Q: I am currently preparing a couple for marriage. The bride is a lifelong Catholic and comes from a very strong Catholic family. The groom is Jewish. They are wanting to know what, if anything, from his tradition could be incorporated in the rite of marriage.  Perhaps there is something that could be done before or after the Catholic ceremony?  Is is possible for them to be dispensed from the canonical form and have their marriage in a synagogue?  Any help and guidance would be much appreciated.  Thank you for your time. == A: Yes, either solution is possible. Some …

Q: Thank you for your great insights and all that you do for the Church.  If I were to convalidate the marriage of a Catholic and a baptized Christian, and receive that Christian into the Church at the same Mass, which would you do first?  Witness the marriage, then Profession of Faith and Confirmation? Or vice versa? Or does it really matter?  Thank you. == A: I generally think it’s better to keep these celebrations separate, if possible. That allows them to be celebrated with their full integrity—especially with the appropriate readings and presidential prayers. But if there is a …

Q: When filling oil stocks or vessels engraved with the various abbreviations (OS, SC, OI) or when preparing holy oils for administration of the various sacraments: there has arisen some misunderstanding among those responsible for such matters as to exactly which monogram is attached to which holy oil. I have been observing the following in my careful preparation of matter for the sacraments: Oil of Catechumens (OS) – “Oleum Catechumenorum” or “Oleum Sanctorum” Oil of the Infirm (OI) – “Oleum Infirmorum” Sacred Chrism (SC) – “Sacrum Chrisma” Would you please be so kind as to provide appropriate guidance or confirmation. Thank …

Q: You say that a non-ordained person does not use the greeting, “The Lord be with you.” This has confused me.  In context, that applies only to Masses, correct? A layperson may use that salutation as a greeting outside of Mass, am I correct? == A: Well, no. The Liturgy of the Hours, the Book of Blessings, The Order of Distributing Communion outside of Mass, and even the unusual circumstances when a layperson baptizes or witnesses a Catholic wedding—all of these remove the greeting, “The Lord be with you” from a lay presider. It is true that the English translation of …

Q: May a Layperson perform a valid and licit Communion service with distribution of consecrated hosts?  This would be performed using the 2012 USCCB “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass”  guidelines and Rite.  The reason is based on location.  This will be done on an Island without a Catholic Church nor visiting Priest. It is associated with no other event at that time. Thank you. == A: Yes, the liturgical book Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass comes from the Vatican, and it is available in a variety of translations around the world. 

Q: Could lay persons fulfill the role of deacons at the Rite of Election? == A: Oh, my. Well, my answer is going to be yes, but please don’t. Let me explain. The RCIA mentions deacons only once in this ceremony, and that is to present the candidates. But it says that someone else may do that (130). The Ceremonial of Bishops says the same thing (413). The CB also says that the deacon reads the intentions (417), and that outside of Mass, the bishop “is assisted by a deacon” (419). Traditionally, the deacon reads the gospel at such ceremonies. …

Q: Thank you for your great insights and all that you do for the Church.  If I were to convalidate the marriage of a Catholic and a baptized Christian, and receive that Christian into the Church at the same Mass, which would you do first?  Witness the marriage, then Profession of Faith and Confirmation? Or vice versa? Or does it really matter?  Thank you. == A: I generally think it’s better to keep these celebrations separate, if possible. That allows them to be celebrated with their full integrity—especially with the appropriate readings and presidential prayers. But if there is a …

Q: Many thanks once again for your guidance in these liturgical matters.   I have noticed at the preparation of the Altar that a drop of water in placed in the presiders chalice.  What caught my eye is that a drop of water is placed in the Deacon’s chalice.   Is there a change that took place and I was not paying attention?   Thoughts please. == A: Here’s an earlier post. Different question, but same answer. Water to the wine

Q: My parish’s new music director now rings a bell at Mass when the presiding celebrant is consuming the precious blood. I’ve never seen this done.  I find it strange.  Google gave me an answer (on Reddit) but I’m interested in your thoughts on this. == A: The preconciliar liturgy called for ringing a bell when the presider drank from the cup because that completed the sacrifice of the Mass and served as the third of the three principal parts of the Mass. It was discontinued in 1969, but some places have erroneously restored it. Instead, the rubrics call for the …

Q: I have a different liturgical question for you. I have someone who is a baptized non-Catholic in RCIA. They will be done very soon with RCIA because her classes started late last year, then the lockdown happened, so it was greatly delayed. Am I right to think that she will have to profess the Faith first, be Confirmed second, have her first Confession next, then have her first Holy Communion? All in that order? == A: We usually hear the confession of a baptized non-Catholic just before the Rite of Reception. Confession is permitted for baptized non-Catholics under certain …