Category Archives: The Armchair Liturgist

The Armchair Liturgist: Candlemas

Over the years occasional comments on the last outpost of the Christmas season. It’s only every five, six, or eleven years it lands on a Sunday to replace green with white. This year, it’s a mid-week observance. Sit in the … Continue reading

Posted in Parish Life, The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist: More Shades of Green

We’ve talked about ordinary time green on this site before. I have new co-chairs for AED (art/environment/decoration) in my new parish. I was happy with their work for summer ordinary time. Even though I’m not a fan of light green … Continue reading

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Worship Aid in the Bulletin

Some discernment over my parish’s communications media in the works for this summer. One of the proposals, which has been dismissed wherever else I’ve ever served, has a surprising ally: incorporating the weekly worship aid into the parish bulletin. Our … Continue reading

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 4 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Sixth or Seventh Sunday?

When the directive surfaced to observe Ascension on the nearest Sunday rather than the traditional Thursday, an option was offered in its wake. I don’t see it mentioned on the USCCB site today. I do remember that instead of losing … Continue reading

Posted in Easter, The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Paschal Candle and Easter Adoration

On his blog, Father Paul Turner responds to a question about adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the Easter season: should the Paschal Candle be lit? Sit in the purple chair and render judgment. Is this Candle only for Mass? … Continue reading

Posted in Easter, The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist Prays Triduum Hours in a Parish

Hours from now till Easter evening: what to do? In my experience, my parishes have done morning prayer on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Usually at the same time as morning Mass. One or two people are often surprised it’s not … Continue reading

Posted in Holy Week, The Armchair Liturgist | Leave a comment

The Armchair Liturgist Saves Your Seat

One of the Church’s processional days beckons. It’s Palm Sunday and we’re on our way to Jerusalem. My parish invites people outside, weather permitting, and maybe yours does too. We also field the occasional protest that if the weather’s too … Continue reading

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The Armchair Liturgist: Mass Intentions Aligned With The Liturgical Year

One of my duties at my new parish is to monitor the parish bulletin. One of those sub-tasks is to check the publication of Mass intentions. I noticed that during Christian Unity Week, the pastor has listed a prayer for … Continue reading

Posted in Parish Life, The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist: Special Observance On A Sunday

A few special observances can bump a green or a Christmas Sunday (yes, even Holy Family Sunday) from the liturgical calendar. We spoke of those in the series on Masses for Various Needs and Occasions. A local bishop can also … Continue reading

Posted in Liturgy, The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist Names People, Again

At the parish this week, lots of names coming in for prayers. It wasn’t really a function of the pastor and I settling the wording on Wednesday and me copying the two versions (though it seems there’s a law governing … Continue reading

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 3 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Major Feast On A Sunday

A handful of major feasts (pardon, solemnities) can bump a green Sunday from the liturgical calendar. Some are non-obligatory when they fall on (most) weekdays. In the US, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin occurs on a Sunday. Next weekend’s … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, The Armchair Liturgist | 8 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Silence In The Prayers Of The Faithful.

On the Universalis site, I found rubrics and text for the Prayers of the Faithful. After each intention there is a pause while the faithful pray. The minister says: Lord, in your mercy. All reply: Hear our prayer. The Priest … Continue reading

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | 1 Comment

The Armchair Liturgist: Peace In The Twenties

People are starting to think and plan more openly as the post-pandemic future gets a bit clearer. Like here. I think the big picture issues are vital: parish viability outside the wealthy communities, plus the core issues we’ve stumbled on … Continue reading

Posted in The Armchair Liturgist | Tagged | 5 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Ashes in 2021

In the time of pandemic, our parishes are getting instruction on distributing ashes two weeks from this writing. Sprinkling ashes on the heads of penitents was the first suggestion I saw a few months ago. A later complaint: ashes in … Continue reading

Posted in Lent, The Armchair Liturgist | 2 Comments

The Armchair Liturgist: Pandemic Christmas

Many American dioceses have permitted earlier Christmas Eve Masses this year. My parish starts at 2pm, which is the most anticipated liturgy I’ve yet experienced. I was noting this word from an Ohio diocese: (A)ttending any mass between Christmas Eve … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, The Armchair Liturgist | 3 Comments