Q:  I am taking a course.  The instructor made the following comment at the end of last week’s class that “if there were to be both a Godfather and Godmother that they should be a married couple.”  She said it was Canon Church Law, but rarely enforced.  I tried to find in in the Canon under Baptism, but could not. Any comment? A:  The requirements for godparents are in canon 874 §1. If there are two godparents, one must be male and the other female. But it says nothing about them being married to each other. For crying out loud, …

Q:  1. Why do we bless the water again during the Easter season during the Penitential Rite when the water is already blessed? 2. We do the Rite of Welcoming for children to be baptized in place of the Penitential Rite. Do you recommend that we still sing the Gloria instead of going directly to the Opening Prayer? We also Sprinkle, but that seems like A LOT to be happening given welcoming the child and the parents. Thank you for your ministry and service! Your answers are helpful and references to the answers are just as great!   A:  1. …

Q:  My congregation has the custom of having everyone extend hands in blessing over someone who is being blessed. But they also do it during Confirmation, when the presider is calling down the Spirit on the Confirmands.  Any comments? A:  I can’t point to any rubrics that allow for everyone to extend hands. But then it’s hard to find rubrics that expressly forbid it. If it’s a custom, I’d probably not make a big deal out of it. Another solution is not to invite it, but let it go if it happens. The Vatican did ask the faithful not to …

Q:   Our choir members did much deliberation over the understanding of various parts of Mass, particularly in relation to the choice of hymns, namely : Entrance: it relates to the theme of the Mass rather than a gathering song. Offertory: Besides hymn relating to bread and wine, there is the element of ourselves being offered together with Christ’s Communion: More reflective – to ruminate on the gift of Christ in the Eucharist; thanksgjving even We also had a few debates over hymns that have the singular noun “I” in the lyrics, the contention is that the Mass is a …

Q:  In your question and answer posts, would you ever consider giving some guidelines or best practices concerning the Divine Mercy celebrations?  One matter especially that I wonder about is having the sacrament of Reconciliation taking place during the Divine Mercy devotions.  Is there an official Rite for these devotions? A:  Let me refer you to the USCCB website: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/prayers/divine-mercy-sunday.cfm#Origin When it comes to the Divine Mercy Novena, it refers you to an external site with information on the devotion. In general, the liturgical year remains the primary anchor for the Catholic spiritual life. A good confession during Lent prepares one for …

Q:  On Easter Sunday morning neither the Presider nor Deacon included the ALLELUIA for the Final Blessing, nor did the Assembly receive the solemn blessing.  Are those considered optional?  A:  Sometimes we priests go into automatic pilot, and it’s hard to remember something like the alleluia. But it should be done. The solemn blessing is optional on Easter Sunday morning. It is expected at the Vigil, but it may be replaced with one from the Rite of Baptism.

Q:  Where can we find the rubric that the blessing and sprinkling may take the place of the Penitential Rite? A:  The rubric for the sprinkling is found in the missal. Look for the Order of Mass in the middle of the book. Paragraph 4 opens the section on the Penitential Act, which has a footnote directing you to the appendix for the blessing and sprinkling of water.

Q:  We have enjoyed many of your liturgical publications and I was wonder if you might have any suggestions for our liturgy commission.  Over the past 20 years we have tried a variety of formats to promote the general education of our parish members. And we are currently exploring another “wave.”  Are there any tools of formats that you have used at your parish to sharpen the parishioners understanding and participation in the weekend liturgies? Any ideas/directions would be appreciated. A:  Thanks for your comments on my work. Take a look at From Mass to Mission https://www.ltp.org/s-59-from-mass-to-mission.aspx. I did a little …

Q:  In the New Rite of Matrimony, is the Gloria only proscribed for Nuptial Masses? If it is a wedding ‘without Mass’, then is the Gloria omitted from the introductory rites? A:  There is no Gloria whenever the wedding takes place without mass.

Q:  Why is the Gloria said/sung at all wedding Masses even at Lent, when previously it was omitted during Lent and Advent? A:  Regarding the Gloria at weddings, see if this answers your question: http://paulturner.org/gloria-at-weddings/. I’ve answered in more detail in my book Inseparable Love.