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...
Category: Liturgy
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...
Priest: People Deserve Better Liturgy
For all the reasons we can muster to explain why people stop coming to Mass, “There comes a point when we have to stop and ask ourselves...
Mikyle Adams’ Passion is the Organ
By Theo Lawrence & Mary Leveson – Cape Town’s St Mary’s cathedral is fast becoming fertile ground for young organists. Its resident organist, Dale de Windt, is a...
19th Sunday of the Year Reflection
What does it mean to have life until the age to come? All of us live as though we have more time; more time to do things;...
