Q: Should angels be mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayers on their memorial days or feasts? I mean, should they be mentioned in the place where the names of the saints are usually mentioned on their memorial days?  == A: I wouldn’t say they “should” be added. But I don’t see a problem with it if they are. The inclusion of the name of any saint in those few Eucharistic Prayers is optional. Angels are included in litanies of the saints, so they are invoked as saints are.  But, of course, they get a shout-out in every preface.

Q: I am reading your book, “Eucharistic Reservation.” Thank you for the book. The background (history) that you provide is very interesting, and the commentary very helpful. On p. 46 you state: “The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours says that a presider who is not a priest ‘is only one among equals and does not enter the sanctuary or greet and bless the people’ (258).” When I looked this up, however, I found: “258. In the absence of a priest or deacon, the one who presides at the office is only one among equals and does not …

Q: Dear Fr Paul, greetings (once again!) from the UK!  A priest colleague has just moved, and has now begun his ministry in a new parish. He has inherited there a curious custom of two ambos: one for most of the Liturgy of the Word and notices etc, and one solely for the Gospel. I presume the idea of separating the elements of the L of the W like this is a hangover from the old rite and I understand the desire to somehow promote and exalt the Gospel by treating it differently (as we already do in the liturgy)… …

Q: I enjoy reading your liturgical works. I am planning and MCing for an Ordination to the Priesthood, which takes place on a Sunday.  May I ask, When should the Creed be recited? After the Kiss of Peace? Many thanks, == A: Thanks for following my work. I covered this on p.194 of my book, Present for God’s Call: An Overview of the Rites of Institution and Ordination. See nos. 138 and 166 of the Ordination ritual. I’m not sure if Canada has the most recent version as we do in the US, but that’s where it explains that the Profession of …

I’ve been browsing your blog and found lots of useful info on this, but still have some specific questions.  One of my parish pastors has been offering Communion during Mass in 2 ways – he and the Deacon in the main line give by way of intinction (on the tongue), and then an extraordinary minister gives just the body in a separate line for those that wish to receive in the hand. Lately, the “in the hand” line has not been offered, making me think that it’s an attempt to force the entire congregation to receive on the tongue. Is …

Q: With the Missal not saying a peep about a Closing Hymn I can still see some practical value in a Closing Hymn as it allows the priest and deacon to depart without there being a mad rush.  That said I dont love minimizing tbe Deacon’s “go in peace” by then not going in peace and instead staying to sing.  Having said that have you seen a different example or two of how the “no closing hymn” practice can still lead to calmness after the Deacon’s final words.  == A: I think the best practice is an instrumental recessional. I …

Q: I know the rules for urns with ashes can be present for a celebration of a funeral Mass but I’ve never heard the reason why a small pall cannot be placed over them.  If it is assumed that the ashes contain the whole body, why not the recognition that the body in cremated form was baptised as well? == A: OCF 434 says, “The covering of the cremated remains with a pall is omitted.” But it does not explain why. The reason is probably related to the preceding paragraphs that frequently say we avoid using prayers that refer to …

Q: I hope this email finds you well.  I have a question.  I know that white vestments are used during the liturgy during Easter, Christmas, various solemnities and holy days and funerals.  However, can white be worn during ordinary time to honor a specific localized event.  For instance, if residents in the parish neighborhood are recently murdered and the communion service/mass is celebrated to recognize the tragedy and honor the victims?  If the State executes an individual and the liturgy is celebrated to remember the victim? If not white, would any other color be ok?  Red?  Black (to emphasize mourning)?  Thanks …

Q: Thanks so much for all your posts. They are very helpful in ministry. The question I have is as follows. I know the norm for a Funeral Mass is to have the body present. While attending a presentation on end of life issues, the presenter stated that if cremains are present at the Mass it is considered a Memorial Mass and not a Funeral Mass. I thought the rite allowed for when cremains are present at a Mass that it would be considered a Funeral Mass and not a Memorial Mass. Can you explain/clarify? == A: Thanks for your comments …

Q: Is there anything liturgically amiss about an urn with cremated remains being placed in a casket for the celebration of a funeral Mass, after which the urn would be removed from the casket for interment in a columbarium? In other words, the body has been cremated before the funeral, but instead of an urn being the visible container during the funeral, a casket containing an urn is the visible container. Would a pall still be prohibited by the rubrics in such a case because there isn’t a body, only cremated remains? == A: I don’t know of any legislation …