There is a common misconception, even among the clergy, that a "private Mass" is a Mass that the priest says by himself, without any of the faithful present. That is not what a private Mass is, in the mind of the Church. "Private Mass," (Missa sine populo), a legal liturgical term, does not mean that laity are not allowed to be present at that Mass.
In the present legislation it is normative to attempt to have others at "private Masses" besides the priest saying the Mass, at least a server. For a priest, bishop, or even pope to habitually and unnecessarily say Mass alone is contrary to the liturgical law of the Church. Pope Francis is exemplary in this. Every day since the cancellation of the "public Masses" His Holiness Pope Francis has not ceased to televise His "private Mass" at the same chapel where he habitually had His routine private/semi-public Masses, but now with a much reduced group of people present and with social distancing. Every priest in the world should be doing the same thing, not saying Mass hidden in his room or alone in a chapel, but with some of the faithful present, even if just a small group. Masses in private homes during this time, with the proper hygienic precautions, should also be encouraged. That also is another type of non-public or "private" Mass. Concelebration during this crisis should also be discouraged so that more private Masses are available for the benefit of the few faithful who might attend them.
Because of the intimacy of the private Mass setting it might also be a propitious time for more priests to learn how to say Mass according the the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. It is also a great time for young men to learn how to serve that form of the Mass to ably assist priests at their private Masses. In my parish, for example, I, a parochial vicar, habitually say my private Mass on the Church's traditional side altar of Saint Joseph accessible through the side entrance of the Church. Today I had a Missa Cantata for the Feast of Saint Joseph with a professional cantor (who comes now daily), two servers and one other lay person at the Mass, with a procession and incense. We also chant terce immediately after that private 7 AM Mass daily Mass. Very worthy.
Canon 906 "Except for a just and reasonable cause, a priest is not to celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice without the participation of at least some member of the faithful."
Of course, it must be remembered also that, in Canon 904 the priest is strongly recommended to say Mass every day, even if it is not possible to have faithful present. "Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic sacrifice the work of redemption is exercised continually, priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed, daily celebration is recommended earnestly since, even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function." In summary, the priest is strongly encouraged by the Church to say Mass everyday, even a private Mass, with few people present, or, when it is not possible to have others present, even alone.
Another misconception is that the faithful cannot receive communion during this time of no public Masses. According to the law of the Church, every priest is obliged to administer the Eucharist to anyone who requests it with the proper disposition, even outside of Mass. The local legislation I have read regarding the coronavirus restrictions does not forbid either the administration of Holy Communion outside of Mass or the private Mass, and, in fact, because participation in the Eucharist is of divine Law, the faithful having a God-given right to reasonably receive the Sacrament, human legislation is limited in its ability to forbid it.
Canon 918 "[Holy Communion] is to be administered outside the Mass, ...to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed."
Another misconception is that the faithful cannot receive communion during this time of no public Masses. According to the law of the Church, every priest is obliged to administer the Eucharist to anyone who requests it with the proper disposition, even outside of Mass. The local legislation I have read regarding the coronavirus restrictions does not forbid either the administration of Holy Communion outside of Mass or the private Mass, and, in fact, because participation in the Eucharist is of divine Law, the faithful having a God-given right to reasonably receive the Sacrament, human legislation is limited in its ability to forbid it.
Canon 918 "[Holy Communion] is to be administered outside the Mass, ...to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed."
Canon 843 §1 "Sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them."
Priests should daily say Mass on all the altars of all parishes during this time of crisis, Church doors open, allowing people to participate freely, even if in small numbers and with proper distancing and other necessary health precautions. Follow the protocols of the local food shops, etc. And the laity, for their part, should try to find a priest at least once a week, in discrete numbers, for private Mass or for Holy Communion, and also, for confession.
Civil authorities should be apprised by the bishops of the Church in every region that the Catholic Mass and Holy Communion are not a dispensable social pass-time that we Catholics can simply forego at any time. It is more vital than our food and water. We-re not Protestants. Because of the Eucharist, to absolutely forbid all religious ceremonies would be prejudicial towards the Catholic faith because Catholics need the Eucharist! Sine Missa non possumus!
Priests should daily say Mass on all the altars of all parishes during this time of crisis, Church doors open, allowing people to participate freely, even if in small numbers and with proper distancing and other necessary health precautions. Follow the protocols of the local food shops, etc. And the laity, for their part, should try to find a priest at least once a week, in discrete numbers, for private Mass or for Holy Communion, and also, for confession.
Civil authorities should be apprised by the bishops of the Church in every region that the Catholic Mass and Holy Communion are not a dispensable social pass-time that we Catholics can simply forego at any time. It is more vital than our food and water. We-re not Protestants. Because of the Eucharist, to absolutely forbid all religious ceremonies would be prejudicial towards the Catholic faith because Catholics need the Eucharist! Sine Missa non possumus!
