriptum, excepto casu necessitatis urgentis, in quo ea tantum
observari debent, quae ad validitatem sacramenti requirantur.
Can. 851 - Baptismi celebratio debite praeparetur oportet; itaque:
1° adultus, qui baptismum recipere intendit, ad catechumenatum admittatur
et, quatenus fieri potest, per varios gradus ad initiationem sacramentalem
perducatur, secundum ordinem initiationis ab Episcoporum conferentia aptatum
et peculiares normas ab eadem editas;
2° infantis baptizandi parentes, itemque qui munus patrini sunt suscepturi,
de significatione huius sacramenti deque obligationibus cum eo cohaerentibus
rite edoceantur; parochus per se vel per alios curet ut ita pastoralibus
monitionibus, immo et communi precatione, debite parentes instruantur,
plures adunando familias atque, ubi fieri possit, eas visitando.
Can. 852 - § 1. Quae in canonibus de baptismo adulti habentur praescripta,
applicantur omnibus qui, infantia egressi, rationis usum assecuti sunt.
§ 2. Infanti assimilatur, etiam ad baptismum quod attinet, qui non est
sui compos.
Can. 853 - Aqua in baptismo conferendo adhibenda, extra casum necessitatis,
benedicta sit oportet, secundum librorum liturgicorum praescripta.
Can. 854 - Baptismus conferatur sive per immersionem sive per infusionem,
servatis Episcoporum conferentiae praescriptis.
Can. 855 - Curent parentes, patrini et parochus ne imponatur nomen
a sensu christiano alienum.
Can. 856 - Licet baptismus quolibet die celebrari possit, commendatur
tamen ut ordinarie die dominica aut, si fieri possit, in vigilia Paschatis,
celebretur.
Can. 857 - § 1. Extra casum necessitatis, proprius baptismi locus
est ecclesia aut oratorium.
§ 2. Pro regula habeatur ut adultus baptizetur in propria ecclesia paroeciali,
infans vero in ecclesia paroeciali parentum propria, nisi iusta causa
aliud suadeat.
Can. 858 - § 1. Quaevis ecclesia paroecialis baptismalem fontem
habeat, salvo iure cumulativo aliis ecclesiis iam quaesito.
§ 2. Loci Ordinarius, audito loci parocho, potest ad fidelium commoditatem
permittere aut iubere, ut fons baptismalis habeatur etiam in alia ecclesia
aut oratorio intra paroeciae fines.
Can. 859 - Si ad ecclesiam paroecialem aut ad aliam ecclesiam vel
oratorium, de quo in Can. 858, § 2, baptizandus, propter locorum distantiam
aliave adiuncta, sine gravi incommodo accedere vel transferri nequeat,
baptismus conferri potest et debet in alia propinquiore ecclesia vel oratorio,
aut etiam alio in loco decenti.
Can. 860 - § 1. Praeter casum necessitatis, baptismus ne conferatur
in domibus privatis, nisi loci Ordinarius gravi de causa id permiserit.
§ 2. In valetudinariis, nisi aliter Episcopus dioecesanus statuerit, baptismus
ne celebretur, nisi in casu necessitatis vel alia ratione pastorali cogente. |
CHAPTER II : THE MINISTER OF BAPTISM
Can. 861 §1 The ordinary
minister of baptism is a Bishop, a priest or a deacon, without prejudice
to the provision of can. 530, n. 1.
§2 If the ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a catechist or
some other person deputed to this office by the local Ordinary, may lawfully
confer baptism; indeed, in a case of necessity, any person who has the
requisite intention may do so. Pastors of souls, especially parish priests,
are to be diligent in ensuring that Christ’s faithful are taught
the correct way to baptise.
Can. 862 Except in a case
of necessity, it is unlawful for anyone without due permission to confer
baptism outside his own territory, not even upon his own subjects.
Can. 863 The baptism of adults,
at least of those who have completed their fourteenth year, is to be referred
to the Bishop, so that he himself may confer it if he judges this appropriate. |
CAPUT II: DE BAPTISMI MINISTRO
Can. 861 - § 1. Minister ordinarius baptismi est Episcopus, presbyter
et diaconus, firmo praescripto Can. 530, n. 1.
§ 2. Absente aut impedito ministro ordinario, licite baptismus confert
catechista aliusve ad hoc munus ab Ordinario loci deputatus, immo, in
casu necessitatis, quilibet homo debita intentione motus solliciti sint
animarum pastores, praesertim parochus, ut christifideles de recto baptizandi
modo edoceantur.
Can. 862 - Excepto casu necessitatis, nemini licet, sine debita
licentia, in alieno territorio baptismum conferre, ne suis quidem subditis.
Can. 863 - Baptismum adultorum, saltem eorum qui aetatem quattuordecim
annorum expleverunt, ad Episcopum dioecesanum deferatur ut, si id expedire
iudicaverit, ab ipso administretur. |
CHAPTER III : THE PERSONS TO BE BAPTISED
Can. 864 Every unbaptised
person, and only such a person, can be baptised.
Can. 865 §1 To be admitted
to baptism, an adult must have manifested the intention to receive baptism,
must be adequately instructed in the truths of the faith and in the duties
of a christian, and tested in the christian life over the course of the
catechumenate. The person must moreover be urged to have sorrow for personal
sins.
§2 An adult in danger of death may be baptised if, with some knowledge
of the principal truths of the faith, he or she has in some manner manifested
the intention to receive baptism and promises to observe the requirements
of the christian religion.
Can. 866 Unless there is a
grave reason to the contrary, immediately after receiving baptism an adult
is to be confirmed, to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist
and to receive holy communion.
Can. 867 §1 Parents are
obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks.
As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to
approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and
to be themselves duly prepared for it.
§2 If the infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptised without
any delay.
Can. 868 §1 For an infant
to be baptised lawfully it is required:
1° that the parents, or at least one of them, or the person who lawfully
holds their place, give their consent;
2° that there be a well founded hope that the child will be brought
up in the catholic religion. If such hope is truly lacking, the baptism
is, in accordance with the provisions of particular law, to be deferred
and the parents advised of the reason for this.
§2 An infant of catholic parents, indeed even of non catholic parents,
may in danger of death be baptised even if the parents are opposed to
it.
]Can. 869 §1 If there
is doubt as to whether a person was baptised or whether a baptism was
conferred validly, and after serious enquiry this doubt persists, the
person is to be baptised conditionally.
§2 Those baptised in a non catholic ecclesial community are not to
be baptised conditionally unless there is a serious reason for doubting
the validity of their baptism, on the ground of the matter or the form
of words used in the baptism, or of the intention of the adult being baptised
or of that of the baptising minister.
§3 If in the cases mentioned in §§1 and 2 a doubt remains
about the conferring of the baptism or its validity, baptism is not to
be conferred until the doctrine of the sacrament of baptism is explained
to the person to be baptised, if that person is an adult. Moreover, the
reasons for doubting the validity of the earlier baptism should be given
to the person or, where an infant is concerned, to the parents.
Can. 870 An abandoned infant
or a foundling is to be baptised unless diligent enquiry establishes that
it has already been baptised.
Can. 871 Aborted foetuses,
if they are alive, are to be baptised, in so far as this is possible. |
CAPUT III: DE BAPTIZANDIS
Can. 864 - Baptismi capax est omnis et solus homo nondum baptizatus.
Can. 865 - § 1. Ut adultus baptizari possit, oportet voluntatem
baptismum recipiendi manifestaverit, de fidei veritatibus obligationibusque
christianis sufficienter sit instructus atque in vita christiana per catechumenatum
sit probatus; admoneatur etiam ut de peccatis suis doleat.
§ 2. Adultus, qui in periculo mortis versatur, baptizari potest si, aliquam
de praecipuis fidei veritatibus cognitionem habens, quovis modo intentionem
suam baptismum recipiendi manifestaverit et promittat se christianae religionis
mandata esse servaturum.
Can. 866 - Adultus qui baptizatur, nisi gravis obstet ratio, statim
post baptismum confirmetur atque celebrationem eucharisticam, communionem
etiam recipiendo, participet.
Can. 867 - § 1. Parentes obligatione tenentur curandi ut infantes
intra priores hebdomadas baptizentur; quam primum post nativitatem, immo
iam ante eam, parochum adeant ut sacramentum pro filio petant et debite
ad illud praeparentur.
§ 2. Si infans in periculo mortis versetur, sine ulla mora baptizetur.
Can. 868 - § 1. Ut infans licite baptizetur, oportet:
1° parentes, saltem eorum unus aut qui legitime eorundem locum tenet,
consentiant;
2° spes habeatur fundata eum in religione catholica educatum iri quae
si prorsus deficiat, baptismus secundum praescripta iuris particularis
differatur, monitis de ratione parentibus.
§ 2. Infans parentum catholicorum, immo et non catholicorum, in periculo
mortis licite baptizatur, etiam invitis parentibus.
Can. 869 - § 1. Si dubitetur num quis baptizatus fuerit, aut baptismus
valide collatus fuerit, dubio quidem post seriam investigationem permanente,
baptismus eidem sub condicione conferatur.
§ 2. Baptizati in communitate ecclesiali non catholica non sunt sub condicione
baptizandi, nisi, inspecta materia et verborum forma in baptismo collato
adhibitis necnon attenta intentione baptizati adulti et ministri baptizantis,
seria ratio adsit de baptismi validitate dubitandi.
