Catholic Trivia Quiz
How well do you know your Church? Test your knowledge in every issue of the Southern Cross magazine – 1.Whose Gospel opens with the words: “In the...
Category: Liturgy
Pope to Altar Servers: Be Signs of Faith to Your Parishes
Being an altar server should be a “profession of faith” to the entire parish community, Pope Francis told young men and women participating in Portugal’s annual altar...
Bell at the Consecration During Mass?
By Fr Kenneth Doyle Question: I was in a liturgy committee meeting at my parish, and I suggested that we have the altar server ring the bell...
God’s Gender in Liturgy, Prayers and Hymns
Question: I would very much like to know the church’s official position on whether God should be referred to as “Father” (that is, in masculine terms) or...
Foot-Washing Rite at Holy Thursday Mass
The foot-washing ceremony on Holy Thursday is perhaps one of the most meaningful of the Sacred Triduum’s liturgical moments. It has been made even more significant now....
Difference between Solemnities, Feasts and Memorials
EWTN (Zenit) – Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university. Question: We as Catholics commonly use the word “feast” to cover...
May the Congregation Raise their Hands To Pray?
By Fr Thomas Plastow SJ. Question: Why is the congregation forbidden to use the “orans posture” during the Lord’s Prayer? Does the Lord really care what we...
English Bishops Adjust Liturgical Translation Of A Part Of Mass
The English and Welsh bishops’ conference has decreed that in the translation of the conclusion of collects in the Roman Missal, “one” is to be omitted before...
Flowers in Church: Seasonal, Simple, and Local are Best
In November, when many Christians say special prayers for their deceased loved ones, chrysanthemums are the flowers seen most often in Italian churches and on Italian graves....
SACBC Standardises Wine to Be Used at Mass
Catholic Bishops in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland have officially endorsed a specific wine to be used during Liturgical Celebrations of the Holy Mass. Letter from SACBC...
What Cloth Must Go On The Altar?
A sacristan recently told me about a priest who refuses to cover the altar with a full-sized cloth because he doesn’t like “fancy decorations”. I was brought...
Pope: We Need to Change Hearts, not Just Books, to Improve Liturgy
The sacred liturgy is meant to help the people of God conform their heart, mind and actions more closely to Christ, Pope Francis said. “We know that...
