Q: I know that the USCCB asked that the dialogue “You have given them bread from heaven / Having all sweetness within it” be included in the new HCWEMOM, but such permission was not given. At the same time, what is listed in that chapter of HCWEMOM is more outline than a strictly prescribed liturgy. So, by the omission, should we conclude that we OUGHT not include the dialogue, or MUST not include it? Likewise, HCWEMOM speaks of incorporating the MAJOR hours of the LOH into the period of adoration, and offers some guidance re: the final blessing. Is there …

Q: At my parish in Australia, I have been asked to justify having a night Mass on Christmas Eve (9.30 pm not midnight, given parish demographics). This night time Mass attracts only small numbers. This does not overly concern me, as tiring as it will be to preside at 5 masses across 16 hours in four churches. Other parish Masses are at 5 pm Christmas Eve (family Mass) and on Christmas morning (including a popular beachside Mass). I believe it is important to have a night time Mass, and would like clear theological and liturgical reasons to support my conviction, other than …

Q: In the new missal, at the penitential at, Option C –  is it permissible to use other tropes besides the ones in the missal? e.g.  Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to life, Lord Have Mercy.   Over the years I think lots of priests often made up their own.   Possibly a fine use of the expressions “using these or similar words” == A: In my book Let Us Pray, I correctly state this about the tropes found in the Order of Mass and in the sixth appendix of the missal: “All these invocations in the Missal …

Q: Is the reading of the Passion “in parts” on Palm Sunday and Good Friday unique to the US and/or English-speaking world (an adaptation), or does it extend to other parts of the world as well (part of the editio typica of the lectionary)? == A: There’s a long tradition about assigning the Passion to three deacons. The divisions are not noted in the typical edition of the lectionary, and I’m not sure where they come from. My copies of lectionaries from Germany and France are several decades old, but they do have parts assigned to different readers as we …

Q: Hello father have a question: during the offertory, what side should the wine be taken to the alter.==A: There’s no rule on this. It can go either way.

Q: May a Funeral Mass be celebrated for a Christian who is not Catholic? This situation is not listed among the reasons why the rite outside of Mass might be used.  I know that tradition seems to have been that only a Catholic would have the “benefit” of a Mass being celebrated for them.  However, all of the language in the General Introduction speaks of the deceased as being a Christian. Thank you for clarifying. == A: Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/non-catholic-funeral/

Q: Thank you Fr. Paul for your help.  Is there any way that we can use 2 readings for this  celebration as is done in Mexico? Can the pastor or bishop allow it according to liturgical law? == A: I’m not sure what this means, but GIRM 357 says, “If, however, according to the norms a Feast is raised to the rank of a Solemnity, a third reading is added, and this is taken from the Common.” Honestly, if a feast is raised to a solemnity, then it’s not a feast any more. So this could mean something like celebrating …

Q: Are there any guidelines for the lighting of the consecration candles in a Church.  We light ours on the anniversary of the dedication of our Abbey Church, and we have lit them for various solemnities (e.g., the titular of our monastery).  But, I haven’t come across any guidance on this matter.  Thank you for your help and common sense advice. == A: Thanks for your comments on my work. Here’s a previous post that you may find helpful: https://paulturner.org/lighting-dedication-candles/

Q: We are praying Vespers during a Holy Hour on the Sunday evenings of Advent. 1)  would we wear a stole the color of the Liturgical Season? Or a white stole because of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction?2) After the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the monstrance on the altar, we sing “O Salutaris Hostia.” We then begin “God, come to my asssistance.” In the past, we simply made a sign of the cross while saying this. Recently, at other parishes, the presider is beginning with “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” …

Q: I am happy to note that you are again taking an online module of our Taking Liturgy Seriously course. Am looking forward to it.  A couple of questions about the Christmas Proclamation, if I may.  May it only be sung before the ‘Midnight’ Mass or, in a parish that doesn’t have a Midnight Mass, may it be sung before the earlier Vigil Mass?  Is it appropriate for the Proclamation to be sung from the Ambo?  Many thanks.  == A: Nice to hear from you, and I look forward to the module with you all. My copy of your Missal …