Consecrated host
Q: Kindly remind me what is the significance of the priest breaking off a tiny fragment of the consecrated host
Q: Kindly remind me what is the significance of the priest breaking off a tiny fragment of the consecrated host
Can we do a Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church for several non Catholic Christians the Easter
Reception into Full Communion Read Post »
Q: Does the pastor need the Bishop’s permission to confirm a candidate during a Full Profession of Faith at a
Permission to confirm Read Post »
Q: An old Bishop explained to me that the usual rule when it comes to identifying a Sunday within a
Q: This year as the First Sunday of Lent falls on a long weekend in Australia, we plan to transfer
Q: When the new English translation for the Order of Baptism for Children comes out, will the new US appendix
Order of Baptism for Children Read Post »
Q: Is it correct that formerly the rubrics instructed the priest and Eucharistic ministers to hold the host with the
Distributing communion Read Post »
Q: Is it permissible to use food essence to colour holy water blue so a person knows the water is
Q: What is the current thinking about a priest saying a private Mass with no one to respond to the
Q: Can you recommend daily Advent reflections? == A: My friends at Celebration magazine are offering a daily email meditation.
Advent reflections Read Post »
Q: I ran across this on a blog recently: In the event that Immaculate Conception falls on a Saturday, “In
Holy Day on Saturday Read Post »
Q: The Director of Liturgy and Music at the parish where I am the new associate is insisting that the
Proclaiming the Gospel at Christmas Read Post »
Q: As I understand it, the Lectionary readings for marriage prior to the reforms of Vatican II were Ephesians 5:20-33
Lectionary readings for marriage Read Post »
Q: For weddings, is the Liturgy of the Word restricted to the texts listed in the OCM or are other
Q: In your book, One Love, you state that the Nuptial Blessings now include “an invocation for the Holy Spirit
Q: The Book of Blessings implies that there is no recitation of the creed when the Advent Wreath to be
Blessing the Advent Wreath Read Post »
Q: I have a question on the old Roman Ritual book which was published in 1946. Is this book still
Many older Catholics and their non-practicing children/ grandchildren call at the last minute for a priest to administer the Last
Q: Are there any specific guidelines concerning appropriate Mass intentions. I’m thinking about an intention like, “for the intentions of
Q: I am asking you to suggest a good book to help parents for the Baptism of their child and
Baptism and Wedding Books Read Post »
Q: On the topic of “the priest’s communion” it seems odd to me that the priest would receive communion first.
The Priest’s communion Read Post »
Q: If a conference of bishops has decided not to include the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High
Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest Read Post »
Q: May we include the Fatima prayer when reciting the rosary? == A: The prayer was included in the description
Q: We have invited a Vietnamese priest to celebrate Mass on an upcoming weekday. A member of our community has
Mass for the Vietnamese Martyrs – Updated Read Post »
Q: I understand that the local ordinary may bestow the apostolic blessing with plenary indulgence within his own territory three
Apostolic blessing Read Post »
Q: My priest has the server ring the bell when he (the priest) receives communion. Is that correct? == A:
Priest’s communion Read Post »
Q: I am curious about why the New Testament 2nd readings in the lectionary are attributed to St. Paul, St.
Announcing the readings Read Post »
Q: I have a couple inquiring about a wedding Mass next Saturday, November 2, 2019. If I am reading my
Wedding Mass on All Souls Read Post »
Q: I wonder if you might be able to share any insights regarding the design of reconciliation rooms or confessionals
Reconciliation rooms Read Post »
Q: May I celebrate a mass for the dead on a day when there is an obligatory Memorial? == A:
Q: I have been approached by a university student who was baptized Catholic. She received Communion and was Confirmed in
Reentering the Church Read Post »
Q: If members of the entrance procession are carrying something (a rose), do they reverence the altar or keep the
Entrance Procession Read Post »
Q: Our Latin teacher asked me about what “Lord of hosts” means. I told him I thought it meant Lord
Q: Our parish would like to have a Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe on the Sunday before December 12.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Read Post »
Q: When the Monstrance is placed on the altar for adoration should a corporal be placed under the Monstrance? Should
Monstrance and corporal Read Post »
Q: In a recent article in our parish bulletin, a staff member was writing on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In
Words of Absolution Read Post »
Q: The customer called me regarding the entrance antiphon for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Within your will, O
“Circle of heaven” Read Post »
Q: If we have relics exposed for veneration on the feast of a saint, when do they get incensed? ==
Relics on the feast of a saint Read Post »
Q: I have had several requests to use the song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, as a hymn and
Q: When will this new edition of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults be available? Will there be any
Order of Christian Initiation Read Post »
Q: I was sharing your recent post with someone and they had a different opinion on the matter. They state….
