Q: GIRM 54 gives 3 options for the end of the collect. Can you explain how these came about? In Latin, almost all the collects just end with simply ‘Per Dominum’ and not the formulas given in GIRM 54. ‘m interested to know how the different endings came about. A: Most of the collects end with the first option, but sometimes the prayer mentions Christ near the end, and sometimes the prayer is addressed to Christ. Both circumstances change the ending. For example, the collect for December 22 is addressed to God but concludes with the words “his company as their Redeemer.” …
Praying for the Pope and Bishops
Q: I understand why we pray for the pope and the local bishop. But why the separation of the clergy and the rest of the bishops from everyone else? Isn’t this separation left from the days of social class distinction? A: Even Vatican II’s Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) noted the distinctions in the hierarchy and the role of the laity, though it did so after it treated “The People of God” as a whole. That said, we probably don’t absolutely have to pray for people in hierarchical order. I’m not sure why they kept it. Maybe it was …
Litany at the Easter Vigil
Q: If there are no baptisms to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil, do we omit the litany? A: There are 2 conditions necessary for eliminating the Litany: no one to be baptized and no water to be blessed. If you are blessing water, you sing the litany.
Sacrifice and Offering
Q: The word ‘sacrifice’ in ordinary American English means to ‘give up.’ It is ALWAYS difficult to explain how the Church uses this word. Am I clear that a synonym for it would be ‘offering?’ If not, please give me a simple synonym for sacrifice. A: “Offering” works. The word “sacrifice” is used quite a bit in contemporary conversation. Some soldiers pay the “ultimate sacrifice.” Parents sacrifice for their children. Even baseball has two types of sacrifice (bunt and fly).
Lately on the site
The following were added to www.paulturner.org: Homilies in both English and Spanish for the Sundays in ordinary time. Five new Workshops were given. Several new Blog Posts were posted.
“Able the just”
Q: The Roman Canon refers to “Abel the just,” which is quoting Jesus in Matthew 23:35. But is Matthew 23:35 ever heard in our readings from the lectionary? A: Interesting point. Matthew 23:35 is not anywhere in the lectionary. But the first Eucharistic prayer in quite old, and I do believe that people should be challenged to develop biblical literacy – even beyond the lectionary.
Blessed are you
Q: Why does the priest say in a low voice, “Blessed are you…” A: These prayers may be said out loud. The original thought was that they’d read in a low voice only if the people were singing, but that recommendation got lost. Private prayers of the priest are preconciliar, but they are not dialogues, so they have been kept quiet.
Prayer before the Gospel
Q: Why does the gospel-reader say quietly “Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away?” Why is it his prayer private? A: These prayers have always been designed this way. Most of them date back to the middle ages. They remind the priest and/or deacon that they are to be at humble prayer especially at critical points of the liturgy.
Gloria in Ordinary Time
Q: Do we need the Gloria at every mass in Ordinary Time? A: If you mean Sunday mass, yes, the Gloria is always to be included at mass on Ordinary Time Sundays – though not necessarily on weekdays.
Cathedral dedication and the Chair of St. Peter
Q: The anniversary of the dedication of our cathedral is on February 22, the Chair of St. Peter. As a solemnity at the cathedral, does it take precedence? A: Yes, but only at the cathedral. The other parishes of the diocese celebrate the Chair of Peter on February 22 and move the anniversary of the cathedral’s dedication to the 23rd because that day is a memorial in the parishes, and the Chair of Peter is a feast.