Category Archive

Q:  At various times I have heard people–many quite reputable–mention that the elect should not have candles at the Vigil fire because they have not received the Light of Christ at Baptism. I find this spurious. It’s not mentioned in the RCIA  nor in the Missal.  But I may have missed some deep historical precedent. Which isn’t necessarily a good reason to do it today.  Thoughts? A:  My opinion: Pass out those candles. You’re correct that there’s nothing in the missal nor in the RCIA that forbids handing candles to the elect at the start of the Easter Vigil. Nor …

Q:  Can you provide directions in regards to the actual plumbing of a sacrarium?  How does it drain directly into the ground?  What short of pit is necessary – does the pit have a particular type of gravel/sand etc. A:  This is beyond my expertise. The liturgical documents do not describe anything about a sacrarium, other than its existence. Some municipalities have plumbing legislation over such matters. I wish I could help more.

Visit the Paul Turner YouTube Channel to watch the latest video about the baptismal themes of Priest, Prophet and King from the workshop given to the RCIA group at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe KS.  

Q:  Does anyone else think it odd that we went from hearing “In the beginning was the Word” at every Mass (last gospel) to never hearing it, unless you get to a particular Mass at Christmas? A:  I’m sure you could find someone who agrees, but its reservation for Christmas has made it exceptionally powerful at that time of year.

I haven’t figured out how to put this on my YouTube channel, but here’s a talk I gave to an RCIA group at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe KS. About an hour long.  It takes up the baptismal themes of priest, prophet and king. Especially priest. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106864801/Fr.%20Paul%20Turner…Priest%2%20Prophet%20and%20King.mov

Q:  In the United States, in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, i.e. RCIA 51, do we ever replace the first acceptance of the Gospel with the rite of exorcism and renunciation of false worship? A:  The US bishops have left this to the discretion of the diocesan bishop (RCIA 33.2). Both the exorcism and renunciation of false worship were part of the preconciliar rite. But they implied that every unbaptized person was engaged in false worship, which is not true. The Latin original of the RCIA presumes that a conference of bishops would decide as a whole …

Q:  We are debating about the communion at Good Friday. It would indeed seem that the Missal assumes that it will be offered. Are we obliged? A:  Yes. Throughout history the communion rite for Good Friday has come and gone, but it is here, and the faithful should expect to have communion offered to them.

Q:   I have been reading your book, In These or Similar Words, and have found it very helpful. I have one question though: On page 23 as you begin the chapter “In Similar Words,” you write, “The 1973 letter cited above explicitly added the introductions to the penitential act and the Lord’s Prayer. It did not exclude from consideration the invitation to the sign of peace or to Communion” (emphasis mine).  However, you never discussed either the invitation to the sign of peace nor the invitation to  Communion.  My question is: which category do they fall into: the “these” or …

Q:  Can a deacon be the presider at the Good Friday Service or must a priest be the presider? A:  The Roman Missal now says that this liturgy may not be celebrated in the absence of a priest (Good Friday, #4). This clarification appears only in the editions published in the United States. Nonetheless, I do believe that it faithfully represents the intent of this liturgy.

Q:  People don’t know when to say “Amen” during a solemn blessing. How could this be made clearer? A:  Each community is different. If the solemn blessing is used each week, people will get used to it. Another way is to sing it. Or to announce the response before beginning. It isn’t easy.