Q: Hello father have a question: during the offertory, what side should the wine be taken to the alter.==A: There’s no rule on this. It can go either way.

Q: May a Funeral Mass be celebrated for a Christian who is not Catholic? This situation is not listed among the reasons why the rite outside of Mass might be used.  I know that tradition seems to have been that only a Catholic would have the “benefit” of a Mass being celebrated for them.  However, all of the language in the General Introduction speaks of the deceased as being a Christian. Thank you for clarifying. == A: Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/non-catholic-funeral/

Q: Thank you Fr. Paul for your help.  Is there any way that we can use 2 readings for this  celebration as is done in Mexico? Can the pastor or bishop allow it according to liturgical law? == A: I’m not sure what this means, but GIRM 357 says, “If, however, according to the norms a Feast is raised to the rank of a Solemnity, a third reading is added, and this is taken from the Common.” Honestly, if a feast is raised to a solemnity, then it’s not a feast any more. So this could mean something like celebrating …

Q: Are there any guidelines for the lighting of the consecration candles in a Church.  We light ours on the anniversary of the dedication of our Abbey Church, and we have lit them for various solemnities (e.g., the titular of our monastery).  But, I haven’t come across any guidance on this matter.  Thank you for your help and common sense advice. == A: Thanks for your comments on my work. Here’s a previous post that you may find helpful: https://paulturner.org/lighting-dedication-candles/

Q: We are praying Vespers during a Holy Hour on the Sunday evenings of Advent. 1)  would we wear a stole the color of the Liturgical Season? Or a white stole because of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction?2) After the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the monstrance on the altar, we sing “O Salutaris Hostia.” We then begin “God, come to my asssistance.” In the past, we simply made a sign of the cross while saying this. Recently, at other parishes, the presider is beginning with “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” …

Q: I am happy to note that you are again taking an online module of our Taking Liturgy Seriously course. Am looking forward to it.  A couple of questions about the Christmas Proclamation, if I may.  May it only be sung before the ‘Midnight’ Mass or, in a parish that doesn’t have a Midnight Mass, may it be sung before the earlier Vigil Mass?  Is it appropriate for the Proclamation to be sung from the Ambo?  Many thanks.  == A: Nice to hear from you, and I look forward to the module with you all. My copy of your Missal …

Q: Every Thursday at my  parish I have Mass in the morning and then Adoration goes all day long until Benediction at 8:00pm. Before the Benediction, I have done a Procession with our Lord in the monstrance in the interior perimeter/aisle of the church, a one time circle, ending back on the Altar. We sing a “O Sacrament Most Holy” hymn in full in this Procession, and we usually have incense leading this procession as well. Is this actually permitted or not? This is a layover from COVID, and now I’m wondering if I should be doing this procession altogether or …

Q: Are Advent wreath candles to be lit for liturgies only (as are altar candles), or do they belong to the marking of time outside the ritual events as well? == A: We have no governing rule on this. The blessing of an Advent wreath can be found in Chapter 47 of the Book of Blessings. It tells how to bless the wreath at Mass, and when to light candles on subsequent Sundays at Mass, so it expects that the candles will burn at least for Mass. But it is silent about other ritual events. As this is a home …

Q: We are putting together another Confirmation retreat. A question popped up regarding Adoration and Benediction from one of our Confirmation coordinators: “During Adoration, each person could either come forward to receive a personal blessing from Jesus exposed in the monstrance, or the priest could process around the Church to bless each person.” By this “blessing” this person mentions, she means Benediction.  Looking at the new “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass” book, the closest guidance I can find connected to this multiple Benediction question is from paragraph #104 in the section on Eucharstic Processions as it states: …

Q: I am working at a parish that celebrated the dedication of its new church this year on April 6. ( Easter fell on March 31 in 2024 so the dedication took place on the Saturday within the Octave of Easter.)  Of course, April 6 would normally occur during Lent or the Easter season so the anniversary could not be celebrated on or near its actual date.   I think I remember reading that the alternative date would be the Sunday before All Saints’ Day (October 26 in 2025, the 30th Sunday in OT). That makes some sense, although in reality, …