Q:  I am trying to make sense of Rubrics 49 – 53 in the Easter Vigil.  The rubrics use the terms “infants”, “children” and “adults.”  We will be baptizing children ranging in age from first grade to 7th grade. No infants will be baptized.    Pastorally, because of relative immaturity, I intend to treat the younger children as “infants”, expecting that the parents and godparents will carry the responsibility of the Profession of Faith, with the children’s participation, if they are able.   Similarly, it seems to make pastoral sense to treat the older children as adults, questioning them directly about …

Q:  Quick question re Confirmation:  Is there any canonical or liturgical prohibition on candidates taking a Confirmation name of the opposite sex? A:  There is no official legislation anywhere on confirmation names. Nothing at all in the Rite of Confirmation, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Code of Canon Law, or the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The clear implication is that the priest or bishop is supposed to use the candidate’s baptismal name, not a confirmation name. But the practice is widely different. I never promote the taking of a confirmation name, but I tolerate it because of …

Q:  If you could be so kind, I would like to know what the difference is between two of your book on the New Order of Celebrating Matrimony? I purchased and read ONE LOVE – which I found helpful – and then I received a flyer in the mail from Liturgical Press marketing your new book: INSEPARABLE LOVE.  Could you let me know if ordering INSEPARABLE LOVE would be of great benefit to me.  It seems to replicate ONE LOVE, but maybe I am incorrect on first glance.  I look forward to hearing from you. A:  Thanks for your comments …

Q:  I have a question regarding the use of several children splitting up the reading at mass.  Somewhere I thought I read that there was to be only ONE reader.   Am I imagining this? A:  GIRM 109 says that multiple readers are not to be used for the same reading except for the Passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. However, the Introduction to the Lectionary for Masses with Children permits more than one reader at the same reading (52). The same permission appears in the Directory for Masses with Children (47).  

Q:  I have been researching different rites of the church during the liturgy as described in the GIRM. I am interested in the purification of vessels after the distribution of communion currently. In the GIRM, it mentions that certain duties may be performed by a “duly instituted acolyte” as needed. However, I find very little information in GIRM or online as to what the heck this is. I’m also trying to make sense in my mind as to who is allowed to purify the vessels. At my old parish in a different Diocese, I seem to recall that on occasion …

Q:  Can an unbaptized person have a Catholic funeral? A:  If that person is a catechumen, then yes. Otherwise, there’s no provision for it in canon law. See Canon 1183. However, the Order of Christian Funerals includes a prayer for the funeral of an unbaptized person married to a Catholic: 398 / 36. There must be some circumstance for its use because it was approved by the Vatican.

Q:  We create worship aids for funerals, and on the front we have put “Mass of Christian Burial.” Was that and is that the correct terminology? What if there has been cremation and the remains are not being buried right away. What do you call the mass? A:  The liturgical books call it “Funeral Mass” in all instances. I’m not sure where the expression “Mass of Christian Burial” originated, but it is not in the liturgical books. And as you point out, it does not always precede a burial. The term may have come about to distinguish this service from …

Q:  I saw a comment on PBS Newshour this evening stating “in 1903 Pope Pius X banned the saxophone from sacred music, the ban has never been lifted”.  What is considered sacred music and/or what would be the typical venue for sacred music? A:  Actually, I think it’s safe to say that the ban has been lifted. I admit I’m not a canonist, but here’s what GIRM 393 says, and this replaces previous legislation: “While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be admitted into divine worship in the Dioceses of …

Q:  I have a question regarding blessing children and non-Catholics during Communion. Is this allowed? It has been a practice in Catholic parishes across the country for many years.  Searching the Internet, there are arguments for both – yes and no. Regarding “no,” some say: only a priest can give a blessing the focus needs to be God – not making everyone in the whole family feel good it is not in the rubrics and should not be added  Regarding “yes,” some say In recent years (for the past 100 years or so) since both parents are coming up, they …

Q:  Where could we find the story of St. Anne and Joachim? A:  Joachim and Ann are in the Protoevangelium of James.  More info is in my collection of bulletin inserts and can be found here: http://paulturner.org/books/