Spontaneous and Ritual Blessings

February 22, 2025

Question: I would like to ask about the difference between a spontaneous blessing and a ritual blessing. Are their effects the same or not? I see some priests blessing water without the rite; they just say their own prayers. So, is that holy water or not? In many cases I also see ministers blessing without the ceremony (that is, they gave spontaneous blessings). This makes me confused. Also, is the sign of the cross given by priests necessary when they bless religious articles such as statues, images, medals and rosaries? If a priest blesses something without giving the sign of the cross by his hand, will the blessing be valid? — P.N.V., Manila, Philippines

Responsories in the Office of Readings

February 9, 2025

Question: How should the responsories in the Office of Readings be prayed? There are some Internet applications that make the people repeat the first part. I find that this is against traditional custom (it was never repeated), and the current text of the breviary does not give rise to think that this is the case. It is very clear at lauds and vespers where the repetition is obvious, but there is no hint of this in the Office of Readings. -- C.V., Rome

Procession at the End of Mass

February 1, 2025

Question: Can the altar servers carry out the procession cross and the candles at the end of the Mass? Also, since the lectors, acolytes and other ministers join in the entrance procession, do they have to participate in the procession at the end of Mass? — S.T., Mumbai, India

St. Pius X on Mixed Choirs

January 26, 2025

Question: I read the following online from Father McNamara. He said, "In the early 20th century a papal decree attempted to forbid mixed choirs, but it was never fully implemented, and today most liturgical choirs are mixed." I would like to know more about this papal decree. — F.S., Rome

Deciding on Which Office to Pray

January 19, 2025

Question: At our university campus ministry, we sing vespers every Friday. During the month of November, we sing vespers from the Office of the Dead for the souls of the friends, relatives, and benefactors of our community. Does the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (GILH), No. 245, permit one to celebrate the Office of the Dead even on an obligatory memorial, such as occurred in 2024 on November 22 (St. Cecilia)?

Terminology for Sacred Places

January 11, 2025

Question: The Catholic Church in Korea has built many temples, shrines and sanctuaries dedicated to blessed martyrs and to Our Lady. Each locality offers an English translation for foreign pilgrims. However, the translations are quite varied according to each locality. Could you offer guidance toward standardizing the usages and, wherever possible, to use official terminology? – S.C., Seoul, South Korea

Choirs in Entrance Processions

January 4, 2025

Question: What if anything does the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) say about choirs in entrance processions? My parish choir processes in front of the processional cross and candle bearers. As a Knight of Columbus, I am accustomed to leading processions in front of the cross. But my parish liturgy director is of the impression that the cross and candles should lead all, including choirs, including Knights. My pastor is of the impression that the cross and candles should precede only the clergy, the so-called official party. What are the rules as they apply to choirs and other "unofficial parties" in processions? -- K.M., Bel Air, Maryland

Double Duty as Reader and Cantor

December 22, 2024

Question: I am both a reader and a cantor in my parish. Occasionally, both ministries coincide when there is no one else available. Is it okay for me to include singing the psalm rather than proclaiming it when I am reading from the ambo? – E.M.W., Motherwell, Scotland

Baptism, Doubts and Validity

December 15, 2024

Question: Could you please clarify whether water must touch the skin of the head or face for a baptism to be valid? At the Easter Vigil and more lately, I have witnessed baptisms conferred by my diocesan bishops and priests on candidates whose head are bowed, and their hair is flipped directly forward so that the baptismal water clearly flows only down the back of the hair and does not touch the scalp or face.

Combining Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours

December 8, 2024

Question: I would like to know if the Liturgy of the Hours can be combined with Mass. In the instance that they are combined, is the penitential rite replaced by the recitation of the psalms and canticle? In other words, what’s the formula of celebrating Mass combined with the office? -- E.M.I., Kachebere, Malawi