Q: Was reading your blog and have a question… Live in a diocese where the bishop has “mandated” a prayer for vocations be included in the liturgy before the prayer after communion.  This seems intrusive into each liturgical celebration, so wondering if it is liturgically allowed to do this?  Thanks for your input. == A: The missal does not explicitly make room for a commonly recited prayer during the period between the distribution of communion and the prayer after communion. It allows silence, and it allows a song of thanksgiving. The bishop’s desire is well-intentioned, but more appropriate would be …

Q: Here’s a question for you.  I serve on the parish Worship Council.  Our pastor asked us to discuss ways we could assist him in learning the names of new people, especially at one Mass where he has seen many new faces. We already have “Name Tag Sunday” once a month, but that is limited in effectiveness for priest or parishioner because people love their usual places in the pews.  They don’t really meet anyone new.  Name Tag Sunday, however, could be the answer to Father’s challenge, one weekend a month. Is it permissible for him to use the name of the person …

Q: Is it permitted to place a cross carried in the entrance procession on the altar? I am trying to weigh up the following arguments. Yes, because both GIRM 117 and 308 describe a portable cross that may be placed on the altar.  No, because GIRM 122 and 188 says the cross carried in procession may be placed near the altar, but does not mention on the altar. Ceremonial of Bishops, n, 129 and 194 says may be placed near the altar or be put away. For the Stational Mass in n. 129, Ceremonial of Bishops seems to only envisage …

Q: Are there any liturgical directives or rubrics that prescribe specific prayers for clergy to recite while vesting? == A: There are none. These were removed from the missal after the council. Today, you are simply expected to put on the vestments you need. Still, I try to do so mindful of the reason I wear them. I’m not sure why this changed. Certainly there has been a focus on the texts pertaining directly to the liturgy and not to devotions.

Q: Father Paul. Thank you for the blog. I look forward to learning something new with each email from you. In my journey to learn more about the liturgy, I have not found a place that explains when and which candles in the  Sanctuary are to be lit based on the day of the liturgical calendar. The GIRM has some basic information, but nothing that elaborates on candles. Looking forward to your answer. == A: You may find this response helpful, even though the question is different: https://paulturner.org/altar-candles/ In short, you’re asking for information the GIRM does not provide. The relationship …

Q: This is a non-urgent Liturgy of the Hours question. You may have addressed these topics, but my search terms didn’t turn up anything on the Blog archives. As always, your knowledge and sound advice are greatly appreciated! == A: As you indicate, the GILH 123 and 124 require the “Glory to the Father” at the conclusion of each section of the psalmody. Monastic communities may derogate from this. The GILH never gives any instructions for a change in posture at the “Glory to the Father”. I commonly see people bow, but that is by custom, not law. I had …

Q: A dilemma with bulletins is that they are often (too) distributed as people ENTER the church for Mass.; some containing pirated music and readings texts, etc. Much better if they were distributed AFTER Mass as they leave. Unless something happened that could not make it into “press time” there is NO NEED to make announcements.== A: We email the bulletin to everyone on Friday and keep a mini-bulletin for pickup at church—mainly for visitors. I do like announcements, though. Brief, but I like calling attention to some upcoming events in as many ways as possible.

Q: As a newly ordained permanent deacon I had the task of planning/MC’ing the triduum liturgies at my parish this year.   The previous year was my “internship” at this parish and I observed how they did things.  I felt that the Holy Thursday transfer and adoration was lacking.  Our altar of repose is a small room off the side of the sanctuary and is only accessible by going on the sanctuary.   The room only accommodates 4-5 people.  Last year the procession concluded at this room but the congregation seemed unaware of what was happening and while the clergy and servers …

Q: At the occasion of ordination of priests or deacons, or priests and deacons together, can other bishops who happen to concelebrate, be allowed to lay also their hands on the candidates, or it is only the ordaining bishop who has to lay on his hands? == A: Other bishops do not lay hands on the candidates. Only the ordaining bishop does. For the ordination of a priest, concelebrating priests then impose hands, but not a concelebrating bishop. Concelebrating bishops only impose hands at the ordination of a bishop.

Q: For the Rite of Baptism at the Easter Vigil, while the priest blesses the water, I immerse the Paschal candle into the water three times as directed by the rubrics. As a young altar boy (pre-Vatican II), I can remember the priest doing this. After that, he would tilt the candle and allow the melted wax to drip into the font. Why did we stop doing this? I admit that it is rather graphic! == A: The priest used to pour wax into the water, but that custom was removed in the 1955 reforms of Holy Week. Many changes …