Category Archives: The Armchair Liturgist

The Armchair Liturgist Reminds Liturgical Ministers

Posted on 15 April 2014 by

One or two of my colleagues think I pamper my liturgical ministers. A person in an important role in worship should not need a reminder. But on the sign-up forms, we give them an opportunity to check a box that … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Stations of the Cross

Posted on 21 March 2014 by

The pastor forwarded an email from one of our students asking about Friday stations during Lent. Are they “traditional,” we were asked. Does a priest lead them? Good questions. What constitutes a “traditional” way of the cross? For many people, … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist Displays The Book of the Elect

Posted on 19 March 2014 by

My parish displays the Book of the Elect each Lent. Not every parish utilizes this book beyond sending to Election or the Rite of Election itself. Once in a parish, we had the book of the deceased out in November, … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Distributors of Ashes

Posted on 26 February 2014 by

The Big Day is only a week away. My schedulers leave our four Ash Wednesday Masses blank, so the more enthusiastic liturgical ministers get duty, as I post on Facebook, send emails, and they ask me at Mass. One duty not on … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Entry Into a Year-Long Catechumenate

Posted on 15 February 2014 by

My parish’s RCIA director has two people new to the Church entering the catechumenate this weekend. We will celebrate the Rite of Acceptance, always one of my favorite rituals, at 10:30 Mass tomorrow. These folks will be in the catechumenate … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Presidential Chair in a Small Chapel

Posted on 7 January 2014 by

I‘ve noticed at PrayTell they have a variation on the Armchair Liturgist feature, non solum, to discuss optional matters of liturgy and worship. I like this series so far. Here’s a good issue to discuss while sitting in the armchair … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Arm Gestures For Prayers

Posted on 21 December 2013 by

Just got back from a simply lovely wedding: an older couple in their thirties, very faith-filled. Some non-Catholics attending. The leader of the prayers of the faithful was a young lady, perhaps ten-ish. I noticed at the rehearsal last night … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Gestures of Blessing

Posted on 15 December 2013 by

At the end of every college semester, we call up graduates-to-be for a blessing before the dismissal rites. It’s been a fairly common, if not near-universal practice in parishes for the clergy to invite the entire assembly to “make a … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Ministers Praying Before Mass

Posted on 26 November 2013 by

I confess copying a topic from PrayTell. I have never had good fruitfulness with the effort of gathering liturgical ministers before Mass. In one parish, I had to actively discourage it, as one priest liked to have “wrestling matches” with … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist Celebrates the Last Sunday in October

Posted on 25 October 2013 by

This weekend is “Priesthood Sunday.” Is your parish doing anything about it? Check Archbishop Gregory’s thoughts on it. I found a parish in which the pastor wrote up something big in the church bulletin last weekend. Is that kind of … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: All Souls 2013

Posted on 19 October 2013 by

All Souls Day falls on a Saturday, something of an awkwardness for some parishes (like mine) that don’t regularly celebrate a Saturday Mass. Some communities celebrate with a “special” Mass, inviting people who have lost loved ones, and having a … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Vestment Cleaning Schedule

Posted on 30 September 2013 by

Advent is not too far away. Are your purple/violet/blue vestments ready? How often are your vestments cleaned? We have a parishioner who volunteered to oversee the dry cleaning of chasubles and stoles. We have a rough schedule to follow. Obviously, … Continue reading →

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Armchair Liturgist: Big Feasts on Saturdays

Posted on 9 September 2013 by

This year the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross falls on a Saturday. This coming Saturday, in fact. This is the third of five feasts this year which, while not “high” enough to be obligatory holy days, are … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: Mass on Civic Holidays

Posted on 31 August 2013 by

My parish ordinarily celebrates a weekday noon Mass. That time slot seems less than optimal for a civic holiday like Labor Day. It’s one of three days of the year in which we move 12:00 liturgy for a non-holy day to … Continue reading →

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The Armchair Liturgist: First Communion Solo

Posted on 8 August 2013 by

A nearby parish celebrates First Reconciliation in second grade, First Eucharist in third. Setting aside for the moment the wisdom of that policy, we have parishioners who recently transferred back to us. But, lo! Their oldest child “missed” the sacrament … Continue reading →

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