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Julianne Wallace Answers:
In the Mass, the entire gathered assembly celebrates together with the priest (or prayer leader). Since the whole community celebrates together, the term “celebrant” is not the best way to describe the role of the priest in the Mass, because it sets the role of the priest against the role of the rest of the assembly (if we say that the priest is the only celebrant—what about the assembly?) Some liturgical texts use the term “priest-celebrant” which indicates the special role of the priest within the celebrating community. However, the term “presider” best describes the role of the priest in the Mass. A presider is someone who is called forth from the community to be a leader of prayer and to be a representative of Christ within the gathered church community. While all celebrate the sacraments together, we must have a leader, someone who will guide us deeper into the mysteries of Christ.
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What you say implies that anyone could be “called forth from the community” to celebrate Mass. That is not true, only a priest or bishop can celebrate Mass. I can’t, not being a priest, nor can you. However, I can preside over a meeting, a prayer group, or many secular fucntions. The priest celebrating a Mass is the de facto leader, not a master of ceremonies.
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