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I. OFFICES
AND MINISTRIES OF HOLY ORDERS
59.
Every authentic celebration of the eucharist is directed by the bishop, either
in person or through the presbyters, who are his helpers.47
Whenever he
is present at a Mass with a congregation, it is fitting that the bishop himself
preside over the assembly and associate the presbyters with himself in the
celebration, if possible by concelebrating with them.
This is
done not to add external solemnity, but to express in a clearer light the
mystery of the Church, which is the sacrament of unity.48
Even if the
bishop is not the celebrant of the eucharist but assigns someone else, he
should preside over the liturgy of the word and give the blessing at the end of
Mass.
60.
Within the community of believers, the presbyter is another who possesses the
power of orders to offer sacrifice in the person of Christ.49 He
therefore presides over the assembly and leads its prayer, proclaims the
message of salvation, joins the people to himself in offering the sacrifice to
the Father through Christ in the Spirit, gives them the bread of eternal life,
and shares in it with them. At the eucharist he should, then, serve God and the
people with dignity and humility; by his bearing and by the way he recites the
words of the liturgy he should communicate to the faithful a sense of the
living presence of Christ.
61.
Among ministers, the deacon, whose order has been held in high honor since the
early Church, has first place. At Mass he has his own functions: he proclaims
the gospel, sometimes preaches God's word, leads the general intercessions,
assists the priest, gives communion to the people (in particular, ministering
the chalice), and sometimes gives directions regarding the assembly's moving,
standing, kneeling, or sitting.
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