Category Archives: Rites

Readings for the Conferral of Holy Orders I: Old Testament

We’ve never studied the Ordination Lectionary on this site. I presume seminarians have a big say in planning this liturgy. I’m not sure it merits an in-depth look here; my purpose was to assist readers–mostly lay people, not so many … Continue reading

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Weddings Outside of Churches

A social media friend alerted me to a five-year experience in an Eastern archdiocese permitting a Catholic wedding at a location other than the parish church. A nice feature here. I won’t pad this post with relevant testimony. In the America … Continue reading

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Funeral Lectionary: Psalm 118

Over a decade ago, we blogged on section 347 of the Order of Christian Funerals. According to the Church, any of these sixteen psalms may be “chosen for use in various places within the rites.” (OCF 347) This section was … Continue reading

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Messing Up Important Words

A social media friend posted somewhat negatively on this article from last week’s OSV. Another friend, a lay colleague in liturgy, commented: It really is important that the priest gets the minimum words right! God’s mercy is not bound by … Continue reading

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The Human to Angel Conduit

I noticed a comment on a social media thread seeking musical suggestions for the funeral of an infant: I don’t quite get a song about angels for this kind of service, though it’s a lovely hymn. Angels are an entirely … Continue reading

Posted in Liturgical Music, Order of Christian Funerals | 1 Comment

Funeral Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-11

As I continue to experience new readings at funeral Masses, be they for popes or parishioners, I’m struck by the quality of some of the passages presented for consideration by people. Most recently, the family of one of our founding … Continue reading

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DSCAP 50: A Final Word from Pope John Paul II

We come to the end of our examination of the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. Here’s a quote from two popes ago to the bishops of France: 50. “Too much importance can never be attached … Continue reading

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DSCAP 46-49: Order of Celebration, the Communion Rite

We get to the Communion Rite. The curia might be concerned about a thanksgiving not looking anything like the Eucharistic Prayer, but the element of a SCAP that resembles Mass the most in the eyes of most Catholics is the … Continue reading

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DSCAP 45: Order of Celebration, The Thanksgiving

One feature of the DSCAP is the “thanksgiving.” If it’s not supposed to resemble or imitate a Eucharistic Prayer, what is it? 45. The thanksgiving may follow either one of the ways described here. a. After the general intercessions or … Continue reading

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DSCAP 42-44: Order of Celebration, Introduction and Word of God

42. In the introduction at the beginning of the celebration, or at some other point, the leader should make mention of the community of the faithful with whom the pastor is celebrating the Eucharist on that Sunday and urge the … Continue reading

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Funeral Lectionary: Isaiah 29:16-19

Well over a decade ago, we looked at funeral readings. The page is still here. Looking at the Liturgy of the Word prepared for Pope Benedict’s funeral, I noticed a passage of interest from Isaiah. It’s not in any funeral … Continue reading

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DSCAP 41: An Outline of the Order of Celebration

The Directory lays out how a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest is to proceed. 41. The following is an outline of the elements of the celebration. a. Introductory rites. The purpose of these is to form the … Continue reading

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DSCAP 38-40: Presiders

In absence of a priest, who can lead a Sunday liturgy? Let’s read what the Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest says about it. Deacons first: 38. When a deacon presides at the celebration, he acts … Continue reading

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DSCAP 35-37: The Order of Celebration

The Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest has a third chapter, addressing the ORDER OF CELEBRATION 35. The order to be followed in a Sunday celebration that does not include Mass consists of two parts, the … Continue reading

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DSCAP 34: Grace is Not Lacking

We arrive at the end of the second chapter of DSCAP, and conclude with a reminder from the DDWDS about grace being in the hands of God, and not human efforts or institutions. It’s a good quote, considering a committee … Continue reading

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