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Common Questions on Liturgical Norms

Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, answers common questions on liturgical norms, as published by ZENIT, the international news agency reporting from Rome.

Catholicism
Library
Practice Of The Faith
Liturgy
Common Questions on Liturgical Norms
Coadjutors in the Eucharistic Prayer
Deacons' Hands on the Altar
Accommodating the Deaf
Padre Pio, Monsignor Escrivá and the Roman Missal
Churches Dedicated and Consecrated
May Crownings of Mary
Coffee and Food in the Sacristy
Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials
Incensing of Deacons
Candles at Adoration
Marriages on Sundays
Non-biblical Texts at Mass
Priest's Role in the Passion Reading
Liturgical Dancing
Communion for Late Arrivals at Mass?
Protestant Songs at Mass
Can Priest Go Down Aisle at the Kiss of Peace?
Words After the Gospel
Are Extraordinary Ministers the Norm?
Do Stoles Suffice if Chasubles Are Available?
What About Inappropriately Dressed Lectors?
On Consecrating Wine in a Flask or Bottle
Liturgy: Are Glass Chalices OK for Mass?
Lighted Candles at the Lectern
Deacon's Position at Consecration
East-West Difference Over Priestly Celibacy
When to Take Up a Second Collection
Ustedes vs. Vosotros
Bells at the Consecration
Plexiglass Covering on Altar
Tabernacles, Adoration and Double Genuflections
Obedience to a Priest
Mass in 2 Languages
What to Do With Old Ceramic Vessels
Efficacy of the Penitential Rite
Genuflections by Concelebrants
Leavened vs. Unleavened Bread
Who Goes First in a Procession
When a Consecrated Host Falls
Consecrating a Second Batch of Hosts
Blessings for Non-Communicants
Relics in the Altar
Mass for Unbaptized Children Who Die
Papal Funeral, Continued
Papal Funerals and the Sede Vacante
When a Pope Dies
Children's Liturgy of the Word
If Confessor Doesn't Know Penitent's Language
Altar of Repose
Covering of Crosses and Images in Lent
Exposition During Stations of the Cross
Mass Intentions
Year-of-the-Eucharist Indulgence
Handing Over a Mass
Deacons and Baptisms in Extraordinary Form
Proper Posture at the Sequence
Using a Ciborium as a Chalice
Communion for the Autistic
Alternate Cantors During the Exsultet
Empty Chalice at Consecration Time
Sign Language by a Celebrant
When a Priest Is in Mortal Sin
When a Corporal Should Be Used
Unbleached Candles
Roles of Multiple Deacons at Mass
Extraordinary Ministers Nearing the Altar
Singing or Reciting the Alleluia
Patron Saints in Mission Lands
Distribution of Communion by Non-attendees
Healing Masses
Removal of Altar Rails
Priest's Private Prayer Before Communion
Relics of the True Cross
St. Michael Prayer at Mass
Abusers and Indulgences
Objecting to Communion in the Hand
Saint’s Day Mass as an Ordination Liturgy
Swapping Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours
Blessings and Affiliations
Deacon's Role at Incensing
Altars, Dedications and Relics
Purifying Vessels Away From the Altar
Interrupting a Mass for Confessions
Treatment of Partially Consumed Hosts
Churches of Parishes and of Religious Congregations
The New Marian Memorial Mass
Sunday Liturgy on Friday
Omitting the Mysterium Fidei
Main Celebrants Without Chasubles
Easter Prefaces
The Part of Consecration at Mass
Televised Masses
Number of Tabernacles on Parish Grounds
When a Feast of the Lord Falls on a Saturday
Swings of the Thurible
Masses on One's Own During Triduum
Multiple Communions on Good Friday
Colored Vestments During Exposition and Benediction
Prayer Over the People
Blessing of Water Outside Mass
Masses on Saturday Evenings
Kiss of Peace
Albs, Stoles and Chasubles
Particular Churches and Patronal Feasts
Materials for Sacred Vessels
Altar Girls, Altar Women
Intinction for Concelebrants
