The Eucharist should be celebrated in a sacred place unless, in a particular case, necessity requires otherwise. In such a case, the celebration must occur in a decent place (c. 932, §1).
A particular case includes not only a single occasion but also an individual priest who must celebrate outside a sacred place on a regular basis.
Cases of necessity include sickness, old age, distance from a church, pastoral advantage such as Masses for children, prisoners, and other particular groups.
Mass may not be celebrated in funeral homes in the Diocese of San Angelo.
A decent place is principally one that would not unduly hinder the participation of the people as a result of undesirable distractions.
Masses in Homes:
If a priest is to celebrate the Eucharist at the home of someone who is not his parishioner, he needs the permission of the local pastor in whose territory the home is located.
A priest celebrating the Eucharist at a private home should exercise prudential judgment to avoid favoritism, preferential treatment, or scandal. He may accept a stipend for this Mass only if it is freely offered, and only if he has not received a stipend for another Mass on the same day. He may not request money for this Mass, and no collection is to be taken up.
He is to follow the liturgical norms of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
The Eucharistic sacrifice should take place on a dedicated or blessed altar.
Outside a sacred place, a suitable table may be used, always with a cloth and corporal (c. 932, §2).
In a non-Catholic church, for a just cause and with the express permission of the diocesan bishop, a priest may celebrate the Eucharist in the place of worship of some church or ecclesial community which does not have full communion with the Catholic Church, provided there is no scandal (c. 933).
This permission is not needed to celebrate the Eucharist in interdenominational chapels, such as at a hospital, prison, school, college, university, or military installation. This is because The Canon refers only to the place of worship of some Christian denomination that is not in full communion with the Catholic Church, such as a Protestant or Orthodox church.
A priest may be allowed by the priest in charge of a church to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is unknown to that priest, provided his letter of suitability has been sent to the bishop’s office from his Ordinary or his superior. The letter must be dated at least within the year (c. 903). If he lacks such a letter, he can still be allowed to concelebrate if it is prudently thought that he should not be prevented.