Q: What ideally is done if I am called to be with family and the deceased after death. == A: When visiting the family and the deceased after death, you offer prayers for the dead. These can be found in Pastoral Care and Anointing of the Sick or in the Order of Christian Funerals.
Eucharistic Procession
Q: We are preparing for a Eucharistic Procession that will be about 6 miles in length and 2-3 hours long. Is it appropriate for a Deacon to carry the monstrance in the event of not having enough Priests? == A: HCWEMOM 105 and 106 just mention a priest. However, those numbers seem not to envision a multi-hour procession. I think no. 101 would come to your rescue, as it allows the diocesan bishop to make judgments about the arrangements of a procession. Having deacons assist seems quite reasonable to me. Perhaps it would to him as well.
Kissing the stole
Q: Where is there in any current documentation, the rubric to kiss the stole before wearing it for a deacon, a presbyter or a bishop? I’ve never found anything. And why? It’s never blessed or consecrated. Thoughts on this? == A: There is no rubric for kissing the stole. I observe many priests and deacons doing it, but the liturgy is rather spare on kisses: The altar and the book of the gospels are kissed. That’s it. They are both signs of the presence of Christ. (The sign of peace may involve a kiss if appropriate.)
Retention of rubrics
Q: So, this is something I have always had an issue with: if something is a rubric once, do we not just keep it as the rubric until it is explicitly changed or suppressed? There are other rubrics, or decrees we follow from 1951, 1955, and we keep them, even though they are not mentioned in the current Roman Missal. And while Tenebrae is specifically (at one point) forbidden, or suppressed, it has made a comeback. == A: When I’ve asked the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for guidance on the retention of rubrics from the …
Combined rites
Q: I just purchased a used copy of your book, Glory in the Cross after reading the reviews. I believe it will make planning the liturgies for Holy Week easier. I am the Initiation Team Leader and Liturgy Chair at our Parish in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. This year, I scripted the Rite for the celebration of Baptism 566 through 594. (With the presider’s approval, the deacon also inserted a copy of the text of #594 in the RM because the words are so relevant and beautiful) I believe that some parts that are in the 2024 OCIA book are …
Blessing the water
Q: Where is it prescribed to add salt to the water when blessing the water in the font at the Easter Vigil? == A: It is not prescribed.
Sign of the Cross on Good Friday
Q: Alternate explanation for not having sign of the cross on Good Friday. I seem to remember reading somewhere that for the Triduum, the Sign of the Cross begins the Holy Thursday liturgy. There is no dismissal. Good Friday service also does not begin with the sign of the cross, nor is there a dismissal.The Holy Saturday Vigil also omits the opening sign of the cross but ends with dismissal. The thought was that the Triduum could be looked at as “one continuing service” the sign of the cross beginning the service on Holy Thursday and the dismissal ending the …
Altar of Repose
Q: A parishioner asked last evening about why we have an Altar of Repose after the Holy Thursday liturgy. Do you know the history of this? Was it always part of the Holy Thursday liturgy? Thank you for being such a wonderful resource. == A: The Gelasian Sacramentary (c. 750 AD) says that the Holy Thursday service concludes with communion followed by reservation of the eucharist. Altars of repose probably developed more intensely after that. Even earlier, the pilgrim Egeria tells her visit to Rome in the fourth century. She says 200 candles accompanied the Holy Thursday procession to Gethsemane. …
Devotion to Mary
Q: Since I heard you speak for the Society of St Gregory, I have followed your answers with great interest, and learnt a great deal. I am in London (UK), so obviously some things are slightly different. I was reading your response to the question of using the Hail Mary to conclude the Universal prayer. What seems to be happening in a number of churches here is that the Hail Mary is said as part of the prayer but before the conclusion. I’m unsure whether or not this is acceptable as it is not addressed to God, although the conclusion …
Sacred art
Q: Father, I have a question on the use of sacred art in a church setting. We are assisting in the design of a small oratory at a Catholic school. In discussing what sacred art to install, we were advised that only one image of a saint can be used in that space. I then found #318 of the GIRM to support that: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-5. I am writing you to understand the history and intention behind this section more clearly. Does the sentence that the holy space should contain only one image of a saint apply to the Holy Family as …