May Religious Brothers Preach?

by Michael Shackleton · Published May 8, 2012 · Updated July 28, 2017

Persons conducting a communion service in the absence of a priest need to be trained for their ministry. Does a religious brother need to undergo training too? Is he allowed to preach? Gerti Hoff

By a lay person is meant anyone who is not an ordained bishop, priest or deacon, and in this sense will include religious brothers and sisters who are not in holy orders.

No lay person may lawfully distribute the Eucharist, either within the liturgy or for the pastoral need of members of the faithful who are confined to their homes, unless he or she has received the required mandate from the local bishop. Such a person must, obviously, have a clear idea of the responsibility this task carries, and be trained to perform it with knowledge and reverence in accordance with the prescribed ritual.

By a lay person is meant anyone who is not an ordained bishop, priest or deacon, and in this sense will include religious brothers and sisters who are not in holy orders.

Religious brothers and sisters who distribute the Eucharist may have had a sound catechetical formation and a more suitable pastoral background than the average lay person, but this does not exempt them from having to receive the same or similar training as others to become an extraordinary minister. They also need the official mandate from the local bishop.

The programme to be followed in instructing candidates to become extraordinary ministers will comprise doctrinal, liturgical and pastoral training. When ready, they will be ceremonially commissioned to perform their duties.

The office of preaching the Word of God belongs to the teaching authority of the Church given by Christ to the apostles. Bishops have complete authority to preach because, as successors of the apostles, they are the authentic teachers and defenders of the faith.

This is in virtue of what Christ told his apostles before his ascension: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time (Mt 28:18-20).

The homily at Mass is an example of this preaching. Priests and deacons are given the faculty by the bishops to share in the ministry of preaching, because of their ordination. In other words, they share in his teaching office. Therefore, no lay person may deliver a homily during the liturgical celebration, not even a religious brother.