Bows Toward the Altar and the Celebrant

October 20, 2024

Question: In churches where the tabernacle with the Body of Christ is just behind the altar, the first and last reverence is to be made with a genuflection toward the tabernacle, but all other acts of reverence are to be made by bowing toward the altar and not toward the tabernacle. Is that correct? The readers, before going up to the sanctuary, should make a small bow. Should they also bow toward the altar before starting the reading? -- M.C.G., Munich, Germany

Who Gets to Intercede in a Eucharistic Prayer

October 13, 2024

Question: Some people believe that during the Eucharistic Prayer those concelebrants who have been assigned to the various intercessions are assigned based on their ecclesiastical rank, for example, vicar general, vicar forane, monsignor etc. So that C1 is always assigned to the person holding the highest office, then C2 to the second highest, and so forth. Are there any specific criteria for choosing the concelebrants for the Eucharistic Prayer intercessions?

Excluding the Penitential Act at Mass

October 6, 2024

Question: I am a Latin-rite Catholic. I would like to know about the exclusion of the Penitential Act in a nuptial Mass—is it a norm? If it was intended that the couples were to first have their confession made prior to the Mass, then how about the congregation that is joining the Eucharistic celebration? Do help me to understand this. -- P.A., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Which Direction the Choir Faces

September 29, 2024

Question: The choir at our church is located to the side of the sanctuary. Is it preferred for the choir to face and sing toward the altar, or angle toward the assembly? -- J.F., White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Stipends for Pro Populo Masses, and Clarifications on Feasts

September 22, 2024

Question 1: Having the canonical obligation to apply the pro populo mass for the souls entrusted to his care, is the pastor or parish priest entitled to a Mass stipend or offering for this liturgical celebration? What would be the reason since it is an obligation for him? – F.X.N.K., Ndola, Zambia

A Concelebrant Receiving Under Only One Species

September 14, 2024

Question: Can you tell me about the rules for a priest, who is a recovering alcoholic, when he is concelebrating with a group of priests? If there is no chalice available for him with the mustum for which he has permission, he only receives the host. However, a young priest told him that he is not a valid concelebrant if he does not receive both species. He has permission of his bishop to use the mustum instead of wine when he is celebrant. What are the real facts? -- E.P., Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Recorded Music at a Holy Hour

September 8, 2024

Question: During a Holy Hour without a priest and no leader of song, can a recording of the Tantum Ergo and O Salutaris Hostia be used to help the congregation sing? Can this be an exception to the rule? -- R.C., Hayesville, North Carolina

A Marian Feast on a Sunday

September 1, 2024

Question: It is liturgically correct to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lady in ordinary time on a Sunday? – A.P., Patna Archdiocese, Bihar, India

Vestments for Altar Servers

August 24, 2024

Question: The Ceremonial of Bishops in No. 65 states that “The vestment common to ministers of every rank is the alb, tied at the waist with a cincture, unless it is made to fit without a cincture. An amice should be put on first if the alb does not completely cover the minister’s street clothing at the neck.” We regularly see altar servers wearing albs or cassocks (green, purple, black, and of “any color”) with a white surplice. Sometimes you might see the so-called alb of the altar servers following the liturgical color of the celebration . I am not sure if this is a lawfully approved vesture by the conference of bishops; sometimes it gives the impression that it is done locally. Is it liturgically allowed? What exactly is the lawful attire for the altar servers? – F.X.N.K., Archdiocese of Ndola, Zambia

Sung Antiphons

August 18, 2024

Question: The choir director at my parish is a great liturgical singer and loves the liturgy. Whenever he leads the music, he is set on singing the antiphons for the opening song, the offertory, and communion. He sings the antiphons in English, and they are sung nicely. However, since only the cantor sings, none of the people sing at the Mass and it seems somewhat somber. After asking him to sing hymns as well to involve the faithful and lift the atmosphere a little, he replied that hymns are a concession to singing the antiphons, and he hesitated to sing a hymn in place of the antiphons. I recently observed that at St. Peter’s in Rome the choir sings lots of hymns at Mass, and the atmosphere of the Mass was much more participative and active. My question would be what is the place of singing hymns in the Mass, and where might the Church have spoken about this? Also, what might be the pastoral approach to asking this musician to sing something that includes the people? -- J.K., United States