Parameters for Deacons

June 15, 2025

Question: My question is a follow-up from this 2007 article on deacons. You mention that in the presence of the priest, the deacon should not bless or give the Benediction blessing after adoration. Where can we read more on this topic? Because I have seen a norm where the deacon will take care of Eucharistic adoration, preside over vespers or morning prayer, and then immediately give the blessing as he is an ordinary minister of these offices. A priest may or may not be present, and because there is some uncertainty to his presence and to give the deacons more opportunity to preside over the liturgy and give the priest a kind of rest, why would the priest necessarily need to preside? Does this mean that if a bishop was present at adoration, he ought to give the blessing instead of the priest? What if the priest was older? What about when people are asking for blessings for their families and religious articles and cars after Mass? Should all be directed to the priest, who is already extremely busy on Sunday with Masses and confessions, or is it all right for the deacon to take care of these? I'm trying to understand the principles for this issue. — P.T., Washington, D.C.

When a Solemnity Is Linked to a Parish Patron

June 7, 2025

Question: Are religious communities within a parish bound to say the Mass and office for the solemnity of the anniversary of the dedication of the parish church, or is the Mass and Office of Dedication only celebrated inside the parish church edifice? — J.A.D., Quezon City, Philippines

Use of Holy Oils

June 1, 2025

Question: Recently, a parishioner approached me for a blessing with the oil of the sick as he was traveling abroad. I had to catechize him that this oil is reserved only for the gravely ill, the elderly, those facing serious medical surgery or those who are on their death bed. The parishioner kept on harping on the fact that some old priests in the parish used to bless with oil those people who were going for a long journey. Could you throw some light on the matter? — S.T., Mumbai, India

Prayer of the Faithful

May 25, 2025

Question: According to the GIRM No. 138, the person who announces the intentions during the Prayer of the Faithful should be facing the people. However, in my church, that person faces the altar. The priest explained that this person is a representative of all the faithful who leads parishioners to announce their prayers. As a result, this person should face the altar. Why is facing the people emphasized here? — H.C., Candiac, Quebec

Mentioning a Pope in the Eucharistic Prayer

May 18, 2025

Question: Since the election of the new Pope, Leo XIV, there has been debates among some clergy whether during the Eucharist Prayer, where it is designated, the Pope can be mentioned with his number or not, that is, “Leo our Pope” or “Leo the Fourteenth our Pope.” Kindly guide on this and the authority that can be quoted on the same. — D.M., Malawi

Polish National Church Priests and Communion

May 10, 2025

Question: I just read your article on the Polish National Catholic Church and the details of who can receive Communion. It was somewhat confusing, because at one point it says [yes], if a person is near death or in a dire situation. Later in the article there was an example of a PNCC spouse whose spouse was a Roman Catholic. The PNCC spouse was welcome to receive Communion and even be received into the Church should that spouse desire. The article goes on to say that if a spouse did not desire to be received into the Church, he or she could continue to receive Communion. Those two examples are a bit confusing, so let me pose a real-life question. Can a PNCC priest receive Communion in a Roman Catholic church if there is not a Polish National Catholic Church within reasonable driving distance? — J.B., St. Augustine, Florida

Mix-up in Holy Oils

May 4, 2025

Question: On more than one occasion I have been at a Chrism Mass (in the Roman rite) where, afterward, when the holy oils were distributed for the parishes, there was a mix-up and either the oil of catechumens or the holy chrism was placed in the wrong oil stock. This is a serious issue since, according to some authors, the use of the wrong oil invalidates the sacrament of confirmation. The source of the confusion seemed to be the diversity of symbols used for the different oils. I have tried to make an exhaustive list of those in common use. So far, I have found for the oil of catechumens: OC, OS, B, S, Cat; for the holy chrism: SC, C, Chr, Ch; and for the oil of the sick: OI, I, Inf. Are you aware of any other symbols? Also, is there an official liturgical source for the colors usually attributed to the oils, and with which they are decorated in the Chrism Mass, or is this just a custom? Finally, what is the best practical way to mix balsam with the oil for the holy chrism? Some liturgical shops sell balsam, but instructions for incorporating it are hard to find. — J.D., Wagga Wagga, Australia

During the Interregnum

April 26, 2025

Question: Priests from various parts of the globe asked versions of the following question: "During the interregnum, what should be said in the Eucharistic Prayer at the prayer for the Pope?

Via Crucis on Sundays of Lent

April 12, 2025

Question: What is the position of the universal Church or the Dicastery for Divine Worship on this pastoral experience: Is it good to have Stations of the Cross on Sundays during Lent? If so, why? — P.O., Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Mass Intentions at the Easter Vigil

April 5, 2025

Question: During the Easter Vigil, can we make particular Mass intentions? For example, an intention for a deceased? — L.D., Nancy, France