Q: Thank you again, Fr. Turner, for sharing your expertise so generously. I was reading about the timing of the collection in USCCB’s Introduction to the Order of Mass. Does its direction need to be followed? It prescribes that the collection of money takes place prior to the presentation of the gifts: “…all sit and wait while the collection is taken.” When I see this directive carried out at churches, it concerns me that the collection or collections frequently take several minutes at this point in the mass, dissipates the liturgical momentum created during the Liturgy of the …
Funeral lectionary
Q: I recently discovered that a member of our staff has been reconfiguring the first and second readings of our funeral lectionary by shortening the introduction, (e.g. A reading from the second reading of Saint Paul to the Corinthians to A reading from 2nd Corinthians. A reading from Acts, A reading from Ephesians, etc.) I mentioned this to the Pastor. He suggested that I ask her why. I know that no one is allowed to change liturgical texts, but she may not be aware of this. Is this even worth the conversation? == A: I think you should follow the pastor’s suggestion. Ask her why. Her …
Solemnity of the Assumption
Q: We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption this year as a Holy Day of Obligation. I do not set the Parish calendar, but I have noticed that we never have a Vigil Mass scheduled for days of obligation. Are we not obliged (no pun intended) to provide a Vigil Mass? == A: No vigil Mass is required for the Assumption. In my parish this year we’re offering Masses only on August 15 as well.
Deacons administering the chalice
Q: As we know from the Bible, Deacons were called into service for the fair distribution of food to the widows. If that is the case who decided we should be the ministers of the cup? I understand what GIRM 137 says. But if I understand history deacons were before priest in the original church Christ started. They would have been distributing food for the body first (Not the Body of Christ). So, I am just wondering who this tradition started. == A: Joseph Jungmann says that evidence for deacons administering the chalice goes back to the third century. You …
Mass to Adoration – Updated
Q: Fr. Paul, in a recent post titled “Mass to Adoration” https://paulturner.org/mass-to-adoration/ you clarified some things regarding omitting the blessing and dismissal at the end of Mass when Adoration follows immediately, and when the blessing with the monstrance should be done. As usual, this was all very helpful. My question has to do with when to place the lunette into the monstrance. You mentioned at the end of the post that you place the newly consecrated Host into the lunette and then place it in the tabernacle. Do you then take it from the tabernacle after the Prayer after Communion to begin …
Incensing a deacon
Q: I am seeking your opinion. A friend sent me the following Zenit article <https://zenit.org/2024/07/17/questions-about-liturgy-incensing-a-deacon-at-solemn-vespers> that seems to suggest that it would be OK for a deacon who is presiding solemn vespers or lauds to be incensed. (It also seems to suggest that a deacon may wear a cope when presiding vespers or lauds.) Thank you, and God bless. == A: GILH 261 does not say who incenses when a priest presides, but he obviously does not incense himself, so logically a deacon or acolyte would incense him and the people after he incensed the altar, as happens at Mass. …
Triduum as a continuous liturgy
Q: You posted before that you do not believe the Triduum is one continuous liturgy. The USCCB, however, says the Triduum is a “single celebration” (https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/triduum). Just as the Mass is composed of 2 liturgies (Word and Eucharist), why can’t the Triduum be considered one continuous liturgy composed of other liturgies like the Mass? == A: The page you reference comes from the Prayer and Worship section of the USCCB website, not from the USCCB’s Office of Divine Worship. You generally find inspirational more than legislative material on this section of the site. You notice that the declaration of this …
Mass to Adoration
Q: When you transition from Mass to Adoration, you don’t give the final blessing until the end of Adoration. Our Mass ends at 9:30 am and we transition to Adoration. Adoration ends at 8 pm. The people were used to receiving a blessing at the end of Mass. We normally have between 20-35 people at daily Mass. There are only 4-6 people at Adoration at 8 pm. Is it permissible to silently bless the people with the monstrance at the beginning of Adoration?Thank you for addressing my concern. == A: Actually, no. No blessing with the monstrance is given until the …
Apostolates
Q: We have been told our parish ministries are now to be called “apostolates” instead of “ministries. “ Does that mean lay people should not be called ministers. == A: Well, GIRM 100 still says, “there may be deputed lay ministers to serve at the altar and assist the Priest and the Deacon; these carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, or who are even deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.”
Reverential pronouns
Q: I receive frequent criticism of publications in our parish related to liturgy because they do not contain “reverential pronouns.” While I am aware of the tradition of capitalizing divine pronouns, I have always avoided doing so for subjective reasons, namely that I find the consistent application of such a convention to be a slippery slope into hyper-piety and preciousness. Objectively, I note that reverential pronouns are not used in the English ritual books nor in the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Given your vast experience with ICEL, can you shed any light on the history of …