Q:  Do we use incense processing out after Mass at all Masses when incense is used? A priest told me it is only used in the recessional at the Chrism Mass. Thanks. == A:  GIRM 276 lists the occasions for incense at a typical Mass, and it makes no mention of the recessional. Incense is not to be carried in the final procession. There is nothing left to incense. There are two exceptions, both found in the missal on Holy Thursday. The Chrism Mass, which of course may be anticipated, has incense preceding the newly consecrated chrism as it is …

Q:  I’ve heard that you have one of the servers extinguish the paschal candle at the end of each Pentecost Mass, following the alleluias that conclude the dismissal and while the recessional music begins. Could you say more about that? == A:  Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/extinguishing-the-paschal-candle/ What applies to Easter vespers would also apply to Mass. I suggest it at the end of each Pentecost Mass because in the past the candle would have been extinguished at every Ascension Mass, and the rubric is charmingly so similar.

Q:  My parish has a small chapel (where adoration takes place after the 7am Mass until 5pm) adjacent (attached and one roof separated by a glass sliding door) to the main church building.  I’ll put curtains or blinds on the glass to avoid interruption (temporary reposition) of adoration during Mass/worship service in the main church during the day.  We have a tabernacle in the small chapel and in the main church. I heard you mentioned only one tabernacle in a church. I appreciate your suggestion.  == A:  You might have to get an opinion from your own bishop’s office about …

Q:  I have been asked, can the Paschal Candle being processed as part of the Opening Procession at Mass have to be carried by bare hands? Can it be in a saucer/container/ holder of some kind, so as children don’t get burnt potentially by falling hot wax. Apparently one priest is insisting on bare hands, refusing the request for a holder? Thanks == A:  I don’t know of any legislation about carrying the paschal candle with bare hands, but the only time it is to be carried is during the Easter Vigil, and the deacon holds it. The paschal candle …

Q:  Do you incense the paschal candle every Sunday? Or every time the incense is used at Mass? I can only see an instruction that it is incensed on Easter Vigil. What do you think? == A:  I know it is popular to incense the candle as part of the entrance procession, but you are correct – the missal calls for incensing the candle only at the Easter Vigil before the Exsultet, not at any other time.

Q:  How about Christmas — occurring on Monday this year.  Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent, but the evening Masses can be those of Christmas Vigil or Night, correct.   The Masses on Monday would be those of Dawn of the Day.  I presume there is not a “two-fer” – the faithful go to Mass on Saturday or Sunday morning/noon for the 4th Sunday of Advent and Sunday evening or Monday for the Solemnity of Christmas. Both the 4th Sunday of Advent  and Christmas are days of obligation. correct? == A:  Here’s a previous post:  https://paulturner.org/christmas-2023/  

Q:  The beautiful hospital chapel where I minister has an ornate, carved wood, upholstered presider’s chair.  The seating for the assembly is sturdy wooden pews.  I am promoting the idea of replacing the present cushioned presider’s chair with a pew.   The pew I envision for this purpose has room for two people.   In every other way it is identical to the seating of the assembly.  In fact it is an assembly pew that presently is in an unused balcony.     My thought is that the placement of the pew would indicate its distinct function.  But the character of this …

Q:  In the Mass after the first and the second reading we say “this is the Word of the Lord” but now we just say “the Word of the Lord” or “the Gospel of the Lord”.  Please explain why we change that.  Do you have any documents that talk about it? == A:  The Bishops of the United States approved the change in November 1991, and the Vatican authorized it in March of 1992. You can find this in the Newsletter of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. The timing had to do with a revised edition of the lectionary …

Q: Are fixed altars located in chapels outside of the main parish church to be dedicated (anointed) or blessed? On another note…are chapels outside of the main parish church but located on the campus or even possibly attached to the main church to be blessed and not dedicated.  I’m thinking particularly when they have been added after the main church has been dedicated. == A: There should be only one altar in new churches. See The Order of the Dedication of a Church and an Altar IV:7. “The erection of several altars in a church merely for the sake of …

Q:  I have a wedding early in the afternoon of Saturday June 24, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.  My assumption is that we are required to use the readings and prayers for that day.  Is that correct? If so, may one be traded out or not? Thanks for your help. Hopefully, one day I will get all these things figured out.  == A:  The Nativity of St. John ranks #3 on the table of liturgical days. OCM 34 says that weddings taking place on a day that ranks within #1-4 on that table use the readings of the …