Striking the breast and bowing

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Q:  if an assembly stands during the entire Eucharistic Prayer and bows during the two times that the presider does within the prayer, after the elevation of the Body of Christ, and Blood of Christ … are people to strike the breast as they did a while back, after “do this in memory of me”?  I sometimes see people doing both, striking the breast and making a profound bow…isn’t bowing enough?  Could you share any history on this? A:   There has never been a rubric for people striking their breast during the elevation, nor for them to lower their heads. The rubrics are quite scant when it comes to …

Sign of the cross during Eucharistic Prayer I

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Q:  During Eucharistic Prayer I, when the sign of the cross is made by the presider, is it intended for the entire assembly to do so as well?  Is there any history that you could share about this? A:   The rubric in Prayer I says that the presider “signs himself with the Sign of the Cross.”  I know of no history where the assembly does this as well.

And with your spirit

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Q:   We’re using the Catholicism series by Robert Barron.  In the one on Eucharist he says that the reason to say “And with your spirit” is because it’s a response to the persona of Christ in which the priest is acting.  Is that your read on the meaning of the change of translation? A:    No, but it is an interpretation I’ve heard quite a bit, and it was the official stance of the USCCB. My position is that the greeting “The Lord be with you / And with your spirit” is based on biblical passages in the letters of …

Unconfirmed Catholic at a Baptism

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Q.  Can an unconfirmed Catholic serve as a Christian witness at a baptism? A.   An unconfirmed Catholic is not qualified to be a godparent, so someone has to fulfill that role. There is no provision in the law for an unconfirmed Catholic serving as a Christian witness, but it is a logical alternative as long as someone else serves as the godparent. The unconfirmed Catholic could take part in the liturgy with the godparent and pose for photos, but the church record has to indicate one godparent. You could also encourage the unconfirmed Catholic to take the necessary steps …

Priest Washing Hands at Mass

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Q.  Is the priest representing anyone when he washes his hands at mass? A.  No. There’s no connection to Pontius Pilate. The priest is praying that his own sins be washed away. The practice probably began as a way for the priest to wash up after handling the incense.

Saints and Votive Candle Holders

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Q.  There is a parishioner who says you MUST have a picture of a saint behind a votive candle holder.  Is there any teaching that says this? A.   Nope. There is no legislation governing votive candle holders and their relationship to pictures of saints. It would be appropriate, but not necessary.

Living together without marriage requesting sacraments

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Q.  “We have a woman in RCIA with her daughter (who is 18 and not baptized).  The daughter decided to become catholic and so the mother is supporting her by coming to classes with her.  The mother is a baptized catholic but was never confirmed.  She lives with the man with whom she has 4 children including the daughter who decided to become catholic.  They were never married.  Now the mother wants to come back to the catholic church with her daughter at Easter vigil.  My question is can I confirm her at Easter?  Can she be confirmed by the …

Rite of Reconciliation Form II

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Q.  Do you have any written words of wisdom regarding the Rite of Reconciliation Form II?  (where the penitent when confessing sins omits the other parts). A.   I wrote a bulletin insert precisely on this topic in volume 25, No. 6 for Ministry and Liturgy. It’s part of the CD of bulletin inserts. I’ve got one about people leaving the communal celebration early in 31/03. A general one on reconciliation in 22/10. And one on Senior Citizen confessions in 37/03

A New Altar

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Q:  Suppose you have a church that is pretty seriously renovated and gets a new altar. But the parish starts celebrating Mass on the new altar prior to the dedication. Now the bishop is coming. What rite should they use? my understanding is that you cannot dedicate an altar once mass is being said on it (like there is no need to bless a chalice once you have used it for Mass).    The rite is a bit confusing – “What Would Paul Turner Do?“ A:  I’d go ahead and have the bishop do the full dedication as if nothing …