Q: If there is a Teenager who is in the second year of Faith Formation yet has never been Baptized. Should that Teenager be getting all the Sacraments this Easter? And should she be presented at the Rite of Election? == A: Yes, she is of catechetical age. A priest or deacon should celebrate the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate right away, and if her formation has been sufficient, she should be advanced to the Rite of Election. However, the National Statutes now require a year in the catechumenate. If she is in second year of formation, she should …
Presenting the Book of Gospels
Q: When the deacon presents the Book of the Gospels to the bishop, should this book be closed or open to the page the deacon just proclaimed? (I have watched many papal masses from St. Peter’s over the past 30+ years and the pope always kissed the CLOSED Book of the Gospels. It is less awkward for the deacon and for the pope if the Gospel Book is closed.) What say you? == A: Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/deacons-and-the-gospel-book/
Rite of Election Mass
Q: We will be celebrating the Rite of Election (and Calling to Continuing Conversion) within Mass. When I look up the propers for the First Sunday of Lent, I find this rubric: On this Sunday is celebrated the rite of “election” or “enrollment of names” for the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil, using the proper prayers and intercessions as given below, pp. 1119-1120. But, when I turn to the referenced pages, I see this one: The rite of “election” or “enrollment of names” for catechumens who are to be admitted to …
Penitent’s prayer of sorrow
My question has to do with Penance services, and the Act of Contrition/personal prayer of sorrow.In circumstances where there is a good/great number of participants, could the penitent’s prayer of sorrow become part of the prayer service itself – (and accordingly left out of the actual Confession), so as to expedite the overall amount of time taken by individual confessions? Done this way, it could also make infrequent sacramental penitents feel less awkward during Confession itself. Comments? == A: The penitent’s prayer of sorrow is already included in the liturgy exactly as you’d like it to be. Look at the Order …
Bishop’s pastoral staff
Q: We have a new ordinary and there is some uncertainty about when and where the new ordinary uses the crozier/pastoral staff. The Ceremonial of Bishops No. 59 states that “The bishop carries the pastoral staff in his own territory as a sign of his pastoral office,”. Is there any limitation as to where he may use the crozier? May it only be used in the cathedral or in a church? May he also use it for high school masses, outdoor masses, masses in large rooms or auditoriums, etc.? == He may use the pastoral staff throughout his territory. I …
Book of the Gospels
Q: A bishop is celebrating his episcopal ordination anniversary on a Tuesday in Ordinary Time. He wants to celebrate a Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop, following Ceremonial of Bishops n. 120. In the Mass, the Deacon is to remove the Book of the Gospels from the altar (Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 140). But the published Book of the Gospels does not include the reading for that day. Is it possible for the bishop to comply with Ceremonial of Bishops? Is the only long term solution, to have a Book of the Gospels with a Gospel reading for every day …
Reception of baptized candidates
Q: Focusing on the Vigil, does GIRM (Sacramentary) contain anything about receiving baptized candidates into full communion at the Easter Vigil? I have looked at it a number of times and I recall earlier editions having that but the most recent (2011 perhaps) does not. Is that correct? What about celebrating Confirmation & Eucharist for Catholics at the Vigil? Does GIRM have anything for that? == A: I don’t remember the GIRM ever addressing the reception of baptized candidates at the Easter Vigil. That is an American thing that started with the 1988 RCIA. The confirmation and communion of Catholics at the …
7 Candles
Q: We have a funeral on Saturday where a visiting archbishop will be the celebrant. Should I put 7 candles out? I was planning on it, but staff worry that it will seem like we are elevating the deceased (since we don’t add candles for other funerals). I realize the candles in this instance, are connected to the Archbishop rather than the deceased, but wanted to get your thoughts. Should I just leave out our normal two and see if the emcee says something? I did notice that the GIRM (117) says “Diocesan Bishop” when it talks about having 7 …
February 2 Candle Lighting
Q: If we plan to use the Solemn Entrance on February 2 (thus, we will be entirely inside), what are the pros and cons of using the flame from the Easter candle to light the assembly’s candles? == A: I don’t think there’s any pro to this idea. Easter and the Presentation are virtually unrelated. The paschal candle is to be used during Easter Time and for baptisms and funerals. None of those applies to the Presentation of the Lord. I think it would be confusing to light candles on Feb 2 from the paschal candle.
American flag in the sanctuary
Q: Recently a conflict came up about the American flag being in the sanctuary behind the priest. There are some that say it can be and some that say it shouldn’t be. Can you give me some clarification on this. Thank you . Ps . Can you give me where it might say this in the book . == A: Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/u-s-flag-at-mass/