Q: Our pastor has a huge collection of religious art. He believes it should be shared with the faithful at Mass so they can meditate on it. So, for example, he places pictures of Mother Theresa, or Mary, or a large framed poster of the Popes in front of the Ambo. For a long time, he had a statue of St. Maximilian Kolbe in front of the Ambo. On the floor in front of the tabernacle, there’s a framed picture of the face of Jesus (the shroud). Recently he’s been placing a large framed picture of the crucified Jesus in …
Liturgy of the Hours psalms
Q: Will the revised Liturgy of the Hours restore the psalms that condemn enemies, such as 58 and 109? == A: No. The Vatican removed those and quite a number of verses from the typical edition, and the English translation will match what’s there. If you’d like to see them, brace yourself, and go here: https://catholic-resources.org/LoH/Psalter-Omissions.html.
Music of David Haas
Q: What’s the practice on the use of the music of David Haas? I know our GIA/World Library missalette service has removed two favorite pieces — Blest are They, You are Mine.Are we to stop using his compositions altogether? Some dioceses have done that I’ve read.A shame really as his works are on the better side of liturgical music. == A: Serious allegations against David Haas have prompted many dioceses to restrict or forbid the use of his music. Some dioceses have not, perhaps on the basis that the music stands on its own apart from the composer. But many …
Eucharistic minister training
Q: Our diocese requires Eucharistic Ministers to attend a two hour update session every four years. I am a volunteer coordinator for the ministry. When I notified the volunteers that one was scheduled conveniently our parish I got a response from a long time minister. She feels she has taken several other trainings, has years of experience, knows all that is necessary and should be exempt. Is an exemption possible and, if so, who would grant it? Thanks == A: The Vatican’s 1997 Instruction On Certain Questions on Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest says this in …
Re-purposing altar stones
Q: We spoke briefly at a conference about re-purposing old altar stones in new altars (in short, OK within the altar’s support, but not embedded in the mensa). The Order for Blessing a [non-fixed] Altar makes no mention of relics in these altars, and you write, “A fixed altar may include relics of saints; a movable altar may not” (“New Church, New Altar“ p. 145). Does the Order explicitly state this prohibition? If so, where; if not, is this an argument ex silencio? I’m not challenging you, or even disagreeing, but need advice how to approach a situation in my own …
Universal Prayer
Q: I hope that all is well with you and with those to whom you minister. I thought you might be able to shed light on something that has been puzzling me for some time. I have been preparing the Universal Prayer/Prayer of the Faithful petitions for my parish in Australia for the last few years. One source I always check in the hope of getting some inspiration is the Sunday Website at Saint Louis University which offers suggested intercessions for each Sunday. I find them rather strange because, rather than praying for the needs of the Church, public authorities …
Immaculate Conception
Q: December 7th is the anniversary of the dedication of my parish church. If I were to offer mass in the evening on December 7th, would I celebrate Mass from the common of the dedication of a church or for the vigil of the Immaculate Conception? == A: The Immaculate Conception gets preference because the 8th is a holyday of obligation.
Liturgy of the Hours
Q: In the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours: 1. Are they planning to restore the usual translation of the conclusion of the “Glory be…”? It has been so confusing, lo these many years, to be switching back and forth. (I actually prefer the Eastern “unto the ages of ages”, but that’s probably a non starter.) I’ve never seen how the translation we have been using (but I don’t think England has?) was any kind of improvement, and it would be simpler to just have one translation of that frequently-used prayer. 2. definitely insider baseball: the line in …
Projecting the Readings and Other Mass Texts
Q: Your recent blog entry caught my eye. We discussed this in our Diocese and it seems like from the USCCB’s perspective, the answer is no (our restriction on using hymnals has been lifted in our diocese) or a fee is necessary. I enjoy your blog! The USCCB guidance on screens is in the September 2021 issue of the Newsletter from the Committee on Divine Worship: Projecting the Readings and Other Mass TextsThe current policy of the Committee on Divine Worship is that permission is not granted to project readings and liturgical texts on screens during the liturgy. The bishops have the perspective that since so …
Exposition and Adoration
Q: When a priest finishes Mass by opening up Exposition for extended time of Adoration, what is the proper position for the congregation when the priest recites the Prayer After Communion? Are they supposed to stand or are they supposed to sit? I’ve looked in the “Solemn Exposition” green book, and it gives no indication for what the congregation is supposed to do, and I have been asked this question more than once by the lay faithful. My last question, when a priest concludes Mass by opening up for Adoration, he’s supposed to incense our Lord in the monstrance, according to …