GIRM
Q: Sometimes the General Instruction of the Roman Missal seems to require different things in different places. Three examples are […]
Q: Sometimes the General Instruction of the Roman Missal seems to require different things in different places. Three examples are […]
Q: In the case of lauds or vespers joined to Mass, since the psalmody replaces the penitential act, is it
Q: The Missal recommends that the priest can briefly introduce the Eucharistic Prayer, before the dialogue of the preface, but
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer Read Post »
Q: In preparation for the next month celebration of Corpus Christi, I would like to ask this question earlier:Considering that
Corpus Christi eucharistic procession Read Post »
Q: In the general presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours, No. 123, it says: “The custom of concluding the
Glory to the Father Read Post »
Q: One of the local high schools is looking to do the best in answering the need of both their
Catholic high school OCIA Read Post »
Q: Was reading your blog and have a question… Live in a diocese where the bishop has “mandated” a prayer
Prayer for vocations Read Post »
Q: Here’s a question for you. I serve on the parish Worship Council. Our pastor asked us to discuss ways we
Names of new people Read Post »
Q: Is it permitted to place a cross carried in the entrance procession on the altar? I am trying to
Q: Are there any liturgical directives or rubrics that prescribe specific prayers for clergy to recite while vesting? == A:
Prayers while vesting Read Post »
Q: Father Paul. Thank you for the blog. I look forward to learning something new with each email from you.
Instructions on Sanctuary Candles Read Post »
Q: This is a non-urgent Liturgy of the Hours question. You may have addressed these topics, but my search terms
Liturgy of the Hours question – Update Read Post »
Q: A dilemma with bulletins is that they are often (too) distributed as people ENTER the church for Mass.; some
Bulletin and announcements Read Post »
Q: As a newly ordained permanent deacon I had the task of planning/MC’ing the triduum liturgies at my parish this
Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday Read Post »
Q: At the occasion of ordination of priests or deacons, or priests and deacons together, can other bishops who happen
Ordination of priests or deacons Read Post »
Q: For the Rite of Baptism at the Easter Vigil, while the priest blesses the water, I immerse the Paschal
Rite of Baptism at the Easter Vigil Read Post »
Q: I wonder if I might be amongst the people who have recently submitted questions that have disappeared into the
Pectoral cross and vestments Read Post »
Q: Thank you, as always, for all you say and do to help us be better persons and more knowledgeable
Vigil and funeral readings Read Post »
Q: We are having Confirmation soon and want to know how the chairs should arranged on the altar . The
Proper seating for Concelebrant Read Post »
Q: What ideally is done if I am called to be with family and the deceased after death. == A:
Visiting family after death Read Post »
Q: We are preparing for a Eucharistic Procession that will be about 6 miles in length and 2-3 hours long.
Eucharistic Procession Read Post »
Q: Where is there in any current documentation, the rubric to kiss the stole before wearing it for a deacon,
Q: So, this is something I have always had an issue with: if something is a rubric once, do we
Retention of rubrics Read Post »
Q: I just purchased a used copy of your book, Glory in the Cross after reading the reviews. I believe
Q: Where is it prescribed to add salt to the water when blessing the water in the font at the
Blessing the water Read Post »
Q: Alternate explanation for not having sign of the cross on Good Friday. I seem to remember reading somewhere that
Sign of the Cross on Good Friday Read Post »
Q: A parishioner asked last evening about why we have an Altar of Repose after the Holy Thursday liturgy. Do
Q: Since I heard you speak for the Society of St Gregory, I have followed your answers with great interest,
Q: Father, I have a question on the use of sacred art in a church setting. We are assisting in
Q: Father Paul. Love the blog. Came to it via searching about you after reading your commentary on Adrien Nocent’s
Parish announcements Read Post »
Q: The Liturgy of the Hours rubrics and the Ordo both allow “On weekdays of the fifth week of Lent,
Holy Week hymns in the 5th Week of Lent Read Post »
Q: Dear Father Paul,Sincere thanks for all that you do!Although we are past the Scrutinies for this year, I would
Q: Father, it pains me to say this, but I have seen multiple occasions in which the Precious Blood ended
Spilled Precious Blood Read Post »
Q: As we are approaching the time for the Chrism Mass, I am curious to know if there is any
Procession of concelebrants at Chrism Read Post »
Q: The entrance procession is described in General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. 122, including. “As for the candlesticks,
Candles on the altar Read Post »
Q: I talked with a retired bishop who says his understanding is that when the new translation of the Mass was
Followup on Hail Mary Read Post »
Q: All the faithful renew Baptismal Promises at Easter and priests renew their Priestly Promises at the Chrism Mass. Why
Renewal of marriage vows Read Post »
Q: A priest of our diocese died. They want to have the funeral Mass in the town where he died.
