Q: The General Roman Calendar in front of the missal lists all the days and months of the year and identifies which ones are assigned to a saint or other observance. The far right column gives the ranking, such as solemnity, feast and memorial. The far left column makes no sense to me. It has a bunch of Roman numerals and then words like “Cal.”, “Eve”, “Nones” and “Ides” in red ink. What does the left column mean? == A: That’s how the old Roman empire designated the days of each month. The Roman rite still honors the tradition, but …
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Q: I pray that you are well. I need your help. We want to start the liturgy of the word for children. Can you refer me to some good resources? I appreciate any help. == A: Here are a couple of products that I helped with: https://www.ltp.org/products/details/LCLW/how-to-lead-childrens-liturgy-of-the-wordhttps://www.ltp.org/products/details/CLW20/childrens-liturgy-of-the-word-2019-202
Blessing before the gospel
Q: I recently served as a deacon for Mass when the bishop was the celebrant. The emcee told me to kneel before him to receive the blessing before the gospel. Can you clarify this? == A: The Ceremonial of Bishops 140 clearly states that a deacon makes a deep bow before the bishop to receive the blessing before the gospel. He does not kneel.
Incensation of the altar
Q: We’ve been trying to resolve a liturgical question and I’ve been asking various monasteries for help. Another monk suggested I contact you as a valuable source of liturgical advice. Essentially, our community is beginning to have solemn vespers every Sunday evening with incensation of the altar during the Magnificat. This liturgy is led by the hebd. of the week who is always in solemn vows but is not always a priest or deacon. Our question is whether it is appropriate for a non-clerical monk to incense the altar. The GIRM and Elliott’s Ceremonies seems to be vague on the topic and …
Wedding on New Year’s Eve
Q: I have a couple who wants to have a wedding on NEW YEAR’s EVE, which is Friday Dec. 31, 2021 in the evening at around 7 PM. I need to know if it is a Holy Day of Obligation on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. If it is not, I could do the wedding on Friday evening and I presume use readings for the Nuptial Mass, no? Do you know if Jan. 1 will or will not be considered a Holy Day of Obligation? == A: January 1 is not a holyday in the United States when it falls on a Saturday. Since it is …
Wedding on the Feast of the Transfiguration
Q: Thanks for your past insights. A wedding that had been postponed due to the pandemic now is scheduled for August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Are the proper readings of the feast to be used for the nuptial Mass? == A: Ritual Masses are permitted on that day, so they may celebrate the complete wedding Mass, readings and presidential prayers and all.
Baptism on a weekday
Q: Is it permitted to celebrate a baptism of an infant on a weekday? == A: Yes. The Order of Baptism of Children 6 recommends it for the Easter Vigil or Sunday because of the joy of the resurrection, but baptisms may take place on any day.
Pouring wine into the chalice
Q: At our parish, an adult altar server pours wine into the chalices, including the presider’s chalice during the preparation of the gifts. The presider adds water to the wine. We do not have a deacon. Is this correct or should the priest do it? == A: The Order of Mass 24 says that the deacon or priest pours wine and a little water into the chalice. Representatives from the people of God present the gifts, which symbolize the offering of themselves. Then the deacon or priest prepares the chalice with the wine that the people have presented.
Deacon’s actions
Q: If I have a deacon assisting me at Mass, is it all right for me to add the water to the wine? I do it when there is no deacon. == A: No, that really belongs to the deacon, like proclaiming the gospel. We priests, like anyone else, are supposed to do those parts of the Mass and only those parts of the Mass that pertain to us. The deacon’s actions are meant to free you up so that you may concentrate on more important aspects of presiding
Vestment colors
Q: Can a priest where white vestments as an alternative color on any day of the year? == A: Only if he is a concelebrant. Redemptionis Sacramentum 124 says that the principal concelebrant should always wear the chasuble of the prescribed color. Other concelebrants may wear white chasubles if there are insufficient chasubles of the proper color. If even those are not available, the other concelebrants may wear only the stole over the alb.