Paul Turner

Q: Do you have any recommendation of a Ritual Mass or Various Needs and Occasions Mass to be used for […]

Q:  Would you have a recommendation for a book, suitable for small group study, that identifies and explains the scriptural

Q: Is there any indication in the books concerning the use of candles for CCD Confirmation?  == A: No. Even

Q: Here’s a question for your blog IFF it’s accurately predicated correctly (ie that the Lectionary and Office both use

Q: The second paragraph of GIRM 83 states that “…The supplication Agnus Dei, is, as a rule, sung by the

Q: Thanks, Paul, for your April 10 post.  I asked the priest MC who serves my bishop the same question

On what constitutes/describes choir dress in general, my first thought is to look at GIRM 310 and 114 together. (I

Q: This is a follow-up to https://paulturner.org/choir-dress-for-deacon/ (August 2022) based on some things I have noticed over time in the Ceremonial for

Q: The Holy Thursday Evening Mass of Lord’s Supper calls for bells to be rung on the singing of the

Q: In view of your forthcoming visit to England I have acquired your latest book, Words Without Alloy, for which many

Q:  I am from mainland China. Recently, I have been reading through your book entiltled Words Without Alloy  which benefits me greatly. I

Q: I am looking ahead for appropriate opportunities to utilize Masses for Various Needs.  Election Day (November 5) seems an

Q: I am just watching a livestream of a diaconate ordination in Paris. The candidates were all presented after the

Q: Should the renewal of baptismal promises be done at Masses with First Communicants? Thanks for the help! == A:

Q: I recently had seminarians and priests ask us why does the Roman Missal say “Adoration of the Holy Cross”

Q: My pastor asked me not to vest as a deacon if I was helping out as master of ceremonies

Q: I notice something of a conflict between the Roman Missal, local Ordo, and our missalette on the Easter day

Q: As you know, there is a separate Missal-type book for Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Included within are

Q: During Lent, I use the Eucharistic Prayers for  Reconciliation at Mass.  In the first of these, prayers, after the

Q: Hello, Fr Paul. Happy Easter to you! And thank you for always being patient and kind in your teaching.

Q: Where is the USCCB on the “restored order” of the sacraments? I’m seeing articles about different dioceses implementing this,

Q: This year, November 02, the Commemoration of All Souls, falls on a Saturday, which is a popular day for

Q: Fr. Turner, thank you for your simple explanation of the GIRM and other liturgical documents. I often consult your

Q: I have seen Priests and Deacons serving as an MC; wearing a cassock and surplice then during the Eucharist

Q: I have a question about choosing a name for Confirmation.  Where in the RCIA does it address this? I

Q: On Good Friday, according to the Missal, #22, the Deacon puts on a humeral veil and is accompanied by

Q: Blessed Holy Week, Fr. Paul! Thank you for everything.  Growing up, I was taught that the Triduum is one

Q: A visiting priest in the diocese brought to my attention after the celebration of our Chrism Mass, that the priests

Q: Thank you for your insightful and charitable sharing of your experience and wisdom. I have been asked if the

Q: We have just been told that the Roman Curia in 1997 decreed that any lay person who enters the

Q: My colleague and I have been discussing how to interpret a specific phrase in the RCIA rite at the

Q: I’m pretty sure I asked you this question back in 2016 https://paulturner.org/sprinkling-rite-for-easter/ but I wanted to make sure I understand correctly.

Q: I am deeply drawn to and inspired by the collect from mass on Saturday of the Fifth Week of

Q: Thank you, Fr Paul, for your excellent blog. I have a query about what is appropriate for singing at

Q: I need some clarification on children who are older and have not yet been Baptized and also want to

Q: Is there a rubric that indicates when to decorate for Easter, specifically, the Easter Flowers? == A: No, there

Q: What is the order of procession for the transfer of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday? == A: The order

Q: Many thanks for your guidance and expertise.  Our parish is fortunate to have many volunteers to assist as a

Q: I remember a conversation I had when I was in the seminary with a seminarian from another diocese that

Q: Dear father, thank you for your work. Just bought your book and Kindle about rubrics.  One quick question: Suppose

Q: Fr. Turner, I know that in the dioceses of the United States it is permissible for priests to wear

Q: Father Paul, can you tell me why there are two choices of scripture readings on Easter Sunday, Ascension and

Q: We will be having our Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 PM.  Is it appropriate to have extended hours of

Q: Hi, Father! Thank you for all you do! In my parish, we are discussing the use of the cope

Q: Is there a quick answer to this question:  at the Easter Vigil, if there are no baptisms, why do

Q: Thank you for your informative blog. It has been a valuable resource as a new deacon. A recent post

Q: In the past, we’ve prayed the Stations on the Fridays of Lent and concluded them with Benediction.  This year,

Q: I appreciate your help in understanding the concept of using the entrance and communion antiphons at Sunday liturgy.  I

Q: We have several baptized people who our Pastor wants to bring into the Church at the Easter Vigil. However,

