Paul Turner’s Blog

Q:  With the ringing of bells at the consecration, many are doing three distinct rings. I had always done just […]

Q:  Can you comment on the appropriateness or lack thereof for singing the Litany of the Saints at liturgy on

Q:  I have an interest in Inseperable Love: A Commentary on The Order of Celebrating Matrimony and when I looked it up online,

Q:  I have a question regarding the Liturgy of the Eucharist at Mass. I am a lifelong Catholic, and as

Q:  A question has come up about adding a drop of water to wine at the Preparation of the Gifts

Q:  Is there a minimum age to be an extraordinary minister of holy communion? == A:  No. The documents just refer

Q:  Would you comment on the use of altar bells during the Eucharistic Prayer?  I know it is provided as

Note – this is a more complete answer to the following question asked in the Blog posted in November 2.

I have a question concerning baptism and first communion for a nine-year-old girl. The child’s parents are not Catholic and

If you are celebrating the Rite of Election during mass on the first Sunday of Lent, or a scrutiny at mass on

In Supper of the Lamb, you write that we now hear 71% of the New Testament. Is that based on

Q:  That Communion given at Mass should be from bread consecrated at the Mass is something that many priests do

Q:  Some priests still  make announcements to parishioners before the Prayer after Communion is said. This to my mind ruptures

Q:  Some priests, even though the Rite of Peace is brief, begin the breaking of Bread before the Peace Rite

Q:  In regard to the ‘Sign of Peace’ I feel it sometimes provokes disruption when members of the congregation start

Q:  I understand that if a priest is in the congregation, not con-celebrating, and there are no other con-celebrants or

Q:  Many priests seem to regard it as their job to lead the response to the acclamation after the Words

Q:  Some priests expect their congregation to stand immediately on the invitation ‘Pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and

Q:  Often, for the Procession of Gifts, in regard to the bread, the celebrant’s bread is not included but is

In our RCIA group we have a candidate who was baptized and confirmed as an Episcopalian. When we receive her

Q:  Although the GIRM directs that, after the priest reverences the altar he goes to the ‘chair’ for the introductory

Q:  Is reciting or singing the Gloria optional on Sundays in Ordinary Time? Even when there are no baptisms, etc.

Q:  I recently attended a Baptism in our local Church and I noticed that the anointing of the sacred chrism

Q:  Are catechumens eligible to be altar servers? == A:  I don’t say a clear prohibition of it, but it

Q:  I know Canon Law states that a parent cannot be a sponsor for their child. My question is, can

Q:  As regards a baptized Catholic who never received any further catechesis and therefore no other Sacraments: Chapter 4 simply

Q:  I have a question regarding this year’s calendar.  We are going to maintain a regular schedule on the weekend of

Q:  Can a baptized Christian who is civilly divorced enter the Catholic Church if they have not had the marriage

Q:  I have recently been consulting your book Inseparable Love – which is an invaluable resource – the Church is

Q:  I’ve been looking into the rubrics, canon law and any instructions about how deacons should dress to lead a

Our church has a large crucifix attached to the wall behind the altar.   During the procession, a cross is carried

Q:  May I know where the Book of Gospels should be placed at the beginning of Mass. The GIRM says

Q:  This year Christmas Eve falls on Sunday.  Our parish normally has a Sunday evening Mass.  We are trying to configure our mass

Q:  This question has come up on a few occasions at the National Liturgical Council meeting as to whether, in

Q:  We have 3 masses for our 2 schools every week. The pastor here allows Sunday Lectionary to be used

Q:  I am old enough to remember in the U.S. when everyone went to confession before communion, because none of

Q:  Is it permissible for a couple, both Baptized Catholics, but married outside the Church to receive the Sacrament of

Q:  I have a question regarding an Instituted Lector. In the entrance procession during Sunday Mass, when the is no Deacon, is

Q:  May non-Catholics do scripture readings and take up the gifts at a Catholic wedding mass? == A:  For readers,

Q:  I have a question: a person who is Catholic but not yet confirmed. Does he have to be confirmed

Q:  Wondering if you can answer a quasi RCIA question, as I’m getting mixed responses from the diocese.. A gentleman

Q:  I have played/planned weddings for years, and don’t recall this happening.  But this year I have two wedding on Sunday afternoons

Q:  When each additional cup is placed on the altar where is its purificator supposed to be placed? Does it

Q:  What is the preference when singing the Gloria? Some people say it should be sung from beginning to end.

