Q: I guess my question is trifold. Can incense be used at Compline? Can lay people burn incense as a part of Compline? And can an electric incense burner be used for this? Thank you. == A: GILH 261 says incense may be used for the gospel canticle at morning and evening prayer. It says nothing […]

Q: We have hereabouts more and more, I am sorry to relate, younger clergy  “implementing” their own rubrics for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion, especially the introdcution of altar rails and kneelers for Holy Communion with the not so subtle implication that kneeling is proper and preferred and more reverent in spite of […]

Q: This may be in Ars Celebrandi, but I am nevertheless posing the questions in form of a few “observations”. There is a growing and distressing trend of concelebrants intincting at Mass. I have seen this as USCCB Masses, at cathedral and episcopal ceremonies, at priest funerals,  and other priest gatherings, etc. I am also […]

Q: I am happy with your books “Let Us Pray” and “Ars Celebrandi” which I wish every priest must have for a correct ars celebrandi. I have three questions:1. On page 133 of “Let us Pray”, number 676 you wrote: “In practice, some priests reassemble the remaining parts of the broken host and hold it […]

Q: Hello! As always, thank you for your insights, wisdom and examples. On the question of facing the liturgical procession,  I had the impression of facing the cross leading the Entrance procession and the Gospel Book being processed in, rather than the presider.  I see some folks signing themselves with the sign of the cross […]

Q: After a requiem mass in my part of the U.K. we are attending more services in crematoria and the choice of music is predominantly secular with songs and artists being a preference of the deceased. Whilst I generally do not voice an opinion in regard to this should the music be of a religious […]

Q: In my personal experience, research, and formation on the subject, I have seen many liturgical, symbolic, and historical reasons supporting celebration of the Mass ad orientem. On the other hand, most of the arguments in favor of versus populum are more pastoral in nature–that this is what people are used to, and that we […]

Q: I was wondering if you could offer your guidance on a matter that we are struggling to find clarity on in my parish in the British Isles?  We have a number of candidates for RCIA.  This year, more than any other, we have several candidates who are presenting themselves having been baptised into other […]

Q: Thank you for your insightful answers. GIRM 69 seems rather clear. Visiting various churches, many tend to ignore the usual suggestions a) and b). Some parishes have 8-9-10 prayers. Is there a specific number of prayers?  Then there are redundances: 1) Let us pray for all the faithful departed that they be shown Gd’s […]

Q: I have recently moved to a new Parish. The former Pastor  had six candles on the altar. I prefer two candles either on the altar or beside the altar. In my last parish there were four freestanding candle stands surrounding the altar; one candle at each corner. When I became pastor I removed all […]