Q: Hi Fr. Turner,
For masses in which priests and/or deacons are present (but without a liturgical role, and not in choir) and are called upon to distribute communion as ordinary ministers, should they vest (whether that be alb/stole or cassock/surplice/stole), or can they remain in their clerical shirts? I’ve looked through various texts and can’t find a clear answer.
Thank you for your guidance!
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A: It would be advisable to wear alb and stole. See this previous post for some background on a related question: https://paulturner.org/red-stole-at-communion/
There also seems to be an oblique reference to the practice in GIRM 162, naming “priests who happen to be present” at communion. Again, there’s no indication of dress, but it would be fitting for them to vest as ministers.
That said, one may question the value of employing ministers joining the celebration only near its end, rather than using participants of the liturgy as its ministers.
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