Relics of Saints in Museum
Image of Parish Patron Above the Tabernacle
Multiple Anoliontings of the Sick
Latin Priests and the Anglican Rite
Parameters for Extraordinary Ministers
Reserving the Eucharist at Home
Masses in Honor of the Blessed
Why No Renewal of Wedding Vows
Non-celebrating Priest Proclaiming the Gospel
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer at the Purification
Alternate Psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours
Honoring Eastern Orthodox Saints
Morning Prayer and the Our Father
Liturgy of the Hours Revisited
Colored Surplices
Rhythm of the Scripture Readings
Betrothal Ceremony
If the Wrong Hour Is Prayed
Certificates for First Confession
Renewing the Reserved Hosts
What Chalices Should Be Made Of
Ways to Gain an Indulgence
Substitutions in the Liturgy of the Hours
The Alleluia Before the Gospel
Latin in the Liturgy of the Hours
Baptisms at Mass
Codification of Liturgical Law
Using Old Easter Candles
Vestments for Exposition and Benediction
Genuflecting to the Cross
Hymns at Communion Time
Illumination at the Easter Vigil
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Washing of Hands Instead of Feet
Why Not to Empty Holy Water Fonts
Missals on the Altar
Church as Sacrament
Deacons Praying with Extended Hands
Other Liturgical Acts
When Bodies Are Donated for Research
Options for Votive Masses
Reservation of Hosts
Fisherman's Ring
Blessings in Lieu of Communion
Celebrating the Mass Alone
Advent as a Liturgical Season
Pre-recorded Music at Mass
Placement of the Book of the Gospels
Rules on Communion Services
Why So Many Rites in the Church
Postures at Communion
Penitential Rite and Absolution
On Receiving Communion Multiple Times
Reading Notices After Communion
We Have Liturgy
Muslims' Presence at Mass
Funeral Palls
Picture of Martin Luther King Jr. in a Church
Mass and Disparity-of-Cult Marriages
Two Lecterns in a Church
Proper Use of Annointing of the Sick
Distribution of Communion Through the Ages
Interritual Concelebrations
History of Deaconesses
Sprinkling by a Deacon or Lay Minister
A Risen Christ on the Cross
On Transubstantiation
Ministries of Lector and Acolyte
The Church and the Birth of Christian Liturgy
Communion Services Before Daily Mass
Mass Intentions
Deacons and the Easter Triduum
Cycle-A Gospel Readings
Why Abstinence from Meat
Confession During Lent
Differing Rules on the Lamb of God
Use of the Corporal
Mass Celebrated Toward the Altar
When to Remove the Christmas Crib
Use of an Antimension in the Latin Church
Liturgies of the Word in Workplaces
Local Customs vs. Liturgical Law
Tuning Out at the Homily
Venerating Icons at Mass
Breaking the Host Before Consecration
Length of a Weekday Mass
How Far to Extend the Hands at Mass
Rinsing of Hands After Distribution of Communion
Both Species for Concelebrants
Sharing Duties With Concelebrants
Obligation for Evening Prayer I of Sundays
Celebrating Mass the Evening Before
Communion Services
Candles Where the Walls Were Anointed
Religious Receiving the Chalice at the Altar
Why Part of the Host Is Placed in the Chalice
Deacons' Wives at Ordinations
Giving More Than One Host to a Communicant
Eucharistic Prayers for Children
Mentioning the Saint of the Day
Solemnities That Trump Sundays
Ministers at the Liturgy of the Hours
Inserts Into Eucharistic Prayers
Permanent Candles at the Ambo
Blessings When the Eucharist Is Exposed
Previously Consecrated Hosts for Concelebrants
Lay Ministers Wearing a Deacon's Stole
Incensing the Easter Candle
When Returning Hosts to the Tabernacle
Acting Out the Passion Narrative
First Friday Devotion and First Friday
Antiphons of Commemorations
Ashes and How to Impose Them
Communion Services and Penitential Rites
Laying On of Hands at Ordinations
Women as Cardinals?
