Paul Turner’s Blog

Q: You are a musician, not just a priest and a liturgist. I think you should share some of your […]

Q: A friend of mine is on retreat at a monastery right now. Going to mass yesterday, he witnessed the

Q: If willing godparents cannot attend the baptism, do we still find someone to stand in? == A: Yes. The

Q: When doing the Litany of the Saints, is it required to do the “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy,

Q:  Good afternoon Fr. Paul! I don’t want to disturb you… just I would like to know if there are

Q: Our bishop has given all pastors the faculty to confirm because of the pandemic etc.    Should the assembly join

Q: I have read several of your articles and reflections. I need a copy of the article ‘Formation for Eucharist:

Q: Should certain prayers from the missal replace those in the RCIA? In particular…conclusion of Litany before baptism; blessing of

Q: A musician commented that the Church has a long history of liturgical music and commented that we have been

This is not a question but an observation from a 60 year old cradle Catholic who has sung Gregorian Chant,

Q: When you don’t do the combine rites at the Easter Vigil, when would you typically schedule it in relation

Q: We plan 2 baptism the weekend of Pentecost:  an infant Baptism outside of Mass, and Baptism of a child

Q:  We are all learning from you!!! A question — I was reading some material from Fr. Robert Taft, S.J.

Q: How can I subscribe to Paul Turner’s Bulletin inserts? == A: Thanks for asking. I have four sets of

Q: I hope this is my last email to you about the Extended Vigil of Pentecost! This question pertains to

Q: Is it possible to bless the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick and consecrate the Holy

Q: I used to make a living playing music. Then for about twenty years I was a cantor, choir member,

Q: My parochial vicar and I have been talking about where it is appropriate to do the purification of vessels.

Q: It is with great enthusiasm and joy that I am writing to you to ask where can I find

Q: We are initiating our elect and candidates for reception into full communion at the Vigil of Pentecost. In reading

Q: At the request of the pastor, I am looking to “trim” the weekend liturgies to 45 minutes. I don’t

Q: What is the cloth covering the monstrance in public during the delivery of a sermon, called? == A: It

Q: Is it correct that the ordinary sign of veneration of the altar (by the laity) is a profound bow?

Q: Does the rule about fasting for an hour before receiving Communion apply to those receiving spiritual Communion during a

Q: Bishop would like to begin rescheduling Youth Confirmations as soon as we have protocols in place.  The current thorn

Q: Once again thank you for being such an invaluable resource!  Our diocese suspended public worship after the 3rd Sunday

Q: Given all the information about the dangers of congregational singing and the spoken word spreading aerosol droplets so dramatically,

Q: My pastor and I wanted to seek your wisdom/guidance regarding the ‘how-to’s’ of Initiation during these unprecedented times &

Q: Could you outline for us how we would initiate candidates and the elect at the Pentecost Vigil or on

Q: Do we need any license or permission to sing the English Chant for the Ordinary Parts of the Mass

Q: Now that the lockdown measures are easing and soon Masses will resume. And thus with social distancing continuing, what

Q: Thank you for being a great resource! The staff at our parish follows your blog raptly. Often the questions

Q: With social distancing, how do you envision the lavabo at the preparation of the gifts? We are thinking an

Q: I am hoping I might trouble you for a brief question on liturgical practices pertaining to Catholic weddings. My

Q: Given the current situation with shelter in place and churches being closed, with only one live streamed Mass per

Q: Now that the stay at home order has begun to be lifted and we plan to return to Mass,

One of our parishioners has a question about this: 41. Holy Communion under the form of bread is offered to

Q: During the pandemic, are baptismal fonts with pumps and filtration able to stay full? Or would we only fill when a

Q: This weekend is Mother’s Day and it is typical that there is a blessing for mothers at Mass at

Q: I am helping my bishop draft some new liturgical guidelines for the diocese and was hoping you would be

I have been watching some of the Sunday Mass live streams from churches in my area.  Since I am involved

Q:  Curious to know: At a Sunday liturgy, is it permitted for the deacon or lector to say each petition,

Q: I have been trying to recall whether the Rite for Baptism includes an option of placing salt in the

Q: We are working with a young couple who have chosen to marry during the pandemic. While there will only

Q: Hope all is well! Reaching out since I made great use of your book, Inseparable Love, to choose the

Q: Since we had no Easter fire this year, how do you suggest we dispose of last year’s holy oils?

