Q: Please clarify why a concelebrating priest kisses/reverences the altar as part of the processional but not before recessing? Thanks for your wonderful educational and pastoral ministry. == A: Well, the GIRM doesn’t explain why. It just says that concelebrants kiss the altar coming in (211) and don’t on their way out (251). It’s been that way since the first version of the GIRM in 1975. I can give you two theories. One is that it’s a little cumbersome to get all the concelebrants to reverence the altar on the way out, so this makes some practical sense. The other …

Q: It seems that the tradition here at my new parish is to use the Sprinkling Rite during the Easter season following the homily in place of a Profession of Faith. The Roman Missal states that during the Easter season the Sprinkling Rite may replace the Penitential Rite. My pastor questions how a Sprinkling Rite, that reminds us of our baptism, can be used in place of a Penitential Rite? Your insights, please? Thank you! == A: How can sprinkling be used in place of the Penitential Act? By following the instructions in Order of Mass #4. The sprinkling is …

Q: On the second Monday of Easter, while lighting the paschal candle for morning Mass, it was dropped and split in half. There was some effort to repair it, but it doesn’t look right. Our pastor is concerned about purchasing a new candle, then using a candle not blessed at the Vigil. Are there any rituals/blessings that could be employed to signify this? Any advice would be appreciated. == A: My condolences! The liturgy doesn’t have a way of dealing with this, so it’s a judgment call. Here are some options I can think of: – Shorten the candle. Just …

Q: I have some questions about two upcoming weddings. 1–This one is on June 22 in the evening which is the vigil of Corpus Christi. I assume we do all the prayers of the Corpus Christi Mass but can change out one of the readings and that we recite the creed after the prayers of the faithful and the nuptial blessing is the same as always. 2–The next one is on June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul and is in the afternoon. Can a reading be changed out? That wedding is not in our diocese and I’m …

Q: Is it possible for two youth to serve as godmothers for a baby? One is 15 and the other is 16. == A: See canon 874. We cannot register two persons of the same sex as godparents, and the minimum age is 16, though a pastor can make an exception to the age for a just cause.

Q: One thing I’m looking for is from an educational perspective: How to make the sign of the cross. How to receive communion respectfully. Went to bow and when do you genuflect. Why we say amen instead of thank you when receiving communion. Anything like that in your books? Or in your bulletin announcements? == A: You might check out these inserts I did on posture and gesture: https://fdlc.org/publications/44930

Q:  do you use any special Rite of First Communion when you have mass of First Communion for children? == A:  There is no special rite. There are lots of customs, but no official ceremony. If it’s a weekday mass, you may choose special readings. See #769 in volume IV of the Lectionary for Mass.

Q: I have an 18 year old senior who is scheduled to be confirmed with her class soon. I just found out that she was baptized Methodist back when she was four years old, but then made her First Penance and First Communion at my parish when she was about 10 years old. Her mom is Catholic. We have no record of her going through RCIA or being received into the Church. (I’m sure the Pastor at that time didn’t do any of that.) Do we consider that Penance and Communion “received” her into full communion, or should there be …

Q: Do you know of any bulletin announcements that I could use to educate the assembly about the Mass in general and the role they play? Thanks so much. == A: Take a look at this book: https://www.ltp.org/products/details/EGCSM/guide-for-celebrating-sunday-mass. It includes a 3-page checklist for participants in the appendix. It may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Q: Can you give some comments on the way people usually write the petitions of the Universal Prayer? == A: Here’s how the GIRM describes them: <<< 70.  The series of intentions is usually to be: a)  for the needs of the Church;b)  for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;c)  for those burdened by any kind of difficulty;d)  for the local community. Nevertheless, in any particular celebration, such as a Confirmation, a Marriage, or at a Funeral, the series of intentions may be concerned more closely with the particular occasion. >>> Many people who compose petitions include …