Priest Funeral Mass Read Post »
Q: Hi Father: Does the Deacon receive a blessing before proclaiming the Palm Sunday Gospel before the procession? Sorry if
Palm Sunday Gospel Read Post »
Q: I remember that you said that you didn’t see the last blog question that I sent and subsequently retracted.
Q: I have a random question. By chance do you know from where the final prayer for Morning Prayer on
Morning Prayer on Holy Thursday Read Post »
Q: What is the origin of the congregation reading parts of the Passion Narrative and do you think it’s a
Q: I am writing to you about Exposition, Adoration, Benediction, and Reposition. Here at my parish we are offering Adoration
Q: Why do we not begin or include anywhere the sign of the cross in the Liturgy of the Lord’s
Sign of the cross on Good Friday Read Post »
Q: Thank you for the blog and for your solid guidance, I could not submit this question via the
Liturgy of the Hours Read Post »
Q: At all our Masses this weekend the pastor said we were skipping the 1st reading, psalm w/response, 2nd reading
Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Word Read Post »
Q: Hi Father, sorry to bother you on such a busy week. But, as a deacon, I have a communion
Communion service on Holy Thursday Read Post »
Q: I recently moved to a new diocese and a new Catholic parish. On Holy Thursday they are having a
Holy Thursday processions Read Post »
Q: May someone whose a baptized Catholic and needs only confirmation to complete their sacraments of initiation be confirmed during
Q: Fr. Paul—I know you have a lot on your plate right now (it’s not like you have your own
Q: At a large episcopal celebration, a priest wearing a cassock & surplice, functions as the master of ceremonies. After
Master of ceremonies Read Post »
Q: My question has to do with OCIA and Sunday Scrutinies in a multi campus parish, where the Elect will go
OCIA and Sunday Scrutinies Read Post »
Q: My bishop is in the process of allowing sacristans and extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion who are trained by
Extraordinary ministers Read Post »
Q: I am aware that the Passion Narrative is proclaimed at both the Mass on Palm Sunday (from the Gospel
Passion of John on Good Friday Read Post »
Q: I remember reading somewhere (GIRM?) that the priest is to share part of the host he has consecrated. Am I
Two (minor) questions regarding Holy Thursday have come up: == 1. Yeah, that’s not the CDWDS’s clearest instruction. However, I
Q: I searched your blog archive and found nothing that answered this question, but I apologize if I missed something.
Presentation of Creed and of Our Father Read Post »
Q: What should be done if a 12 year old elect was unable to make it to the first scrutiny?