Postures during the eucharistic prayer Read Post »
Q: Your bulletin insert, for 10/14/18, on the Rosary is great. Each day for many years I have said 4
Q: What choices does the Presider have for a Communion prayer during the week? Some presiders always use the prayer
Q: Is it permissible in place of pure olive oil to use oils associated with a particular country as a
Source of liturgical oils Read Post »
Q: Please alert me to liturgical documents that encourage silence at various intervals throughout Mass and other liturgical celebrations. ==
Q: What do you think of the proposal for Catholics in the US to stand for the second half of
Standing for the eucharistic prayer Read Post »
I was asked today: Can we place flowers “under” the altar? Ours is free standing. == I would say yes.
Flowers under the altar Read Post »
Q: My question relates to participation of lectors in the entrance procession at Sunday Mass. Our parish does not have
Lectors in the entrance procession Read Post »
Q: How many godparents are you supposed to have for baptisms? I was under the impression that cannon law states
Q: Tonight, after mass, a man came to me with some questions on why we have 2 forms of today’s
2 forms of the same text Read Post »
Q: This was asked of my by one of our priests: When is the first instance in the Eucharistic
Eucharistic Prayer mentioning a Pope Read Post »
Q: Can you tell me the proper rubrics for incensing- or not doing so- when there is an urn instead
Incensation of the urn Read Post »
Q: Is there an authorized version of Holy Communion Outside of Mass that we can purchase that uses the post 2011 texts?
Holy Communion Outside of Mass Read Post »
Q: Not a question, but a comment on the latest post concerning Funeral Vigils. When I am asked to preside
Q: I went to St. Meinrad as a Theology Student. The monks would do various night vespers and candlelight processions
Visiting a cemetery on All Souls Read Post »
Q: What would you like to see the Australian 2020 Plenary Council address about our Catholic liturgy: my concerns include
Australian 2020 Plenary Council Read Post »
Q: Please clarify when the Children’s Eucharistic Prayers may be used. I am increasingly concerned about the user friendliness of
Children’s Eucharistic Prayers Read Post »
Q: I continue to read your blog with great interest and gratitude. In a beautiful Abbey where I celebrate Mass
Liturgical rubrics Read Post »
Q: What is your opinion regarding these two announcements from our Parish Bulletin. We have one monthly Sunday Children’s Mass.
Children as Lectors Read Post »
Q: I saw on Facebook your posting for your latest book “Scripture Backgrounds for the Sunday Lectionary”. Can you educate
Scripture Backgrounds Read Post »
Q: I am reading your book Light in the Darkness … having recently revised the diocesan directives for funerals. Hopefully
Q: is it possible for an individual to be fully initiated to the faith during their Matrimony Liturgy? Could they
Initiation during a matrimony liturgy Read Post »
Q: We celebrate baptisms during mass at our parish. Is it alright for our Permanent Deacon to baptize during mass,
Deacons baptizing during mass Read Post »
Q: I know that in the past only sacramental wine from church-approved sources with no additives, tannins was allowed for
Q: After reading your response to a recent blog posting regarding the use of Funeral Rites, I have a question.