§ 3. Quod si, in casibus de quibus in §§ 1 et 2, dubia remaneat baptismi
collatio aut validitas, baptismus ne conferatur nisi postquam baptizando,
si sit adultus, doctrina de baptismi sacramento exponatur, atque eidem
aut, si de infante agitur, eius parentibus rationes dubiae validitatis
baptismi celebrati declarentur.
Can. 870 - Infans expositus aut inventus, nisi re diligenter investigata
de eius baptismo constet, baptizetur.
Can. 871 - Fetus abortivi, si vivant, quatenus fieri potest, baptizentur. |
CHAPTER IV : SPONSORS
Can. 872 In so far as possible,
a person being baptised is to be assigned a sponsor. In the case of an
adult baptism, the sponsor’s role is to assist the person in christian
initiation. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with
the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a
christian life befitting the baptised and faithfully to fulfil the duties
inherent in baptism.
Can. 873 One sponsor, male
or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
Can. 874 §1 To be admitted
to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:
1° be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or
whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest
or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this
role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
2° be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has
been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or
the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to
be made;
3° be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed
Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;
4° not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
5° not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptised.
§2 A baptised person who belongs to a non catholic ecclesial community
may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply
as a witness to the baptism. |
CAPUT IV: DE PATRINIS
Can. 872 - Baptizando, quantum fieri potest, detur patrinus, cuius
est baptizando adulto in initiatione christiana adstare, et baptizandum
infantem una cum parentibus ad baptismum praesentare itemque operam dare
ut baptizatus vitam christianam baptismo congruam ducat obligationesque
eidem inhaerentes fideliter adimpleat.
Can. 873 - Patrinus unus tantum vel matrina una vel etiam unus
et una assumantur.
Can. 874 - § 1. Ut quis ad munus patrini suscipiendum admittatur,
oportet:
1° ab ipso baptizando eiusve parentibus aut ab eo qui eorum locum tenet
aut, his deficientibus, a parocho vel ministro sit designatus atque aptitudinem
et intentionem habeat hoc munus gerendi;
2° decimum sextum aetatis annum expleverit, nisi alia aetas ab Episcopo
dioecesano statuta fuerit vel exceptio iusta de causa parocho aut ministro
admittenda videatur;
3° sit catholicus, confirmatus et sanctissimum Eucharistiae sacramentum
iam receperit, idemque vitam ducat fidei et muneri suscipiendo congruam;
4° nulla poena canonica legitime irrogata vel declarata sit innodatus;
5° non sit pater aut mater baptizandi.
§ 2. Baptizatus ad communitatem ecclesialem non catholicam pertinens,
nonnisi una cum patrino catholico, et quidem ut testis tantum baptismi,
admittatur. |
CHAPTER V : PROOF AND REGISTRATION OF BAPTISM
Can. 875 Whoever administers
baptism is to take care that if there is not a sponsor present, there
is at least one witness who can prove that the baptism was conferred.
Can. 876 To prove that baptism
has been conferred, if there is no conflict of interest, it is sufficient
to have either one unexceptionable witness or, if the baptism was conferred
upon an adult, the sworn testimony of the baptised person.
Can. 877 §1 The parish
priest of the place in which the baptism was conferred must carefully
and without delay record in the register of baptism the names of the baptised,
the minister, the parents, the sponsors and, if there were such, the witnesses,
and the place and date of baptism. He must also enter the date and place
of birth.
§2 In the case of a child of an unmarried mother, the mother’s
name is to be entered if her maternity is publicly known or if, either
in writing or before two witnesses, she freely asks that this be done.
Similarly, the name of the father is to be entered, if his paternity is
established either by some public document or by his own declaration in
the presence of the parish priest and two witnesses. In all other cases,
the name of the baptised person is to be registered, without any indication
of the name of the father or of the parents.
§3 In the case of an adopted child, the names of the adopting parents
are to be registered and, at least if this is done in the local civil
registration, the names of the natural parents in accordance with §§1
and 2 subject however to the rulings of the Episcopal Conference.
Can. 878 If baptism was administered
neither by the parish priest nor in his presence, the minister of baptism,
whoever that was, must notify the parish priest of the parish in which
the baptism was administered, so that he may register the baptism in accordance
with can. 877 §1. |
CAPUT V: DE COLLATI BAPTISMI PROBATIONE ET ADNOTATIONE
Can. 875 - Qui baptismum administrat curet ut, nisi adsit patrinus,
habeatur saltem testis quo collatio baptismi probari possit.
Can. 876 - Ad collatum baptismum comprobandum, si nemini fiat praeiudicium,
sufficit declaratio unius testis omni exceptione maioris, aut ipsius baptizati
iusiurandum, si ipse in aetate adulta baptismum receperit.
Can. 877 - § 1. Parochus loci, in quo baptismus celebratur, debet
nomina baptizatorum, mentione facta de ministro, parentibus, patrinis
necnon, si adsint, testibus, de loco ac die collati baptismi, in baptizatorum
libro sedulo et sine ulla mora referre, simul indicatis die et loco nativitatis.
§ 2. Si de filio agatur e matre non nupta nato, matris nomen inserendum
est, si publice de eius maternitate constet aut ipsa sponte sua, Codex
plerumque non definit ritus, qui in actionibus liturgicis inscribendum
est, si eius paternitas probatur aliquo publico documento aut ipsius declaratione
coram parocho et duobus testibus facta; in ceteris casibus, inscribatur
baptizatus, nulla facta de patris aut parentum nomine indicatione.
§ 3. Si de filio adoptivo agitur, inscribantur nomina adoptantium necnon,
saltem si ita fiat in actu civili regionis, parentum naturalium ad normam
§§ 1 et 2, attentis Episcoporum conferentiae praescriptis.
Can. 878 - Si baptismus neque a parocho neque eo praesente administratus
fuerit, minister baptismi, quicumque est, de collato baptismo certiorem
facere debet parochum paroeciae in qua baptismus administratus est, ut
baptismum adnotet ad normam Can. 877, § 1. |
TITLE II: THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Can. 879 The sacrament of
confirmation confers a character. By it the baptised continue their path
of christian initiation. They are enriched with the gift of the Holy Spirit,
and are more closely linked to the Church. They are made strong and more
firmly obliged by word and deed to witness to Christ and to spread and
defend the faith. |
TITULUS II: DE SACRAMENTO CONFIRMATIONIS
Can. 879 - Sacramentum confirmationis, quod characterem imprimit
et quo baptizati, iter initiationis christianae prosequentes, Spiritus
Sancti dono ditantur atque perfectius Ecclesiae vinculantur, eosdem roborat
arctiusque obligat ut verbo et opere testes sint Christi fidemque diffundant
et defendant. |
CHAPTER I : THE CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION
Can. 880 §1 The sacrament
of confirmation is conferred by anointing with chrism on the forehead
in a laying on of hands, and by the words prescribed in the approved liturgical
books.
§2 The chrism to be used in the sacrament of confirmation must have
been consecrated by a Bishop, even when the sacrament is administered
by a priest.
Can. 881 It is desirable that
the sacrament of confirmation be celebrated in a church and indeed during
Mass. However, for a just and reasonable cause it may be celebrated apart
from Mass and in any fitting place. |
CAPUT I: DE CONFIRMATIONIS CELEBRATIONE
Can. 880 - § 1. Sacramentum confirmationis confertur per unctionem
chrismatis in fronte, quae fit manus impositione atque per verba in probatis
liturgicis libris praescripta.
§ 2. Chrisma in sacramento confirmationis adhibendum debet esse ab Episcopo
consecratum, etiamsi sacramentum a presbytero ministretur.
Can. 881 - Expedit ut confirmationis sacramentum in ecclesia, et
quidem intra Missam, celebretur; ex causa tamen iusta et rationabili,
extra Missam et quolibet loco digno celebrari potest. |
CHAPTER II : THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION
Can. 882 The ordinary minister
of confirmation is a Bishop. A priest can also validly confer this sacrament
if he has the faculty to do so, either from the general law or by way
of a special grant from the competent authority.
Can. 883 The following have,
by law, the faculty to administer confirmation:
1° within the confines of their jurisdiction, those who in law are
equivalent to a diocesan Bishop;
2° in respect of the person to be confirmed, the priest who by virtue
of his office or by mandate of the diocesan Bishop baptises an adult or
admits a baptised adult into full communion with the catholic Church;
3° in respect of those in danger of death, the parish priest or indeed
any priest.
Can. 884 §1 The diocesan
Bishop is himself to administer confirmation or to ensure that it is administered
by another Bishop. If necessity so requires, he may grant to one or several
specified priests the faculty to administer this sacrament.
§2 For a grave reason the Bishop, or the priest who by law or by
special grant of the competent authority has the faculty to confirm, may
in individual cases invite other priests to join with him in administering
the sacrament.
Can. 885 §1 The diocesan
Bishop is bound to ensure that the sacrament of confirmation is conferred
upon his subjects who duly and reasonably request it.
§2 A priest who has this faculty must use it for those in whose favour
it was granted.
Can. 886 §1 A Bishop
in his own diocese may lawfully administer the sacrament of confirmation
even to the faithful who are not his subjects, unless there is an express
prohibition by their own Ordinary.
