Proper Prefaces

October 16, 2022

Question: The prefaces for martyrs, holy pastors, holy virgins, and religious all say they “may” be used for memorials. So, on a memorial such as Saint Maximilian Kolbe, could the preface be I or II of Martyrs, Holy Pastors, Holy Virgins and Religious, or I or II of Saints? It seems that diocesan ordos are rather haphazard in how they treat this. -- O.K., Irving, Texas

St. Michael's Prayer Before the Final Blessing

October 9, 2022

Question: In light of your 2018 article "St. Michael Prayer at Mass," is it lawful for a priest to let the faithful pray that prayer right before the final blessing, that is, even before the Mass has ended? May he have this prayer prayed at the particular part before the final blessing even without the bishop's permission? And even if that priest was indeed given permission by his bishop, will doing so still be lawful, taking into consideration Inter Oecumenici no. 48-j? Also, is praying other additional prayers (e.g., Oratio Imperata, novena prayers) during the "announcement" part before the final blessing allowed? -- M.A.S., Philippines

The Direction of a Crucifix on an Altar

October 2, 2022

Question: If a small crucifix is on the altar, should it face the celebrant? – A.V., Victoria, Malta

Bows at Incensations

September 25, 2022

Question: Why does the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) 277 specifically state the following? "Before and after an incensation, a profound bow is made to the person or object that is incensed, except for the altar and the offerings for the Sacrifice of the Mass." -- M.A.S., Iloilo City, Philippines

Blessings Before Reading the Gospel

September 18, 2022

Question: Should a concelebrating priest at a Mass in which the bishop is the chief celebrant receive the blessing from the bishop before reading the Gospel like a deacon? -- G.O., Imo State, Nigeria

Roots of the Nicene Creed

September 11, 2022

Question: When was the Nicene Creed added to the Roman liturgy? – R.S., United States

Sign of the Cross at Final Blessing

September 4, 2022

Q: One priest here in our archdiocese instructed his flock not to make the sign of the cross (on themselves) as the presider blesses the people with the gesture of blessing (+). He instructed the people to, instead, make a bow of the head as the presider makes the said gesture while pronouncing the words of the final blessing, for instance: “May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, (+) and the Holy Spirit.” This is his reasoning:

Handling of the Lectionary at Mass

August 28, 2022

Question: When the Gospel is proclaimed at Mass using the lectionary (not the Book of the Gospels), is it appropriate for the presiding bishop to bless the people with the lectionary? What sources are available to support the right position on this matter? -- M.B., Abuja, Nigeria

Standing at the Gospel Acclamation

August 20, 2022

Question: I am a member of our diocesan commission on liturgy. We recently talked about the posture of the concelebrants at the Gospel acclamation. The general practice is that the concelebrants stand only when the principal celebrant (a presbyter) stands and remain seated if the principal celebrant is still seated (i.e., imposing incense or giving the blessing to the deacon). The crux of this inquiry is at times when a bishop is the celebrant. We discussed whether it is appropriate or not for the concelebrants to sit with the bishop while he does the imposition of incense and blessing of the deacon (or concelebrant) because they only stand when the bishop stands. We are of the opinion that the concelebrants should stand with the faithful if the main celebrant is a bishop. What are your thoughts about this? What is the proper posture of concelebrants during the Gospel acclamation when the principal celebrant is: a) a presbyter; or b) a bishop? -- D.A., Philippines

Anointing for Non-Catholic Christians

August 14, 2022

Question: Are non-Catholics permitted to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick? --T.B., Courtenay, British Columbia