Q: I will appreciate your guidance in effort to not only establish unity among our lay leaders of prayer but
Lay leaders of prayer Read Post »
Q: My understanding is that we may not have catholic funeral rites for someone who will not be either buried
Q: Are the faithful to strike the breast three times during the Confiteor? In the January 2012 Newsletter from the
Q: What are your thoughts on adding prayers after communion such as the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel that
Prayers after communion Read Post »
Q: When we bring the incense to the Celebrant prior to the gospel, if the Celebrant is a bishop, he
Incense prior to the gospel Read Post »
Q: I’ve received a request to set up 40 Hours Devotion here at my parish. As I have never seen
Q: At mass with a bishop, when there are 2 deacons, which one of them handles the Universal Prayer? ==
Mass with a Bishop – 2 deacons – Universal Prayer Read Post »
Q: At mass with the bishop, when there are two deacons, the deacon of the word sets the book of
Mass with a Bishop – 2 deacons – procession Read Post »
Q: Are we permitted to celebrate St. Teresa of Calcutta at Mass on September 5? == A: Yes. She is
St. Teresa of Calcutta Read Post »
Q: I am assisting at a wedding Mass this weekend, and it seems that there may have been a misunderstanding
Readings for a wedding Read Post »
Q: Is there a required percentage for alcohol in altar wine? I’ve heard it has to be between 5 and
Q: Please forgive me for imposing on you as I know you are one of the busiest people around, but
Daily Mass questions Read Post »
Q: There was a question that came up in regards to the pastoral application of Redemptionis Sacramentum #92 which states:
Walking off with the host Read Post »
Q: Does one use all three readings for a feast day on a weekday mass, for example the Feast of
Readings on a weekday feast Read Post »
Q: On December 8th of this year will be a Saturday and the Holy Day of Obligation as the Immaculate
Immaculate Conception in 2018 Read Post »
Q: I just noticed that it might require the Pope’s permission for me to celebrate 3 Masses on ordinary weekdays:
Permission to celebrate 3 Masses Read Post »
Q: We have a new rector at our parish who allows the sacristans to purify the vessels after Mass. He
Purifying question Read Post »
Q: As the liturgist of a large parish we often receive requests for a Pulpit Talk that is given after
Q: I was at a meeting today of Adult Faith Formation/RCIA Leaders and we were talking about the talk that
Receiving candidates Read Post »
Q: Question regarding Eucharistic adoration in a different location immediately following daily mass: After mass in the nave, Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic adoration Read Post »
A: Just a question of terms and capitalization because our publication follows a newspaper style and AP style. In an
Q: In my previous parish, in the entrance procession the pastor wanted the Book of Gospels carried just before the
Entrance procession Read Post »
Q: Is there a guide/translation for doing children’s liturgies that I could find somewhere? Having a hard time sifting through
Liturgies with children Read Post »
Q: I am a permanent deacon. I really enjoyed your talk last February. My question is about the deacon’s role
Deacon’s role in distributing Holy Communion Read Post »
Q: Is a wedding service – not Mass on the solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul allowed to be conducted? And
Wedding service on a solemnity Read Post »
Q: May the Extraordinary Ministers place the consecrated hosts not consumed at Mass in the Tabernacle? == A: I treated
Hosts in the tabernacle Read Post »
Q: I have a friend from another state. His daughter married a military man, and they have a baby. They
Baptizing away from the home parish Read Post »
Q: Are there any other times during the year (besides Dedication anniversary and titular saints annuversary) that the Dedication candles
Dedication candles Read Post »
Q: Father, liturgically, is it ok to have adoration with benediction before mass? Or do we do it rightly after
Exposition and Benediction Read Post »
Q: After communion, the vessels are purified either at the altar, the credence table, or the sacristy. Is there a
Purifying the vesseles Read Post »
Q: At an ordination Mass, where you really have only three deacons performing some of the actions of the liturgy,
Q: Is it still permissible for the priest to wear a maniple? === A: Here’s a bulletin insert I wrote
Q: May I use some of the gestures and procedures from the pre-Vatican II missal while celebrating the post-Vatican II
NOTE: This is a follow-up to the blog post from yesterday. Q: Thank you. It’s still confusing to me, as
Genuflection – follow up Read Post »
Q: Part of GIRM #274 says, “A genuflection…is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament,” and goes on to note that