Paul Turner’s Blog

Q: Paragraph 61 of the GIRM–are we not allowed to do slight paraphrased metrical settings of the lectionary psalms for […]

Q: Recently, in response to a class discussion about the nature of private revelation, a parishioner asked why it is

Q: Our parish Feast day on February 11th. Is it permissible to celebrate the Mass on the weekend before or

Q: If incense is to be used for the gospel, when does the alleluia begin? Before the incense is prepared

Q: I received the new ritual for the Anointing of the Sick yesterday, so I thought I’d run a couple

Q: I visited my former parish where I was pastor, and I was surprised that the big cross at the

Q: My main question is whether baptisms are permitted/encouraged outdoors in nature? I’m exploring outdoor creation centred liturgies and Eucharist

Q: Hi Paul from Down-under –  and Christmas Time (Tide?) and Epiphany Time blessings (I’ve not heard of Epiphany Time

Q: Can women be formally admitted to Acolytes and Lectors? == A: Pope Francis approved this:  https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html View All Blog

Q: Thank you for sharing your calm, reasonable, thoughtful approach to liturgy.   I was taught as a priest to make

Q: Does the GIRM anywhere require them to purify their fingers after distributing Communion?  If it does not, then is this practice

Q: When I (fairly frequently) see the pall “pre-arranged,” covering about 90% of the casket, with the presider then just pulling down

Q: I’m of the school that says ‘all or nothing.’  In other words, if it is used, then go all the way –

Q: When you do that, do you greet the body with the ritual text before the eulogy time space, or after…how do

Q: In the following post, you wrote: “However, GILH 261 presumes that a priest is present when incense is used

Q: Thanks, Father, for everything! Can a bishop change the liturgy as he deems fit for the diocese? For example,

Q: Good evening, Reverend Father. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I recently came across your blog and I

Q: I noticed in a previous response that the advent wreath should not obscure the altar or ambo but what

Q: In the Octave of Christmas we celebrate three feasts—St. Stephen, St. John, Holy Innocents.  How did this happen?    In

Q: Recently there was a sad situation involving a child who died in utero in a surrogate pregnancy.  The parents

Q: When clearing up after Mass, some sacristans pile up the ciborium and purificators on top of the chalice. Can

Q; Hello. What do you think of parishes including what normally would be a separated worship aid but using the

Q: Hi, Father Paul-I was recently out of State and attended mass in the local parish.When it came time for

Q: There was a major eruption in our OCIA advisory group the other night when we were talking about Catholics

Q: In the third edition of the Missal, there are parts of the Order of the Mass that can be

Q: I just wanted to ask if you you were aware of any additional developments on this topic either here

Q: Hi Father, Is it possible to have a Baptism within a Nuptial Mass? Context: The father of a couple

Q: I guess my question is trifold. Can incense be used at Compline? Can lay people burn incense as a

Q: We have hereabouts more and more, I am sorry to relate, younger clergy  “implementing” their own rubrics for the

Q: This may be in Ars Celebrandi, but I am nevertheless posing the questions in form of a few “observations”.

Q: I am happy with your books “Let Us Pray” and “Ars Celebrandi” which I wish every priest must have

Q: Hello! As always, thank you for your insights, wisdom and examples. On the question of facing the liturgical procession, 

Q: After a requiem mass in my part of the U.K. we are attending more services in crematoria and the

Q: In my personal experience, research, and formation on the subject, I have seen many liturgical, symbolic, and historical reasons

Q: I was wondering if you could offer your guidance on a matter that we are struggling to find clarity

Q: Thank you for your insightful answers. GIRM 69 seems rather clear. Visiting various churches, many tend to ignore the

Q: I have recently moved to a new Parish. The former Pastor  had six candles on the altar. I prefer

Q: There is a member of the congregation who always turns to the back of the Chapel at the opening

Q: I see here in my country that in many parishes, during this season of Advent, the musical instruments are

Q: Whenever the bishop is present at a Mass where the people are gathered, “it is most fitting that he

Q:  Is it liturgically correct to put the Advent wreath on the sanctuary? == A: The Book of Blessings says,

Q: Thank you, Father, for all you do! I’m celebrating a wedding Mass on Friday, December 12. What Mass formulary

Q: Worship Council business–many of our Eucharistic Ministers need updated training. We have a minister who is blessing each person

Q: My community is building a new monastery that includes a chapel. We are looking at options for the readings

Q: Our Archdiocesan Music Committee was discussing the upcoming new translation of the Lectionary, and, of course, the psalms.  As

Q: I am failing to understand why the second edition of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony  states clearly  that the

Q: If a bishop presides at morning or evening prayer when incense is not in use, does he hold the

Q: Our Titular Solemnity (St. John Before the Latin Gate – May 6) lacks proper texts in the Roman Missal.

