I’ve been reading with interest the recent discussion on your blog concerning the proper way to refer to the sending/invitation/dismissal of children as they go to a different place to celebrate “Children’s Liturgy of the Word.” For what it’s worth, this is what the Introduction to the Lectionary for Masses with Children, no. 8, says: 8. When children are to participate in the liturgy of the word in a space separate from the main assembly, they first gather with the rest of the assembly to celebrate the introductory rites. At the conclusion of the opening prayer, but before the first …
St. Phoebe
Q: The first reading for Saturday of the 31st week in OT (Yr 1) begins with Rom 16:3. Do you know why 16:1-2 were excluded? It seems a deliberate attempt to erase St. Phoebe the diakonos. == A: I note this omission in the final pages of my book, Words Without Alloy. From the commentary earlier in the book, you see that those two verses never appeared in the drafts of the lectionary. The first draft (September 1966), in fact, skipped from 14:13-21 to 16:25-27. All the other drafts followed suit, and the last two drafts expanded the final passage by one single …
More on flags at Mass
Q: Regarding your post on the U.S. flag at Mass https://paulturner.org/u-s-flag-at-mass/ , as a Brit, I do find the presence of the American flags in Catholic churches MOST disturbing. About 16 years ago, we attended Holy Mass on (an exceptionally cold) Easter Sunday morning in a cathedral there (it snowed!!). Hanging over the nave, there were two large flags. I’m fairly sure that one was the Vatican State flag, the other was the Stars and Stripes. I felt SO uncomfortable through Mass. It felt SO wrong. It is simply not the place. My Protestant uncle accused me of being unable to be patriotic …
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Q: Currently our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) stand directly behind the alter and in front of the tabernacle “After the priest has concluded his own Communion, he distributes Communion to the extraordinary ministers, assisted by the deacon, and then hands the sacred vessels to them for distribution of Holy Communion to the people.” Seeking GIRM or theology, that addresses the appropriate and most reverent location an Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should stand while on the alter. == A: There’s nothing wrong with your present practice. The focus of the communion rite is communion, not the tabernacle. …
Celebrant’s chalice
Q: I searched the archives, but did not find an answer to this question: Are (con)celebrants and deacons the only ones who may consume the Precious Blood from the celebrant’s chalice at Mass? More to the point, may Extraordinary Ministers receive the Precious Blood from the celebrant’s chalice before they go off to distribute Communion, or must they receive from another chalice? Thank you. Blessings. == A: Redemptionis Sacramentum 105 says, “It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.” It does not say who drinks from them. …
Mariage between a Catholic and non-Christian
Q: Section III of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony denotes “If a Marriage takes place between a Catholic and a catechumen or a non-Christian, the rite given below (nos. 118-143) is to be used, with the variations provided for different situations.” This appears to be outside mass … can a non-Christian and Catholic get married inside of Mass? == A: In my book Inseparable Love I wrote, “It is understood, however, that the marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian may not take place during Mass.” Since then, a canonist has told me it probably could. I suggest you check with a …
Following the rubics
Q: This may be too personal a question, can you offer any advice on how to handle celebrations of Mass that in small or large ways do not follow rubrics, or wording, or add all sorts of things? No doubt I bother some people when I am the priest at Mass. But I make a point of paying attention to what the book says, and I take seriously what I was taught. == A: Just pray as best you can. If something seems seriously out of line, report it to the bishop or vicar for clergy in the diocese.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Updated
Q: I am following up to your recent answer to the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. I wish I could find the article, but the liturgist, I think from a school of theology noted there is only one dismissal, and that is everyone at the conclusion of Mass. Everyone receives the final blessing. The children are not to be dismissed as if they are separate from the liturgical celebration, but are being invited to participate in an age appropriate liturgy of the word. What are your thoughts of this understanding? I think it makes sense. I wish instead of it …
Large host
Q: I was taught in formation, because the Mass is offered by the whole assembly, things that separated out the priest that harkened back to the attitude that the congregation was basically there to”hear” Mass that the priest “said” were best avoided. Examples of these include use of a chalice veil, special chalice just for the priest, a separate small paten just big enough for the priest’s host, the assembly’s hosts in a separate vessel—(or handy in the tabernacle). With that background, I want to ask what is the logic, and history of the priest using a host larger and …
Brethren
Q: How did the word “brethren” come to be in this translation of the Roman Missal? I had the impression that there was a general acceptance of the value of “inclusive language” on the level of human beings. Do you know the reasoning for having this word in this missel? Will liturgical books presently “under construction” use inclusive language? == A: The word has some antiquity in English translations, especially at the Orate, fratres (“Pray, brethren”). In some English-speaking countries the word sounds inclusive; in others it does not. Wherever it occurs, the alternative “brothers and sisters” may be used. Yes, …