This is a customary for Deacon’s Mass at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. It begins with a brief liturgical description of a Deacon’s Mass and then lists the key differences at Epiphany between a Deacon’s Mass and a Holy Eucharist service, organized by volunteer group.
Liturgical Description
The formal designation for a Deacon’s Mass is “The Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from Reserved Sacrament,” and it’s just what that title describes. The first portion, the Liturgy of the Word, is unchanged from that of Holy Eucharist. We use the same prayers, the same scriptures, the same responses, and the same approach to the homily or sermon. It’s only when we get to the preparation of the table for holy communion that we see the differences.
In a service of Holy Eucharist, the celebrant sanctifies the elements of Holy Communion. The bread and the wine are quite ordinary and could be made at home or purchased at any grocery store. At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer, however, we deem those same elements to be the real presence of Christ. So we are proud to bring the elements forward during the offertory, knowing as we do that these elements we bring are destined to become the presence of Christ among us.
Because the deacon brings the elements from reserved sacrament, there is no bread or wine to bring forward. Instead, we simply place the empty chalice (cup), paten (plate), and ciborium (small container with lid) on the altar before the service. The deacon will set them in preparation for worship.
Key Differences by Volunteer Group
Altar Guild
- Do not set the elements of communion in the rear of the nave. Leave the table empty.
- Set the altar as is customary for a service of Holy Eucharist, but do not include the large host wafer or loaf. Set the empty ciborium beside the chalice and paten.
- Set the table below the aumbry as usual with water pitcher and lavabo towel.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
- The opening processional and gospel processional occur as usual.
- At the offertory, present the offering baskets to the ushers as usual and get the count from them as usual.
- You will assist the deacon in washing his or her hands as usual.
- No change during the doxology.
- Because the moments at which we customarily ring the chimes do not occur in the Deacon’s Mass, there are no chimes during Deacon’s Mass.
- The deacon will offer you holy communion as is customary during the Holy Eucharist and then give you the cup.
- Your offering phrase is the same as in Holy Eucharist: “The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.”
- Your procedure during the recessional hymn and after the service concludes are the same as in Holy Eucharist.
Ushers
Instead of bringing the elements forward at the Offertory, simply come forward empty-handed. The Lay Eucharistic Minister will hand you the baskets for you to use in collecting the offering, and you will tell the LEM your count of persons in the service.
