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

First Names of Popes and Bishops

August 11, 2024

Question: In the Prayers of the Faithful and the  Eucharistic Prayer, why does the Church address the local ordinary by his first name? -- T.N., Fort Worth, Texas

Touching the Tabernacle or Monstrance

July 28, 2024

Question: I sometimes attend Mass at a church that has a Eucharistic chapel with a large tabernacle in the center. I've noticed several people will reverently rest their hand on the tabernacle and pray, sometimes for a prolonged period, before genuflecting and leaving. I've also noticed a trend in which people will kiss or touch the monstrance during exposition; at times, the priest will even bring the monstrance into the assembly for that purpose. Are there any liturgical guidelines that would apply to this subject? – N.P., Los Angeles

Ringing the Bells at Mass

July 20, 2024

Question: I have a series of questions relevant to the role of acolytes/altar servers in their use of bells at Mass. 1) Can you please comment on the validity of the practice in some local churches here of: first, continuously ringing the bell during the entrance procession from the back all the way to the front until it reaches the sanctuary; second, ringing the bells during the Gloria all throughout the year; third, ringing the bell continuously during the "Great Amen." 2) What is the proper way of ringing bells at the consecration (how many rings, continuous or single or clusters, etc.)? 3) When is the proper timing of ringing the bell "just before the consecration"? Is it during the epiclesis when the priest directs his palms down toward the gifts on the altar? Or is it in that short pause in the Eucharistic Prayer just before the priest begins the words of consecration? -- M.S., Iloilo, Philippines

Incensing a Deacon at Solemn Vespers

July 14, 2024

Question: This question has to do with when a deacon leads solemn vespers. During the time of the Magnificat, after he has incensed the altar, is the deacon also incensed or not? What about the people gathered at the prayer, are they also incensed? Some people say that the deacon is not a priest and thus should not be incensed, while others say that he is the presider and so should be incensed. Some say that if you don’t incense the deacon, then you shouldn’t incense the people either. Can you clarify this for me? -- J.N., Sunyani, Ghana

Position of Fingers After the Consecration

June 30, 2024

Question: I have seen some priests hold digits (thumb and index finger, specifically) together post consecration until the purification of the vessels. I have also seen priests wipe these fingers on the corporal and continue to not hold them together. Which is correct? -- A.K., Dallas, Texas

Final Commendation at a Funeral Mass

June 23, 2024

Question: I have searched, unsuccessfully, for guidance related to the final commendation following the funeral Mass. I have conducted this a few times in my 37 years as deacon when the deceased was a parent, family member or a close parishioner that I have known for many years. Some priests have said it is right that I send them forth from the Church as the last farewell, while others tell me it is reserved for the priest celebrant, and I should not do it. Can you direct me to a credible source that can clarify this issue? I appreciate any assistance you can provide. -- T.O., Mantua, New Jersey

When to Bless Water

June 8, 2024

Question: Appendix II of the Roman Missal mentions that the blessing of water may take place during Mass on Sundays. Can one bless water using these prayers at Masses said on days other than Sundays? -- J.B., Montreal

Reciting the ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’

June 2, 2024

Question: At Mass, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts” needs an internal pause, but where should it go? Many people recite “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” then pause, and continue with “God of Hosts.” But this does not seem to match Old Testament usage. Isaiah 6:3, the origin of these words, reads, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!” Here “Lord” goes with “hosts.” Separated from “Lord,” the phrase “God of hosts” does not sound very biblical. Also, pausing after the third “Holy” gives a more balanced sound: six syllables for the triple “Holy,” followed by four spoken syllables. Pausing after “Lord” makes it seven and three. The printed English missal provides no guidance on this matter. -- D.J., Buffalo, New York

Incensing at the Start of Mass

May 26, 2024

Question: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), No. 276.b, prescribes that incense may be used “at the beginning of Mass, to incense the cross and the altar,” though the Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 86.b, mentions only “the altar.” 1) Some celebrants (even bishops), after incensing the altar and the cross, request with insistence to be themselves incensed. That is embarrassing for the master of ceremonies or the deacon either to do it or to ignore the request publicly. What should be done in such a case?