Q:  May the priest mix the water with the wine in a large pitcher from which all the wine is poured—for the priest and for the assembled community? The Missal speaks of the water being poured into the chalice (not a pitcher or any other communal vessels). A:  The USCCB clarified this on page 19 here: http://www.usccb.org/about/divine-worship/newsletter/upload/newsletter-2012-05-and-06.pdf. However, it did not address your specific practice. I generally add water to one chalice. However, your practice would probably not be considered an abuse through a broad interpretation of this clarification.  

Q:  Our sacristans pour the unconsecrated wine into the communal chalices at the altar after the priest pours the wine into his chalice. Is this okay for the sacristan to do? Since wine can be poured in to the communal chalices before Mass—I would presume that a lay person could do this during Mass as well—wrong? A:  I think that your practice does not conflict with the US Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under both Kinds. See #36 here: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/norms-for-holy-communion-under-both-kinds/. It allows “servers” to help deacons prepare the altar, and your sacristans are basically acting like servers …

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Q: In our parish, there is Exposition Tues, Wed and Thursday from early morning till late evening.  We have many people that are regulars and have specific hours that they pray during those days.  However, there are some hours that are “open” because the person cannot be there that day or week; or we just don’t have enough people to fill all the time slots.   When there is an open hour or if the next person after you doesn’t show up as scheduled, the adorer reposes the Blessed Sacrament without ceremony.  Then an hour or two later, when the next adorer …

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times a parish can have the Eucharistic benediction in a day. A:  Yes. Twice. According to the instruction Eucharistiæ saramentum (Congregation for Divine Worship, 1973), “Where there cannot be uninterrupted exposition because there is not a sufficient number of worshipers, it is permissible to replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle at fixed hours that are announced ahead of time. But this may not be done more than twice a day, for example, at midday and at night.”

Q:  Following the Examination of Conscience at night prayer, and when using the Confiteor is it required or even permissible to use the ” May almighty God have mercy on us …” formula when a priest is not present?  Thanks. A:  The penitential act is to be done as at mass, and it should include the formula you cite. In the preconciliar liturgy both the priest and the servers recited the formula to each other. It’s called “absolution” but it is not sacramental. Q:  Thanks for the response, but can this non-sacramental “absolution” be used at Night Prayer?  Must it …

Q:  Do you support the singing of the Alleluia as the people’s response at the end of the proclaimed Gospel? A:  In general, no. I think that the acclamation concluding the gospel is especially rich: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ,” because Christ continues to speak today in the proclamation of the gospel. However, some people like the alleluia after the gospel especially if the procession is lengthy. At papal masses, for example, it’s somewhat common. In general, though, the liturgy does not draw attention to any procession after the gospel. It isn’t as important as the procession before it.

Q:  What, if anything, is incorrect with this statement? “Our celebrant (presider) at this liturgy is Jesus Christ.” A:  Well, sign me up for that parish! No, the celebrant/presider is always a human priest, and one should not confuse him with Jesus Christ. GIRM 2 quotes SC 47: “At the Last Supper, Our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood, by which the Sacrifice of his Cross is perpetuated until he comes again; and till then he entrusts the memorial of his Death and Resurrection to his beloved spouse, the Church.” Jesus died on the cross. He …

Q:  Quería saber si las personas que nos pongan el lazo puede ser 2 mujeres? Mi mama y la abuela de mi novio? O mi mama y mi tío?? I’d like to know if the persons who place the lazo on us may be 2 women? My mother and my fiance’s grandmother? Or my mother and my uncle? A:  El Rito de Matrimonio dice, “El lazo (o el velo) lo sostienen dos familiares o amigos…” Se permiten dos mujeres. The Order of Matrimony says, “Two members of the family or friends hold the lazo (or veil)…” Two women are allowed.

Q:  Cardinal Robert Sarah recently encouraged priests to use the ad orientem Mass.  I think this was a mistake and will end up confusing lots of folks. What’s your take on (a) the Mass itself; and (b) the cardinal’s statement? I think the idea of facing away from the congregation violates the very spirit, if not the rule and intent, of Vatican II.  My case is severely weakened by the confusing rubrics in the Roman Missal which certainly seem to suggest facing away from the congregation, why else would there be a direction “facing the people” if the priest weren’t …