Q: There is another practice by a priest in our community wherein he omits the final blessing for lauds for Good Friday and Holy Saturday when he presides. I cannot, however, find support for this omission. I remember that when I presided the year before over the same offices (I am a transitional deacon), he later on told me not to impart the final blessing because the Lord has died or has entered into His Passion or something to that effect. Can you please weigh in on this since there is nothing indicated in the rubrics for this omission. Thank …
Collects in the Latin language
Q: My novice master has instructed me to write to you in order to ask about a resource that contains the collects of the Missale Romanum. Other than a Latin Missal itself, is there a book that contains the Collects in the Latin language for personal study and prayerful reflection? My desire to continue reading Latin after completing a year of Latin coursework prompted this enquiry about Latin Collects. My novice master immediately thought of you as the person who would know best about any possible resources. I humbly thank you for considering this question. == Q: Nice to hear of …
Rubric 38 for Holy Thursday
Q: What is the proper interpretation of rubric 38 for the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper at the Evening Mass (English Translation According to the Third Typical Edition): if there are FAITHFUL participating in the procession for the Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament, do they go before OR after the Priest Carrying the Blessed Sacrament (in a ciborium)? My context is that I am part of a secular institute which gathers together to form a community for holy week. During the Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday, everyone usually joins in the “transfer” which is from the …
Universal Prayer
Q: As a result of a member engagement survey, our parish pastoral council is focusing on the following statement: “In the last month, I have received recognition or praise from someone in my parish.” One of the council’s suggested ways of recognizing and/or praising parishioners is to have a rotating “thank you” intercession for liturgical ministers and other volunteers. I am uncomfortable with this being a part of the Universal Prayer. To me bulletin blurbs seem to be a more appropriate avenue for such recognition. Since I am responsible for writing and/or editing the intercessions, your thoughts and insight would …
Distributing palms
Q: Hi Father. Regardless of the pandemic, I’ve always wondered when is the best moment to distribute palms for the faithful when celebrating the liturgy of Palm Sunday. The rubrics for the Solemn Entrance (seems to me) suggest the faithful receive it before the priest blessing them. Is that the case also for the First Form too? Thanks very much and a very Holy Week and a very Happy Easter in advance. == A: Yes, the faithful receive their branches when they arrive and before the priest blesses them in either the first or second form of the entrance. A …
Easter candle in the vigil
Q: My question is pretty simple. I have two parishes. The habit seems to have been in the past that at the Easter Vigil the pastor blesses the Easter candle for both in the Mass. Is this appropriate? Something in me has a conflict like it shouldn’t be done but I have not found anything on the subject. Pastorally, I understand the reason, but it seems to me that there should only be one candle at the Vigil from the very beginning. To be clear, I have never lit the other candle, there is only one lit. Is there a need …
Remaining consecrated hosts
Q: I am sacristan on Good Friday and my instructions say I must ask the communion ministers to consume all remaining consecrated hosts after the Good Friday liturgy. We are taking reservations but it is uncertain how many will really attend. Must I ask the two ministers to do this? There could be a large number of consecrated hosts remaining. Thank you == A: There’s no requirement that all remaining consecrated hosts be consumed after the Good Friday liturgy. In fact, hosts are to be kept in case of viaticum on Saturday.
Appropriate acclamations
Q: In the books of the Gospels for Holy week, during the reading of the Passion for Palm Sunday and Good Friday, there are several points with the notation “at this point all may join in singing an appropriate acclamation.” Every year I cantor something, but have no idea if this is what is meant. Today it came to me that you could tell me what were considered “appropriate acclamations.” == A: I’ve consulted a colleague in Canada for some clarification for you. Missal resources in Canada say that “all may” participate in the Passion by singing acclamations, but this …
“Order” and “Rite”
Q: Can you speak to the change from “rite” to “order”, as in the “Order of Baptism”? Why the change? Are the terms interchangeable in the church? Thank you for sharing your wisdom! == A: The translators are now giving you “Order” when the Latin says “Ordo” and they’re giving you “Rite” when the Latin says “Ritus”. That was not true of the first translations. Many orders were called rites in English. There’s been no change to the Latin, but there is often a change in th revised English. In general, an order is a complete order of service than …
Order of Blessing of the Oils
Q: I am a chaplain at a Catholic hospital. Usually, one of the Catholic chaplains would attend the Chrism Mass and pick up the oils for our chapel. This year, the only chaplain available to go is a non-Catholic. Our director of missions told us that that chaplain could not go because a non-Catholic was not allowed to participate in the Chrism Mass and carry the oils back to the hospital. Is that a correct interpretation? == A: The Order of Blessing of the Oils presumes that the priests are taking the oils home with them after Mass, but all …