Blessings and Lectors at Mass

November 16, 2024

Question: May the celebrant at Mass bless the lectors when they make the sign of reverence before proclaiming the reading? I have seen it used in the Ambrosian rite of Milan, Italy, and the theme was broached in the 2008 synod on Verbum Domini. Would it be possible for a bishop to establish this as a liturgical norm? -- V.P., Escuintla, Guatemala

Deacons and the Eucharistic Prayer

November 10, 2024

Question: Is a deacon at Mass allowed to participate in reading part of the Eucharistic Prayer? -- C.M., Mexico City

Deciding on Which Songs Are OK for Mass

November 3, 2024

Question: No. 48 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal used in England and Wales says that for the entrance chant at Mass another song “cuius textus a Conferentia Episcoporum sit approbatus” can be chosen. The same goes for the offertory and communion chants (GIRM 74, 84). For adaptations in England and Wales GIRM 48 states that these “other songs” have to be accepted by the bishops’ conference. But what about other countries? Do the GIRM norms cited above mean that any song approved by any bishops’ conference can be said to qualify for the entrance chant in a particular diocese? – T.N., Helsinki, Finland

The Divine Praises at Benediction

October 27, 2024

Question: Could you send me the revised “Rite of Eucharistic Exposition & Benediction”? We have older priests (40-plus years in the priesthood) and younger ones (between five and 10 years in the priesthood), and we conduct the service of Benediction differently. This leaves the congregation in doubt as to whether we know what we are doing and therefore what they are to believe. The younger priests leave out the Divine Praises altogether with the explanation that they are following the revised rite. Unfortunately, they are not willing to show us that revised rite, saying that their example is enough evidence. -- S.K., Wa, Ghana

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