Shortening mass
Q: At the request of the pastor, I am looking to “trim” the weekend liturgies to 45 minutes. I don’t
Q: At the request of the pastor, I am looking to “trim” the weekend liturgies to 45 minutes. I don’t
Q: What is the cloth covering the monstrance in public during the delivery of a sermon, called? == A: It
Q: Is it correct that the ordinary sign of veneration of the altar (by the laity) is a profound bow?
Veneration of the altar Read Post »
Q: Does the rule about fasting for an hour before receiving Communion apply to those receiving spiritual Communion during a
Fasting before communion Read Post »
Q: Bishop would like to begin rescheduling Youth Confirmations as soon as we have protocols in place. The current thorn
Youth Confirmation Read Post »
Q: Once again thank you for being such an invaluable resource! Our diocese suspended public worship after the 3rd Sunday
Rites of Initiation Read Post »
Q: Given all the information about the dangers of congregational singing and the spoken word spreading aerosol droplets so dramatically,
Covering the ciborium Read Post »
Q: My pastor and I wanted to seek your wisdom/guidance regarding the ‘how-to’s’ of Initiation during these unprecedented times &
Initiation in these times Read Post »
Q: Could you outline for us how we would initiate candidates and the elect at the Pentecost Vigil or on
Initiation at Pentecost Read Post »
Q: Do we need any license or permission to sing the English Chant for the Ordinary Parts of the Mass
Q: Now that the lockdown measures are easing and soon Masses will resume. And thus with social distancing continuing, what
Q: Thank you for being a great resource! The staff at our parish follows your blog raptly. Often the questions
Communion ministers Read Post »
Q: With social distancing, how do you envision the lavabo at the preparation of the gifts? We are thinking an
Q: I am hoping I might trouble you for a brief question on liturgical practices pertaining to Catholic weddings. My
Cantor and groomsman Read Post »
Q: Given the current situation with shelter in place and churches being closed, with only one live streamed Mass per
Q: Now that the stay at home order has begun to be lifted and we plan to return to Mass,
Initiation rites at Pentecost Read Post »
One of our parishioners has a question about this: 41. Holy Communion under the form of bread is offered to
Communion in the hand Read Post »
Q: During the pandemic, are baptismal fonts with pumps and filtration able to stay full? Or would we only fill when a
Q: This weekend is Mother’s Day and it is typical that there is a blessing for mothers at Mass at
Q: I am helping my bishop draft some new liturgical guidelines for the diocese and was hoping you would be
Ciborium to the tabernacle Read Post »
I have been watching some of the Sunday Mass live streams from churches in my area. Since I am involved
Q: Curious to know: At a Sunday liturgy, is it permitted for the deacon or lector to say each petition,
Q: I have been trying to recall whether the Rite for Baptism includes an option of placing salt in the
Salt in the Rite of Baptism Read Post »
Q: We are working with a young couple who have chosen to marry during the pandemic. While there will only
Q: Hope all is well! Reaching out since I made great use of your book, Inseparable Love, to choose the
Q: Since we had no Easter fire this year, how do you suggest we dispose of last year’s holy oils?
Q: GIRM 254 directs that when, for a just and reasonable cause, Mass is celebrated without a minister, the greetings,
Q: I’ve been stumped by one of my RCIA candidates. Can you give me an answer to share? Here’s her
Q: Before the Exsultet, if sung by a cantor, who incenses the text? The priest or deacon? or can the
Q: So, we are sitting quietly by ourselves, and important, long-unanswered questions arise. I would like some direction to reading
Lectionary for Mass Read Post »
Q: I am saying Easter Sunday Mass for a religious community that has no Easter Vigil tonight. They asked about
Q: This is a follow up question to the one on body and blood. If consecrated hosts remain, yes typically,
Body and blood – follow up Read Post »
Q: Thank you for all your helpful posts! I have learned so much from you. We are anticipating that happy
Q: What the world needs is a pocket Paul Turner. I just wanted to email you a thanks and gratitude
Q: Some of the questions that seem to crop up on your blog frequently really bother me. They seem to
Q: Yet another question: typically for the Triduum, we have kept thetabernacle empty. It also makes logical sense given the
Q: For Easter Vigil, since the lighting of the fire is omitted, the candle will be lit at the stand.1.
Q: Please also remind me of the current position regarding a priest offering a private mass and whether given the
Q: Can a child have more than one Godmother and Godfather ? Or two Godmother”s and one Godfather? Thank you
Q: Thank you for your guidance on many questions. I always learn so much! My question is about the handling
Q: One of our priests is posting the Vigil on-line (as are many) and he is doing the minimum of
Q: In watching the Pope’s daily Mass, after Communion there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for several minutes with
Q: After reading your recent post about exposition, I was interested in any reference you may give me to read
Q: Are the celebrant and concelebrants required to consume -at least by intinction -the consecrated wine? Right now that seems
Q: Is there a minimum number of worshipers required before adoration can proceed? == A: It can be as few
Adoration and Exposition Read Post »
Q: Good afternoon! I had a question/favor to ask. I was wondering if you could offer a suggestion or solution
Q: Since the Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is omitted on Holy Thursday and the
Holy Week questions Read Post »
Q: I have two questions I hope you can answer. On Palm Sunday, following the Third Form, it seems that
Palm Sunday third form Read Post »
Q: Why do we read the Passion on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday? == A: There’s evidence for proclaiming
Proclaiming the Passion Read Post »
Q: The deacon will bless the palms and have them outside at the doors where they can be picked up
Palms in the time of Covid-19 Read Post »
Q: Is Eucharistic Prayer I required for Holy Thursday? == A: No. I usually use it each year, but you
Eucharistic Prayer for Holy Thursday Read Post »
Q: Is the Easter Vigil required? Just asking! I would assume it is. == A: Actually, it’s not. If not
Q: There are seven Old Testament readings for the Easter Vigil with option to narrow the selection to three. With
Easter Vigil Readings Read Post »
Q: Will it be possible to celebrate Holy Week after the masses resume in May or so? == A: No.
