Paul Turner

Q: I have an interesting question.  When, on the Third Sunday of Advent, the Roman Missal says Preface I or […]

Q: Thank you for answering all the questions you do. It’s very helpful to have some reliable to address these

Q: It has been a tradition to have each Wednesday during Lent Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction.  It

Q: Thank you for all your wonderful insights. In my parish we have four children of catechetical age in the

Some questions have come up about the scrutinies in the context of precautions for COVID-19.  Do the scrutinies have to

Q: I am confused as to which Mass I should have used for the Enrollmentof Catechumens on the First Sunday

Q: Why is a monstrance not used for the Holy Thursday procession?   Thanks. == A: As I point out in Glory

Q: Thank you for continuing to educate and clear up confusion on liturgical questions. I have a question relating to

Q: Thank you for all your insights, wisdom and recommendations!! We read # 159 in LET US PRAY which  indicates

Q: Our past pastor insisted we must not ring the Sanctus bells in Masses during Lent or Advent.  Our new

Q: Today at the Mass after the greeting, the pastor asked the congregation to kneel down for the Penitential Act.

Q: Every Sunday afternoon, Eucharistic Adoration is held for two hours in our Shrine chapel. Some of those who attend

Q: If a parish chooses to cover crosses and images for the 5th Sunday of Lent, should the processional cross

Q: Do you recall anything more recent than the Circular Letter of 1988 that forbids or discourages communities other than

Q: A quick question. The retired priests who live at our chancery were discussing at lunch… what should be done

Q: A recent inquiry wondered if the administration of ashes could spread viruses. I have heard similar questions about consuming

Q: Is it possible to use a psalm as the 1st reading (like Psalm 23) followed by a sung psalm

Q: Do you know how it came to pass that we in the US impose ashes on the forehead while

Q: What is the role of the Deacon during the Presentation of Oils during the Holy Thursday Mass?  In our parish

Q: Should wooden clappers be used instead of bells during Lent? == A: Although they can be heard in some

Q: When there is no priest available, a lay minister may expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. Is it true

Q: A question from a primary school teacher around her class Mass in March. She was hoping to focus on

Q: I have a question about the imposition of Ashes and the threat of viruses and other sicknesses. Our diocese

Q: I am so grateful for all of the help that you provide to all of us.  I have one

Q: After the proclamation of the gospel at a mass where the bishop presides, the deacon may bring the book

Q: At confirmation, just before he says the confirmation prayer, why does the bishop remove his miter before addressing the

Q: Should the corpus be facing the cross bearer or the altar as the cross is being carried in the

Q: Is October 4, 2020, observed as the Feast of Saint Francis or a Sunday in Ordinary Time? == A:

Q: In my liturgy class, I cover Liturgical Law and I have the students interpret case studies. One of the

Q: I thought the Easter Vigil start time was always 8:00 pm. == A: The missal says this at #3

Q: On Ash Wednesday, are we allowed to receive ashes on top of the head, or is that only for

Q: What is the meaning when a master of ceremonies dips his fingers in holy water and then touches the

Q: Would it be ok for the main celebrant to hand over the holy water bucket to the deacon to

Q: Can we use more than one crucifix for people to kiss on Good Friday? == A: No, only one

Q: Many thanks for your blog and liturgy resources. Is it permissible to use a rite of blessing and sprinkling

Q: I cannot find anything explicit in the RCIA that says an ordained person must preside at the presentations if

Q: We have a couple in a civil marriage, but not a church marriage. They are not therefore eligible to

Q: An adult woman says that she was baptized by her Catholic father. Thefather has died and there is no

Q: As we inch closer toward Lent, I have some issues popping up regarding upcoming preparatory rites for folks participating

Q: Is it appropriate to confer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the Penetential Rite at Mass

Q: Greetings, Paul and thanks for your wonderful website. You will be very welcome in Australia.  I have a question

It’s the time of year during RCIA when conditional baptisms come to the forefront.  I have a young woman whose

Q: We’ve been approached by someone who is curious about the church, but not sure if he wants to join.

Q: If you are in a restored order diocese is there any theological or canonical issue if the celebration of

Q: I have a question regarding the process for approval of contemporary religious music for use in liturgical celebrations and

Q: Where might I find authoritative guidance on the proper form for an hour of exposition and adoration of the

Q: I am writing about your blog post of 23 January, “Introductions to the readings”. I posted on 16 January

Q: The ordo suggests that the blessing of throats may take place on Feb. 2.  In the book of blessings

Q: What do you think of this? A priest/deacon begins and concludes a homily and invites someone in the midst

Q: In the 2010 English translation of the Roman Missal it has for the Feast on 2 February: “8. As

Q: My understanding is the Catholic Church does not encourage ashes to be sprinkled outdoors following a cremation. However, for

Q: I was a visitor at a parish during the Christmas season and was stunned when the priest began singing

Q: Is it liturgically correct for a lay reader to give information concerning the reading they are about to do. 

