MASSES AT WHICH THE BISHOP IS

NOT THE PRINCIPAL CELEBRANT

At Masses at which the Bishop is present but a priest is the principal celebrant (e.g.,
funeral of priests’ family member, priest jubilee, etc.), the bishop will be vested in choir
robes and is seated in the sanctuary. An arm chair and kneeler should be provided.
Please place a white stole on the kneeler. It is not necessary to have priests serve as
chaplains.

ENTRANCE RITE

The Bishop follows the main celebrant in the procession.

The Bishop bows to the altar, but does not reverence the altar. He goes directly to his
chair.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Deacon does not receive a blessing from the Bishop before reading the Gospel, nor
does the Bishop reverence the Gospel Book after the Gospel is proclaimed.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Bishop remains in his place during the Eucharistic Prayer.

COMMUNION RITE

The Bishop puts on the white stole after the Great Amen.

After the celebrant receives communion (and gives communion to the Deacon), the
paten and chalice are brought to the Bishop at his chair, who receives communion as a
concelebrant (i.e., he takes the host and chalice, without the minister saying, “Body of
Christ, Blood of Christ.”

CONCLUDING RITE

At a Funeral Mass, if the celebrant requests the Bishop to offer the Commendation, the
Bishop will change into a white stole, cope and miter after he receives communion. He
will celebrate the Commendation and the then process out in miter and crosier.

At a normal Mass, the Bishop will bow to the altar with the celebrant and the follow the
celebrant in the procession.

03/29/16