Category Archives: Liturgy

Hands Off Hands Together

Posted on 26 September 2016 by

My facebook feed included a link to Deacon Greg’s mild takedown on holding hands at Mass. Another link was cited, with some limp-wristed reasoning: The practice of holding hands while praying the Our Father comes from the Protestant world. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Liturgy | 9 Comments

Misadventures in Roman Documents

Posted on 23 September 2016 by

I noticed an effort at CMAA’s forum to duplicate a discussion we had here almost five years ago. Looking at GIRM 30 through 41, the author intends to … (highlight) some issues that would at times vary from what I … Continue reading →

Posted in GIRM, Liturgy, The Blogosphere | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Day Of Opportunity

Posted on 12 August 2016 by

I was pleased to discover some weeks ago my parish is offering the same holy day schedule this coming Monday as it does for when such observances are obligatory. Compared to Sundays, the numbers will be small. I suppose that … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Liturgy, Parish Life | 7 Comments

Summer Common Psalms

Posted on 3 August 2016 by

One of my parish’s better singers wrote to me about the high(er) bar I’ve placed on psalmists, and it’s continued through June and July: I know I have struggled with several this summer, and I’ve watched other cantors have trouble as … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgical Music, Liturgy | 2 Comments

Cantors And Their Arms

Posted on 1 August 2016 by

Jerry Galipeau asked “Why do cantors at Mass extend their arm/s or hand/s when it is time for the assembly to sing?” From the blogger: I simply memorize the first few lines of whatever it is that the assembly is … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Scripture | 1 Comment

Sunday Mass Without Music

Posted on 30 July 2016 by

Pondering that (usually early) Sunday Mass without music, I was thinking back to the parishes I’ve served over the years. My first parish had music at the 8AM Mass, even the Gloria. But the repertoire was basic, and generally different … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgical Music, Liturgy | 5 Comments

Moving On From Lot’s Wife

Posted on 24 July 2016 by

I’ve always loved the cheek of bargaining with God in Genesis 18. Abraham is well aware of his creaturely status, but comes back again and again to make his case for a few innocents in Sodom. He’s thinking of Lot, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Scripture, spirituality | 7 Comments