Liturgical Dancing
Gathering Space
Beards and Priests
Faculties to Absolve From Censures
Substituting Bells in Advent
Advent Wreaths and Incensing
Breviaries With a 2-Year Cycle of Patristic Readings
Precedence in Evening Prayer
Concelebration With Peculiarities
Consecrated People as Godparents
Ministering to Ebola Patients
The Lord Be With You
Rosary and Other Marian Devotions
Genuflections by Concelebrants
The Mystery of Faith
Funeral Masses by Another Name
When to Wear a Dalmatic
Catholic Funeral Rites for a Protestant
Varying Editions of the Liturgy of the Hours
Gestures at the Gospel
A Place for the Book of the Gospels
Blessings Over the Phone
Standing During the Eucharistic Prayer
What Prayer Does Not Dare to Ask
First Communion, Without Pomp
Homilies, Written or Not
Muslims' Views in Lieu of a Homily
Crucifixes on the Altar
Knowledge of Latin
Deacons Kneeling at the Consecration
Shorter Versions of Gospel Passages
Vesture for Non-Celebrating Priests
Blessed Instead of Saint
Reservation and Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
Penitential Rite on Easter
Chrism Mass During Sede Vacante
Mixing Ashes of the Dead
Sunday Precept and the Orthodox Divine Liturgy
Prayer of the Faithful; Kiss of Peace
Ashes Earlier
7 Candles at a Bishop's Mass
Communion and the Divorced and Remarried
Ablutions with Wine and Water
When a Bishop Doesn't Concelebrate at a Mass
Both Species From an Extraordinary Minister
Homilies at Communion Services
Buddhist Singing Bowls
Bishop's Letter in Lieu of Homily
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Copes, Humeral Veils and Blessings
All Souls' Commemoration
Empty Tabernacle at a Bishop's Mass
Where to Receive the Bread and Wine
Changes in Musical Compositions
Holy Hours
Gluten-free Hosts
What to Use for Sprinkling Holy Water
Blessing of Salt
Indulgences at the Point of Death
St. Pius Instead of St. Pio
When Putting Incense in Thurible
Singing the Sursum Corda
First Friday Devotion to Sacred Heart
Bringing Pets into Church
Stipends and Mass Obligation
Mystery of Faith Responses
Non-celebrating Priests Reading the Gospel
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Frequent Confession
Signers of a Baptism Certificate
Omitting or Adding the Gloria
Within the Action
Newly Ordained as Concelebrant
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Degrees of Blessings
Bishops' Interpretations of Liturgical Laws
Homilies While Walking?
Standing at the Pray, Brethren
Singing the Gospel
Using the Purifier on the Lips
Stripping the Altars on Holy Thursday
Children Writing Lists of Their Sins
Masses for the Election of a Pope
Birettas and Academic Hats at Mass
Color of the Veil for the Cross
When the Holy See Is Vacant
Music During the Eucharistic Prayer
What Should Be Prayed in the Liturgy of the Hours
Renewal of Marriage Vows
Women as Masters of Ceremonies
Completing the Rites of Baptism
Singing the Alleluia at the Ambo
Hand Sanitizer at Communion Time
Christmas Trees in the Sanctuary
Shades of Violet in Advent
Advent Wreaths and Penitential Rites
Use of Orthodox Holy Oils
Theology of Latin- and Eastern-Rite Liturgies
Communion Through a Feeding Tube
Eucharist for Non-Catholics
Interrupting the Mass
When a Baptized Child Enters the Church
Vestments in Hot Climates
Songs With God in First Person
Ending a Homily
Genuflections and Ciboria
Votive Offices in the Liturgy of the Hours
Concelebrating in an Unfamiliar Language
Mass and Benediction
Kissing at the Sign of Peace
Gospel Reflection by a Layperson?