§2 In order lawfully to administer confirmation in another diocese,
unless it be to his own subjects, a Bishop needs the permission, at least
reasonably presumed, of the diocesan Bishop.
Can. 887 A priest who has
the faculty to administer confirmation may, within the territory assigned
to him, lawfully administer this sacrament even to those from outside
the territory, unless there is a prohibition by their own Ordinary. He
cannot, however, validly confirm anyone in another territory, without
prejudice to the provision of can. 883, n.3.
Can. 888 Within the territory
in which they can confer confirmation, ministers may confirm even in exempt
places. |
CAPUT II: DE CONFIRMATIONIS MINISTRO
Can. 882 - Confirmationis minister ordinarius est Episcopus; valide
hoc sacramentum confert presbyter quoque hac facultate vi iuris universalis
aut peculiaris concessionis competentis auctoritatis instructus.
Can. 883 - Ipso iure facultate confirmationem ministrandi gaudent:
1° intra fines suae dicionis, qui iure Episcopo dioecesano aequiparantur;
2° quoad personam de qua agitur, presbyter qui, vi officii vel mandati
Episcopi dioecesani, infantia egressum baptizat aut iam baptizatum in
plenam Ecclesiae catholicae communionem admittit;
3° quoad eos qui in periculo mortis versantur, parochus, immo quilibet
presbyter.
Can. 884 - § 1. Episcopus dioecesanus confirmationem administret
per se ipse aut curet ut per alium Episcopum administretur; quod si necessitas
id requirat, facultatem concedere potest uni vel pluribus determinatis
presbyteris, qui hoc sacramentum administrent.
§ 2. Gravi de causa, Episcopus itemque presbyter, vi iuris aut peculiaris
concessionis competentis auctoritatis facultate confirmandi donatus, possunt
in singulis casibus presbyteros, ut et ipsi sacramentum administrent,
sibi sociare.
Can. 885 - § 1. Episcopus dioecesanus obligatione tenetur curandi
ut sacramentum confirmationis subditis rite et rationabiliter petentibus
conferatur.
§ 2. Presbyter, qui hac facultate gaudet, eadem uti debet erga eos in
quorum favorem facultas concessa est.
Can. 886 - § 1. Episcopus in sua dioecesi sacramentum confirmationis
legitime administrat etiam fidelibus non subditis, nisi obstet expressa
proprii ipsorum Ordinarii prohibitio.
§ 2. Ut in aliena dioecesi confirmationem licite administret, Episcopus
indiget, nisi agatur de suis subditis, licentia saltem rationabiliter
praesumpta Episcopi dioecesani.
Can. 887 - Presbyter facultate confirmationem ministrandi gaudens,
in territorio sibi designato hoc sacramentum extraneis quoque licite confert,
nisi obstet proprii eorum Ordinarii vetitum; illud vero in alieno territorio
nemini valide confert, salvo praescripto Can. 883, n. 3.
Can. 888 - Intra territorium in quo confirmationem conferre valent,
ministri in locis quoque exemptis eam ministrare possunt. |
CHAPTER III : THE PERSONS TO BE CONFIRMED
Can. 889 §1 Every baptised
person who is not confirmed, and only such a person, is capable of receiving
confirmation.
§2 Apart from the danger of death, to receive confirmation lawfully
a person who has the use of reason must be suitably instructed, properly
disposed and able to renew the baptismal promises.
Can. 890 The faithful are
bound to receive this sacrament at the proper time. Parents and pastors
of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are
properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the opportune
time.
Can. 891 The sacrament of
confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion,
unless the Episcopal Conference has decided on a different age, or there
is a danger of death or, in the judgement of the minister, a grave reason
suggests otherwise. |
CAPUT III: DE CONFIRMANDIS
Can. 889 - § 1. Confirmationis recipiendae capax est omnis et
solus baptizatus, non confirmatus.
§ 2. Extra periculum mortis, ut quis licite confirmationem recipiat, requiritur,
si rationis usu polleat, ut sit apte institutus, rite dispositus et promissiones
baptismales renovare valeat.
Can. 890 - Fideles tenentur obligatione hoc sacramentum tempestive
recipiendi; curent parentes, animarum pastores, praesertim parochi, ut
fideles ad illud recipiendum rite instruantur et opportuno tempore accedant.
Can. 891 - Sacramentum confirmationis conferatur fidelibus circa
aetatem discretionis, nisi Episcoporum conferentia aliam aetatem determinaverit,
aut adsit periculum mortis vel, de iudicio ministri, gravis causa aliud
suadeat. |
CHAPTER IV : SPONSORS
Can. 892 As far as possible
the person to be confirmed is to have a sponsor. The sponsor’s function
is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of
Christ and faithfully fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament.
Can. 893 §1 A person
who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfil the conditions mentioned
in can. 874.
§2 It is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook
this role at baptism. |
CAPUT IV: DE PATRINIS
Can. 892 - Confirmando, quantum id fieri potest, adsit patrinus,
cuius est curare ut confirmatus tamquam verus Christi testis se gerat
obligationesque eidem sacramento inhaerentes fideliter adimpleat.
Can. 893 - § 1. Ut quis patrini munere fungatur, condiciones adimpleat
oportet, de quibus in Can. 874.
§ 2. Expedit ut tamquam patrinus assumatur qui idem munus in baptismo
suscepit. |
CHAPTER V : PROOF AND REGISTRATION OF CONFIRMATION
Can. 894 To establish
that confirmation has been conferred, the provisions of can. 876
are to be observed.
Can. 895 The names
of those confirmed, the minister, the parents, the sponsors and the place
and date of the confirmation are to be recorded in the confirmation register
of the diocesan curia or, wherever this has been prescribed by the Episcopal
Conference or by the diocesan Bishop, in the register to be kept in the
parochial archive. The parish priest must notify the parish priest of
the place of the baptism that the confirmation was conferred, so that
it be recorded in the baptismal register, in accordance with can. 535
§2.
Can. 896 If the parish priest
of the place was not present, the minister, personally or through someone
else, is to notify him as soon as possible that the confirmation was conferred. |
CAPUT V: DE COLLATAE CONFIRMATIONIS PROBATIONE ET ADNOTATIONE
Can. 894 - Ad collatam confirmationem probandam serventur praescripta
Can. 876.
Can. 895 - Nomina confirmatorum, facta mentione ministri, parentum
et patrinorum, loci et diei collatae confirmationis in librum confirmatorum
Curiae dioecesanae adnotentur, vel, ubi id praescripserit Episcoporum
conferentia aut Episcopus dioecesanus, in librum in archivo paroeciali
conservandum; parochus debet de collata confirmatione monere parochum
loci baptismi, ut adnotatio fiat in libro baptizatorum, ad normam Can.
535, § 2.
Can. 896 - Si parochus loci praesens non fuerit, eundem de collata
confirmatione minister per se vel per alium quam primum certiorem faciat. |
TITLE III: THE BLESSED EUCHARIST
Can. 897 The most venerable
sacrament is the blessed Eucharist, in which Christ the Lord himself is
contained, offered and received, and by which the Church continually lives
and grows. The eucharistic Sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection
of the Lord, in which the Sacrifice of the cross is forever perpetuated,
is the summit and the source of all worship and christian life. By means
of it the unity of God’s people is signified and brought about,
and the building up of the body of Christ is perfected. The other sacraments
and all the apostolic works of Christ are bound up with, and directed
to, the blessed Eucharist.
Can. 898 Christ’s faithful
are to hold the blessed Eucharist in the highest honour. They should take
an active part in the celebration of the most august Sacrifice of the
Mass; they should receive the sacrament with great devotion and frequently,
and should reverence it with the greatest adoration. In explaining the
doctrine of this sacrament, pastors of souls are assiduously to instruct
the faithful about their obligation in this regard. |
TITULUS III: DE SANCTISSIMA EUCHARISTIA
Can. 897 - Augustissimum Sacramentum est sanctissima Eucharistia,
in qua ipsemet Christus Dominus continetur, offertur et sumitur, et qua
continuo vivit et crescit Ecclesia. Sacrificium eucharisticum, memoriale
mortis et resurrectionis Domini, in quo Sacrificium crucis in saecula
perpetuatur, totius cultus et vitae christianae est culmen et fons, quo
significatur et efficitur unitas populi Dei et corporis Christi aedificatio
perficitur. Cetera enim sacramenta et omnia ecclesiastica apostolatus
opera cum sanctissima Eucharistia cohaerent et ad eam ordinantur.
Can. 898 - Christifideles maximo in honore sanctissimam Eucharistiam
habeant, actuosam in celebratione augustissimi Sacrificii partem habentes,
devotissime et frequenter hoc sacramentum recipientes, atque summa cum
adoratione idem colentes; animarum pastores doctrinam de hoc sacramento
illustrantes, fideles hanc obligationem sedulo edoceant. |
CHAPTER I : THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Can. 899 §1 The celebration
of the Eucharist is an action of Christ himself and of the Church. In
it Christ the Lord, through the ministry of the priest, offers himself,
substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, to God
the Father, and gives himself as spiritual nourishment to the faithful
who are associated with him in his offering.
§2 In the eucharistic assembly the people of God are called together
under the presidency of the Bishop or of a priest authorised by him, who
acts in the person of Christ. All the faithful present, whether clerics
or lay people, unite to participate in their own way, according to their
various orders and liturgical roles.
