Q: I have a parochial vicar from Nigeria that has the people stand when the bread and wine are brought forward.  In my 19 years of celebrating mass, I have never seen this happen before.  I have the people sit, and he has them stand, so half now stand and half sit.  What is the proper posture when the gifts are brought forward? == A: GIRM 43 says that the  people stand for the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer. It says they sit “during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory.” And they stand at the invitation “Pray, brothers and sisters.”  So, I’d say ..read more

In a wedding within a Eucharist is it permissible for the couple to distribute holy communion and not the priest? (I’m pretty sure the answer is no because they are not ordinary ministers, but I just wanted to see it in writing.) == A: A couple may not distribute holy communion instead of the priest, but they may distribute communion together with him. The easiest place to find this is in the front of the missal, right after the GIRM, in the Norms for Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America. No. 28 says that lay ministe ..read more

Q: Our diaconate ordination is taking place on Saturday, September 14. In my reading of the intro to the diaconate the Mass of Ordination may be used. What about the readings? == A: September 14 ranks as a feast (of the Lord), and not a solemnity. Therefore the entire Ritual Mass complete with its readings may be used ..read more

Q: I have Confirmation in the Parish next Sunday. Regretably the bishop cannot attend so I have delegation to confirm (which I view as an honour as much as I’d prefer the bishop to confirm). Recently, my view that candidates are for themselves now pro/claiming their Catholic faith, (a faith initially pronounced by parents/godparents), has been challenged. Kindly offer your view on what children are saying ‘yes’ to, if in fact this is what they are doing? Thankfully, the Readings for Trinity Sunday are providential as the context for conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thanks and Blessing ..read more

Q: I went to mass at a local high school that has several sisters who teach there.  One sister sat at the back of the chapel for most of the mass  and went to communion last. After she received the host, the priest went to the altar and picked up a second chalice, not the one he used, and brought it down for her to receive the precious blood. After that, she went and sat with the other sisters.  I don’t remember ever being at a mass where only one member of the congregation was offered the chalice. Is this a common practice? Does it have something to do with her role in her comm ..read more

Q: Thank you for all you do!  Recently, I found it difficult to pray the liturgy of the hours. I’ve read the same cycle of psalms over and over, and I have felt a dryness in my prayer. I do not even want to pray for Morning and Evening Prayers. I enjoy the Office of Readings because the Biblical and Patritic readings are different each day.  Do you know if there are any ways I can “adapt” (as permitted by the Church) the Liturgy of the Hours to enhance my prayer, such as other psalms or readings? Thank you! == A: Sorry to hear about the challenges you face while giving yourself over ..read more

Q: I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a commissioned Minister of Care and a commissioned Lector.  I was designated by our paster and other clergies, that if none of them are available to reposition the Blessed Sacrament after the adoration I need to do it.  My question is, is there anything special I need to do?  We sing Oh Sacrament Most Holy.. while I go genuflect and take out the luna and bring it to the tabernacle for reposition.  Will you please tell me if I am doing it correctly?  Thank you. == A: The appropriate liturgical book you need is Ho ..read more

Q: A point of clarification, please – thanks! Recently in conversation, the question arose about the liturgical use of Alleluias in Eastertime. My understanding is this:    Liturgy of the Hours – in many, if not all antiphons throughout – for 50 days                                                  at Dismissal – only in Easter Octave days,&nb ..read more

Q: First, we need to have the bishop’s permission for Corpus Christi Processions correct? Even if they are just in our parish parking lot? Second, at Corpus Christi Processions I have been at in the past, at times the cleric carrying the Blessed Sacrament stops at table, places the monstrance down, incenses our Lord and/or does extra prayers there. Then either he or another cleric picks up the monstrance and the procession continues. What certain protocols do priests need to keep in mind if they want to carry this out as part of their Corpus Christi Procession? Additionally, what can we or can ..read more

Q: I no longer have my copy of your book. I do remember that you mentioned something about the phrase “”by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall” I think you wrote that it came from an ancient prayer of the Eastern Church. Can you remind me? == A: If you go here https://paulturner.org/talks/ and scroll down to Feb 2, 2011, you’ll find my talk on this theme. In my book, At the Supper of the Lamb I say more precisely that the 8th century Gothic Missal used the word in a eucharistic prayer for the Easter Vigil. So, not the Eastern Church, but the Gallic Church ..read more