Q: Since there is no Easter fire, does anyone know IF it is possible to being the vigil earlier in
Q: I pray you and yours are well during this crisis. A quick question about Mass on TV. In this
Q: Well, I see that Rome has now also weighed in on providing an extra petition for Good Friday 2020.(https://www.cbcew.org.uk/vatican-decree-on-easter-celebrations/)……any
Good Friday intercession Read Post »
Q: Do you think it would be appropriate for a Bishop to add a special intention in light of the
Intercessions for Good Friday Read Post »
Q: Please comment on whether in current Covid -19 Caronavirus times the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be conferred by video
Reconciliation in Covid-19 times Read Post »
Q: We will not be having a baptism at the Easter Vigil. But many still want to have the Litany
Q: My question is about the Rite of Election. We recently celebrated the Rite of Election with the Bishop. The
Q: Hope you are staying well! In light of the coronavirus and the reality of a lack of Masses, a
Exposition and Coronavirus Read Post »
Q: I have an interesting question. When, on the Third Sunday of Advent, the Roman Missal says Preface I or
Third Sunday of Advent Read Post »
Q: Thank you for answering all the questions you do. It’s very helpful to have some reliable to address these
Q: It has been a tradition to have each Wednesday during Lent Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction. It
Stations and Benediction Read Post »
Q: Thank you for all your wonderful insights. In my parish we have four children of catechetical age in the
Some questions have come up about the scrutinies in the context of precautions for COVID-19. Do the scrutinies have to
Scrutinies and COVID-19 Read Post »
Q: I am confused as to which Mass I should have used for the Enrollmentof Catechumens on the First Sunday
Enrollment of Catechumens Read Post »
Q: Why is a monstrance not used for the Holy Thursday procession? Thanks. == A: As I point out in Glory
Monstrance on Holy Thursday Read Post »
Q: Thank you for continuing to educate and clear up confusion on liturgical questions. I have a question relating to
Matrimony without Mass Read Post »
Q: Thank you for all your insights, wisdom and recommendations!! We read # 159 in LET US PRAY which indicates
Q: Our past pastor insisted we must not ring the Sanctus bells in Masses during Lent or Advent. Our new
Q: Today at the Mass after the greeting, the pastor asked the congregation to kneel down for the Penitential Act.
Q: Every Sunday afternoon, Eucharistic Adoration is held for two hours in our Shrine chapel. Some of those who attend
Eucharistic Adoration Read Post »
Q: If a parish chooses to cover crosses and images for the 5th Sunday of Lent, should the processional cross
Covering the cross Read Post »
Q: Do you recall anything more recent than the Circular Letter of 1988 that forbids or discourages communities other than
Q: A quick question. The retired priests who live at our chancery were discussing at lunch… what should be done
Gospel acclamation Read Post »
Q: A recent inquiry wondered if the administration of ashes could spread viruses. I have heard similar questions about consuming
Distribution of ashes Read Post »
Q: Is it possible to use a psalm as the 1st reading (like Psalm 23) followed by a sung psalm
Psalm as the first reading Read Post »
Q: What is the role of the Deacon during the Presentation of Oils during the Holy Thursday Mass? In our parish
Presentation of Oils Read Post »
Q: Should wooden clappers be used instead of bells during Lent? == A: Although they can be heard in some
Q: When there is no priest available, a lay minister may expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. Is it true
Incense by a lay minister Read Post »
Q: A question from a primary school teacher around her class Mass in March. She was hoping to focus on
Lectionary for Masses with Children Read Post »
Q: I have a question about the imposition of Ashes and the threat of viruses and other sicknesses. Our diocese
Imposition of ashes Read Post »
Q: After the proclamation of the gospel at a mass where the bishop presides, the deacon may bring the book
Procession of the gospel book Read Post »
Q: At confirmation, just before he says the confirmation prayer, why does the bishop remove his miter before addressing the
Q: Should the corpus be facing the cross bearer or the altar as the cross is being carried in the
Image of the cross Read Post »
Q: Is October 4, 2020, observed as the Feast of Saint Francis or a Sunday in Ordinary Time? == A:
Feast of St. Francis Read Post »
Q: In my liturgy class, I cover Liturgical Law and I have the students interpret case studies. One of the
Q: I thought the Easter Vigil start time was always 8:00 pm. == A: The missal says this at #3
Q: What is the meaning when a master of ceremonies dips his fingers in holy water and then touches the
Holy water and the bishop Read Post »
Q: Would it be ok for the main celebrant to hand over the holy water bucket to the deacon to
Q: Can we use more than one crucifix for people to kiss on Good Friday? == A: No, only one
Crucifix on Good Friday Read Post »
Q: Many thanks for your blog and liturgy resources. Is it permissible to use a rite of blessing and sprinkling
Sprinkling during lent Read Post »
Q: I cannot find anything explicit in the RCIA that says an ordained person must preside at the presentations if
Presentation presider Read Post »
Q: We have a couple in a civil marriage, but not a church marriage. They are not therefore eligible to
Q: An adult woman says that she was baptized by her Catholic father. Thefather has died and there is no
More conditional baptism Read Post »