Changing the Presider
Translating From the English Missal
The Fraction Rite
Counting Ordinary Time
Pastoral Administrators
Vestment Colors at a Concelebration
He Descended into Hell
Removing the Blessed Sacrament
Using an iPad at the Gospel
Calendars of Religious
Ad-libbing the Prayers of the Faithful
Children's Masses
Oils in an Emergency
Translations of Marian Masses
Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit
Elevating the Host and Chalice
Masters of Ceremonies at Papal Events
Epiclesis in Eucharistic Prayer I
Who Should Sing the Exsultet?
Denying Communion to Someone
Deviations in Holy Week
Eucharistic Prayer for the Celebrant(s) Alone?
Ashes for Children and non-Catholics
Friday Abstinence and Local Solemnities
The Papal Coronation Oath
Exorcism of Salt and Water
The Old Catholic and Polish National Churches
Impediments to Ordination
Adoration and Mass
Disposing of Old Missals and Sacramentaries
Cup Instead of Chalice
Brothers or Sisters
Why Water With Wine
Covering the Crucifix
Breast-Beating During the Confiteor
Lighting the Advent Candles
The Ave Maria at Funerals
Obligation of the Liturgy of the Hours
If Not Ready for the New Missal
For All vs. For Many
Managing a Large Missal
Use of a Hand Missal at Mass
Breviary and the New Missal Translation
Doxology Grammar; New Missal
Should Lectors Sit in the Pews?
Marian Prayers Before the Blessed Sacrament
Which Ordinary to Mention at Mass
Celebrating the Memorial of John Paul II
Upside-down Crosses
Right-Handed Gestures
Mentioning Names at Communion
Canonizations and Infallibility
Central Focus at Mass
Churching After Childbirth
Antiphons and the Graduale Romanum
And Also With You
Which English Translation to Use Abroad
Fasting Before Mass
Kneeling at the Final Prayer
Mass With the Society of St. Pius X
Wearing the Rosary as a Necklace
Wearing Stoles Over the Chasuble
Translating Visibilium Omnium et Invisibilium
Translating Pro Multis
When to Extinguish the Easter Candle
Exposition of the Precious Blood
How Brides Should Dress
Limited Veneration of the Cross
Combining Stations and the Passion Liturgy
Options for the Washing of Feet
Infant Baptism in Lent
Why Dates of Easter Differ
Confession Before Baptism
Stamping the Faithful With Ashes
Sunday Mass on Mondays
Criteria for Preparing the Altar
Faulty Trinitarian Formula
Crucifixes, Bows and Celebrants' Palms
Mixing the Forms
Prostration at the Consecration
Deacons and Exorcisms
Bows in the Extraordinary Form
I Now Declare You Man and Wife
A Service as a Substitute for Mass
Spanish Translations for U.S.
Singing at the Elevation
Requiem Masses on Sundays of Advent
A Christmas Play After the Homily
Decorating the Sanctuary
Eastern-Rite Children and Holy Communion
When 2 Deacons Are Present
Gregorian Masses; Multiple Intentions
Extraordinary Form; Book of Blessings
Rosary During Eucharistic Adoration
Anointing for Mental Disorders
Breaking of the Host
What Consubstantial Means
Bowing While Kneeling
And With Your Spirit
Teens as Extraordinary Ministers
The Episcopalian Eucharist
Speaking in Tongues at Mass
When a Priest lives in Public Sin
Children's Sunday Liturgy at Midweek
All About Indults
The Te Deum
When the Liturgy of the Eucharist is Fast
Consecration of Both Species for Mass
When a Concelebrant Takes Photos During Mass
Let the Little Children Run?
On Banners, Overhead Projectors and PowerPoint Displays
Babies in the Offertory Procession
The Adoro Te Devote
Kneeling Through the Doxology
Blue Liturgical Vestments
Bishop as a Concelebrant
Candles at the Gospel Reading
Eastertide Holy Water and Statues
Baptismal Font Near the Altar
Extra Kneeling; Monstrance on Holy Thursday
Crowded Altar?
