Q: A reader sent me a question about receiving Orthodox Christians, which sent me to your book. And I’m still scratching my head. In When Other Christians Become Catholic, you write about the reception of an Orthodox Christian: “No profession of faith is required…” (141). But right before that, you cite RCIA 474, which says “simply a profession of Catholic faith” is required. What’s the difference? And also, you indicate that the celebrant “places his hand on the head of the candidate, while proclaiming the act of reception.” Isn’t that a “liturgical rite,” which RCIA 474 says is not required? Thanks …
Instituted acolytes – updated
Q: Since the Missal speaks of “instituted acolytes” what defines an instituted acolyte and can we institute our sacristans? Is it a “male only” thing? A: Only men may be instituted as acolytes, and the bishop performs the ceremony of institution. It is typically done only for seminarians before their ordination. You may ask the bishop to institute men into the ministry of acolyte if you wish, but it may be pastorally imprudent. Response: For what it’s worth, men in formation for the diaconate are also instituted as readers and acolytes. A: You’re absolutely right. I should have said that too.
Eucharist before Confirmation
Q: My Bishop is currently reviewing the order of celebrating the Sacraments of initiation and is seeking to return Eucharist to being received before Confirmation. If Confirmation is the Gift of the Holy Spirit, (which you affirm so strongly in your book, “Guide for Celebrating Confirmation”), and by that gift we are one with Christ the Priest, why do we not link our catechesis of Confirmation with the giving of the priesthood to the faithful? Such a catechesis would then link Confirmation directly with Eucharist where the faithful are able to exercise their priesthood especially by the offering of …
Instituted acolytes
Q: Since the Missal speaks of “instituted acolytes” what defines an instituted acolyte and can we institute our sacristans? Is it a “male only” thing? A: Only men may be instituted as acolytes, and the bishop performs the ceremony of institution. It is typically done only for seminarians before their ordination. You may ask the bishop to institute men into the ministry of acolyte if you wish, but it may be pastorally imprudent. R. For what it’s worth, men in formation for the diaconate are also instituted as readers and acolytes A. You’re absolutely right. I should have said that too. …
Purifying altar linens
Q: Are there rubrics on purifying altar linens that have consecrated remnants on them? Is machine wash allowed? A: The only instruction is in Redemptionis Sacramentum 120: “Let Pastors take care that the linens for the sacred table, especially those which will receive the sacred species, are always kept clean and that they are washed in the traditional way. It is praiseworthy for this to be done by pouring the water from the first washing, done by hand, into the church’s sacrarium or into the ground in a suitable place. After this a second washing can be done in the …
Retreiving reserved hosts
Q: Is it okay for a sacristan (lay person) to retrieve the hosts from the tabernacle at communion—or does it have to be an instituted acolyte, deacon or priest? I only found rubrics about the priest returning the unused hosts after communion to the tabernacle (GIRM no.163)—not before. I wonder if it is not in the rubrics because reserve hosts are not intended to ever be used in the Mass? Is there a specific time that the reserve hosts should be retrieved? Is it okay for the sacristan to be in the sanctuary during the communion procession and then distribute …
Presider’s chair
Q: When a deacon presides for a Sunday celebration in the absence of a priest, may he use the presider’s chair? A: Yes. If a layperson presides, he or she does not use the priest’s chair, according to Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest 24, but a deacon does use it according to SCAP 19.
Prayers of the faithful at a baptism
Q: When a baptism is taking place outside Mass, do the prayers of the faithful have to be used from the ritual book or can we solely use prayers composed by the family? A: The family may write their own prayers. The Rite of Baptism for Children says just before #216 that “Petitions may be added or omitted at will, taking into consideration the special circumstances of each family.”
Gospel reading for baptism
Q: When a baptism is taking place outside Mass, the Rite for Baptism with Children (no. 81) speaks of choices for Gospel readings—but then it also speaks to “other passages which meet the wishes or needs of the parents.” Is it mandatory that a Gospel passage be read? If the Gospel passage MUST be read, can a lay person (a person from the family) read the Gospel or does it need to be read by the priest? A: The RBC was one of the very first rituals out of the starting blocks following Vatican II, and the rubrics are not …
Communal chalices
Q: What is the basis of the use of a “priest’s” chalice distinct from “communal chalices” used at Mass. It seems to counter the idea of communion itself. Are there norms that require this practice or that encourage the whole community to share from the same vessels? A: The rubrics that appear in the missal’s Order of Mass do not account for communion under both kinds. Those permissions and instructions are found elsewhere. So the Order of Mass continually gives instructions about “the chalice” as if there is only one. Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under …