Are mass concelebrations getting out of hand?

It is becoming increasingly common in Rome, in large pilgrimages and massive gatherings: hundreds or thousands of priests crowded under the sun, dressed in identical chasubles, trying to follow the Eucharistic Prayer in unison. Some cover themselves with soccer team caps, others with soda advertisements, others with fisherman’s hats. The scene, rather than emphasizing the greatness of the Mystery, borders on the picturesque and ends up distracting from the essential. Concelebration was born as a profound sign of priestly unity. The Second Vatican Council, in Sacrosanctum Concilium (n. 57), recommended it on certain occasions to express the communion of the presbytery around the bishop or the Pope. But what was thought of as a sober and solemn sign has overflowed into authentic masses that, far from edifying, run the risk of confusing the faithful.

The Infinite Value of Each Mass

The underlying problem is the implicit confusion: it seems that the more chasubles gather, the more value the Mass has. And that’s not the case. A single Mass, celebrated by a priest in a side chapel in Rome, would have the same infinite value as the most solemn pontifical Mass. Each Eucharistic sacrifice fully actualizes Christ’s offering on the Cross.

Think of the lost strength: each of those priests, instead of standing isolated a kilometer from the altar, could offer the sacrifice privately, applying specific intentions for souls, for the deceased, for the Church and the world. Each of those Masses would have been an inexhaustible fountain of grace. Instead, they are diluted in a massive concelebration where many don’t even see the altar and cover themselves with a cap while repeating the most sacred words of the liturgy.

A More Fruitful Proposal

Perhaps it would be advisable to rethink these massive concelebrations and limit them. The rest of the priests could exercise a no less valuable ministry: confessing thousands of pilgrims, preparing hearts for communion, distributing the Eucharist afterward with abundance and reverence. Priestly unity is also shown in that service.

The liturgy demands clarity, beauty, and order. Crowding thousands of chasubles under the sun with priests covering themselves with souvenir caps is unnecessary. We need the essential to shine: Christ, who offers himself on the altar in each Mass with all the infinite value of his redemptive sacrifice.