Q: GIRM 254 directs that when, for a just and reasonable cause, Mass is celebrated without a minister, the greetings,

Q: I’ve been stumped by one of my RCIA candidates. Can you give me an answer to share? Here’s her

Q: Before the Exsultet, if sung by a cantor, who incenses the text? The priest or deacon? or can the

Q: So, we are sitting quietly by ourselves, and important, long-unanswered questions arise. I would like some direction to reading

Q: I am saying Easter Sunday Mass for a religious community that has no Easter Vigil tonight. They asked about

Q: This is a follow up question to the one on body and blood. If consecrated hosts remain, yes typically,

Q: Thank you for all your helpful posts! I have learned so much from you. We are anticipating that happy

Q: What the world needs is a pocket Paul Turner.   I just wanted to email you a thanks and gratitude

Q: Some of the questions that seem to crop up on your blog frequently really bother me. They seem to

Q: Yet another question: typically for the Triduum, we have kept thetabernacle empty. It also makes logical sense given the

Q: For Easter Vigil, since the lighting of the fire is omitted, the candle will be lit at the stand.1. 

Q: Please also remind me of the current position regarding a priest offering a private mass and whether given the

Q: Can a child have more than one Godmother and Godfather ? Or two Godmother”s and one Godfather? Thank you

Q: Thank you for your guidance on many questions.  I always learn so much!   My question is about the handling

Q: One of our priests is posting the Vigil on-line (as are many) and he is doing the minimum of

Q: In watching the Pope’s daily Mass, after Communion there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for several minutes with

Q: After reading your recent post about exposition, I was interested in any reference you may give me to read

Q: Are the celebrant and concelebrants required to consume -at  least by intinction -the consecrated wine?  Right now that seems

Q: Is there a minimum number of worshipers required before adoration can proceed? == A: It can be as few

Q: Good afternoon! I had a question/favor to ask. I was wondering if you could offer a suggestion or solution

Q: Since the Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is omitted on Holy Thursday and the

Q: I have two questions I hope you can answer. On Palm Sunday, following the Third Form, it seems that

Q: Why do we read the Passion on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday? == A: There’s evidence for proclaiming

Q: The deacon will bless the palms and have them outside at the doors where they can be picked up

Q: Is Eucharistic Prayer I required for Holy Thursday? == A: No. I usually use it each year, but you

Q: Is the Easter Vigil required? Just asking! I would assume it is. == A: Actually, it’s not. If not

Q: There are seven Old Testament readings for the Easter Vigil with option to narrow the selection to three. With

Q: Will it be possible to celebrate Holy Week after the masses resume in May or so? == A: No.

Q: Since there is no Easter fire, does anyone know IF it is possible to being the vigil earlier in

Q: I pray you and yours are well during this crisis. A quick question about Mass on TV. In this

Q: Well, I see that Rome has now also weighed in on providing an extra petition for Good Friday 2020.(https://www.cbcew.org.uk/vatican-decree-on-easter-celebrations/)……any

Q: Do you think it would be appropriate for a Bishop to add a special intention in light of the

Q: Please comment on whether in current Covid -19 Caronavirus times the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be conferred by video

Q: We will not be having a baptism at the Easter Vigil. But many still want to have the Litany

Q: My question is about the Rite of Election. We recently celebrated the Rite of Election with the Bishop. The

Q: Hope you are staying well! In light of the coronavirus and the reality of a lack of Masses, a

Q: I have an interesting question.  When, on the Third Sunday of Advent, the Roman Missal says Preface I or

Q: Thank you for answering all the questions you do. It’s very helpful to have some reliable to address these

Q: It has been a tradition to have each Wednesday during Lent Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction.  It

Q: Thank you for all your wonderful insights. In my parish we have four children of catechetical age in the

Some questions have come up about the scrutinies in the context of precautions for COVID-19.  Do the scrutinies have to

Q: I am confused as to which Mass I should have used for the Enrollmentof Catechumens on the First Sunday

Q: Why is a monstrance not used for the Holy Thursday procession?   Thanks. == A: As I point out in Glory

Q: Thank you for continuing to educate and clear up confusion on liturgical questions. I have a question relating to

Q: Thank you for all your insights, wisdom and recommendations!! We read # 159 in LET US PRAY which  indicates

Q: Our past pastor insisted we must not ring the Sanctus bells in Masses during Lent or Advent.  Our new

Q: Today at the Mass after the greeting, the pastor asked the congregation to kneel down for the Penitential Act.

Q: Every Sunday afternoon, Eucharistic Adoration is held for two hours in our Shrine chapel. Some of those who attend

Q: If a parish chooses to cover crosses and images for the 5th Sunday of Lent, should the processional cross

Q: Do you recall anything more recent than the Circular Letter of 1988 that forbids or discourages communities other than

Q: A quick question. The retired priests who live at our chancery were discussing at lunch… what should be done

Q: A recent inquiry wondered if the administration of ashes could spread viruses. I have heard similar questions about consuming

Q: Is it possible to use a psalm as the 1st reading (like Psalm 23) followed by a sung psalm

Q: Do you know how it came to pass that we in the US impose ashes on the forehead while