In 2005, the CDF published a Note (attached) stating that the Church’s doctrine that only priests are ministers of the

Q: This from a Pastor: “As, this year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday and is our patronal feast

Q: On page 99 of Ars Celebrandi (through which I am gleefully making my way) and elsewhere, you remind us

Q: Why is there a big fight about the Latin Mass and a priest saying Mass with his back to

Q: Is there a rubric that when transferring a ciboria from the tabernacle to the altar it must be held

Q: Hi Father, I know that in the 70’s and 80’s the overlay stole was popular. I’m just wondering if

Q: It was a blessing to have you yesterday on our clergy workshop, I talked to you in regards Church

Q: Thank you for your advice on the myriad of topics that you cover. Should we continue to recognize the

Q: Hi Father, I know Eucharistiae Sacramentum, No. 92, mentions that the Benediction is to be done with a white

Q: When a church that has (presumably) already been dedicated becomes the Cathedral of a diocese, is there a special

Q: In cases of a building that is several hundred years old and no date of consecration/dedication is known is

Q: I am aware that there is a date each year for the Anniversary of the Dedication of Churches whose

Q: Please tell us about the Collect for Ash Wednesday. Is it from an ancient source, or is it a

Q: For the solemnities of St Joseph and the Annunciation that occur on 19 and 25 March respectively during Lent

Q: When was the Post Consecrationem used? I was in grade school pre-Vatican II but don’t recall hearing or singing

Q: Is it appropriate to use incense on Ash Wednesday? == A: Totally up to you. Incense may be used

Q: As you well know, the use of the Mantilla (chapel veil) is becoming increasingly popular. Could you help me

Q:  A pastor has passed along a question from some astute readers in his parish. They noticed that Ash Wednesday,

Q: I love your blog.  I have a question about Good Friday. On Good Friday, at several parishes I have

Q: I appreciate so much your kind and learned replies to the vast array of liturgical questions.  I recently purchased

The Ceremonial of Bishops 1034 notes that it is proper to crown images of the Blessed Virgin Mary which are

Q: I have been researching the topic of ‘re-baptizing’ because an RCIA Candidate, although validly baptized, really wants to be

Q: When a deacon assists a celebrant who is incensing the altar, does he bow as the incensation begins, again

Q: I was talking to a priest recently and he told told me that it is not proper to have

Q: When Anointing of the Sick takes place within Mass, does the Reception of the Sick replace the Penitential Act,

Q:  Frequently I observe priests make “offering” gestures during the preparation of the gifts. I think that is entirely inappropriate,

Q: I seem to recall the falling on a Sunday in some past year (as it does in 2024), and

Q: Fr. Turner, I was wondering if you might be able to explain a bit about the cassock and why

Q: After a Mass which included the Blessing of Throats today,  the pastor advised the deacon that the priests use

Q: In the parish church the stations of the cross have individual lights. The present pastor turns on the stations

Q: I would like your opinion on the Mass intention. It is my opinion that the Mass intention is the

Q: In GIRM 119, it says that “ all who wear and alb should use a cincture and an amice

Q: We will soon celebrate a Memorial Mass in my parish in Winter Ordinary Time.  Given the Easter nature of

Q: A priest called me with this question from his parish this morning. A fire at his parish brought the

Q: In the absence of a deacon who should lead the Universal Prayer- the celebrant or lector? == A: Never

Q: As a Lutheran pastor I always enjoyed Trinity Sunday’s custom of using the Athanasian Creed.  It was the only

Q: We have been trying to shift the catechumenate in our parish from a 6-month class to a continuous accompaniment

Q: Is there a standard procedure for an Ash Wednesday service sans the priest where people can come to pray

Q: I know a religious community of women who want to recognize more saints in their own community calendar. Do

Q:  One of the sisters in my community has a question about having a sister give a homily (or reflection)

Q: Recently, a former member of our local community died.  While his funeral and burial will be celebrated at our

Q: A book I read describes an adaptation to the marriage rite in another country in which the couple holds

Q:  At the Easter Vigil Mass, I’m aware that, when it comes to the number of Old Testament Readings used

Q: It appears as if the Penitential Act is omitted on Palm Sunday, if the Mass begins with either the

Q:  For the Mass on Palm Sunday, I’m aware that there are three different ways that the Mass can begin

Q: As for the Sacrament of Matrimony, why is it that the ministers of the Sacrament are the bride and

Q: Regarding Holy Orders, I’m aware that, like with Baptism and Confirmation, Holy Orders is understood to be a non-repeatable

Q: Thank you so much for all the good, practical advice you give. Lately I’ve had some people ask if

Q: I understand that Pope Sergius (c. 700) introduced the Agnus Dei, of Syriac origin, into the Roman liturgy. My

Q: In the Liturgy of the Hours, on the days between January 1 and Epiphany, which are identified by the

Q: Today, January 8th, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, and February 2, we celebrate the Presentation of our