Liturgy & Worship

News from the Office of Worship

***COVID-19 UPDATES***: For up-to-date information about the Diocese of Burlington’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19, including restrictions and adjustments mandated for liturgical celebrations, please click here. The most up-to-date protocols for celebrating Mass are below.

***ONLINE MASSES***: Access the online Masses from the Diocese of Burlington. Other spiritual resources for the time of the pandemic may be found here.

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion: The Rite of Election, scheduled for February 28 at the Cathedral, has been cancelled. Pastors with catechumens or candidates may request delegation to celebrate the Rite of Election through the Office of Worship. No delegation is needed for the Call to Continuing Conversion.

Chrism Mass: The Chrism Mass will be held Tuesday, March 30, at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Burlington.  At this special Mass celebrated by Bishop Coyne, the Oil of Chrism is consecrated, the Oils of Catechumens and the Sick are blessed, and the priests within the Diocese of Burlington recommit themselves to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The seating capacity for the Chrism Mass is 250. Registration is required to attend the liturgy in person, and can be done here. Priests wishing to concelebrate the Chrism Mass are asked to contact Josh Perry in the Office of Worship to RSVP their place.

Prayer to Make a Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most holy Eucharist. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Diocesan Liturgical Policies and Guidelines

The Diocesan Office of Worship and the Diocesan Worship Commission have been charged with working to update various diocesan policies and guidelines concerning liturgy, including guidelines for liturgical ministers, music, the celebration of matrimony and funerals, art and environment and Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. As these policies are approved, they will be posted here.

Liturgical Guidelines during the Covid-19 Pandemic

• Resuming Public Celebration of Liturgy in the Diocese of Burlington (Phase II Protocols – Revised August 28, 2020)
• Liturgical Guidelines for the Celebration of Advent and Christmas 2020
• Liturgical Guidelines for the Celebration of Holy Week 2021

Liturgical Guidelines for the Diocese of Burlington (currently in review)

• Sacramental Guidelines
• Diocesan Liturgical Calendar
• Diocesan Guidelines for Music in the Liturgy
• Diocesan Guidelines for the Celebration of Marriage
• Diocesan Guidelines for the Celebration of Funerals
• Diocesan Guidelines for Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
• Diocesan Guidelines for Art and Environment in Worship
• Diocesan Guidelines for Confirmation – 2020
• Preparing Parish Masses with the Bishop as Celebrant

Liturgical Ministry Guidelines for the Diocese of Burlington (currently in review)

• Diocesan Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Diocesan Guidelines for Lectors
• Diocesan Guidelines for Altar Servers

Forms

• Planning Sheet for the Celebration of Mass with the Bishop
• Rite of Election Registration Form and Information for 2021
• Adult Confirmation Registration Form
• Order Form 
  • Prayer for the Return of a Non-Practicing Catholic Pew/Holy Cards
  • Bishop deGoesbriand Holy Card
  • A Guide to the Celebration of Mass for Visitors and Guests Worship Aid Booklet

Online Resources

Liturgical Catechesis & Formation

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was the first formal document issued by the Second Vatican Council. The document lays out the vision the council had for the reform of the liturgy which is still being realized today. 

General Instruction of the Roman Missal: This detailed document contains the directives for how to celebrate the Mass. 

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship: The Bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship is the national committee of bishops responsible for all things having to do with the liturgy in the United States and assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in liturgical matters. They also have a helpful and extensive Prayer and Worship Page that links to many articles on the Mass and other liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church.

Taking the Time for Advent: Josh Perry, Director of the Office of Worship, offers a reflection on how Advent prepares us to encounter Christ coming in history, Christ coming in mystery, and Christ coming in majesty and how we can best take the time during Advent to prepare for our encounters with God. Watch Taking the Time for Advent – 2020.

Resources for Lectors: The preparation that occurs in the week prior to one proclaiming the Word of God at Mass is an essential part of the Lector ministry and is as important as the proclamation itself. Throughout 2018, regional workshops on Preparing, Praying with, and Practicing the readings have taken place throughout the diocese. A video of this two hour workshop is available; email Josh Perry for instructions on how to access the video. A list of additional Lector Resources are also available to download.

Funeral Resources: During the month of November, the Church traditionally remembers in a special way those who have died. This is an opportune time to learn more about the Funeral Liturgy the Church offers to the faithful when they die. The articles below provide some initial background on these liturgies. Please contact the Office of Worship or your local pastor if you have particular questions.

A Personal Reflection on the Funeral Mass

November as a Month of Remembering

The Funeral Rites: Three Stages of Prayer

Symbols in the Funeral Mass

Gathering in the Presence of the Body – A model prayer service when the family first gathers before a wake or funeral service.

Order of Visiting a Cemetery – A model prayer service that can be used when visiting a grave.

Various Prayers for the Month of November

Liturgical Music and Musicians

Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship is a document that provides guidance for the use of music in the liturgy. The document was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops in 2007 and is a helpful resource for clergy and liturgical musicians, especially those responsible for coordinating the music at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. A study guide, published by the National Pastoral Musicians group, is also available.

Liturgical Art and Environment

Built of Living Stones, published by the United States bishops in 2000, is a guide that helps parishes plan for the building and renovation of a church. Also included in the document are guidelines and reflections on the use and place of sacred art in worship as well as preparing the church environment for the different liturgical seasons.