§3 The eucharistic celebration is to be so ordered that all the participants
derive from it the many fruits for which Christ the Lord instituted the
eucharistic Sacrifice. |
CAPUT I: DE EUCHARISTICA CELEBRATIONE
Can. 899 - § 1. Eucharistica celebratio actio est ipsius Christi
et Ecclesiae, in qua Christus Dominus, ministerio sacerdotis, semetipsum,
sub speciebus panis et vini substantialiter praesentem, Deo Patri offert
atque fidelibus in sua oblatione sociatis se praebet ut cibum spiritualem.
§ 2. In eucharistica Synaxi populus Dei in unum convocatur, Episcopo aut,
sub eius auctoritate, presbytero praeside, personam Christi gerente, atque
omnes qui intersunt fideles, sive clerici sive laici, suo quisque modo
pro ordinum et liturgicorum munerum diversitate, participando concurrunt.
§ 3. Celebratio eucharistica ita ordinetur, ut omnes participantes exinde
plurimos capiant fructus, ad quos obtinendos Christus Dominus Sacrificium
eucharisticum instituit. |
ARTICLE 1: THE MINISTER OF THE BLESSED EUCHARIST
Can. 900 §1 The only minister
who, in the person of Christ, can bring into being the sacrament of the
Eucharist, is a validly ordained priest. §2
Any priest who is not debarred by canon law may lawfully celebrate the Eucharist,
provided the provisions of the following canons are observed.
Can. 901 A priest is entitled
to offer Mass for anyone, living or dead.
Can. 902 Unless the benefit
of Christ’s faithful requires or suggests otherwise, priests may concelebrate
the Eucharist; they are, however, fully entitled to celebrate the Eucharist
individually, but not while a celebration is taking place in the same church
or oratory.
Can. 903 A priest is to be permitted
to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is not known to the rector of the
church, provided either that he presents commendatory letters, not more
than a year old, from his own Ordinary or Superior, or that it can be prudently
judged that he is not debarred from celebrating.
Can. 904 Remembering always
that in the mystery of the eucharistic Sacrifice the work of redemption
is continually being carried out, priests are to celebrate frequently. Indeed,
daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not
be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and
of the Church in which priests fulfil their principal role.
Can. 905 §1 Apart from
those cases in which the law allows him to celebrate or concelebrate the
Eucharist a number of times on the same day, a priest may not celebrate
more than once a day. §2 If there is a scarcity of priests, the
local Ordinary may for a good reason allow priests to celebrate twice in
one day or even, if pastoral need requires it, three times on Sundays or
holydays of obligation.
Can. 906 A priest may not celebrate
the eucharistic Sacrifice without the participation of at least one of the
faithful, unless there is a good and reasonable cause for doing so.
Can. 907 In the celebration
of the Eucharist, deacons and lay persons are not permitted to say the prayers,
especially the eucharistic prayer, nor to perform the actions which are
proper to the celebrating priest.
Can. 908 Catholic priests are
forbidden to concelebrate the Eucharist with priests or ministers of Churches
or ecclesial communities which are not in full communion with the catholic
Church.
Can. 909 A priest is not to
omit dutifully to prepare himself by prayer before the celebration of the
Eucharist, nor afterwards to omit to make thanksgiving to God.
Can. 910 §1 The ordinary
minister of holy communion is a Bishop, a priest or a deacon.
§2 The extraordinary minister of holy communion is an acolyte, or another
of Christ’s faithful deputed in accordance with can. 230
§3.
Can. 911 §1 The duty and
right to bring the blessed Eucharist to the sick as Viaticum belongs to
the parish priest, to assistant priests, to chaplains and, in respect of
all who are in the house, to the community Superior in clerical religious
institutes or societies of apostolic life. §2 In a case of necessity,
or with the permission at least presumed of the parish priest, chaplain
or Superior, who must subsequently be notified, any priest or other minister
of holy communion must do this. |
Art. 1 -- DE SANCTISSIMAE EUCHARISTIAE MINISTRO Can. 900
- § 1. Minister, qui in persona Christi sacramentum Eucharistiae conficere
valet, est solus sacerdos valide ordinatus.
§ 2. Licite Eucharistiam celebrat sacerdos lege canonica non impeditus,
servatis praescriptis canonum qui sequuntur.
Can. 901 - Integrum est sacerdoti Missam applicare pro quibusvis,
tum vivis tum defunctis.
Can. 902 - Nisi utilitas christifidelium aliud requirat aut suadeat,
sacerdotes Eucharistiam concelebrare possunt, integra tamen pro singulis
libertate manente Eucharistiam individuali modo celebrandi, non vero eo
tempore, quo in eadem ecclesia aut oratorio concelebratio habetur.
Can. 903 - Sacerdos ad celebrandum admittatur etiamsi rectori ecclesiae
sit ignotus, dummodo aut litteras commendatitias sui Ordinarii vel sui
Superioris, saltem intra annum datas, exhibeat, aut prudenter existimari
possit eundem a celebratione non esse impeditum.
Can. 904 - Sacerdotes, memoria semper tenentes in mysterio Sacrificii
eucharistici opus redemptionis continuo exerceri, frequenter celebrent;
immo enixe commendatur celebratio cotidiana, quae quidem, etiam si praesentia
fidelium haberi non possit, actus est Christi et Ecclesiae, in quo peragendo
munus suum praecipuum sacerdotes adimplent.
Can. 905 - § 1. Exceptis casibus in quibus ad normam iuris licitum
est pluries eadem die Eucharistiam celebrare aut concelebrare, non licet
sacerdoti plus semel in die celebrare.
§ 2. Si sacerdotum penuria habeatur, concedere potest loci Ordinarius
ut sacerdotes, iusta de causa, bis in die, immo, necessitate pastorali
id postulante, etiam ter in diebus dominicis et festis de praecepto, celebrent.
Can. 906 - Nisi iusta et rationabili de causa, sacerdos Sacrificium
eucharisticum ne celebret sine participatione alicuius saltem fidelis.
Can. 907 - In celebratione eucharistica diaconis et laicis non
licet orationes, speciatim precem eucharisticam, proferre vel actionibus
fungi, quae sacerdotis celebrantis sunt propriae.
Can. 908 - Sacerdotibus catholicis vetitum est una cum sacerdotibus
vel ministris Ecclesiarum communitatumve ecclesialium plenam communionem
cum Ecclesia catholica non habentium, Eucharistiam concelebrare.
Can. 909 - Sacerdos ne omittat ad eucharistici Sacrificii celebrationem
oratione debite se praeparare, eoque expleto Deo gratias agere.
Can. 910 - § 1. Minister ordinarius sacrae communionis est Episcopus,
presbyter et diaconus.
§ 2. Extraordinarius sacrae communionis minister est acolythus necnon
alius christifidelis ad normam Can. 230, § 3 deputatus.
Can. 911 - § 1. Officium et ius sanctissimam Eucharistiam per modum
Viatici ad infirmos deferendi habent parochus et vicarii paroeciales,
cappellani, necnon Superior communitatis in clericalibus institutis religiosis
aut societatibus vitae apostolicae quoad omnes in domo versantes.
§ 2. In casu necessitatis aut de licentia saltem praesumpta parochi, cappellani
vel Superioris, cui postea notitiam dari oportet, hoc facere debet quilibet
sacerdos vel alius sacrae communionis minister. |
ARTICLE 2: PARTICIPATION IN THE BLESSED EUCHARIST
Can. 912 Any baptised person
who is not forbidden by law may and must be admitted to holy communion.
Can. 913 §1 For holy communion
to be administered to children, it is required that they have sufficient
knowledge and be accurately prepared, so that according to their capacity
they understand what the mystery of Christ means, and are able to receive
the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion. §2 The blessed Eucharist may, however,
be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the
Body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion with reverence.
Can. 914 It is primarily the
duty of parents and of those who take their place, as it is the duty of
the parish priest, to ensure that children who have reached the use of reason
are properly prepared and, having made their sacramental confession, are
nourished by this divine food as soon as possible. It is also the duty of
the parish priest to see that children who have not reached the use of reason,
or whom he has judged to be insufficiently disposed, do not come to holy
communion.
Can. 915 Those upon whom the
penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and
others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted
to holy communion.
Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious
of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without
previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave
reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is
to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes
the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.
Can. 917 One who has received
the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a
eucharistic celebration in which that person participates, without prejudice
to the provision of can. 921 §2.
Can. 918 It is most strongly
recommended that the faithful receive holy communion in the course of a
eucharistic celebration. If, however, for good reason they ask for it apart
from the Mass, it is to be administered to them, observing the liturgical
rites.
Can. 919 §1 Whoever is
to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before
holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water
and medicine.
§2 A priest who, on the same day, celebrates the blessed Eucharist
twice or three times may consume something before the second or third celebration,
even though there is not an hour’s interval. §3 The elderly
and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care
for them, may receive the blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding
hour they have consumed something.
Can. 920 §1 Once admitted
to the blessed Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy
communion at least once a year. §2 This precept must be fulfilled
during paschal time, unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another
time during the year.
Can. 921 §1 Christ’s
faithful who are in danger of death, from whatever cause, are to be strengthened
by holy communion as Viaticum. §2 Even if they have already received
holy communion that same day, it is nevertheless strongly suggested that
in danger of death they should communicate again. §3 While the
danger of death persists, it is recommended that holy communion be administered
a number of times, but on separate days.
