Paul Turner

Greetings from Down Under. Q 1 I witnessed two priests conferring the Sacrament of Anointing on a community today. They […]

Q: I got a question about intinction.  I think it is ok for a priest or deacon to administer Communion

Q: Might you know the provenance of the formula “May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ” (93 in the

Q: Thanks for your previous answers to our questions about Exposition after Mass at our convent over the years.  I

Q: I was at a church recently where the priest distributes the Body and Blood to everyone but not from

Q: This Friday’s first reading is long, and the teachers have asked for an alternative. I noticed it’s the Feast

Q: A question for you: Does it matter if the responsorial psalm is sung from the Ambo or a second

Q: After Mass on Monday a woman asked to borrow the St. Blaise candles so she could bless her dying

Q: First Communion has become a ‘family event’ where children sit with their families, rather than with a ‘class.’ Is

Q: If there is a Teenager who is in the second year of Faith Formation yet has never been Baptized.

Q: When the deacon presents the Book of the Gospels to the bishop, should this book be closed or open

Q: We will be celebrating the Rite of Election (and Calling to Continuing Conversion) within Mass. When I look up

My question has to do with Penance services, and the Act of Contrition/personal prayer of sorrow.In circumstances where there is

Q: We have a new ordinary and there is some uncertainty about when and where the new ordinary uses the

Q: A bishop is celebrating his episcopal ordination anniversary on a Tuesday in Ordinary Time. He wants to celebrate a

Q: Focusing on the Vigil, does GIRM (Sacramentary) contain anything about receiving baptized candidates into full communion at the Easter

Q: We have a funeral on Saturday where a visiting archbishop will be the celebrant. Should I put 7 candles

Q: If we plan to use the Solemn Entrance on February 2 (thus, we will be entirely inside), what are

Q: Recently a conflict came up about the American flag being in the sanctuary behind the priest. There are some

Q: Fr. Paul, the Roman Missal indicates that after the arriving at the altar (during the Entrance Chant), the priest

Q: I have had a few inquiries about Catholic spouses who wish to have a Funeral Mass for a non-Catholic

Q: I am a follower of yours, especially when you are talking about the liturgy.  In the preview of your

Q: One of the churches that I serve has a peculiar calendar situation: two solemnities on adjoining days. The church

Q: For the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, is there an appropriate time for the

Q: I am trying to spread out the minor rites so that we have approximately one a month until the

Q: My question regards the placement of the nativity scene in the church. We are a small parish where space

Q: When is the Christmas Crib supposed to be removed from the Church? == A: There’s no legislation on this,

Q: Thank you for your hard work!  While reading through some rubrics for Bapistms, I noticed the Church gives the

Q: I believe this point has been covered before, but I would appreciate a “memory refresh!” As you probably know,

Q: I just joined a new parish, and the sign of peace seems rather brief. In my previous parishes the

Q: May we use oil candles on the Altar in place of beeswax? They are colored according to the liturgical

Q: After reading “Sacred Times” can I conclude this about the ritual masses that are forbidden in certain occasions. When

Q: What’s done has been done, but I’m aware of a parish church that very recently renovated its sanctuary to

Q: Throughout Advent, we have had two Advent Wreaths within the Nave of the Church. One was hanging above the

Question 1:#28 of the most recent publication of this ritual omits “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”

Q: A recent published article discussed what blessings of couples in irregular situations are not more than what they are. The

Q: In your response on intinction, the questioner asked: “Why is intinction at Holy Communion not permitted for the whole

Q:  Why is intinction at Holy Communion not permitted for the whole congregation? It seems inconsistent that concelebrating priests may

Q: I know that the USCCB asked that the dialogue “You have given them bread from heaven / Having all

Q: At my parish in Australia, I have been asked to justify having a night Mass on Christmas Eve (9.30

Q: In the new missal, at the penitential at, Option C –  is it permissible to use other tropes besides

Q: Is the reading of the Passion “in parts” on Palm Sunday and Good Friday unique to the US and/or

Q: Hello father have a question: during the offertory, what side should the wine be taken to the alter.==A: There’s

Q: May a Funeral Mass be celebrated for a Christian who is not Catholic? This situation is not listed among

Q: Thank you Fr. Paul for your help.  Is there any way that we can use 2 readings for this

Q: Are there any guidelines for the lighting of the consecration candles in a Church.  We light ours on the

Q: We are praying Vespers during a Holy Hour on the Sunday evenings of Advent. 1)  would we wear a

Q: I am happy to note that you are again taking an online module of our Taking Liturgy Seriously course.

Q: Every Thursday at my  parish I have Mass in the morning and then Adoration goes all day long until

Q: Are Advent wreath candles to be lit for liturgies only (as are altar candles), or do they belong to

Q: We are putting together another Confirmation retreat. A question popped up regarding Adoration and Benediction from one of our Confirmation

Q: I am working at a parish that celebrated the dedication of its new church this year on April 6.

