Q: I was recently assigned to a parish that uses paraffin oil candles on its altars. We are starting to run low on paraffin oil, and am discerning whether or not to resupply that oil. GIRM 117 indicates that “on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles” (“candelabra cum […]
Q: The 2001 Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy has in n. 74 regarding the liturgy and pious exercises: “avoiding any mixture or admixture of these two forms of piety.” This in turn ensures that no hybrid, or confused forms emerge from mixing Liturgy and pious exercises”. But a booklet for Mass at St […]
Q: For Masses celebrated using the Missal of Paul VI, is the presence of a catafalque permitted, prohibited, or not addressed in celebrations of Masses for the dead, such as on All Souls Day? == A: As the liturgy makes no provision for a catafalque, I assume that one is not to be used.
Q: Do you happen to have any resources on eulogies? Maybe a sample eulogy “policy?” I checked your blog first. People are asking about eulogies more at my new parish than at my previous assignments. Thanks for your consideration.== A: I give some guidelines in this book: https://litpress.org/Products/E4631/Light-in-the-Darkness . At my parish, we let people speak before […]
Q: Our diocese will host a National Safeguarding Conference (for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable People). During those days, one of the masses that will be celebrated will use the “Masses for Various Needs and Occasions: For the Forgiveness of Sins.” obviously on a weekday in O.T. What color of vestment is prescribed for […]
Q: I remember reading somewhere that when there is already an altar crucifix, the processional cross is put out of sight (i.e. in sacristy). At our seminary, the altar crucifix is on the altar, then there is larger crucifix behind the priest above the tabernacle, then a stained glass of the crucifixion directly above the […]
Q: At our seminary, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed the benediction candelabras are placed on the altar and the altar candles are not lit. Are there any rubrics as to whether the altar candles should also be lit alongside with the benediction candelabras when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed? == Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery […]
Q: A question was recently posed to me as to whether the acclamation, “The Gospel of the Lord” is able to used by lay people when the Gospel is read in a group setting? Or is the use of such an acclamation only strictly reserved to the proclamation of the Word of God in a […]
Q: GIRM 40 has: “However, in the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, preference is to be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those which are to be sung by the Priest or the Deacon or a reader, with the people replying, or by the Priest and people […]
Q: I have a few questions regarding some upcoming events in the liturgical calendar. 1. and 2. Since November 1 falls on a Saturday, All Saints is not a Holy Day of Obligation, this year, correct? Moreover, for the evening Masses on Saturday, November 1 (at 4 p.m. or later), should the readings and prayers be […]