Can. 922 Holy Viaticum for the
sick is not to be unduly delayed. Those who have the care of souls are to
take assiduous care that the sick are strengthened by it while they are
in full possession of their faculties.
Can. 923 Christ’s faithful
may participate in the eucharistic Sacrifice and receive holy communion
in any catholic rite, without prejudice to the provisions of can. 844. |
Art. 2 -- DE SANCTISSIMA EUCHARISTIA PARTICIPANDA Can. 912
- Quilibet baptizatus, qui iure non prohibeatur, admitti potest et debet
ad sacram communionem. Can. 913 - § 1. Ut sanctissima Eucharistia
ministrari possit pueris, requiritur ut ipsi sufficienti cognitione et accurata
praeparatione gaudeant, ita ut mysterium Christi pro suo captu percipiant
et Corpus Domini cum fide et devotione sumere valeant. § 2. Pueris
tamen in periculo mortis versantibus sanctissima Eucharistia ministrari
potest, si Corpus Christi a communi cibo discernere et communionem reverenter
suscipere possint. Can. 914 - Parentum imprimis atque eorum
qui parentum locum tenent necnon parochi officium est curandi ut pueri usum
rationis assecuti debite praeparentur et quam primum, praemissa sacramentali
confessione, hoc divino cibo reficiantur; parochi etiam est advigilare ne
ad sacram Synaxim accedant pueri, qui rationis usum non sint adepti aut
quos non sufficienter dispositos iudicaverit. Can. 915 - Ad
sacram communionem ne admittantur excommunicati et interdicti post irrogationem
vel declarationem poenae aliique in manifesto gravi peccato obstinate perseverantes.
Can. 916 - Qui conscius est peccati gravis, sine praemissa sacramentali
confessione Missam ne celebret neve Corpori Domini communicet, nisi adsit
gravis ratio et deficiat opportunitas confitendi; quo in casu meminerit
se obligatione teneri ad eliciendum actum perfectae contritionis, qui includit
propositum quam primum confitendi. Can. 917 - Qui sanctissimam
Eucharistiam iam recepit, potest eam iterum eadem die suscipere solummodo
intra eucharisticam celebrationem cui participat, salvo praescripto Can.
921, § 2. Can. 918 - Maxime commendatur ut fideles in ipsa
eucharistica celebratione sacram communionem recipiant; ipsis tamen iusta
de causa petentibus extra Missam ministretur, servatis liturgicis ritibus.
Can. 919 - § 1. Sanctissimam Eucharistiam recepturus per spatium
saltem unius horae ante sacram communionem abstineat a quocumque cibo et
potu, excepta tantummodo aqua atque medicina. § 2. Sacerdos, qui eadem
die bis aut ter sanctissimam Eucharistiam celebrat, aliquid sumere potest
ante secundam aut tertiam celebrationem, etiamsi non intercesserit spatium
unius horae. § 3. Aetate provecti et infirmitate quadam laborantes
necnon eorum curae addicti, sanctissimam Eucharistiam accipere possunt,
etiamsi intra horam antecedentem aliquid sumpserint. Can. 920
- § 1. Omnis fidelis, postquam ad sanctissimam Eucharistiam initiatus sit,
obligatione tenetur semel saltem in anno, sacram communionem recipiendi.
§ 2. Hoc praeceptum impleri debet tempore paschali, nisi iusta de causa
alio tempore intra annum adimpleatur. Can. 921 - § 1. Christifideles
qui versantur in periculo mortis, quavis ex causa procedenti, sacra communione
per modum Viatici reficiantur. § 2. Etiamsi eadem die sacra communione
refecti fuerint, valde tamen suadetur ut qui in vitae discrimen adducti
sint, denuo communicent. § 3. Perdurante mortis periculo, commendatur
ut sacra communio pluries, distinctis diebus, administretur. Can.
922 - Sanctum Viaticum infirmis ne nimium differatur; qui animarum curam
gerunt sedulo advigilent, ut eodem infirmi plene sui compotes reficiantur.
Can. 923 - Christifideles Sacrificium eucharisticum participare et
sacram communionem suscipere possunt quolibet ritu catholico, firmo praescripto
Can. 844. |
ARTICLE 3: THE RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
Can. 924 §1 The most holy
Sacrifice of the Eucharist must be celebrated in bread, and in wine to which
a small quantity of water is to be added. §2 The bread must be wheaten only, and recently made,
so that there is no danger of corruption. §3 The wine must be
natural, made from grapes of the vine, and not corrupt.
Can. 925 Holy communion is to
be given under the species of bread alone or, in accordance with the liturgical
laws, under both species or, in case of necessity, even under the species
of wine alone.
Can. 926 In the eucharistic
celebration, in accordance with the ancient tradition of the Latin Church,
the priest is to use unleavened bread wherever he celebrates Mass.
Can. 927 It is absolutely wrong,
even in urgent and extreme necessity, to consecrate one element without
the other, or even to consecrate both outside the eucharistic celebration.
Can. 928 The eucharistic celebration
is to be carried out either in the Latin language or in another language,
provided the liturgical texts have been lawfully approved.
Can. 929 In celebrating and
administering the Eucharist, priests and deacons are to wear the sacred
vestments prescribed by the rubrics.
Can. 930 §1 A priest who
is ill or elderly, if he is unable to stand, may celebrate the eucharistic
Sacrifice sitting but otherwise observing the liturgical laws; he may not,
however, do so in public except by permission of the local Ordinary. §2 A priest who is blind
or suffering from some other infirmity, may lawfully celebrate the eucharistic
Sacrifice by using the text of any approved Mass, with the assistance, if
need be, of another priest or deacon or even a properly instructed lay person. |
Art. 3 -- DE RITIBUS ET CAEREMONIIS EUCHARISTICAE CELEBRATIONIS
Can. 924 - § 1. Sacrosanctum eucharisticum Sacrificium offerri debet
ex pane et vino, cui modica aqua miscenda est. § 2. Panis debet esse
mere triticeus et recenter confectus, ita ut nullum sit periculum corruptionis.
§ 3. Vinum debet esse naturale de genimine vitis et non corruptum.
Can. 925 - Sacra communio conferatur sub sola specie panis aut, ad
normam legum liturgicarum, sub utraque specie; in casu autem necessitatis,
etiam sub sola specie vini. Can. 926 - In eucharistica celebratione
secundum antiquam Ecclesiae latinae traditionem sacerdos adhibeat panem
azymum ubicumque litat. Can. 927 - Nefas est, urgente etiam
extrema necessitate, alteram materiam sine altera, aut etiam utramque extra
eucharisticam celebrationem, consecrare. Can. 928 - Eucharistica
celebratio peragatur lingua latina aut alia lingua, dummodo textus liturgici
legitime approbati fuerint. Can. 929 - Sacerdotes et diaconi
in Eucharistia celebranda et ministranda sacra ornamenta rubricis praescripta
deferant. Can. 930 - § 1. Sacerdos infirmus aut aetate provectus,
si stare nequeat, Sacrificium eucharisticum celebrare potest sedens, servatis
quidem legibus liturgicis, non tamen coram populo, nisi de licentia loci
Ordinarii. § 2. Sacerdos caecus aliave infirmitate laborans licite
eucharisticum Sacrificium celebrat, adhibendo textum quemlibet Missae ex
probatis, adstante, si casus ferat, alio sacerdote vel diacono, aut etiam
laico rite instructo, qui eundem adiuvet. |
ARTICLE 4: THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
Can. 931 The celebration and
distribution of the Eucharist may take place on any day and at any hour,
except those which are excluded by the liturgical laws.
Can. 932 §1 The eucharistic
celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular
case necessity requires otherwise; in which case the celebration must be
in a fitting place.
§2 The eucharistic Sacrifice must be carried out at an altar that is
dedicated or blessed. Outside a sacred place an appropriate table may be
used, but always with an altar cloth and a corporal.
Can. 933 For a good reason,
with the express permission of the local Ordinary and provided scandal has
been eliminated, a priest may celebrate the Eucharist in a place of worship
of any Church or ecclesial community which is not in full communion with
the catholic Church. |
Art. 4 -- DE TEMPORE ET LOCO CELEBRATIONIS EUCHARISTIAE
Can. 931 - Eucharistiae celebratio et distributio fieri potest qualibet
die et hora, iis exceptis, quae secundum liturgicas normas excluduntur.
Can. 932 - § 1. Celebratio eucharistica peragatur in loco sacro,
nisi in casu particulari necessitas aliud postulet; quo in casu, in loco
honesto celebratio fieri debet. § 2. Sacrificium eucharisticum peragendum
est super altare dedicatum vel benedictum; extra locum sacrum adhiberi potest
mensa conveniens, retentis semper tobalea et corporali. Can.
933 - Iusta de causa et de licentia expressa Ordinarii loci licet sacerdoti
Eucharistiam celebrare in templo alicuius Ecclesiae aut communitatis ecclesialis
plenam communionem cum Ecclesia catholica non habentium, remoto scandalo. |
CHAPTER II : THE RESERVATION AND VENERATION OF THE BLESSED EUCHARIST
Can. 934 §1 The
blessed Eucharist:
1° must be reserved in the cathedral church or its equivalent, in
every parish church, and in the church or oratory attached to the house
of a religious institute or society of apostolic life
2° may be reserved in a Bishop’s chapel and, by permission of
the local Ordinary, in other churches, oratories and chapels.