Q: Hello Fr. Turner, thank you for the reliable assistance in staying faithful to the Roman Missal. Your books and
Kissing the Gospel book Read Post »
Q: Is it correct to conclude the prayer of the faithful with the “Hail Mary”? == A: It is not
Q: Sometimes our bishop asks the deacon to introduce and conclude the prayer of the faithful. Is this practice correct
Prayer of the faithful Read Post »
Q: What would be your reaction when, as master of ceremonies, the bishop instructs before the Mass that the Book
Book of the Gospels Read Post »
Q: At the bilingual Easter Vigil, the pastor would like to do only once the Renunciation of Sin and/or the
Bilingual Easter Vigil Read Post »
Q: Can you remind me again the teaching/expectation of OCIA 575 regarding “deacons” baptism? This action of a “deacon” is
Q: I would like to help us in clarifying something about the reverence to the altar when the tabernacle is
Reverence to the altar Read Post »
Q: I have a question about the instruction in HCWEMOM to wear a white stole/cope during Exposition and Benediction, given
Q: I need some guidance concerning the role of the Deacon. Ash Wednesday, Word Liturgy with distribution of ashes. Lectors
Role of the Deacon Read Post »
Q: We have a large Hispanic population and several Quinceañeras each year. Due to the unavailability of Spanish speaking priests,
Q: I have a situation where a Confirmation Candidate has not received 1st Holy Communion. What would you suggest as
Q: We are going have the Scrutinies soon. We have only 1 unbaptized elect and about 10 candidates. A gentleman
Q: Regarding Ash Wednesday Mass w/distribution of ashes, I only know of the 2 rites for distribution – 1) In
Distribution of ashes Read Post »
Q: Do you have any news on when the new Office books will be out? == A: Last I’ve heard
Q: A Priest is going to the ambo to proclaim the Gospel in a Roman Rite Mass. There is no
Procession to the ambo Read Post »
Q: At my parish, the Pastor and parochial vicar have recently had an acolyte turning pages of the Roman Missal
Q: Say the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales wanted a lectionary as recommended in the 1981 Introduction to
Book of the Gospels Read Post »
Q: I noted with interest the question regarding the anointing of chalices with chrism when blessing them, especially how the
Anointing of chalices Read Post »
Q: Hello Fr. Paul – I was searching the Book of Blessings for a blessing of a Public Park. I
Blessing a Public Park Read Post »
Q: At what point are OCIA candidates able to go to confession and make their first confession? We had an
OCIA and first confession Read Post »
Q: If during the Rite of Confirmation the celebrant (in this case a priest) forgets to use chrism, is the
Q: What does the order of baptism say about the priest’s or deacon’s hands for blessing the water at baptism?
Q: We have somebody who will be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. They were baptised into the
Conditional Baptism Read Post »
Q: What are your thoughts on whether music ought to be playing while the bishop is confirming? Typically, with the
Music while the bishop is confirming Read Post »
Q: I always enjoy and appreciate your publications. There is one correction I’d like to suggest, which shows I read the
Q: During the Penitential Rite (Scrutiny) for Baptized but Uncatechized Adults, the rubrics (464) for the Greeting and Introduction make
Q: Hello Fr. Paul, this may be a thorny issue, but I think it is important to at least offer
Proper Resource for Blessings Read Post »
Q: Ceremonial of Bishops n. 1174 has instructions about celebrating an hour of the Liturgy of the Hours at a
Liturgy of the Hours Read Post »
Q: As we pray for Pope Francis and his recovery of health, I want to be prepared for when a
Q: Good Day Fr. Paul. Thank you for your ministry to all of us, which helps us trend toward right
Selecting Date and Day of a Dedication of New Altar and Renovated Church Read Post »
Q: For Vespers with exposition and benediction should the altar and people also be incensed during the Magnificat? == A:
Several times recently people have asked me why there are two versions of the Our Father. I gave what I
Q: How do a priest and a bishop divide their roles and responsibilities in the celebration when a Missa Coram
Query about Missa Coram Episcopo Read Post »
Q: On Friday mornings after mass, we have a 30min period of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. Our
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Read Post »
Q: When a deacon greets the people before proclaiming the gospel, he does it with hands joined. When there is
Hands joined before the gospel Read Post »
Q: Thank you for your work! Why do we not consecrate chalices with chrism anymore but instead bless them? ==
Consecrating Chalices Read Post »
Q: We have a First Communion Candidate (2nd grade) who cannot do any gluten, including low-gluten, so we are offering
Gluten free First Communion Read Post »
Q: Thank you for your untiring effort to help us to celebrate the liturgy well. Speaking of intinction, I know
Q: At what side of the altar the book of the gospels is supposed to be placed when entering in
Book of the gospels Read Post »
Greetings from Down Under. Q 1 I witnessed two priests conferring the Sacrament of Anointing on a community today. They
Sacrament of Anointing Read Post »
Q: I got a question about intinction. I think it is ok for a priest or deacon to administer Communion
Communion by intinction Read Post »
Q: Might you know the provenance of the formula “May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ” (93 in the
Sacrament of penance Read Post »