Paul Turner’s Catholic Liturgy Blog

Catholic funeral mass

Q:  We create worship aids for funerals, and on the front we have put “Mass of Christian Burial.” Was that and is that the correct terminology? What if there has been cremation and the remains are not being buried right away. What do you call the mass?

A:  The liturgical books call it “Funeral Mass” in all instances. I’m not sure where the expression “Mass of Christian Burial” originated, but it is not in the liturgical books. And as you point out, it does not always precede a burial. The term may have come about to distinguish this service from a “Memorial Mass,” a term commonly used to describe a mass following burial. But that term isn’t in the liturgical books either. Just “Funeral Mass” and “Mass for the Dead.”

 

Saxophone at Mass

Q:  I saw a comment on PBS Newshour this evening stating “in 1903 Pope Pius X banned the saxophone from sacred music, the ban has never been lifted”.  What is considered sacred music and/or what would be the typical venue for sacred music?

A:  Actually, I think it’s safe to say that the ban has been lifted. I admit I’m not a canonist, but here’s what GIRM 393 says, and this replaces previous legislation: “While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be admitted into divine worship in the Dioceses of the United States of America, according to longstanding local usage, in so far as these are truly suitable for sacred use, or can be made suitable.”

Blessing children during Communion

Q:  I have a question regarding blessing children and non-Catholics during Communion. Is this allowed? It has been a practice in Catholic parishes across the country for many years.  Searching the Internet, there are arguments for both – yes and no.
Regarding “no,” some say:
  • only a priest can give a blessing
  • the focus needs to be God – not making everyone in the whole family feel good
  • it is not in the rubrics and should not be added
 Regarding “yes,” some say
  • In recent years (for the past 100 years or so) since both parents are coming up, they hold their baby or their toddler is with them; so it is natual to extend a blessing
  • Regarding lay persons giving blessings, parents have given blessings to their own children for years
  • Regarding the blessing to both children and non-Catholics, the blessing is a sign that one day they will join us at the table of the Lord – so it is preparing the child remotely and helping the non-Catholic to understand the desire for unity one day
 What are your thoughts and understanding on this?
A:  I treated this question in the second edition of Let Us Pray: A Guide to the Rubrics of Sunday Mass because of a new document since the first edition. The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments sent a private letter – not an official statement – on the matter in 2008. They frowned on the practice because of the liturgical blessing at the end of mass, that lay people should not give blessings during the course of mass, handlaying is not appropriate in this context, pastors should not perform potentially confusing ceremonies for those who are divorced and remarried, and that Catholics under penalties of canon 915 and non-Catholics should not approach communion nor receive a blessing. Again, it’s not official, but it tells the mind of the Congregation.

Personally, I do not like blessings in the communion line because it confuses the purpose of communion and because there is a blessing at the end of mass. But if someone approaches me at communion with arms crossed, I will trace the sign of the cross on their forehead, saying nothing, and I ask lay ministers of communion in my parish to do the same. Parents may do this during mass at baptism, so I don’t see the problem with others doing it during mass.
If I refuse to give blessings, I look like a really bad guy. If I give them, it offends my liturgical sensibilities.
It is a no-win situation, no matter what you do or don’t do. I predict we’ll never see anything official on this from the Vatican or the USCCB for that reason.

Weekday Communion Service

Q:  I need to begin soon once a week a weekday Communion Service with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Where can I find the latest texts for this?

A:  The book is called Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass. http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/products/118 As you’ll see, there is no communion service with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s either one or the other.

Baptism on a weekday

Q:  My Niece asked me to Baptize her newborn son. But due to their relatives coming in town with short time visiting, they would like to do it on a Friday.  I know in the canon law was recommend to have it done on Sunday.  Is it still OK to do it on the date per their request, Father?

A:  Yes, Deacon, you may baptize on any day of the week. The Rite of Baptism for Children (9) suggests Easter Vigil or any Sunday, but it does not limit baptism to those days. 

Grail translations

Q:  In the recent editions of the GIA Hymnbooks, the psalms are the new Grail translations. Are these translations permitted for use at Mass?

A:  Yes, the revised Grail is now approved for the US. Eventually it will find its way into all our liturgical books. A few psalms are already in the missal. More are in the Order of Celebrating Matrimony.

 

Seasonal limitations

Q:  What sacrament celebrations can / cannot / should not take place during Advent and Lent.  Couldn’t find the exact information…

Is the following accurate?

SEASONAL LIMITATIONS:

Advent: no Gloria, keep Alleluia; no Confirmations; Discourage baptisms, marriages and First Communions

Lent: No Gloria, no Alleluia (substitute choice from # 223 in the Lectionary);  discourage baptisms, marriages; no Confirmations, no First Communions

Can you help us?

A:  The rule for the Gloria is in GIRM 53 – said on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent.

The rule for no Alleluia during Lent is in GIRM 62b.
Baptisms and confirmations may not be celebrated during the weekdays of Holy Week. That’s in the 1988 Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts from the Congregation for Divine Worship.
The Missal says that sacraments may not be celebrated on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, except for penance and anointing of the sick. So that would include marriage.
I know of no restrictions on first communion.
Some parishes discourage sacraments at the times of year you mention, but they are acting on their own There is no universal prohibition.

 

Liturgical and Proper calendars

Q:  Please describe the difference between the Liturgical and Proper calendars available from USCCB site.

A:  The proper calendar indicates the dates that are unique to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. These need not appear in other episcopal conferences in the same way.

The liturgical calendar incorporates the proper calendar into the general calendar so that it is easy to follow in the US.

 

Dedication of a Church

Q:  May the Dedication of a Church take place on the patronal feast day of that same community?

A:  The third appendix of the Ceremonial of Bishops has a chart governing ritual masses and other masses. It states that ritual masses are not permitted on solemnities.

The Order of the Dedication of a Church says in paragraph 7 that the dedication cannot take place on a day when it is improper to disregard the mystery being celebrated. It then names the Triduum, Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension, Pentecost, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and All Souls. Paragraph 8 says that the proper prayers from the ritual mass are to be used for the liturgy of the word and eucharist.

In short, the Ceremonial of Bishops is more restrictive than the order of dedication itself. To be on the safe side, I’d take the advice from the Ceremonial of Bishops.

There is a practical advantage to separating these events, as you know. The parish patronal feast is actually a solemnity for that parish, as is the anniversary of the day of dedication. It is kinder to the parish to choose a day that has no other conflict on the calendar for its dedication day so that the community may celebrate it appropriately in the years to come.