Q: In Eucharisticum Mysterium, 9, speaks about “the principal ways in which the Lord is present to His Church in liturgical celebrations.” It states that Christ is “always present in a body of the faithful gathered in His name” and that he is “present too in His Word.” Then it goes on to say: “In the sacrifice of the Eucharist He is present both in the person of the minister … and above all under the species of the Eucharist.” My question is, is Christ present in the person of the minister only at Mass or also at other liturgies …
Sign of the Cross
Q: Father Turner – Thank you so much for your new book Eucharistic Reservation! It is very helpful in understanding the theological and liturgical background that has led up to the new rite book. I have a question about the sign of the cross at the beginning of The Rite with a Fuller Celebration of the Word of God. On Page 47 of your book you write that “Nor does this ceremony begin with the sign of the cross”. However, paragraph 27 of the new rite book seems to indicate that the minister “beings with the Sign of the Cross”. …
Rededication of the altar
Q: Good evening! I am a longtime reader of your blog and books and thought I would submit my first question. My parish is celebrating its hundredth this year. Our pastor wondering if there was any reason behind doing a sort of rededication of the altar? Is there anyway to somewhat mimic that right without it appearing to be a whole new dedication? Any other ideas you may have heard about these types of anniversaries would be appreciated! Thank you! == A: Thanks for following my work and for your question. Congratulations to your parish! I would not recommend any …
Roman chasuble
Q: Thank you, Fr. Paul, for everything you do! If a priest is to wear a Roman (fiddle back) chasuble, may he criss the stole if the chasuble is designed to have the stole crossed? I know current law envisions the stole of a priest to lay flat, but would the custom of that type of vestment be permitted? Thank you! == A: I treated the crossed stole in a previous post: https://paulturner.org/crossed-stole/. There is no exception in the rubrics for a fiddleback chasuble.
Update on “Eucharistic Prayer IV”
Q: Greetings Fr Paul Regarding this blog entry: https://paulturner.org/eucharistic-prayer-iv-3/ The current Missale Romanum is available in the Verbum (and Logos) software system, which may be of interest to some of your readers: https://verbum.com/product/37679/missale-romanum-edito-typica-tertia The English translation (2011) is also available: https://verbum.com/product/166706/the-roman-missal-third-typical-edition Along the Latin dictionary options also available in Verbum, I would expect someone could do the type of translation comparison that your correspondent is seeking. Thank you for your Blog and writings. I greatly appreciate them, especially in my RCIA work here in Australia (“OCIA” hasn’t caught on here, as yet!). == A: Thank you very much for this …
Concelebrant roles
Q: In the absence of a deacon, and when one or more priests are present to concelebrate, a concelebrant is supposed to take his parts of the deacon (GIRM 208). Does he read the gospel? Does he prepare the altar? Does he assist at the eucharistic prayer? Invite the sign of peace? Does it make a difference when the bishop is the presider? ==A: In this circumstance, the following would apply: A priest receives the blessing from the bishop and then proclaims the gospel—but he does not receive the blessing if the principal celebrant is another priest. In the absence …
Scarfs at Mass
Q: Thank you for your time and attention to the many questions you are asked. Personally, I value your work and responses in my ministry. Recently, we have noticed some women, who are regular Mass attendees, have begun to wear scarfs. It is a new “habit” at Sunday Mass and Daily Mass. We are struggling to understand where this originated and why? And why all of a sudden! My grandmother and mother spoke of wearing scarves but never shared why. Honestly, they did not wear veils but shared stories of how it was done in the past. Can you direct …
Anointing of the Sick
Q: I had a mom ask me a question for her child. Her child has ongoing, chronic pain and migraines are common for her child as well. Is someone in that condition able to receive the Anointing of the Sick Sacrament? And could they even receive it multiple times if their condition does not change? == A: God bless you for giving such careful, pastoral care to your people. Yes, you may anoint that child, and the anointing may be repeated. See Pastoral Care of the Sick nos. 9 and 12.
Eucharistic Prayer IV
Q: Hello Fr. Paul. I’m a layperson trying to get more acquainted with our Eucharistic Prayer IV. I would like to compare our current English translation with the Latin original, to get a better sense of where the words come from. But I’m having a hard time finding a Latin copy of EPIV on the internet. (The only Latin Eucharistic Prayer I can find in Latin online is the Roman Canon.) Do you know of any sources? == A: I did a quick search, and I couldn’t find it either. You may have to check a local library and ask …
Dialogue Masses
Q: When I was young in my religious community there was an older priest who made a point of speaking softly or at least moving his lips when praying the Liturgy of the Hours by himself. Budding liturgy terrorists among us attributed that some sort of scrupulosity. Now, these many years later, I find that reading out loud can sometimes help me pay attention. So, my first question: prior to the renewal coming from the Second Vatican Council, was there either a canonical requirement or devotional practice regarding reading aloud. Second: how about Mass? My understanding is that typically …