Q: I would like to help us in clarifying something about the reverence to the altar when the tabernacle is in the sanctuary. According to GIRM 49, the appropriate reverence to the altar is a profound bow. GIRM 274 stipulates that: “If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.” Does it mean that when the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the profound bow is replaced with …
White stole
Q: I have a question about the instruction in HCWEMOM to wear a white stole/cope during Exposition and Benediction, given that at #79 in that text, it says, “…account should be taken of the liturgical seasons, so that these exercises are in harmony with the Sacred Liturgy from which, in a sense, they derive…” So why would the priest who presides at daily Mass during Lent, wearing purple, then change to white for Exposition/Benediction? Especially given HCWEMOM’s overarching intention to tie these devotions to the celebration of the Mass (#82, eg, “care should be taken that in exposition of this …
Role of the Deacon
Q: I need some guidance concerning the role of the Deacon. Ash Wednesday, Word Liturgy with distribution of ashes. Lectors for readings, servers and Deacon as presider. It seems to me that in the Entrance Procession that the Lector proclaiming the First Reading processes in the Book of Gospels (how we’ve been doing things here) and not the Deacon as his role is presider. Am I correct or not? I keep reviewing years of unchecked scripts at this parish. Thanks for your direction. == A: There’s no official explanation for how to do this. I lean toward having the deacon-presider …
Quinceañeras
Q: We have a large Hispanic population and several Quinceañeras each year. Due to the unavailability of Spanish speaking priests, the Quinceañera is usually celebrated with a Deacon presiding and a communion service. Not ideal – would obviously be wonderful to celebrate with the Eucharist…but what I wonder about is this – there was an unawareness that extra hosts should have been consecrated at the morning liturgy – but the lead sacristan has been out. So, apparently the deacon and another member of the staff brought consecrated hosts to the tabernacle from other churches. I know this can’t be …
First communion
Q: I have a situation where a Confirmation Candidate has not received 1st Holy Communion. What would you suggest as the best course of action? == A: Communion is not a requirement before confirmation. Baptism, of course, is. That said, if you can prepare the person for first communion, they could receive it before confirmation or during the confirmation Mass.
Scrutinies
Q: We are going have the Scrutinies soon. We have only 1 unbaptized elect and about 10 candidates. A gentleman who has been helping me feels they should only apply to the unbaptized elect. I wonder if it should/could include the candidates? He feels it imparts solemnity to the rite if it is only for our 1 elect. I also see having the whole group participate and benefit from it. What is your experience? I thank you in advance. == A: Only the elect are the subjects of the scrutinies. The baptized candidates attend and pray for the elect along …
Distribution of ashes
Q: Regarding Ash Wednesday Mass w/distribution of ashes, I only know of the 2 rites for distribution – 1) In the Mass where the Penitential Act is omitted and the ashes are blessed and distributed following the homily. 2) Distribution of ashes w/in Liturgy of Word service. Are there any other forms? We celebrated with a Mass. We had a celebrant who said a penitential rite at the “usual” time and also only blessed the ashes after the homily. Distribution was after the dismissal. It felt quite awkward and we weren’t prepared for a Kyrie, etc. == …
Office books
Q: Do you have any news on when the new Office books will be out? == A: Last I’ve heard they’re hoping for Advent of 2026, but bracing themselves for early 2027.
Procession to the ambo
Q: A Priest is going to the ambo to proclaim the Gospel in a Roman Rite Mass. There is no Book of the Gospels. May he be preceded by thurible and candles in a procession? == A: Nothing forbids it, but the GIRM envisions that if servers are carrying thurible and candles, it’s because the deacon or priest is carrying the Book of the Gospels — not that he is simply walking toward the ambo. In some churches, the presider’s chair is on the same side as the ambo, so there isn’t much procession if he doesn’t need to go …
Turning page
Q: At my parish, the Pastor and parochial vicar have recently had an acolyte turning pages of the Roman Missal during Mass. I’ve never seen this before. A new rubric? == A: There’s no new rubric, but the GIRM has always said that an acolyte assists the priest in any way required, and he assists at the chair and at the altar (187). The missal doesn’t assign page-turning to anyone, but it would tolerate this practice if it helps the priest locate the right page or keep his hands extended while he prays.