Sacred Liturgy

Archdiocesan Guidelines

Protocol for Archdiocesan Celebrations 2020

Sacraments of Christian Initiation

Sacrament of Baptism

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

**Please see below links to both the video and audio versions of the webinar that took place on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 on the Revised Order of Penance.

The Order of Penance (formerly the Rite of Penance) is a revision of the first English translation of the 1973 Latin edition.  The revision only affects the translation and not the structure of the rites.  Its first use date is Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023.  Its mandatory use date is the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16, 2023.  After this date no other English translation may be used.

Sacramental Preparation Guidance for School Age children When They Register for School

Sacrament of Marriage

Funerals

Liturgy of the Word with Children

Liturgical Ministries

  • Norms for Altar Servers
  • Guidelines for Lectors
  • The Liturgy of the Word and the Ministry of a Lector
  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
    • All Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, without exception, are to have a current appointment letter from the Archbishop.
    • Extraordinary Ministers who serve in institutions and schools throughout the Archdiocese are typically commissioned for service in their parishes and likewise commissioned for service in the institution and/or school.
    • Candidates are to be fully initiated practicing Catholics, high school graduates, not in an invalid marriage, recognized for faith and devotion to the Holy Eucharist as well as for service in the parish/institution/school.  Pastors/chaplains are reminded to be discerning in the invitation to members of the lay faithful to carry out this ministry.
    • Pastors and chaplains are encouraged to send new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the archdiocesan formation sessions.  Letters of Appointment from the Archbishop will then follow.  Veteran Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are also welcome to attend.
    • Pastors and chaplains are reminded to inform the Office for Divine Worship if they conduct their own formation and to send to this office their request for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  Request forms can be found on the Office for Divine Worship website. Letters of Appointment from the Archbishop will then follow.
    • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed for a three-year term and for the place where they are commissioned.  Terms may be renewed if agreeable to both the pastor/chaplain and the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
    • All records of active Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are maintained by the parish/institution/school.
    • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned after participation in a training session, according to the form found in the Book of Blessings, Chapter 63, “Order for the Commissioning of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.”
    •    Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion only serve in the parishes/institutions/schools for which they are commissioned.
  • Norms for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in Institutions and All Academic Settings
    in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Liturgical Music

Homilies

Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities

Protocol for Building New or Renovating Churches and Chapels with Particular Attention to Liturgical Requirements

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in addition to what is described in the liturgical ritual books, follows the guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the building and renovating of churches and chapels.  These guidelines are found in the USCCB document, Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship, 2007, Fifth Printing, revised.

Protocol for Building New or Renovating Music Spaces in Churches and Chapels with Particular Attention to the Musical Instruments for the Celebration of the Sacred Liturgy

Miscellaneous