Can a Catholic couple enter into a pre-nuptial agreement. This is a huge discussion recently among marriage planning individuals. == This is a canonical question, so I recommend you consult your diocesan offices. But if by “pre-nuptial agreement” you mean “how we are going to divide possessions in the event of a divorce,” that would probably be grounds for declaring the marriage null. It may show that the couple do not intend to enter a commitment that is permanent. The Catholic Church expects more.

Q: Since I asked you a question about the historical liturgical readings, I have been reading your blog regularly. As a result, I know that you also know German. This means that you are the most qualified person to be asked the following questions: How is the expression “Mysteriengegenwart” coined by Odo Casel translated into English? Does this term refer to the sacraments only? Greetings from Germany. == A: Thank you for your confidence in my abilities, but I’m turning to Gary Feldhege, who addressed this on his blog some years ago: http://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2011/10/odo-casel-osb.html. The temptation is to use an English expression …

Q: I enjoy your catechesis and comments and continue to learn so much.  Thank you! I sent the below two years ago, and although the practice continues, I have at least gotten my pastor to hear me, but obviously he’s not listening yet.  I am trying to wear him down, but I’ve still not been successful. https://paulturner.org/baptism-and-confirmation/ In our last conversation, I bluntly asked how he can go against canon law by not completing initiation of these children.  I commented that I wasn’t aware that he had the choice to choose which canons he can follow or not follow. He paused …

Q: Thank you once again for being such a rich resource on all things liturgy.  The Constitution on the Liturgy was mentioned to me recently as if it takes precedence over the General Instruction on the Roman Missal.  Can you tell me the difference between the two and which if any takes precedence over the other?  Thank you. == A: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy authorized the liturgical renewal, so the GIRM and other documents that followed it fulfill its mandates. One cannot go back to the Constitution to argue for something that is without foundation in the GIRM.

Q: What does it meant when it says: “The Word of God in the Liturgical Celebration”? == A: It probably means the proclamation of bible readings in public worship.

Q: A parishioner insists on having an Anglican priest friend baptize their newborn, but then they intend to raise the child as Catholic. What do I do? == A: This is ill-advised, but you probably cannot stop it. The Anglican priest should conduct his ceremony in his Church, which from our perspective makes the child an Episcopalian. Then the parents can make a declaration to you that they intend their child to be known as Catholic. That replaces the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. You enter a note in the baptismal register accordingly.

Q: The question came up amongst our deacon group concerning cremains. A person had their father’s cremains interred several years ago. He subsequently found out that a portion of the ashes had been kept by a family member originally to be “spread” someplace. That did not happen. So the question is: what is the Church’s position on what should be done with the ashes? The rest of the cremains are in a military cemetery which makes it hard to somehow inter them there.  Your thoughts would be appreciated == A: This is one reason that the church discourages separating ashes …

Q: During a weekday confirmation mass (ordinary time) do we usually skip the Gloria and Creed (reserved for feast and solemnities)?  == A: The Confirmation Mass always has a Gloria—as long as the presidential prayers are from the Ritual Mass of Confirmation and not, say, the Third Sunday of Lent. It includes the creed only if it is a Sunday or solemnity. A Saturday late afternoon confirmation Mass in Ordinary Time, for example, would include the creed because the celebration replaces the usual liturgy for Sunday.

Q: Quick question — if I have a Sunday evening Mass on 10/31, is the Vigil for All Saints an option for the liturgy? I can’t quite tell from the Ordo. == A: It’s not an option because Sunday is a day of precept, but not that Monday. If both were days of obligation, then you’d have a choice. But the spiritual welfare of the people calls for the Sunday liturgy that night.

Q: On Sep 9/21 you received a question regard the use of the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Order of the Dedication of a Church. The Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 881, provides the answer, “Putting aside the pastoral staff and miter and facing the people, the bishop says, In the name of the Father.” It is interesting to note that the sign of the cross is explicitly mentioned before the procession, but not at the solemn or simple entrance. However, in the interest of continuity and following the pattern now established in the Missal, I suspect …