Category Archives: The Armchair Liturgist

The Armchair Liturgist: Greater Works On Mother’s Day

Posted on 12 May 2017 by

If your parish has a lot of funerals, today’s and Sunday’s Gospel may be the most proclaimed reading you offer at Mass. Funeral celebrants don’t get to this piece in verse 12, which has made me wonder since my college … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture, The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist Provides the Order of Mass

Posted on 2 May 2017 by

PrayTell discusses college student assessments of Sunday worship. One comment from one you know well: It’s why the Order of the Mass should always be available and easy to find. Failing to do that is a signal failure of hospitality. … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Cremation Terminology

Posted on 3 November 2016 by

Words mean a lot, especially to a liturgist. Your opinion, dwellers in the purple chair, on the portmanteau “cremains.” Would you use it, discourage it, or ban it? If one of the latter two, any notion of a replacement?

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 5 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist Huddles Up Before Mass

Posted on 26 October 2016 by

I was reading a liturgy commentary that came out earlier this year. The issue has come up in a few of my parishes over the years. What do you think of the practice of liturgical ministers–musicians, servers, Communion ministers, lectors, … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Blessing New Hymnals

Posted on 26 August 2016 by

How do new hymnals in a parish get introduced? Fund-raising campaign? Negotiation with the finance committee? Your people come to Mass one weekend, and surprise! New books. Some of you may know the Book of Blessings provides for the blessing … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgical Music, Scripture, The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Slowing Prayers

Posted on 19 June 2016 by

The Benedictine monks at St Martin’s Abbey have a careful pace to the psalms and certain texts, like the Lord’s Prayer. I was caught a few times, but even in a smallish community of twenty-something, it’s easy to get back … Continue reading →

Posted in Rite of Penance, The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist Silences Cell Phones

Posted on 4 April 2016 by

The songleader was responsible for this announcement when I arrived at my new parish. “Please silence or mute your phones before Mass begins.” For Advent, we cut all announcements and went right to the music. I haven’t returned the notice. Parishioners … Continue reading →

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 12 Comments