Q: This year I suggested to my pastor that we celebrate our patroness (Oct.1-St. Therese of Lisieux) on Sunday as permitted by #58 in the Universal Norms on the Calendar in RM. It does continue to say that “The Mass of such celebrations may be used at all celebrations…” Does “may be used” imply that it is optional to use the readings prescribed for the Saint? May the pastor choose to use the prescribed Sunday readings instead? I’m a bit uncertain because in the GIRM #353, “On Solemnities the Priest is obliged to follow the Calendar of the church where …
Patronal Feast
Q: In the Philippines, the Patronal Feast of the church/parish is a big feast. It is happily celebrated as a Solemnity in that particular parish church. And with the Filipinos penchant for exuberance and fiestas, the feast day of the patron is indeed a big solemnity both liturgical and outside the liturgy. It is also one of the rare occasions that the Bishop comes to visit the parish and celebrate Mass for the parishioners. Newly renovated churches and some newly established parishes schedule the dedication of their churches on the same day of their patron’s feast. I believe, in the …
Relics at the procession
Q: If there is a relic at the dedication of a church and altar, the deacons (or priests) who carry the relics at the procession wears red vestments, if the saint was a martyr. Do they have to change vestments for the Mass? Or will the priests concelebrate in red? I have seen the video of the dedication of St. Michael Abbey Church in California. The abbots wore red copes? What do you think about that? It seemed legitimate to me because they are in procession. == A: The only mention of red vesture for the deacons or priests …
GILH number 35
Q: Hello Father Paul! I would just like to have a clarification on how to better understand GILH number 35: “The invitatory should begin the whole sequence of daily prayer; thus it begins Lauds or the Office of Readings depending on which of these liturgical actions begins the day. If so desired, however, the psalm with its antiphon may be omitted when it comes before Lauds.” 1. If someone bound to recite all the hours wakes up or finds the time only to do so already for midday or (let’s just push it further to the extreme) evening prayer (he …
Order of Dedication
Q: Thank you for your dedication and commitment to assist us to have a full, conscious and active in the liturgy by allowing us to understand better what we do in Liturgical Celebrations. I am at present preparing for the Dedication of a Church in our diocese. I am looking at the Order of Dedication and I noticed that there is no explicit mention of beginning the celebration with the Sign of the Cross. I have learned that in the Order of Baptism, it does not begin with the Sign of the Cross, thus it is not done at the …
Diamond anniversary
Q: Greetings, Fr Paul. What would be possible liturgically for a Parish celebration of a diamond anniversary of the church building which was not, and never will be, consecrated as it was not thought of as permanent ? However, there was a foundation stone blessed at the time, still in place. It is not the diamond anniversary of the parish as a community of faith – that happened a few years ago. == A: It would be appropriate to offer a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions when the calendar permits it. You could choose one of the first ones …
Confirmation
Q: We recently welcomed four adults into the Catholic Church. We learned shortly before the ceremony that one of them had been baptized Catholic. So we conducted the rite of reception for the other three, and then included the Catholic in the confirmations. All received their first communion later at the Mass. Did we do it right? == A: Yes, IF IF IF IF IF the priest got the bishop’s permission to confirm the Catholic. The priest may not confirm a Catholic on his own authority outside of emergency situations.
Vesting for Mass
Q: Could I wear an alb and stole for the liturgy of the word, and then put on my chasuble for the liturgy of the eucharist? == A: No, there is no provision for that. The rubrics assume that you vest with chasuble for the entire Mass. It shows the unity of the celebration.
Valid baptism
Q: Thank you for all the work you do for God and His church. Recently I was watching the baptism of a very dear friend of mine when I noticed something that raised curiosity in me. The person to be baptized would get in the water, the preacher would ask them for a profession of faith, then would recite the baptismal formula, THEN would immerse the person once while saying, “buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life.” Since the actual baptism doesn’t occur along with the formula, but during this other formula, would the …
Penitential Act
Q: Sorry a quick question (hopefully). I have so many questions, and hey, you are just a great resource! I pasted the Penitential Act below- are those words in bold a suggestion or are they open to modification? Another priest constantly says something to the effect of: Brothers and Sisters, let us acknowledge our sins so we can worthily celebrate these sacred mysteries. To be honest- I take issue with the use of “worthily”- are we ever really worthy? Especially when later at Mass we say, “Lord, I am not worthy….”. Anyway, I think it has less to do about worthiness. But, …