Q: As we are approaching the time for the Chrism Mass, I am curious to know if there is any order for the procession of concelebrant priests, at the Chrism Mass particularly, and in any stational or pontifical Mass in general. I have heard some people saying that the order of the procession of priests when the bishop is there is according to the seniority in the ordination. Others think that it is according to the height for a good harmony. Some others think that it does not matter as long as those with some responsibilities in the diocese are …

Q: The entrance procession is described in General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. 122, including. “As for the candlesticks, these are placed on the altar or near it.” But I cannot find a video on YouTube where this happens. Videos have lit candles on or near the altar before Mass begins and processional candles are put somewhere else. It seems efficient to have candles in the entrance procession, put on the altar, used for the Gospel procession, returned to the altar and carried out in the final procession. But neither efficiency nor obedience of the Roman Missal have prevailed. …

Q: I talked with a retired bishop who says his understanding is that when the new translation of the Mass was released in England and Wales in the 1970’s, the English bishops were given an indult to pray the Hail Mary at the end of the Universal prayers in recognition of the long Marian tradition and spirituality in this country. Must admit that I was unaware of this but thought you might have some thoughts about it. == A: I did some more homework on this. In 1973 the bishops of England and Wales asked the Holy See to approve concluding …

Q: All the faithful renew Baptismal Promises at Easter and priests renew their Priestly Promises at the Chrism Mass.   Why can’t married couples renew their consent (marriage vows)?    Asking for a friend.  == A: Because the consent effects the sacrament of marriage. That’s not true of baptism or ordination. The consent of married couples is unique.

Q: A priest of our diocese died. They want to have the funeral Mass in the town where he died. There is also this desire to move him to a nearby Diocese and have another Funeral Mass and then the body is supposed to be buried in our diocese but close to the other diocese. Would two funeral Masses with the body present be permissible? In my research, all I found was the assumption that there should only be one Funeral Mass. Any information or guidance you could give me would be greatly appreciated. == A: My condolences to your …

Q: Hi Father: Does the Deacon receive a blessing before proclaiming the Palm Sunday Gospel before the procession? Sorry if I missed this rubric. == A: The deacon proclaims that gospel in the usual way, according to the rubric. I haven’t watched the Vatican’s televised Holy Week in several years, but my notes from past years indicates that even there the deacon receives a blessing before proclaiming the gospel of Palm Sunday before the procession.

Q: I remember that you said that you didn’t see the last blog question that I sent and subsequently retracted. I later sent a question about whether a priest concelebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper could/should be one of the people whose feet are washed. I just wanted to see if you saw that one. == A: I did not see that question. This has me worried. Another writer told me his question went unanswered. I never saw it. We’re considering a change in host for my website. Hope that clears this up. A concelebrating priest could have his …

Q: I have a random question. By chance do you know from where the final prayer for Morning Prayer on Holy Thursday comes? I may not be recalling correctly, but I vaguely remember from my Lit of the Hours class that the final prayers are often taken from The Sacramentary. This one of course doesn’t appear–or at least in searching the PDF I found online, it didn’t pop up. That led me to wonder where it’s from since the only Mass on that Thursday morning is Chrism. == A: It appears to be a hybrid. The second half of it …

Q: What is the origin of the congregation reading parts of the Passion Narrative and do you think it’s a good thing? My view is that this is ‘false participation’ – that the role of the congregation is to listen to the word proclaimed. I am intrigued about its origins. My assumption is that the use of C in people’s booklets was equated with Congregation as the same letter was used for Congregational responses in the Order of Mass. I was interested to see reference to the practice (and discouraging it) in Gabe Huck’s Three Days. And also reference in …

Q: I am writing to you about Exposition, Adoration, Benediction, and Reposition. Here at my parish we are offering Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I Exposed the monstrance at the end of morning mass and there is a time of Adoration… for a few hours. During Adoration there can be a time of silence, prayer, vespers, sermon, or some such…  When the time comes for “the conclusion,” it is my understanding that, if an ordained minister is present, after an appropriate prayer, there is Benediction – and then Reposition follows immediately. Some have inquired about a Benediction at 7 PM… then more …