§2 In sacred places where the blessed Eucharist is reserved there
must always be someone who is responsible for it, and as far as possible
a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice a month.
Can. 935 It is not lawful
for anyone to keep the blessed Eucharist in personal custody or to carry
it around, unless there is an urgent pastoral need and the prescriptions
of the diocesan Bishop are observed.
Can. 936 In a house
of a religious institute or other house of piety, the blessed Eucharist
is to be reserved only in the church or principal oratory attached to
the house. For a just reason, however, the Ordinary can permit it to be
reserved also in another oratory of the same house.
Can. 937 Unless there is a
grave reason to the contrary, a church in which the blessed Eucharist
is reserved is to be open to the faithful for at least some hours every
day, so that they can pray before the blessed Sacrament.
Can. 938 §1 The blessed
Eucharist is to be reserved habitually in only one tabernacle of a church
or oratory.
§2 The tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved should
be sited in a distinguished place in the church or oratory, a place which
is conspicuous, suitably adorned and conducive to prayer.
§3 The tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is habitually reserved
is to be immovable, made of solid and non transparent material, and so
locked as to give the greatest security against any danger of profanation.
§4 For a grave reason, especially at night, it is permitted to reserve
the blessed Eucharist in some other safer place, provided it is fitting.
§5 The person in charge of a church or oratory is to see to it that
the key of the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved,
is in maximum safe keeping.
Can. 939 Consecrated hosts,
in a quantity sufficient for the needs of the faithful, are to be kept
in a pyx or ciborium, and are to be renewed frequently, the older hosts
having been duly consumed.
Can. 940 A special lamp is
to burn continuously before the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist
is reserved, to indicate and to honour the presence of Christ.
Can. 941 §1 In churches
or oratories which are allowed to reserve the blessed Eucharist, there
may be exposition, either with the pyx or with the monstrance, in accordance
with the norms prescribed in the liturgical books.
§2 Exposition of the blessed Sacrament may not take place while Mass
is being celebrated in the same area of the church or oratory.
Can. 942 It is recommended
that in these churches or oratories, there is to be each year a solemn
exposition of the blessed Sacrament for an appropriate, even if not for
a continuous time, so that the local community may more attentively meditate
on and adore the eucharistic mystery. This exposition is to take place
only if a fitting attendance of the faithful is foreseen, and the prescribed
norms are observed.
Can. 943 The minister of exposition
of the blessed Sacrament and of the eucharistic blessing is a priest or
deacon. In special circumstances the minister of exposition and deposition
alone, but without the blessing, is an acolyte, and extraordinary minister
of holy communion, or another person deputed by the local Ordinary, in
accordance with the regulations of the diocesan Bishop.
Can. 944 §1 Wherever
in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop it can be done, a procession through
the streets is to be held, especially on the solemnity of the Body and
Blood of Christ, as a public witness of veneration of the blessed Eucharist.
§2 It is for the diocesan Bishop to establish such regulations about
processions as will provide for participation in them and for their being
carried out in a dignified manner. |
CAPUT II: DE SANCTISSIMA EUCHARISTIA ASSERVANDA ET VENERANDA
Can. 934 - § 1. Sanctissima Eucharistia:
1° asservari debet in ecclesia cathedrali aut eidem aequiparata, in qualibet
ecclesia paroeciali necnon in ecclesia vel oratorio domui instituti religiosi
aut societatis vitae apostolicae adnexo;
2° asservari potest in sacello Episcopi et, de licentia Ordinarii loci,
in aliis ecclesiis, oratoriis et sacellis.
§ 2. In locis sacris ubi sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur, adesse semper
debet qui eius curam habeat et, quantum fieri potest, sacerdos saltem
bis in mense Missam ibi celebret.
Can. 935 - Nemini licet sanctissimam Eucharistiam apud se retinere
aut secum in itinere deferre, nisi necessitate pastorali urgente et servatis
Episcopi dioecesani praescriptis.
Can. 936 - In domo instituti religiosi aliave pia domo, sanctissima
Eucharistia asservetur tantummodo in ecclesia aut in oratorio principali
domui adnexo; potest tamen iusta de causa Ordinarius permittere, ut etiam
in alio oratorio eiusdem domus asservetur.
Can. 937 - Nisi gravis obstet ratio, ecclesia in qua sanctissima
Eucharistia asservatur, per aliquot saltem horas cotidie fidelibus pateat,
ut coram sanctissimo Sacramento orationi vacare possint.
Can. 938 - § 1. Sanctissima Eucharistia habitualiter in uno tantum
ecclesiae vel oratorii tabernaculo asservetur.
§ 2. Tabernaculum, in quo sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur, situm sit
in aliqua ecclesiae vel oratorii parte insigni, conspicua, decore ornata,
ad orationem apta.
§ 3. Tabernaculum, in quo habitualiter sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur,
sit inamovibile, materia solida non transparenti confectum, et ita clausum
ut quam maxime periculum profanationis vitetur.
§4. Gravi de causa, licet sanctissimam Eucharistiam, nocturno praesertim
tempore, alio in loco tutiore et decoro asservare.
§ 5 Qui ecclesiae vel oratorii curam habet, prospiciat ut clavis tabernaculi,
in quo sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur, diligentissime custodiatur.
Can. 939 - Hostiae consecratae quantitate fidelium necessitatibus
sufficienti in pyxide seu vasculo serventur, et frequenter, veteribus
rite consumptis, renoventur.
Can. 940 - Coram tabernaculo, in quo sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur,
peculiaris perenniter luceat lampas, qua indicetur et honoretur Christi
praesentia.
Can. 941 - § 1. In ecclesiis aut oratoriis quibus datum est asservare
sanctissimam Eucharistiam, fieri possunt expositiones sive cum pyxide
sive cum ostensorio, servatis normis in libris liturgicis praescriptis.
§ 2. Celebratione Missae durante, ne habeatur in eadem ecclesiae vel oratorii
aula sanctissimi Sacramenti expositio.
Can. 942 - Commendatur ut in iisdem ecclesiis et oratoriis quotannis
fiat sollemnis sanctissimi Sacramenti expositio per congruum tempus, etsi
non continuum, protracta, ut communitas localis eucharisticum mysterium
impensius meditetur et adoret; huiusmodi tamen expositio fiat tantum si
congruus praevideatur fidelium concursus et servatis normis statutis.
Can. 943 - Minister expositionis sanctissimi Sacramenti et benedictionis
eucharisticae est sacerdos vel diaconus; in peculiaribus adiuntis, solius
expositionis et repositionis, sine tamen benedictione, est acolythus,
minister extraordinarius sacrae communionis aliusve ab Ordinario loci
deputatus, servatis Episcopi dioecesani praescriptis.
Can. 944 - § 1. Ubi de iudicio Episcopi dioecesani fieri potest,
in publicum erga sanctissimam Eucharistiam venerationis testimonium, habeatur,
praesertim in sollemnitate Corporis et Sanguinis Christi, processio per
vias publicas ducta.
§ 2. Episcopi dioecesani est de processionibus statuere ordinationes,
quibus earum participationi et dignitati prospiciatur. |
CHAPTER III : THE OFFERING MADE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS
Can. 945 §1 In accordance
with the approved custom of the Church, any priest who celebrates or concelebrates
a Mass may accept an offering to apply the Mass for a specific intention.
§2 It is earnestly recommended to priests that, even if they do not
receive an offering, they celebrate Mass for the intentions of Christ’s
faithful, especially of those in need.
Can. 946 The faithful who
make an offering so that Mass can be celebrated for their intention, contribute
to the good of the Church, and by that offering they share in the Church’s
concern for the support of its ministers and its activities.
Can. 947 Even the semblance
of trafficking or trading is to be entirely excluded from Mass offerings.
Can. 948 Separate Masses must
be applied for the intentions of those for whom an individual offering,
even if small, has been made and accepted.
Can. 949 One who is obliged
to celebrate and apply Mass for the intentions of those who made an offering,
is bound by this obligation even if the offering received is lost through
no fault of his.
Can. 950 If a sum of money
is offered for the application of Masses, but with no indication of the
number of Masses to be celebrated, their number is to be calculated on
the basis of the offering prescribed in the place where the donor resides,
unless the donor’s intention must lawfully be presumed to have been
otherwise.
Can. 951 §1 A priest
who celebrates a number of Masses on the same day may apply each Mass
for the intention for which an offering was made, subject however to the
rule that, apart from Christmas Day, he may retain for himself the offering
for only one Mass; the others he is to transmit to purposes prescribed
by the Ordinary, while allowing for some compensation on the ground of
an extrinsic title.
§2 A priest who on the same day concelebrates a second Mass may not
under any title accept an offering for that Mass.
Can. 952 §1 The provincial
council or the provincial Bishops’ meeting is to determine by decree,
for the whole of the province, what offering is to be made for the celebration
and application of Mass. Nonetheless, it is permitted to accept, for the
application of a Mass, an offering voluntarily made, which is greater,
or even less, than that which has been determined.
§2 Where there is no such decree, the custom existing in the diocese
is to be observed.
§3 Members of religious institutes of all kinds must abide by the
decree or the local custom mentioned in §§1 and 2.
Can. 953 No one may accept
more offerings for Masses to be celebrated by himself than he can discharge
within a year.
