Paul, I read your blog response no. 28 regarding foot washing on Holy Thursday and if the person who sent that inquiry wants to see this action, there is a VHS Series entitled “Liturgies of the Paschal Triduum” authored by LTP [1999 copyright] . The one on Holy Thursday addresses the way that St. Ignatius University Church in St Louis pulled off the multiple foot washings. I am not sure if the videos are still available. Perhaps, someone may have a copy around.
When is a ritual Mass permitted?
Q: #372 lists the days when a ritual Mass is not permitted. The Saturday after Easter is one and the 2nd Sunday of Easter is a Solemnity. Does this mean that a ritual Mass is not permitted at an evening wedding on that Saturday? A: Yes. There may be a wedding at mass, but the presider is supposed to read the presidential prayers from the Sunday mass at that evening celebration. It also means that the readings are from the lectionary for that Sunday, but one reading may be replaced with a reading from the wedding lectionary. The wedding takes …
Foot washing ceremony
Q: I just started in a new parish as liturgy director. I’ve been told by parishioners that it has been the”tradition” here to have the priest wash a few people’s feet and then those go and wash other’s feet, and so on and so on. I don’t think this is allowed is it? Though I don’t know if it is specifically addressed or prohibited. I’ve organized many triduums but I have never encountered a parish that did this. I hope to have my facts straight before I discuss it with our priest. A: The practice does exist in a few parishes …
Followup – Cross and Crucifix
Q: A friend from the parish is sharing some of your blog posts with me. The most recent Cross and Crucifix post made us wonder about the crucifer and if there is an instance when a cross would be used instead of the crucifix. In our church, the crucifix hangs in our Altar and the crucifer carries a crucifix. The crucifer continues processing to the sacristy and leaves the crucifix there until processing out at dismissal. A: The cross bearer sets the cross next to the altar if there is no other cross in the sanctuary (GIRM 122, 188). Otherwise, it goes to …
Cross and Crucifix
Q: As we begin to prepare for the Lenten Season and Sacred Triduum in our parish the question concerning the use of the cross for the Good Friday liturgy. I have seen a cross used at some churches and a crucifix at other churches. Is there a good theological reason to use one rather than the other? A: I treated this in my book Glory in the Cross. In a nutshell, you can make a case for either a cross or a crucifix. The pope uses a crucifix. I prefer a cross. The liturgical texts invite us to behold “the …
Infant baptisms in Lent
Q: Can you comment on infant baptisms during a Lenten Sunday liturgy? A: Baptisms may take place on any day except the end of Holy Week, so there’s no rule against a baptism on a Sunday in Lent. Other days make more sense theologically and liturgically, but sometimes a Lent Sunday works best for the family, and a child should be baptized sooner rather than later.
Chrism and allergies
Q: Someone to be confirmed asked about the Chrism. I replied saying it is Olive Oil and perfume (balsam) that has been blessed (consecrated) by the Bishop. Do you know what kind of Olive Oil and/or perfume? (I did inquire to our diocese – and I thought you might know if the “ingredients” are pretty universal or not) Seems the one asking the question/s has some allergies, etc. A: The traditional formula is olive oil and chrism, but today it can be made of any oil and any perfume. You’ll have to check with the diocesan liturgy office to find out what oil …
Good Friday and Tenebrae
Q: The parish where I am now pastor has for the last few years celebrated a hybrid Tenebrae/Office of Readings with street procession on Good Friday in the evening. The Passion Liturgy is celebrated at 3pm. This Tenebrae is organized by the Filipino community which gathers monthly for mass at our church. It’s certainly popular among people in our urban parish. My liturgical sensitivity would be not to add things to the Triduum. Pastorally it might be a good addition to welcome people who can’t participate in the Passion. Any thoughts? A: Here’s a paragraph from my book Glory in the Cross: “The …
Adoration for catechumens
Q: We are planning a Diocesan retreat that we will be offering to catechumens, candidates and members of the various RCIA teams during Lent. We had originally planned to have a time during our retreat for Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. But after reflection I thought possibly it was a bit premature to have this service at this point in the formation of the elect because they will have not participated at this point in the Eucharistic prayer. In researching this I found this point also made by Thomas Morris in his book “The RCIA – Transforming the Church”. On page …
Last month on the site
The following were added to www.paulturner.org: Homilies in both English and Spanish for Christmas, Mary Mother of God, and Epiphany. An Article and a Book Review for Worship Magazine A new Blog Post on baptismal promises. Different books are shown at the bottom of the home page.