Q:  The word ‘sacrifice’ in ordinary American English means to ‘give up.’  It is ALWAYS difficult to explain how the Church uses this word.  Am I clear that a synonym for it would be ‘offering?’ If not, please give me a simple synonym for sacrifice. A:  “Offering” works.  The word “sacrifice” is used quite a bit in contemporary conversation.  Some soldiers pay the “ultimate sacrifice.”  Parents sacrifice for their children.  Even baseball has two types of sacrifice (bunt and fly).

The following were added to www.paulturner.org: Homilies in both English and Spanish for the Sundays in ordinary time. Five new Workshops were given. Several new Blog Posts were posted.   

Q:  The Roman Canon refers to “Abel the just,” which is quoting Jesus in Matthew 23:35. But is Matthew 23:35 ever heard in our readings from the lectionary? A:  Interesting point. Matthew 23:35 is not anywhere in the lectionary. But the first Eucharistic prayer in quite old, and I do believe that people should be challenged to develop biblical literacy – even beyond the lectionary. 

Q:  Why does the priest say in a low voice, “Blessed are you…” A:  These prayers may be said out loud. The original thought was that they’d read in a low voice only if the people were singing, but that recommendation got lost. Private prayers of the priest are preconciliar, but they are not dialogues, so they have been kept quiet. 

Q:  Why does the gospel-reader say quietly “Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away?” Why is it his prayer private? A:  These prayers have always been designed this way. Most of them date back to the middle ages. They remind the priest and/or deacon that they are to be at humble prayer especially at critical points of the liturgy.

Q:  Do we need the Gloria at every mass in Ordinary Time? A:  If you mean Sunday mass, yes, the Gloria is always to be included at mass on Ordinary Time Sundays – though not necessarily on weekdays.

Q:  The anniversary of the dedication of our cathedral is on February 22, the Chair of St. Peter. As a solemnity at the cathedral, does it take precedence? A:  Yes, but only at the cathedral. The other parishes of the diocese celebrate the Chair of Peter on February 22 and move the anniversary of the cathedral’s dedication to the 23rd because that day is a memorial in the parishes, and the Chair of Peter is a feast.

Paul, I read your blog response no. 28 regarding foot washing on Holy Thursday and if the person who sent that inquiry wants to see this action, there is a VHS Series entitled “Liturgies of the Paschal Triduum” authored by LTP [1999 copyright] .  The one on Holy Thursday addresses the way that St. Ignatius University Church in St Louis pulled off the multiple foot washings.  I am not sure if the videos are still available.  Perhaps, someone may have a copy around.

Q:  #372 lists the days when a ritual Mass is not permitted. The Saturday after Easter is one and the 2nd Sunday of Easter is a Solemnity. Does this mean that a ritual Mass is not permitted at an evening wedding on that Saturday? A:  Yes.  There may be a wedding at mass, but the presider is supposed to read the presidential prayers from the Sunday mass at that evening celebration.  It also means that the readings are from the lectionary for that Sunday, but one reading may be replaced with a reading from the wedding lectionary.  The wedding takes …

Q:  I just started in a new parish as liturgy director. I’ve been told by parishioners that it has been the”tradition” here to have the priest wash a few people’s feet and then those go and wash other’s feet, and so on and so on. I don’t think this is allowed is it?  Though I don’t know if it is specifically addressed or prohibited.  I’ve organized many triduums but I have never encountered a parish that did this. I hope to have my facts straight before I discuss it with our priest. A:  The practice does exist in a few parishes …