Father Paul Turner
The Place of a Eulogy at a Catholic Funeral
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on The Place of a Eulogy at a Catholic Funeral
“A member or a friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins” (Order of Christian Funerals, No. 170). That single sentence has become one of the most hotly contested rubrics in the Catholic liturgy, a field renowned for contentious issues. Some pastors allow a mourner to speak. Read More
Evaluating the Prayer to St. Michael
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on Evaluating the Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel has a well-earned reputation for defending the frail in battle. But he surely never imagined the formation of 21st-century battle lines around a prayer addressed to him. In recent years, some priests and bishops have reinserted the preconciliar prayer to St. Michael after the celebration of Mass. Concerned about attacks on Read More
From RCIA to OCIA
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on From RCIA to OCIA
As we await the revised English translation for the Christian Initiation of Adults, this is a good time to review the expectations that the ritual makes of priests. The Latin typical edition of this book appeared in 1972, over 50 years ago. It remains unchanged. Other liturgical books have had updates, most famously the Roman Read More
The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
“Reverence” is an elusive word that nonetheless governs some critical judgments on the celebration of the Mass. It is subjective. To some people, reverence means silence; to others, certain inspirational visual stimuli. To some, it means faithfulness to rubrics; to others, an increased use of Latin. Some Catholics become “judgy” of others when it comes Read More
‘This Is the Night’
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on ‘This Is the Night’
Christianity stares at death and sees life. The Easter Vigil brings worshipers into the heart of this paradox. When tears should signal an impulsive reaction to death, a lone singer stands athwart the community with a counterintuitive message shortly after it observed the crucifixion of Jesus: “Rejoice!” The Easter Proclamation summons angel hosts, the earth Read More
Celebrating the Vigil of Pentecost
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on Celebrating the Vigil of Pentecost
Unabashedly geeky in appearance, the extended form of the Pentecost Vigil slid into the repertoire of uncommon Catholic celebrations with the third edition of the Roman Missal. Adding Scripture readings and orations to the Liturgy of the Word on Pentecost, the extended vigil may appeal more to religious houses and cathedrals than to parishes. Yet, Read More
A Look at the Revised Order of Baptism of Children
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on A Look at the Revised Order of Baptism of Children
Before you baptize that next infant, be sure you are using the right book. In early 2020, the revised English translation of the Order of Baptism of Children (OBC) for the United States of America was released. You may now use the new order, and you must use it by Easter Sunday, April 12, at Read More