Weddings in Lent
Why Only One Chrism Mass
Rite of Election of Catechumens
Commemorating Saints in Lent
Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation
Need for Annual Confession
Colors of Cassocks and Altar Cloths
After a Church Is Attacked
Paper Towel Purificators
Adoration Without Exposition
Penitential Rite in the Mass
When the Faithful Take the Host Directly
Adapting the Mysteries of the Rosary
Baptism of the Lord and Ordinary Time
Christmas Vigil Masses; Options on Readings
When the Priest Should Receive Communion
Mentioning Bishops in the Eucharistic Prayers
The Sanctus
Questionable Baptism
The Meaning of Should
Guarding Against Swine Flu
Polka Masses
Indult for 3 Daily Masses?
Venerating Relics at Mass
Veneration for a Venerable
Frequency of the Extraordinary Form
Celebrating in an Eastern Rite
Liturgical Garb for Habit-Wearers
Female Servers in the Extraordinary Form
When the Mass Officially Begins
Blessed Sacrament Under Glass
Funeral Masses
Anonymity in the Confessional
Laypeople's Use of Oil
Eastern Rites and Orthodox
Substituting the Psalm
Healing Masses
Masters of Ceremonies
Where the Priest Should Begin Mass
Marian Hymns at Offertory
Extent of a Bishop's Authority
Prayers Recited Quietly
Pre-recorded Masses
Confirmation and the Laity's Role
Why the Various Postures at Mass
So Very Dry Liturgy
Gregorian Masses
New Priests Blessing Bishops
Lighting the Easter Candle
Deacons and the Passion Narrative
Blessings at Holy Communion
Deacons and the Chrism Mass
Non-Catholics Preaching the Seven Last Words
Holy Water, Abstinence and Mimes
Adding Names in Eucharistic Prayers
Alternative English Texts for Mass
Incensing the Congregation
Table Wine for Mass
Applause at Homilies
Concelebrating at Additional Masses
Shifting or Substituting the Sunday Liturgy
Midnight Mass and 9 p.m.
Extraordinary Ministers and Both Species of Communion
Cruise Line Rent-a-Priest
Christmas Cribs in Church
On Paraliturgies
Readers' Bows to the Presider
Honoring the Book of the Gospels
Eucharist vs. the Word
Postures at Adoration and After Communion
Missing or Faulty Forms of Absolution
Saturday Mass for Sunday
Civilly Married Couples
Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials
Preparing the Corporal on the Altar
Both Hands at Elevation of Host
Churches Dedicated and Consecrated
Pedophiles and Ordination
Complications of 2 Forms in 1 Rite
Appropriate Penances
Masses for Priestly Vocations
Interpreting Liturgical Norms
Precious Blood for Young Children
Leaving Right After Communion
Cohabiting Brides and Grooms
Communion Service Instead of Mass?
Using Classrooms for Mass
Celebrating the Mass Silently
A Commentator's Role
Rite of Marriage
Kissing the Hands of a New Priest
Hearing Confessions During Mass
Electric Sanctuary Candles
Praying for the Departed
Pope's Processional Cross
May Crownings of Mary
Omitting the Washing of the Hands
Coffee and Food in the Sacristy
Padre Pio, Monsignor Escrivá and the Roman Missal
The Double Alleluia
Saints' Prayers for Souls in Purgatory
On Pontifical Masses, and the Exultet
Lay Preaching on Good Friday
Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation
Marian Masses in Lent and Advent
Crosses on the 14 Stations
Hosts From the Tabernacle
Purification of Sacred Vessels in U.S.
Laypeople Distributing Ashes
Baptism and Presentation of Our Lord
Non-ordained Presider
When There's a Medical Emergency
Face-to-Face Confessions, and Other Queries
Accommodating the Deaf
When a Church Is Desacralized
Broadcasting the Parish Mass
Through him, with him ...
