Category Archives: Rites

Office for the Dead

Posted on 5 August 2020 by

Some days ago, a commentator asked about the Office for the Dead. We blogged extensively on the funeral rites almost ten years ago. It seems that while I devoted a number of posts to the praenotanda, or instruction from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Order of Christian Funerals | 1 Comment

Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 86

Posted on 16 July 2020 by

It shouldn’t be a surprise that most of the psalms chosen for the Pastoral Care Lectionary fall in the genre of lament. The 86th is a lovely work. It makes a weekly appearance in Compline on Monday night. In my … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Posted on 21 June 2020 by

The early Church at Corinth was much loved by Saint Paul. That much is obvious. If it weren’t true, he wouldn’t have spent so much anguish on the people there. One of the Corinthian problems seems to have been resurrection … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: John 6:53-58

Posted on 9 June 2020 by

The pastoral care Lectionary intersects with some of the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday. Or Thursday if you live in special Catholic places that don’t move feasts to the weekend: Jesus said to the people, “Amen, amen, I say … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Job 19:23-27

Posted on 6 June 2020 by

Job suffers greatly. From chapter three of his biblical tale, his patience erodes and he rants against God. Three friends watch in horror as he appoints himself to his own defense, railing against God. In turn, each of them try … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Colossians 1:22-29

Posted on 1 June 2020 by

Saint Paul, or more likely an author in his tradition, follows the citation of an ancient hymn to Christ with this passage: (Christ) has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: James 5:13-16

Posted on 12 May 2020 by

We looked at this reading years ago in the series on the Reconciliation Lectionary. From New Testament times, the Church has urged illness as an opportunity for making things right with God and other persons. Institutionally, the sacraments of Anointing … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Revelation 21:1-7

Posted on 9 May 2020 by

Here is a reading from near the end of the Bible that can be used near the end of a person’s life. It’s one of many readings in the Pastoral Care Lectionary. While some Christians are absorbed by the last … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Mark 16:15-20

Posted on 7 May 2020 by

I found the ending of the Gospel of Mark to be a curious addition to the Lectionary for the Pastoral Care of the Sick. Sure, it offers a promise that Christian disciples “will lay hands on the sick, and they … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: John 10:11-18

Posted on 4 May 2020 by

Yesterday was “Good Shepherd Sunday,” but it wasn’t until today’s Lectionary that Jesus identifies as such. Yesterday, the fourth Sunday of Easter in cycle A, Jesus tells us he is the Gate. The way in. The way out. And the … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 80

Posted on 30 April 2020 by

The CDWDS has approved a “Mass in Time of Pandemic.” Possible readings include a Mass “in any need.” (Cf. Lectionary for Mass, vol. IV, nos. 938-942) There are also special readings, and here is one of two possible Psalms. The … Continue reading →

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OCM 77-78: Concluding A Nuptial Mass

Posted on 30 April 2020 by

More rubrics. Let’s get to them: 77. At the end of Mass, the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, prays the Solemn Blessing. A priest friend of mine once objected to this second blessing. It seemed to … Continue reading →

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OCM 74-76: The Nuptial Blessing, And What Follows

Posted on 29 April 2020 by

The rubric for the blessing mentions the priest’s bodily action: 74. Then the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, continues: O God, who by your mighty power …  The same three options are given as in the … Continue reading →

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OCM 72-73: Invitation to The Nuptial Blessing

Posted on 27 April 2020 by

The Wedding Mass continues through the Liturgy of the Eucharist: the Eucharistic Prayer and its acclamations, and the Lord’s Prayer. Now we have an insertion that nudges aside some of the usual orations: 72. After the Our Father, the prayer … Continue reading →

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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Luke 24:13-35 part 3

Posted on 24 April 2020 by

Most often, Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus is seen as a metaphor for the Eucharistic celebration. The Old Testament Scriptures are unpacked and broken open for the disciples. But they point to the Lord and … Continue reading →

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