Q: I have a question regarding the Easter Vigil liturgy. A member of the congregation mentioned that, in the past, our church included the names of deceased individuals during the Litany of the Saints (Baptism). Since becoming music director, I have followed the official text and have not added any additional names.

Would it be appropriate to include the names of the deceased after the invocation of the saints, or should the litany remain exactly as written according to the liturgical norms?

Also, since we will not have baptisms at the Easter Vigil this year, I understand that the Litany of the Saints may not be required. In that case, would it be acceptable to use the Litany of the Saints as an offertory song instead?

Thank you very much for your guidance.

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A: The only names that may be added to the litany are the patrons of those to be baptized. It would not be appropriate to invoke the dead, whose sainthood has not been assured.

Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/blessing-the-font-3/ If you anticipate baptisms later this year, then the litany is sung at the proper time—not at the offertory–and the font is blessed.

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