Baby Jesus in the Crèche
Participation in Protestant Events
Gospel Acclamation, Before and After
Using the Chalice Pall
Invoking Old Testament Figures
Arriving After the Gospel: No Communion
When an Orthodox Joins the Catholic Church
Mentioning the Mass Intention
What a Deacon Can Do
Female Altar Servers
Using Multiple Ciboria and Chalices
Altar Cloths
Spanish Homilies Read by a Layman
Slide Shows at Homilies
Novenas and Devotions During Mass
A Sacristan's Duties
Gloria's Sin and Agnus Dei's Sins
On Changing the Corporal
Veneration of Altar at End of Mass
When Words Over the Host Are Repeated
Where the Tabernacle Should Be
Concelebrants From Different Rites
Why No Litanies at a Wedding
When a Host Isn't Swallowed
Masses for the Living and the Dead
Benediction by a Bishop
Head Coverings for Women
Blessings Without a Stole
Blessings at First Masses
Agnus Dei, Beyond the Norms
Divine Mercy Sunday
Sounds of Silence
Origin and Use of the Paschal Candle
Ensuring Enough Hosts for Good Friday
When Reading the Passion
Ending the Morning and Evening Prayer
Masses for Non-Catholic Officials
What a Concelebrant Must Recite
Distributing Communion to Concelebrants
Rite of Sprinkling with Holy Water
Membership in the Masons
Mixing Blessed and Unblessed Oils
What About 1967's Musicam Sacram?
Office of Readings the Evening Before
Attending Sunday Mass at Other Parishes
Explaining the Mass During Mass
3 Masses on Christmas
Overdoing the Christmas Decorations
Substituting for the Creed
Angelus Right After Mass
Consecration at a Distance
When Celebrating Mass Alone
Consecration at a Distance
Exposition of the Eucharist by a Layperson?
Pius V's 1570 Bull
Changing the "Pray, Brethren..."
The Divine Praises at Adoration
Scriptural Translations
Unauthorized Baptism
Scriptural Basis of the Mass as Sacrifice
Non-liturgical Music in Cathedrals
Withholding Communion at Mass
Adding St. Joseph to the Eucharistic Prayer
When Youngsters Request Confirmation
Gregorian Chant in the Parish
Starting Mass Without a Priest
Indulgences on Sold Items
Sign of Peace
Anointing of the Sick
Why the Creed Doesn't Mention the Eucharist
The Chair of the Priest Celebrant
Use of Mustum at Mass
Incensing the Host, Altars, Etc.
Episcopalian Eucharist
Enthronement of Gospel
Communion Hosts at Papal Masses
Deacon's Duties and Gestures
Singing the Consecration
Where Altar Crucifixes Should Face
Combining Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
2 Paschal Candles; Lights On at Vigil
Way of the Cross Within Mass
Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday
Prostration and Vestments on Good Friday
Why No Chicken on Days of Abstinence
Reserving the Precious Blood
Non-Catholics Distributing the Precious Blood
Picking the Day Lent Begins
General Absolution at a Nursing Home
Polygamy, Sons and the Priesthood
Use of Altars by Non-Catholics
How to Understand Purification
An Alb Alone; Delayed Penance
Moms Giving First Communion
Using Deacons as Readers and Servers
Lector in an Irregular Relationship
Formula at Priest's Funeral
Is the Consecration Gradual?
Advent Prayer and the Incarnation
When to Set Up Christmas Decorations
When Eucharistic Prayer IV Can Be Used
Funeral Masses for a Suicide
Wearing the Cassock
Confession for RCIA Candidate
Proper Posture After Communion
Concluding the Prayers of the Faithful
When to Bow Before Communion
Storage of the Holy Oils
Holding Hands at the Our Father?
Substituting [for] the Lamb of God
The Rite of Marriage