Q: Thank you so much for your insight into celebrating the rites of initiation.  I am the coordinator of the

Q: Kindly comment on the performance element associated with Catholic Liturgies. I am being criticised by certain parishioners for being

Q: Is it permissible for a female Anglo-Catholic priest to robe and sit with me on the sanctuary during Mass?

Q: A question please.  Given that no women in church leadership roles are mentioned during the Eucharistic Prayers when we pray

Q: In the Motu Proprio Aperuit illis of 30 September 2019 the Pope has written: “It is important, however, that in the

Q: While visiting a parish this morning it was odd that the presider omitted the Creed and instead led the

Q: Is there a ruling by the USCCB on addressing communicants by name? == A: No, but the GIRM and

Q:  I have a question re the elevation of a memoriae to a feast. Our bishop is interested in requesting

Q:  New deacon here. Read over instructions in Mass w/ Deacon. Some things not clear.  Does the deacon incense or

Q: How did the term “Eucharistic minister” come to be?  It seems like all of the documentation post-Council has never

Q: A question was raised by one of our Deacons.  Here is the scenario; the Deacon is taking communion to

Q: I really appreciate all of the information you provide on your blog andvia email. Regarding: https://paulturner.org/preaching-while-sitting/ I believe the Bishop

Q: Someone’s asked me if it’s permissible for the priest to sit while giving the homily. GIRM 136 seems to

Q: Thank you so much for all of your great help.  The post about weddings prompted a question about which

Q: I’m contacting you about the singing of the Gloria at a wedding during the lenten season. Our wedding will

Q: I work in a hispanic community, and sometimes a member of the parish comes to me in the minutes

Q: I understand that it’s permissible to accept more than one mass intention for a mass – with restrictions. One

Q: With the Rite of Acceptance this Sunday, we omit the penitential act, but the Gloria?  == A: The last

Q: Christmas Season greetings! Just a brief question about the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. I know that

Q: Would it be the better part of discretion to ignore the following?  Like many parishes, we use a mix

Q: Is it ok to ring the bell during the Gloria at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses? ==

Q: If there is no concelebrant or deacon, may a lay leader carry the book of the gospels in the

Q: The O Antiphons from evening prayer of December 17-23 are repeated at mass as the verses for the gospel

Q: It just dawned on me that you are probably not supposed to light the Advent wreath when it is no

Q: Is it necessary to have a nuptial blessing at a convalidation? == A: Yes. The nuptial blessing is part

I am trying to figure out what Mass to use (and which readings) for the celebration of the anniversary of

Q: Regarding Masses on the anniversary of a death, GIRM 381 permits a Mass for the Dead on the First

Q: The Prefaces for Advent include the rubric that those Prefaces are to be used “in Advent and have no

Q: I understand that whenever there’s some service, ritual or rite before the Mass, the Penitential rite is omitted, like

Q: Can a priest celebrate two masses for the same intention on the same day? == A: This is a

Q: An elderly man in my parish is slowly dying. He has never been confirmed. May I confirm him? ==

Q: The elderly Methodist mother of a Catholic in my parish has dementia. The Catholic daughter says that her mother shares

Q: If the celebrant uses the Penitential Rite which begins with the Confiteor must the Kyrie/ Lord Have Mercy be

Q: In a nearby parish the DRE leads all the preparation for the catechumenate. There is no team. I am

Q: Is it absolutely necessary during Benediction for the presider to wear a cope or use the humeral veil?   Thank

Q: I have a question regarding full reception into the Church of already baptized adults.  I recall reading in one

Q: Paul, thank you again for the indispensable font of liturgical knowledge and support that you provide for the Church!

Q: Does a crucifix in the sanctuary have to have INRI at the top? == A: No. The only requirement

Q:  I have a question on celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception this year when it falls on Monday,

Q: I have a question about substituting readings at Evening Prayer on Sunday. It’s been my practice to substitute the

Q: Can I offer a votive mass for the dead for a gathering of our Knights of Columbus on a

Greetings! I was wondering if you can clarify on a recent statement by Pope Francis regarding Permanent Deacon when he

Q: I was recently in Slovakia and noted  that a concelebrating priest, when no deacon is present, invites the congregation

Q: I started serving at my current parish six months ago. Upon my arrival, the pastor removed the announcing of

Q: I have a question about baptisms I hope you can give me some insight on:  I am working with

Q: Our pastor just had a ‘miniature’ tower built to display the first bell from our original church building. It’s

Q: Thank you for your clarity with regard to liturgical issues.  I share these with my staff who are appreciative