Q: Say the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales wanted a lectionary as recommended in the 1981 Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, n. 113: “The ancient custom is recommended of having separate books, one for the Gospels and the other for the readings of the Old and New Testament.” There would then be a Book of the Gospels for every day of the year, able to be placed on the altar, which is described as praiseworthy in GIRM 122 and 173. Would Vatican approval be required for this? Would the approval for the published 2024 Lectionary, which combined …
Anointing of chalices
Q: I noted with interest the question regarding the anointing of chalices with chrism when blessing them, especially how the direction to anoint them is no longer present in the rite. It is interesting to note that in the 1974 draft of the Dedication of a Church & Altar, the direction to anoint the chalice and paten, and the corresponding terminology to consecrate, is still present, but when the rite was published in 1977 it was dropped and the terminology referred to blessing. == A: Thanks for sharing this. I did not refer to that draft for my book New Church, …
Blessing a Public Park
Q: Hello Fr. Paul – I was searching the Book of Blessings for a blessing of a Public Park. I looked at Athletic Fields and Fields and Flocks, and even in the Various Circumstances, but nothing really seemed that appropriate for a place where people enjoy created beauty and recreate together. Unfortunately public parks are also places where illicit activity can happen such as drugs, etc.Thank you. == A: Right, the Book of Blessings doesn’t cover every circumstance. The ones you found are probably where I’d look first. Chapter 71 has an Order for a Blessing to be Used in …
OCIA and first confession
Q: At what point are OCIA candidates able to go to confession and make their first confession? We had an OCIA retreat recently, and I heard some first confessions, but I really was doing it based on the assumption that they knew and were catechized when they can go. But, since I don’t have much experience as a priest with OCIA/RCIA, I don’t actually know when they can go. It does seem strange that they go before officially being Catholic. == A: OCIA candidates are eligible for confession whenever they comply with the Directory for the Application of Principles and …
Confirmation
Q: If during the Rite of Confirmation the celebrant (in this case a priest) forgets to use chrism, is the confirmation still valid? == A: In his apostolic constitution on the sacrament of confirmation, Pope Paul VI wrote the following: THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION IS CONFERRED THROUGH THE ANOINTING WITH CHRISM ON THE FOREHEAD, WHICH IS DONE BY THE LAYING ON OF THE HAND, AND THROUGH THE WORDS: ACCIPE SIGNACULUM DONI SPIRITUS SANCTI. So, I’d say no, but for questions of validity, please ask a canon lawyer.
Epiclesis
Q: What does the order of baptism say about the priest’s or deacon’s hands for blessing the water at baptism? Is it a gesture of epiclesis over the water, or are hands touching (fingertips in) the water? Or is either gesture acceptable? Thank you for all you do! == A: Look at the longer version of the prayer, OBC 54. Near the end, the celebrant touches the water with his right hand. In one alternative at OBC 223, he also touches the water with his right hand near the end. In the third option, OBC 224, he makes the sign …
Conditional Baptism
Q: We have somebody who will be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. They were baptised into the Church of England (Anglican) but they are struggling to get hold of their Baptism Certificate as the church has since closed. Therefore, they may need to receive a conditional Baptism. If that is the case, do we use the alternative Psalm after the 7th Old Testament Reading and the Litany of Saints at the Easter Vigil. == A: Not sure what the procedure is in your diocese, but here we do not require baptismal certificates because they are sometimes nonexistent. …
Music while the bishop is confirming
Q: What are your thoughts on whether music ought to be playing while the bishop is confirming? Typically, with the sacraments the words that go with the actions are said without hymns being sung. I suppose the Communion hymn during the procession and reception of Holy Communion could be pointed to as an exception. However, at the Easter Vigil when catechumens are brought into full communion and are then baptized and confirmed, it seems that it is done without music playing. Most of the parishes where I visit have the choir singing throughout the time that I am confirming. Just …
Schematas
Q: I always enjoy and appreciate your publications. There is one correction I’d like to suggest, which shows I read the footnotes. This has to do with the word “schematas.” I believe “schemata” is already plural and “schema” is the singular form. I hate to be a stickler about this, but you are always so cautious and exact about your writing. “Schematas” is like “cannellonis.” == A: Ahh, you indeed have a careful eye. I wish the same were true of those who wrote the schemas/schemata/schematas. My footnotes reflect exactly the word that appears at the head of each document. Sometimes it’s in …
Penitential Rite
Q: During the Penitential Rite (Scrutiny) for Baptized but Uncatechized Adults, the rubrics (464) for the Greeting and Introduction make no mention of the Sign of the Cross and Greeting. Similarly, there is not an explicit mention of the inclusion of the Penitential Act, though the rubrics note that “A song may be sung that joyfully expresses faith in the mercy of God the Father.” I suspect that the seeming omission two things may be oversights, since the first preference for this rite seems to be within the Celebration of the Word of God, and not Mass. Perhaps you can …