My question has to do with Penance services, and the Act of Contrition/personal prayer of sorrow.In circumstances where there is a good/great number of participants, could the penitent’s prayer of sorrow become part of the prayer service itself – (and accordingly left out of the actual Confession), so as to expedite the overall amount of time taken by individual confessions?  Done this way, it could also make infrequent sacramental penitents feel less awkward during Confession itself.  Comments?  == A: The penitent’s prayer of sorrow is already included in the liturgy exactly as you’d like it to be.  Look at the Order …

Q: We have a new ordinary and there is some uncertainty about when and where the new ordinary uses the crozier/pastoral staff.  The Ceremonial of Bishops No. 59 states that “The bishop carries the pastoral staff in his own territory as a sign of his pastoral office,”.  Is there any limitation as to where he may use the crozier?  May it only be used in the cathedral or in a church?  May he also use it for high school masses, outdoor masses, masses in large rooms or auditoriums, etc.? == He may use the pastoral staff throughout his territory. I …

Q: A bishop is celebrating his episcopal ordination anniversary on a Tuesday in Ordinary Time. He wants to celebrate a Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop, following Ceremonial of Bishops n. 120. In the Mass, the Deacon is to remove the Book of the Gospels from the altar (Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 140). But the published Book of the Gospels does not include the reading for that day. Is it possible for the bishop to comply with Ceremonial of Bishops? Is the only long term solution, to have a Book of the Gospels with a Gospel reading for every day …

Q: Focusing on the Vigil, does GIRM (Sacramentary) contain anything about receiving baptized candidates into full communion at the Easter Vigil? I have looked at it a number of times and I recall earlier editions having that but the most recent (2011 perhaps) does not.  Is that correct?  What about celebrating Confirmation & Eucharist for Catholics at the Vigil? Does GIRM have anything for that? == A: I don’t remember the GIRM ever addressing the reception of baptized candidates at the Easter Vigil. That is an American thing that started with the 1988 RCIA. The confirmation and communion of Catholics at the …

Q: We have a funeral on Saturday where a visiting archbishop will be the celebrant. Should I put 7 candles out? I was planning on it, but staff worry that it will seem like we are elevating the deceased (since we don’t add candles for other funerals). I realize the candles in this instance, are connected to the Archbishop rather than the deceased, but wanted to get your thoughts. Should I just leave out our normal two and see if the emcee says something? I did notice that the GIRM (117) says “Diocesan Bishop” when it talks about having 7 …

Q: If we plan to use the Solemn Entrance on February 2 (thus, we will be entirely inside), what are the pros and cons of using the flame from the Easter candle to light the assembly’s candles? == A: I don’t think there’s any pro to this idea.  Easter and the Presentation are virtually unrelated. The paschal candle is to be used during Easter Time and for baptisms and funerals. None of those applies to the Presentation of the Lord. I think it would be confusing to light candles on Feb 2 from the paschal candle.

Q: Recently a conflict came up about the American flag being in the sanctuary behind the priest. There are some that say it can be and some that say it shouldn’t be. Can you give me some clarification on this. Thank you .  Ps . Can you give me where it might say this in the book . == A: Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/u-s-flag-at-mass/

Q: Fr. Paul, the Roman Missal indicates that after the arriving at the altar (during the Entrance Chant), the priest puts on a chasuble, and then after the Gloria prays the Collect.    Anticipating an upcoming meeting about the liturgy on this day, is the Penitential Act to be omitted?  Or is it simply not mentioned because it is assumed that Mass will proceed as normal after the Entrance Chant, and the Gloria is simply mentioned because it is a Feast? == A: My reading of it is that the penitential act is omitted. In Latin, the sentence in no. …

Q: I have had a few inquiries about Catholic spouses who wish to have a Funeral Mass for a non-Catholic spouse. I wanted to make sure that I knew the correct answer to give.  The same thing about a parent who has a non-Catholic child, can they have a funeral Mass for their loved one.  Please guide me on an official response. == A: I see I’ve treated this on the blog before https://paulturner.org/non-catholic-funeral/, but I did not give the citation. Go here: http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/documenti/testo-in-inglese.html Look at #120. The bishop may permit it. My condolences to all.

Q: I am a follower of yours, especially when you are talking about the liturgy.  In the preview of your book “New Church, New Altar: A Commentary on the Order of Dedication of a Church and an Altar” which can be easily accessed on the internet, you mentioned about the Two Solemnities on the Parish Calendar.  May I ask if what are those two solemnities on the  parish calendar. It is very hard for me to have that book because it is not available here in the bookstores in the Philippines.  Your response to my request is much appreciated. Thank …