Can. 954 If in certain churches
or oratories more Masses are requested than can be celebrated there, these
may be celebrated elsewhere, unless the donors have expressly stipulated
otherwise.
Can. 955 §1 One who intends
to transfer to others the celebration of Masses to be applied, is to transfer
them as soon as possible to priests of his own choice, provided he is
certain that they are of proven integrity. He must transfer the entire
offering received, unless it is quite certain that an amount in excess
of the diocesan offering was given as a personal gift. Moreover, it is
his obligation to see to the celebration of the Masses until such time
as he has received evidence that the obligation has been undertaken and
the offering received.
§2 Unless it is established otherwise, the time within which Masses
are to be celebrated begins from the day the priest who is to celebrate
them receives them.
§3 Those who transfer to others Masses to be celebrated are without
delay to record in a book both the Masses which they have accepted and
those which they have passed on, noting also the offerings for these Masses.
§4 Each priest must accurately record the Masses which he has accepted
to celebrate and those which he has in fact celebrated.
Can. 956 Each and every administrator
of pious causes and those, whether clerics or lay persons, who are in
any way obliged to provide for the celebration of Masses, are to transfer
to their Ordinaries, in a manner to be determined by the latter, such
Mass obligations as have not been discharged within a year.
Can. 957 The duty and the
right to see that Mass obligations are fulfilled belongs, in the case
of churches of the secular clergy, to the local Ordinary; in the case
of churches of religious institutes or societies of apostolic life, to
their Superiors.
Can. 958 §1 The parish
priest, as well as the rector of a church or other pious place in which
Mass offerings are usually received, is to have a special book in which
he is accurately to record the number, the intention and the offering
of the Masses to be celebrated, and the fact of their celebration.
§2 The Ordinary is obliged to inspect these books each year, either
personally or through others. |
CAPUT III: DE OBLATA AD MISSAE CELEBRATIONEM STIPE
Can. 945 - § 1. Secundum probatum Ecclesiae morem, sacerdoti cuilibet
Missam celebranti aut concelebranti licet stipem oblatam recipere, ut
iuxta certam intentionem Missam applicet.
§ 2. Enixe commendatur sacerdotibus ut, etiam nulla recepta stipe, Missam
ad intentionem christifidelium praecipue egentium celebrent.
Can. 946 - Christifideles stipem offerentes ut ad suam intentionem
Missa applicetur, ad bonum conferunt Ecclesiae atque eius curam in ministris
operibusque sustinendis ea oblatione participant.
Can. 947 - A stipe Missarum quaelibet etiam species negotiationis
vel mercaturae omnino arceatur.
Can. 948 - Distinctae applicandae sunt Missae ad eorum intentiones
pro quibus singulis stips, licet exigua, oblata et acceptata est.
Can. 949 - Qui obligatione gravatur Missam celebrandi et applicandi
ad intentionem eorum qui stipem obtulerunt, eadem obligatione tenetur,
etiamsi sine ipsius culpa stipes perceptae perierint.
Can. 950 - Si pecuniae summa offertur pro Missarum applicatione,
non indicato Missarum celebrandarum numero, hic supputetur attenta stipe
statuta in loco in quo oblator commoratur, nisi aliam fuisse eius intentionem
legitime praesumi debeat.
Can. 951 - § 1. Sacerdos plures eadem die Missas celebrans, singulas
applicare potest ad intentionem pro qua stips oblata est, ea tamen lege
ut, praeterquam in die Nativitatis Domini, stipem pro una tantum Missa
faciat suam, ceteras vero in fines ab Ordinario praescriptos concredat,
admissa quidem aliqua retributione ex titulo extrinseco.
§ 2. Sacerdos alteram Missam eadem die concelebrans, nullo titulo pro
ea stipem recipere potest.
Can. 952 - § 1. Concilii provincialis aut conventus Episcoporum
provinciae est pro universa provincia per decretum definire quaenam pro
celebratione et applicatione Missae sit offerenda stips, nec licet sacerdoti
summam maiorem expetere; ipsi tamen fas est stipem sponte oblatam definita
maiorem pro Missae applicatione accipere, et etiam minorem.
§ 2. Ubi desit tale decretum, servetur consuetudo in dioecesi vigens.
§ 3. Sodales quoque institutorum religiosorum quorumlibet stare debent
eidem decreto aut consuetudini loci, de quibus in §§ 1 et 2.
Can. 953 - Nemini licet tot stipes Missarum per se applicandarum
accipere, quibus intra annum satisfacere non potest.
Can. 954 - Si certis in ecclesiis aut oratoriis Missae petuntur
celebrandae numero plures quam ut ibidem celebrari possint, earundem celebratio
alibi fieri licet, nisi contrariam voluntatem oblatores expresse manifestaverint.
Can. 955 - § 1. Qui celebrationem Missarum applicandarum aliis
committere intendat, earum celebrationem quam primum sacerdotibus sibi
acceptis committat, dummodo ipsi constet eos esse omni exceptione maiores;
integram stipem receptam transmittere debet, nisi certo constet excessum
supra summam in dioecesi debitam datum esse intuitu personae; obligatione
etiam tenetur Missarum celebrationem curandi, donec tum susceptae obligationis
tum receptae stipis testimonium acceperit.
§ 2. Tempus intra quod Missae celebrandae sunt, initium habet a die quo
sacerdos easdem celebraturus recepit, nisi aliud constet.
§ 3. Qui aliis Missas celebrandas committunt, sine mora in librum referant
tum Missas quas acceperunt, tum eas, quas aliis tradiderunt, notatis etiam
earundem stipibus.
§4. Quilibet sacerdos accurate notare debet Missas quas celebrandas acceperit,
quibusque satisfecerit.
Can. 956 - Omnes et singuli administratores causarum piarum aut
quoquo modo obligati ad Missarum celebrationem curandam, sive clerici
sive laici, onera Missarum quibus intra annum non fuerit satisfactum suis
Ordinariis tradant, secundum modum ab his definiendum.
Can. 957 - Officium et ius advigilandi ut Missarum onera adimpleantur,
in ecclesiis cleri saecularis pertinet ad loci Ordinarium, in ecclesiis
institutorum religiosorum aut societatum vitae apostolicae ad eorum Superiores.
Can. 958 - § 1. Parochus necnon rector ecclesiae aliusve pii loci,
in quibus stipes Missarum recipi solent, peculiarem habeant librum, in
quo accurate adnotent Missarum celebrandarum numerum, intentionem, stipem
oblatam, necnon celebrationem peractam.
§ 2. Ordinarius obligatione tenetur singulis annis huiusmodi libros per
se aut per alios recognoscendi. |
TITLE IV: THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Can. 959 In the sacrament
of penance the faithful who confess their sins to a lawful minister, are
sorry for those sins and have a purpose of amendment, receive from God,
through the absolution given by that minister, forgiveness of sins they
have committed after baptism, and at the same time they are reconciled
with the Church, which by sinning they wounded. |
TITULUS IV: DE SACRAMENTO PAENITENTIAE
Can. 959 - In sacramento paenitentiae fideles peccata legitimo
ministro confitentes, de iisdem contriti atque propositum sese emendandi
habentes, per absolutionem ab eodem ministro impertitam, veniam peccatorum
quae post baptismum commiserint a Deo obtinent, simulque reconciliantur
cum Ecclesia, quam peccando vulneraverunt. |
CHAPTER I : THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT
Can. 960 Individual and integral
confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which
a member of the faithful who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with
God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses
from such confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by
other means also.
Can. 961 §1 General absolution,
without prior individual confession, cannot be given to a number of penitents
together, unless:
1° danger of death threatens and there is not time for the priest
or priests to hear the confessions of the individual penitents;
2° there exists a grave necessity, that is, given the number of penitents,
there are not enough confessors available properly to hear the individual
confessions within an appropriate time, so that without fault of their
own the penitents are deprived of the sacramental grace or of holy communion
for a lengthy period of time. A sufficient necessity is not, however,
considered to exist when confessors cannot be available merely because
of a great gathering of penitents, such as can occur on some major feastday
or pilgrimage.
§2 It is for the diocesan Bishop to judge whether the conditions
required in §1, n. 2 are present; mindful of the criteria agreed
with the other members of the Episcopal Conference, he can determine the
cases of such necessity.
Can. 962 §1 For a member
of Christ’s faithful to benefit validly from a sacramental absolution
given to a number of people simultaneously, it is required not only that
he or she be properly disposed, but be also at the same time personally
resolved to confess in due time each of the grave sins which cannot for
the moment be thus confessed.
§2 Christ’s faithful are to be instructed about the requirements
set out in §1, as far as possible even on the occasion of general
absolution being received. An exhortation that each person should make
an act of contrition is to precede a general absolution, even in the case
of danger of death if there is time.
Can. 963 Without prejudice
to the obligation mentioned in can. 989, a person whose grave sins are
forgiven by a general absolution, is as soon as possible, when the opportunity
occurs, to make an individual confession before receiving another general
absolution, unless a just reason intervenes.
Can. 964 §1 The proper
place for hearing sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.
§2 As far as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be issued
by the Episcopal Conference, with the proviso however that confessionals,
which the faithful who so wish may freely use, are located in an open
place, and fitted with a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor.
