Editor's Note: This is the first installment in a new monthly column by Father Paul Keller, OP, interim director of the diocese's Office for Divine Worship.


A concerned Catholic asks: What is the Office of Divine Worship, and why is it needed in the Diocese of Columbus?

Response: Dear Concerned Catholic, thank you for that excellent question to kick off what I hope will be a regular Q&A column in The Catholic Times called “Sacraments 101.”

Several months ago, Bishop Earl Fernandes reinstituted the Office of Divine Worship (ODW) after Bishop Robert Brennan had reorganized Chancery staff and temporarily suspended the work of the ODW. 

Virtually every diocese in the world has someone who assists the bishop in his work as the principal leader of the worship of God. As director of the ODW, I report to the bishop and assist him as he wishes with the “prayer life” of the diocese in accordance with official Church teaching.

In a diocese of our size there are many times that the bishop offers Masses in various parishes, administers the sacrament of confirmation, gives episcopal blessings, and is present to all the people of his diocese. Each one of those events, whether it is a Mass or some other event, needs planning in terms of the various ministers (such as deacons and altar servers) who assist the bishop as well as those who oversee music preparation and other aspects of the bishop’s visit. 

Often, with Bishop Fernandes, several of these events are held on any given day. It is the work of the director of the ODW to review the plans for the bishop’s visits and coordinate the details that go into making his visits to his parishioners a fruitful experience for all involved. 

There was, for instance, much planning for the Masses and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the recent Women’s and Men’s Catholic Conferences in Columbus, which were attended by thousands of people.

The director of Divine Worship also assists the bishop by giving him counsel about theological and sacramental matters as well as to the priests and laity of the diocese. For instance, someone might write to ask why it is that we say “amen” after receiving Holy Communion, or why the words of the absolution formula changed this month, or whether it is permitted for a priest to administer the sacrament of confirmation rather than the bishop. 

There are not enough hours in the day for the bishop to respond to these inquiries, and so he asks the ODW to send responses to these important questions.

Directives are sent frequently from the Holy See in the name of the Holy Father that must be implemented in each diocese. When these directives deal with the Mass or sacraments, the ODW has the responsibility to help the bishop see to the careful following of these decrees. Additionally, the director of the ODW must continually study the Church’s teachings and give presentations on them.

When an unusual event occurs that requires special care, then the ODW springs into action. For instance, when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at the end of 2022, priests needed instruction on appropriate actions to be taken, such as offering a Requiem Mass for the pope or the tolling of bells to honor his death. 

The ODW tries to anticipate the needs of the bishop, priests and laity on these occasions so that all may participate in the worship due to God.

When the priests of Columbus gather next June at a multi-day conference, the ODW will help to ensure that all is in place for the Masses and the prayers of the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). Again, an event of this magnitude requires hours of planning and execution.

These are just some of the responsibilities that fall to the ODW. It is my hope to take on yet one more task: writing for The Catholic Times on a regular basis, answering questions that the people of our diocese send to me. Of course, because our diocese is so large, I will need to choose topics most on the minds of our faithful readers. 

I am grateful to Bishop Fernandes for inviting me to help him with his most important work: leading all of us in the Columbus diocese in fitting worship that gives the greatest honor and glory to God we can offer. 

May God abundantly bless you and all the priests and deacons of Columbus and send us even more priestly and religious vocations.

Father Paul Jerome Keller, O.P., S.T.D., interim director of the diocese’s Office of Divine Worship, is a priest of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph. His doctorate is from Rome in sacramental theology. He currently assists at Columbus St. Patrick Church.