Q:  Entrance and Communion Antiphons during Easter Time all conclude with the word “Alleluia.” If a priest were to offer a “Mass for Various Needs and Occasions” during Easter Time (for example, “For the Priest Himself: On the Anniversary of His Ordination,” which often occurs during Easter Time), should the “Alleluia” be added to the antiphons, even though it does not appear, even parenthetically, in the Missal? Thanks, as always, for your expertise and ministry. == A:  I’m going to say, “No,” as surprising as that may seem. What you propose seems to be the simplest, most consistent, and appropriate …

Q:  On the Sundays of Easter there is normally a sprinkling rite.  When Ascension replaces the 7th Sunday of Easter, do you still have a sprinkling rite during the liturgy?   == A:  The sprinkling rite may be used on ANY Sunday. It is popular in Easter Time, but it is not restricted to then and not required then. It may then be used on Ascension Sunday.  (But not on Ascension Thursday in those places that still observe the Ascension on that weekday. The sprinkling is for Sundays only.)

Q:  Good day Fr. Paul, I thank you very much for helping to clarify issues bothering on the liturgy. I have benefitted a great deal. May I ask following from your recent post on paschal candle: At funeral masses the paschal candle is placed close to the coffin and during Easter the candle is placed next to the Ambo. Now what happens at funeral masses within Eastertide,  where is the paschal candle placed? Thanks. == A:  Neither the OCF nor the missal give instructions on this. The Circular Letter Paschalis Sollemnitatis says in 99 that the paschal candle is placed …

Q:  In the Order of Mass, during the consecration, the rubrics twice say that the priest genuflects “in adoration,” once each after showing the host and the chalice to the people. But those words are missing when he genuflects before saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Does that mean he can take more time for the two genuflections during the consecration? == A:  It really doesn’t say. The rubric primarily pertains to his intention. These instructions have carried over from the preconciliar rubrics. The words have not changed. At the consecration, the Latin literally means, “having genuflected, he adores.” And …

Q:  Do we use incense processing out after Mass at all Masses when incense is used? A priest told me it is only used in the recessional at the Chrism Mass. Thanks. == A:  GIRM 276 lists the occasions for incense at a typical Mass, and it makes no mention of the recessional. Incense is not to be carried in the final procession. There is nothing left to incense. There are two exceptions, both found in the missal on Holy Thursday. The Chrism Mass, which of course may be anticipated, has incense preceding the newly consecrated chrism as it is …

Q:  I’ve heard that you have one of the servers extinguish the paschal candle at the end of each Pentecost Mass, following the alleluias that conclude the dismissal and while the recessional music begins. Could you say more about that? == A:  Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/extinguishing-the-paschal-candle/ What applies to Easter vespers would also apply to Mass. I suggest it at the end of each Pentecost Mass because in the past the candle would have been extinguished at every Ascension Mass, and the rubric is charmingly so similar.

Q:  My parish has a small chapel (where adoration takes place after the 7am Mass until 5pm) adjacent (attached and one roof separated by a glass sliding door) to the main church building.  I’ll put curtains or blinds on the glass to avoid interruption (temporary reposition) of adoration during Mass/worship service in the main church during the day.  We have a tabernacle in the small chapel and in the main church. I heard you mentioned only one tabernacle in a church. I appreciate your suggestion.  == A:  You might have to get an opinion from your own bishop’s office about …

Q:  I have been asked, can the Paschal Candle being processed as part of the Opening Procession at Mass have to be carried by bare hands? Can it be in a saucer/container/ holder of some kind, so as children don’t get burnt potentially by falling hot wax. Apparently one priest is insisting on bare hands, refusing the request for a holder? Thanks == A:  I don’t know of any legislation about carrying the paschal candle with bare hands, but the only time it is to be carried is during the Easter Vigil, and the deacon holds it. The paschal candle …

Q:  Do you incense the paschal candle every Sunday? Or every time the incense is used at Mass? I can only see an instruction that it is incensed on Easter Vigil. What do you think? == A:  I know it is popular to incense the candle as part of the entrance procession, but you are correct – the missal calls for incensing the candle only at the Easter Vigil before the Exsultet, not at any other time.

Q:  How about Christmas — occurring on Monday this year.  Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent, but the evening Masses can be those of Christmas Vigil or Night, correct.   The Masses on Monday would be those of Dawn of the Day.  I presume there is not a “two-fer” – the faithful go to Mass on Saturday or Sunday morning/noon for the 4th Sunday of Advent and Sunday evening or Monday for the Solemnity of Christmas. Both the 4th Sunday of Advent  and Christmas are days of obligation. correct? == A:  Here’s a previous post:  https://paulturner.org/christmas-2023/