§3 Except for a just reason, confessions are not to be heard elsewhere
than in a confessional. |
CAPUT I: DE CELEBRATIONE SACRAMENTI
Can. 960 - Individualis et integra confessio atque absolutio unicum
constituunt modum ordinarium, quo fidelis peccati gravis sibi conscius
cum Deo et Ecclesia reconciliatur; solummodo impossibilitas physica vel
moralis ab huiusmodi confessione excusat, quo in casu aliis quoque modis
reconciliatio haberi potest.
Can. 961 - § 1. Absolutio pluribus insimul paenitentibus sine praevia
individuali confessione, generali modo impertiri non potest, nisi:
1° immineat periculum mortis et tempus non suppetat sacerdoti vel sacerdotibus
ad audiendas singulorum paenitentium confessiones;
2° adsit gravis necessitas, videlicet quando, attento paenitentium numero,
confessariorum copia praesto non est ad rite audiendas singulorum confessiones
intra congruum tempus, ita ut paenitentes, sine propria culpa, gratia
sacramentali aut sacra communione diu carere cogantur; necessitas vero
non censetur sufficiens, cum confessarii praesto esse non possunt, ratione
solius magni concursus paenitentium, qualis haberi potest in magna aliqua
festivitate aut peregrinatione.
§ 2. Iudicium ferre an dentur condiciones ad normam § 1, n. 2 requisitae,
pertinet ad Episcopum dioecesanum, qui, attentis criteriis cum ceteris
membris Episcoporum conferentiae concordatis, casus talis necessitatis
determinare potest.
Can. 962 - § 1. Ut christifidelis sacramentali absolutione una
simul pluribus data valide fruatur, requiritur non tantum ut sit apte
dispositus, sed ut insimul sibi proponat singillatim debito tempore confiteri
peccata gravia, quae in praesens ita confiteri nequit.
§ 2. Christifideles, quantum fieri potest etiam occasione absolutionis
generalis recipiendae, de requisitis ad normam § 1 edoceantur et absolutioni
generali, in casu quoque periculi mortis, si tempus suppetat, praemittatur
exhortatio ut actum contritionis quisque elicere curet.
Can. 963 - Firma manente obligatione de qua in Can. 989, is cui
generali absolutione gravia peccata remittuntur, ad confessionem individualem
quam primum, occasione data, accedat, antequam aliam recipiat absolutionem
generalem, nisi iusta causa interveniat.
Can. 964 - § 1. Ad sacramentales confessiones excipiendas locus
proprius est ecclesia aut oratorium.
§ 2. Ad sedem confessionalem quod attinet, normae ab Episcoporum conferentia
statuantur, cauto tamen ut semper habeantur in loco patenti sedes confessionales
crate fixa inter paenitentem et confessarium instructae, quibus libere
uti possint fideles, qui id desiderent.
§ 3. Confessiones extra sedem confessionalem ne excipiantur, nisi iusta
de causa. |
CHAPTER II : THE MINISTER OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Can. 965 Only a priest is
the minister of the sacrament of penance.
Can. 966 §1 For the valid
absolution of sins, it is required that, in addition to the power of order,
the minister has the faculty to exercise that power in respect of the
faithful to whom he gives absolution.
§2 A priest can be given this faculty either by the law itself, or
by a concession issued by the competent authority in accordance with can.
969.
Can. 967 §1 Besides the
Roman Pontiff, Cardinals by virtue of the law itself have the faculty
to hear the confessions of Christ’s faithful everywhere. Likewise,
Bishops have this faculty, which they may lawfully use everywhere, unless
in a particular case the diocesan Bishop has refused.
§2 Those who have the faculty habitually to hear confessions, whether
by virtue of their office or by virtue of a concession by the Ordinary
of either the place of incardination or that in which they have a domicile,
can exercise that faculty everywhere, unless in a particular case the
local Ordinary has refused, without prejudice to the provisions of can.
974 §§2 and 3.
§3 In respect of the members and of those others who live day and
night in a house of an institute or society, this same faculty is by virtue
of the law itself possessed everywhere by those who have the faculty to
hear confessions, whether by virtue of their office or by virtue of a
special concession of the competent Superior in accordance with Cann.
968 §2 and 969 §2. They
may lawfully use this faculty, unless in a particular case some major
Superior has, in respect of his own subjects, refused.
Can. 968 §1 By virtue
of his office, for each within the limits of his jurisdiction, the faculty
to hear confessions belongs to the local Ordinary, to the canon penitentiary,
to the parish priest, and to those others who are in the place of the
parish priest.
§2 By virtue of their office, the faculty to hear the confessions
of their own subjects and of those others who live day and night in the
house, belongs to the Superiors of religious institutes or of societies
of apostolic life, if they are clerical and of pontifical right, who in
accordance with the constitutions have executive power of governance,
without prejudice however to the provision of can. 630 §4.
Can. 969 §1 Only the
local Ordinary is competent to give to any priests whomsoever the faculty
to hear the confessions of any whomsoever of the faithful. Priests who
are members of religious institutes may not, however, use this faculty
without the permission, at least presumed, of their Superior.
§2 The Superior of a religious institute or of a society of apostolic
life, mentioned in can. 968 §2, is competent to
give to any priests whomsoever the faculty to hear the confessions of
his own subjects and of those others who live day and night in the house.
Can. 970 The faculty to hear
confessions is not to be given except to priests whose suitability has
been established, either by examination or by some other means.
Can. 971 The local Ordinary
is not to give the faculty habitually to hear confessions to a priest,
even to one who has a domicile or quasi domicile within his jurisdiction,
without first, as far as possible, consulting that priest’s own
Ordinary.
Can. 972 The faculty to hear
confessions may be given by the competent authority mentioned in can.
969, for either an indeterminate or a determinate period
of time.
Can. 973 The faculty habitually
to hear confessions is to be given in writing.
Can. 974 §1 Neither the
local Ordinary nor the competent Superior may, except for a grave reason,
revoke the grant of a faculty habitually to hear confessions.
§2 If the faculty to hear confessions granted by the local Ordinary
mentioned in can. 967, §2, is revoked by that
Ordinary, the priest loses the faculty everywhere. If the faculty is revoked
by another local Ordinary, the priest loses it only in the territory of
the Ordinary who revokes it.
§3 Any local Ordinary who has revoked a priest’s faculty to
hear confessions is to notify the Ordinary who is proper to that priest
by reason of incardination or, if the priest is a member of a religious
institute, his competent Superior.
§4 If the faculty to hear confessions is revoked by his own major
Superior, the priest loses everywhere the faculty to hear the confessions
of the members of the institute. But if the faculty is revoked by another
competent Superior, the priest loses it only in respect of those subjects
who are in that Superior’s jurisdiction.
Can. 975 Apart from revocation,
the faculty mentioned in can. 967 §2 ceases by loss of office, by
excardination, or by loss of domicile.
Can. 976 Any priest, even
though he lacks the faculty to hear confessions, can validly and lawfully
absolve any penitents who are in danger of death, from any censures and
sins, even if an approved priest is present.
Can. 977 The absolution of
a partner in a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is invalid,
except in danger of death.
Can. 978 §1 In hearing
confessions the priest is to remember that he is at once both judge and
healer, and that he is constituted by God as a minister of both divine
justice and divine mercy, so that he may contribute to the honour of God
and the salvation of souls.
§2 In administering the sacrament, the confessor, as a minister of
the Church, is to adhere faithfully to the teaching of the magisterium
and to the norms laid down by the competent authority.
Can. 979 In asking questions
the priest is to act with prudence and discretion, taking into account
the condition and the age of the penitent, and he is to refrain from enquiring
the name of a partner in sin.
Can. 980 If the confessor
is in no doubt about the penitent’s disposition and the penitent
asks for absolution, it is not to be denied or delayed.
Can. 981 The confessor is
to impose salutary and appropriate penances, in proportion to the kind
and number of sins confessed, taking into account, however, the condition
of the penitent. The penitent is bound personally to fulfil these penances.
Can. 982 A person who confesses
to having falsely denounced to ecclesiastical authority a confessor innocent
of the crime of solicitation to a sin against the sixth commandment of
the Decalogue, is not to be absolved unless that person has first formally
withdrawn the false denunciation and is prepared to make good whatever
harm may have been done.
Can. 983 §1 The sacramental
seal is inviolable. Accordingly, it is absolutely wrong for a confessor
in any way to betray the penitent, for any reason whatsoever, whether
by word or in any other fashion.
§2 An interpreter, if there is one, is also obliged to observe this
secret, as are all others who in any way whatever have come to a knowledge
of sins from a confession.
Can. 984 §1 The confessor
is wholly forbidden to use knowledge acquired in confession to the detriment
of the penitent, even when all danger of disclosure is excluded.
§2 A person who is in authority may not in any way, for the purpose
of external governance, use knowledge about sins which has at any time
come to him from the hearing of confession.
Can. 985 The director and
assistant director of novices, and the rector of a seminary or of any
other institute of education, are not to hear the sacramental confessions
of their students resident in the same house, unless in individual instances
the students of their own accord request it.
Can. 986 §1 All to whom
by virtue of office the care of souls is committed, are bound to provide
for the hearing of the confessions of the faithful entrusted to them,
who reasonably request confession, and they are to provide these faithful
with an opportunity to make individual confession on days and at times
arranged to suit them.
§2 In an urgent necessity, every confessor is bound to hear the confessions
of Christ’s faithful, and in dan |