I haven’t figured out how to put this on my YouTube channel, but here’s a talk I gave to an RCIA group at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe KS. About an hour long.  It takes up the baptismal themes of priest, prophet and king. Especially priest. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106864801/Fr.%20Paul%20Turner…Priest%2%20Prophet%20and%20King.mov

Q:  In the United States, in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, i.e. RCIA 51, do we ever replace the first acceptance of the Gospel with the rite of exorcism and renunciation of false worship? A:  The US bishops have left this to the discretion of the diocesan bishop (RCIA 33.2). Both the exorcism and renunciation of false worship were part of the preconciliar rite. But they implied that every unbaptized person was engaged in false worship, which is not true. The Latin original of the RCIA presumes that a conference of bishops would decide as a whole …

Q:  We are debating about the communion at Good Friday. It would indeed seem that the Missal assumes that it will be offered. Are we obliged? A:  Yes. Throughout history the communion rite for Good Friday has come and gone, but it is here, and the faithful should expect to have communion offered to them.

Q:   I have been reading your book, In These or Similar Words, and have found it very helpful. I have one question though: On page 23 as you begin the chapter “In Similar Words,” you write, “The 1973 letter cited above explicitly added the introductions to the penitential act and the Lord’s Prayer. It did not exclude from consideration the invitation to the sign of peace or to Communion” (emphasis mine).  However, you never discussed either the invitation to the sign of peace nor the invitation to  Communion.  My question is: which category do they fall into: the “these” or …

Q:  Can a deacon be the presider at the Good Friday Service or must a priest be the presider? A:  The Roman Missal now says that this liturgy may not be celebrated in the absence of a priest (Good Friday, #4). This clarification appears only in the editions published in the United States. Nonetheless, I do believe that it faithfully represents the intent of this liturgy.

Q:  People don’t know when to say “Amen” during a solemn blessing. How could this be made clearer? A:  Each community is different. If the solemn blessing is used each week, people will get used to it. Another way is to sing it. Or to announce the response before beginning. It isn’t easy.

Q:  I’ve worked for priests who call the Prayer after Communion the Closing Prayer… Does it matter? A:  Yes, it matters. Its theme is always connected to the communion we have received, not to the dismissal that lies ahead.

Q:  “Lord I am not worthy” seems like another penitential rite. We’ve already done that. At the beginning. A:  At many times, the prayers of the mass remind us of our place before God. We are God’s beloved children, but God is our God. Certainly a different prayer could be said, but this one, based on the story of the centurion, aims to help us reflect on the seriousness of what we are about to do. There are many references to healing in both the daily and seasonal prayers. There is a close linguistic connection between healing and salvation. The prayers …

Q:  Our priest celebrates mass with a second cross on the altar. I wonder why there is the duplication of crosses. GIRM 122 seems to be clear that a single cross is to be used…which is why the processional cross is put away – not visible to the assembly after the opening procession.  A:  With regard to the altar cross,  GIRM 117 calls for a cross on or near the altar, and you’re right that GIRM 122 presumes that only one cross remains in the sanctuary for the mass. When incense is used, that cross is to be incensed. Pope …

Q:  Some people insist that 6 candles should be used on the altar at Sunday Masses because it is a Solemnity as indicated in the GIRM. However, GIRM 117 and CB 128 says 2, 4 or 6 candles MAY be used on or near the altar especially for Sundays and Holy days.  For a Mass celebrated by the Bishop, 7 candles should be used. Are 6 required for Sunday mass?   A:  GIRM 117 and CB 128 seem more interested in 2 candles as a minimum. The GIRM permits 4 or 6, and it says “especially” for Sundays and Holy …