Q:  Are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion required to have a formal commissioning by a priest and if so should

Q:  I have two parishioners scheduled for a convalidation in two weeks, Ricardo & Irasema.  Both are baptized Catholics but Irasema

Q:  We have a guest priest coming to our parish Confirmation liturgy who wants to both concelebrate Mass and sponsor

Q:  The baptism fount in our parish is (unfortunately) on wheels. Our new pastor has moved it into storage along

Q:  When a baptism is celebrated during Mass, is the penitential rite omitted or does it take place following the

Q: In researching the history of our church, I’ve found that the building was originally dedicated in 1888.  It was

Q:  A parishioner’s unbaptized husband has committed suicide. What do I do for the funeral? == A:  I’m sorry to

Q:  My bishop and I are revising the diocesan directions for funerals. We have a question and think we have

Q:  Got a question in the mail that you can answer better. A child baptized Methodist whose family returned to

Q:  We have a new priest at our church. I am curious and somewhat concerned about his change in what

Q: I have a complete, total aversion to purifying the chalices after so many people drink from them. My understanding

Q:  I so enjoyed the opportunity to connect with you in person. The DVD I was referring to regarding Reconciliation

Q:  I hope you don’t mind a liturgical question from me, despite your busy schedule. August 22 is the anniversary of the

Q:  I looked on your website/blog, do you have anything on the use of glass chalices permitted or not? I

Q:  Good morning. I hope things are going well for you. Thank you very much for all that you do.

Q:  The new translation of the matrimony rite plus your visit with the priests of our diocese last year helped

Q:  Why is the feast of the Transfiguration on August 6th being treated this year as a solemnity, so much so that

Q:  In our staff meeting last week we discussed a parishioner, who is a shut-in, who inquired about getting a

Q:  I have received questions about the Rite of Election, whether it is mandatory or not. I can find no

Q:  I have received a request from a friend, a parishioner from a nearby Episcopal church, that we host a

Q:  What is the proper means of disposal of a chalice of a priest who has died? Someone has asked

Q:  At our parish we sit through the entire “Invitation to Prayer” – we don’t stand until after the words

Q:  I have a question about the sung text following the Our Father prayers:  Does it really change keys at: 

Q:  Does the church have any legislation on if Holy Water is to be disposed, how it should be done?

Q:  I need some advice. At an upcoming workshop day, my pastor and I are heading a discussion on good

Q:  I think I have asked you this in the past but trying to remember your answer: if the water

Q:  Regarding adoration and reposing if an ordained minister is not available to re-position. I know there would be no

Q:  I just read an article that said “The Deacon is expressly forbidden to hold his hands up in prayer.”

Q:  We have had 3 different glass wine pitchers crack around the handle recently. It has been difficult to find

Q:  One blog post you wrote about confirmation isn’t correct. You said that at confirmation, the concelebrating priests join the

Q:  I have questions about two prayers in the missal. The prayer over the offerings for the Feast of St.

Q:  I met you many years ago when you were at Mundelein, Il.  You had curly blond hair and my

Q:  Hi. If a fire drill or the fire alarm goes off, not knowing if there is a real fire or

Q:  I am interested in putting your Bread, Cup, Body, Blood articles in our bulletin. Am I correct in assuming

Thank you in advance for your great work. Question about Confirmation sponsor. Cannon 893 §1  – A person who would

Q:  All references to acts of reverence for the gospel say ‘The Book of the Gospel’. If the gospel is

Q:  We have a couple preparing the wedding liturgy and they have been given the book Together for Life. The

Q:  A lady would like to get her son baptized, but is divorced.  Do I need consent from the father

Q. It has been the season for Litany of Saints, with priesthood and diaconate ordinations as well as professions of

Q:  In a catechetical setting, is it permissible for the catechist to bless the children, even tracing a small cross

Q:  I am leading a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd course for adults who work with children ages 9-12. As

Q:  The Diocese of San Diego will be ordaining an auxiliary Bishop this week. We will have Bishop Robert W.

Q:  This is an addendum to this post:  https://paulturner.org/mass-of-pentecost/ ‎ Just one additional comment regarding the Mass of Pentecost. According to

Q:  May the minister in this case consume the host after eucharistic adoration? == A:  I’m looking at the Vatican’s

Q:  Is the Paschal candle still lit on Pentecost and by the ambo or is it returned to its ordinary

Q:  I just received about six emails from you with different subjects.  They all were written in what I thought

Q:  You’ve said that a thurifer should use three single swings, not three double swings of the censer. Here is

Q:  Can I use the Mass of Pentecost During the Day for the Saturday evening mass so that people can

Q:  I’ve heard you’ve just become “pastor” (rector?) of the cathedral. My question concerns the DVD series on liturgy by

Q: I have a question about sponsor and godparent. So of course the sponsor is for the catechumen and then at

Q:  What is the Church’s mind on non Catholics reading at a funeral Mass? A:  Directory for the Application of

Q:  Might I get your take on this?  Your book was quoted in regards to appropriate time for celebrating full

Q:  I’m wondering if your Q & A emails can be archived in some sort of topical form on your

Q:  Not a question Paul, just a word of appreciation for your sensitivity in handling so many of these questions

Q:  Were women involved in the writing of the Revised Rite of Marriage? Were married couples involved? Many thanks! A:

Q:  A liturgist near here says that the unity candle has been suppressed.  I can’t find that in print.  It