Q:  May I know if there Is a new law for the master of ceremonies. After his visit to Rome, he

Q: During the Mass of ordination or perpetual profession, there is always the singing of the litany of saints. Usually the

Q: Someone pointed out to me yesterday that there are three crosses indicated for the solemn blessing of the Mass for

Q: Your 2021 book “Guide for Servers, Second Edition” has on page 40: “On solemn occasions, the members of the

Q: I hope you are doing well!  Here I am with another question. We are preparing two Christians from the

Q: Are there any restrictions (calendar-wise) on a parish celebrating Morning or Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead?

Q: Greetings once again from Canada, In your recent post https://paulturner.org/readings-on-all-souls-day/ , you note that in the Proper of Saints, the use

Q: Good Morning Father Turner,I have an off the wall question because I’m trying to figure something out.Was the holy

Q: Question regarding OCIA. For candidates being received into full communion at any point (not danger of death), since the

Q: The 2021 book “Guide for Servers, Second Edition” is by you with Corinna Laughlin and D. Todd Williamson. Pages

Q: Sorry to double up ..I think you addressed this matter in a recent post. Please clarify this question from

Q: I’m looking at the RCL for Advent III, which gives an option for the Psalm as the ‘Magnificat’ verses

Q: This morning, a father approached me regarding his son’s girlfriend who has Mexican citizenship but lives and works here.  She

Q: When choosing the optional memorial for the celebration of Mass, do I have the option of choosing either the

Q:  With a funeral on Saturday, Nov. 1 (holyday with no obligation), do I have this correct? As always, thanks

Q: At our 9am Sunday Mass, our assigned Priest was out of town and the priest who was supposed to

Q: Last May 9, I asked the question about the memento of the Eucharistic Prayers, where we have to mention

Q: I hope you are well, and thanks, as always, for your invaluable help. Gleaning from your many writings (some

Q: A question without notice on receiving someone from another Christian denomination. I seem to remember reading that where a convert

Q: I think there is an error in your blog post of 1 October at https://paulturner.org/color-of-vestment/ . You wrote “White or violet

Q: I’m following up on a question about mixing liturgy and pious exercises. in our diocese the bishop has instructed

Q: A special group has invited me to preside at a Sunday in OT. They asked if I would be

Q:  I was recently assigned to a parish that uses paraffin oil candles on its altars. We are starting to

Q: The 2001 Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy has in n. 74 regarding the liturgy and pious exercises:

Q: For Masses celebrated using the Missal of Paul VI, is the presence of a catafalque permitted, prohibited, or not

Q: Do you happen to have any resources on eulogies? Maybe a sample eulogy “policy?” I checked your blog first.

Q: Our diocese will host a National Safeguarding Conference (for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable People). During those days,

Q: I remember reading somewhere that when there is already an altar crucifix, the processional cross is put out of

Q: At our seminary, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed the benediction candelabras are placed on the altar and the

Q: A question was recently posed to me as to whether the acclamation, “The Gospel of the Lord” is able

Q: GIRM 40 has: “However, in the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, preference is to be given

Q: I have a few questions regarding some upcoming events in the liturgical calendar. 1. and 2. Since November 1

Q: A question has come up as to whether or not it is proper to interrupt Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Q: Our liturgy council is discussing moving the second collection to either before or after the Prayer After Communion.  Any

I have a grandmother wanting to get her grandchildren Baptized. She has permission from their guardian for Baptism. Their ages

Q: I have three related questions: 1. Is a master of ceremonies a concelebrant? Sometimes we see a master of

Q: Please advise me…I have an older couple remarrying. All canonical matters are being double checked. The couple  would like their

Q: I observe a practice that is becoming common in our celebrations here, mostly when a bishop is the one

Q: Hi, Fr. Paul, I have been fairly recently introduced to some of the liturgical practices of the Neo-Catechumenal Way.

Q: Last night at a Mass the Priest gave his homily from behind the altar. He was standing there for

Q: More and more, I hear priests justifying the use of the cincture by the celibacy of priest. Personally, I

Q: Regarding the lectionary is there only a year 1 and year 2 even if we are doing the C

Q: Of the options available in our Missal, what would your choice of orations be for the World Day of

Q: In Let Us Pray #107 you wrote: “When the vessels are cleaned after Communion at the credence table, they

Q: Congratulations on writing the commentary guide for the new Order of Anointing of the Sick and of their Pastoral

Q: When is the stole supposed to be used outside of Mass. When the bishop is laying a foundation stone

Q: Question, is the English translation approved for the US of the new Mass for the Care of Creation available

Q: The recent question about the right hand extended after the laying on of hands during the ordination of a

Q: GIRM 178 describes what the Deacon does: “After this, he hands the Priest the paten with the bread to

Q: I have someone who was baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Church – the church he has attended has

Q: Greetings from Japan.  I have a question regarding the Mass on November 2nd, All Souls’ Day. This year, November

Q: I sent already this question on your blog, but maybe you have many more questions to deal with. Considering