Q: Hello Father. Perhaps you have already addressed this question, but I cannot find it in my saved files. But

Q: I pray you are well. I read your article in the “Priest” blog regarding “Ringing the Bells”. I am

Q: I am enquiring whether the new Edition of Funeral Rites For Roman Pontiff 2024. which was recently released  and approved

Q: Is permission of the bishop required for initiation outside the Easter Vigil. We have a 13 year old with

Q: I’ve wondered recently what a parish can do to enhance Assembly participation at weddings and funerals. I realize that,

Q: Father, this has been a topic at our parish Worship committee meetings. Should consecrated hosts that were not distributed

Q: A couple times a year we have been in the habit of celebrating the Sacrament of the Anointing of

Q: I’ve wondered recently what a parish can do to enhance Assembly participation at weddings and funerals. I realize that,

Q: I’m emailing with a liturgical/pastoral question. I’m on pastoral year as a seminarian this year and have been tasked

Q: As an extraordinary minister of holy communion, may I administer viaticum to the dying? And if I do it,

Q: Like many of us, I am so appreciative of everything that you do to educate and enlighten us. At

Q: It is my understanding that there isn’t a prescribed order for lighting Advent candles.  If so, if we place

Q: I am touching base about the OCIA with a question regarding the reception of validly baptized candidates for full

Q: With all due respect to GIRM 85, I suspect it is fairly common practice in the United States to

Q: Our parish is growing rapidly, and we do not have enough room in the church proper for everyone. So

Q: I just stumbled on to your blog and have a question.  I’ve noticed a strong trend lately that when a

In my time as a deacon, I have worked with quite a few priests.  As is normal, they each have

Q: Thank you for your continued readiness to help and enlighten us with all things liturgical. Can you tell us

Q: We are expecting our new organ to be finished by mid-October 2025, and I was hoping to attach the

Q: Can a couple celebrate their wedding at a parish Mass on Saturday afternoon next August? == A: Yes. Look

Q: Thank you again for all of the guidance you give on all matters liturgical.  I appreciate not only your

Q: I recently read in a catholic book titled “The Mass” copyrighted in 1925 with an Imprimatur…. and I quote

The OCF gives two dismissals for the end of the funeral Mass: OCF #176 and, in the Cremation Appendix, #437.

Q: One more question. Late at night, I’ll watch random YouTube searches of Masses throughout the country. I was watching

Q: Is the Alleluia sung or said with the antiphon in the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the year except

Q: Dear Fr. Paul, when brief announcements are given after the Prayer after Communion is concluded, I have seen many

Q: We’re trying to finalize our parish Christmas cards this year, but I can’t seem to find an authoritative answer

Q: The Order of Dedication of a Church and Altar refers to the relic being placed under the altar. Your book, Our Church,

Q: Hello, Father. I am continuing to read your book, “Eucharistic Reservation“, with great interest and much enjoyment. A question

Q: Our pastor skips the Kyrie at daily Mass. He only says the “I confess.” I asked him why, and

Q: Since the recent promulgation of “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass,” is its rite for

Q: When will we see the English translation of the Ceremonial of Bishops?  Really would like to get one. ==

Q: As a deacon is it licit for me to preside over a communion service by using the lectionary and

Q: I am using your book “Ars Celebrandi” with a group of permanent deacons and noticed on page 35 that

Q: A bishop may venerate, and then bless with, the Book of the Gospels after the gospel has been proclaimed.

Q: Do you know of any authority that says that a communicant must receive communion in two hands?  In other

Q: I have a gentleman in the parish who is previously baptized as a protestant and is ready to become

Q: A quick question regarding a small change from the old text to the new in HCWEMOM: In no. 6 of

Q:  What are your thoughts on the Gospel Procession? A friend of mine mentioned that in their parish, the procession

Q: Before reading the Gospel during the Mass, the deacon or a concelebrant makes a profound bow and asks for

Q: When we have new folks that want to come into OCIA, we should be asking certain questions right? Do

Q: Should angels be mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayers on their memorial days or feasts? I mean, should they be

Q: I am reading your book, “Eucharistic Reservation.” Thank you for the book. The background (history) that you provide is

Q: Dear Fr Paul, greetings (once again!) from the UK!  A priest colleague has just moved, and has now begun

Q: I enjoy reading your liturgical works. I am planning and MCing for an Ordination to the Priesthood, which takes

I’ve been browsing your blog and found lots of useful info on this, but still have some specific questions.  One

Q: With the Missal not saying a peep about a Closing Hymn I can still see some practical value in

Q: I know the rules for urns with ashes can be present for a celebration of a funeral Mass but