Q: During the Penitential Rite (Scrutiny) for Baptized but Uncatechized Adults, the rubrics (464) for the Greeting and Introduction make no mention of the Sign of the Cross and Greeting. Similarly, there is not an explicit mention of the inclusion of the Penitential Act, though the rubrics note that “A song may be sung that joyfully expresses faith in the mercy of God the Father.” I suspect that the seeming omission two things may be oversights, since the first preference for this rite seems to be within the Celebration of the Word of God, and not Mass. Perhaps you can …
Proper Resource for Blessings
Q: Hello Fr. Paul, this may be a thorny issue, but I think it is important to at least offer an opinion… Given that the Book of Blessings has been published (1987), it seems no longer licit to use older rituals of the same blessings from the 1964 Rituale Romanum or the 1954 Collectio Rituum for example, the home blessing for Epiphany. Paragraph 39 of the Book of Blessings says: In virtue of the Constitution on the Liturgy, each conference of bishops has the right to prepare a particular ritual, corresponding to the present title of the Roman Ritual, adapted …
Liturgy of the Hours
Q: Ceremonial of Bishops n. 1174 has instructions about celebrating an hour of the Liturgy of the Hours at a council or diocesan synod. The deacon carries the Book of the Gospels, accompanied by acolytes with lighted candles, and proclaims an appropriate reading, as at Mass. When would this happen? Before the blessing or after? Before the concluding prayer, or after? Would a verse before the Gospel be sung? The Latin text is: Si vero celebratur Hora Liturgiæ Horarum, celebratione peracta liber Evangeliorum honorifice defertur a diacono, comitantibus acolythis cum cereis accensis et tunc eodem ritu quo in Missa legitur …
Death of a Pope
Q: As we pray for Pope Francis and his recovery of health, I want to be prepared for when a transition occurs. It was slightly different when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in 2022, and before that it was JPII in 2005. Upon the death of a Pope until a new Pope is elected, what is to be said when the Pope is mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer? And what other liturgical considerations need to be made? Thank you in advance. == A: The custom is to omit the reference to the pope altogether and pray only for the local …
Selecting Date and Day of a Dedication of New Altar and Renovated Church
Q: Good Day Fr. Paul. Thank you for your ministry to all of us, which helps us trend toward right and worthy worship. Two quick questions: Am I correct in that selecting a Date for the Dedication of an Altar and Church should steer clear of Solemnities and Feasts that would therefore regularly displace the subsequent celebration Anniversaries of the Dedication? Can we select a Sunday in Ordinary Time for the Dedication (for practical reason that more parishioners would be able to participate); and if so, would the Readings and Proper Prayers be for that Sunday or for the …
Magnifcat Vespers
Q: For Vespers with exposition and benediction should the altar and people also be incensed during the Magnificat? == A: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass doesn’t address this directly, but it does permit vespers during adoration, and the only alteration pertains to the final blessing (no. 96). So, I’d say the altar and people may be incensed during the Magnificat, though it would not be required. You can find more in my book Eucharistic Reservation.
The Our Father
Several times recently people have asked me why there are two versions of the Our Father. I gave what I thought was the accurate answer. I said, we think the prayer without the ending “for the kingdom, and the power…” is what we think is the actual prayer of the Lord. The ending is certainly a very early prayer of the church—and a very good prayer—-but is likely not the original. I used to say that you can see that the form without the ending is not in the gospel. Until I saw that, in the non-Catholic Bible that I …
Query about Missa Coram Episcopo
Q: How do a priest and a bishop divide their roles and responsibilities in the celebration when a Missa Coram Episcopo is held? I am referring to the Missa Coram Episcopo using Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite/ Novus Ordo. Thank you. == A: The Ceremonial of Bishops no longer uses the term Missa coram episcopo, but it does give instructions for Mass at Which the Bishop Presides but not as Celebrant. These can be found at nos. 175-186. The bishop wears a cope. He usually uses the miter and pastoral staff and processes behind the celebrant. He incenses the altar and …
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Q: On Friday mornings after mass, we have a 30min period of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. Our pastor ends mass in the usual way and processes out. After removing his chasuble and putting on a cope, he returns, going to the Tabernacle and, after placing the Luna in the Monstrance, begins Exposition. He will be away on 2 fridays, when a Communion Service will take the place of a Mass. My questions are: After communion, when the remaing hosts are returned to the Tabernacle, can the Luna be brought immediately to the Altar, placed in the Monstrance, …
Hands joined before the gospel
Q: When a deacon greets the people before proclaiming the gospel, he does it with hands joined. When there is no deacon, does a presider extend his hands? What about a concelebrant? == A: A priest who proclaims the gospel in the absence of a deacon keeps his hands joined when greeting the people before the gospel. He is doing what a deacon does. Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/extending-hands-before-the-gospel/