Bination
Bination, with reference to the
History
It is believed by some
Daily Mass became universal about the close of the sixth century. It was not long before priests began to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice two, three or more times daily, according to their own desire, until canons
Exceptions
Moral theology permits a priest to say two Masses on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation in case of necessity when, namely, a number of faithful would otherwise be deprived of the opportunity of hearing Mass. This would be verified, for example, were a priest in charge of two parishes or missions with no other celebrant available, or were the church too small to accommodate at one time all the parishioners.[10] The ordinary of the diocese, however, is to judge, in these and similar cases, of the necessity of binating. For similar cause, Rome grants to priests of missionary countries the privilege of saying two Masses.[11]
As regards permission to binate, theologians are agreed that it should not be given unless about thirty persons would otherwise be put to notable inconvenience to avoid missing Mass. In certain extraordinary cases this number is reduced to twenty, while, if there is question of those detained in prison or bound by the laws of the papal cloister, from ten to fifteen inmates will suffice to permit bination. In such cases a priest is permitted to say a second (never a third) Mass only in case another celebrant may not be had; that a
Pope Benedict XIV (d. 1758) conceded to all priests, secular and regular, of the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal the privilege of saying three Masses on All Souls' Day (2 November). This privilege still holds for all places which belonged to one or other of these lands at the time when it was granted. The ordinary stipend is allowed for one only of these Masses; while the other two must be offered for all the souls in Purgatory.
Current Law
The current Code of Canon Law[12] is similar. Can. 905 (1) A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law permits him to celebrate or concelebrate more than once on the same day. (2) If there is a shortage of priests, the local ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
Two exceptions granted by the Church by liturgical law are: (1) three Masses allowed on Christmas and (2) three Masses allowed on All Souls’ Day. Ordinarily, the three Masses on Christmas should be celebrated in accordance with the rubrics of the Sacramentary and Lectionary; i.e., at midnight, at dawn, and during the day; also at the vigil. The latest rubrics allow “any priest” to offer these three (plus the vigil Mass) provided that he follow the sequence and time indicated in the Roman Missal. On All Souls’ Day, each of the three Masses allowed must be offered for the intentions indicated in the rubrics for All Souls’ Day; the first, for a particular intention; the second for all the faithful departed; the third for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Notes
- ^ Magani, L'Antica Liturgia Romana, Pt. I, p. 296, Pt. II, p. 187.
- ^ Tertullian, De Oratione, xiv.
- ^ St. Basil, Ep. cclxxxix.
- ^ Ep. liv.
- ^ Augustine, op. cit.
- Council of Toledo, year 400.
- St. Ambrose, Sermo xxv.
- ^ John Chrysostom, In Ep. ad Ephesios.
- ^ Gratian, De Conseer., dist. I, can. liii.
- ^ See Bull, "Declarasti", of Benedict XIV, Bullarium IV, 32 sqq., 16 March 1746; Leo XIII, Litt. Apost. "Trans Oceanum", 18 April 1897.
- ^ Three in Mexico, according to an indult of Pope Leo XIII, Acta S. Sedis, XIII, 340, XXIX, 96) on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation, under conditions practically the same as stated above (See Bull "Apostolicum ministerium", of Benedict XIV, for the Anglican Missions, 30 May 1753, Bullarium, X, 197 sqq.; Conc. Plen. Balt. III, Tit. Iii, cap. I; Acta et Decreta Conc. Plen. Americae Latinae, no. 348 sqq.; Putzer, "Commentarium in Facultates Apost.", no. 159 sqq.
- ^ "Code of Canon Law: Table of Contents".
References
- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Bination". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The entry cites:
- Kirchenlexikon, S.V. Bination;
- Bamberger, Pastoralblatt, 1878, N. 46-48;
- Stephan Jakob Neher, Die Bination (Ratisbon, 1874);
- Instructio S.C. de Propag. Fide, 24, May 1870.