Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: A sick child and fulfilling Mass obligation

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I attended an Extraordinary Form Mass this morning [Sunday] so I could stay home with a sick child while my husband and older children went to a later Novus Ordo Mass at our parish. I forgot … Read More

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7 Comments

ASK FATHER: A priest gave me a penance in confession that was too hard

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Long ago I went to confession and was given and reluctantly agreed to\ a rather onerous penance not required by justice. I didn’t end up doing it after thinking about it for a while and went … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Why do Catholics hold their hands open and turned upward during Mass?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have seen a certain posture at Mass: Why do you think people do this? Why do they choose this non-Roman posture instead of the orans posture? And what posture should I do at home? Just … Read More

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45 Comments

ASK FATHER: Were Jesus, Mary and Joseph “refugees”? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Several readers have asked whether or not the Holy Family were refugees. Some are reacting to “nativity” scenes, showing them in cages, and so forth, which is an obvious manipulation of the Nativity narrative to score cheap political shots, at … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
11 Comments

ASK FATHER: Are “Novus Ordo” ordinations truly valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, I’ve done some reading on whether Novus Order orders are truly valid or not and am confused. Would love to get your learned comments on the matter. Thanks for your work. You ask if ordinations … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , , ,
17 Comments

ASK FATHER: “I dread the Feast of the Holy Family.”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Every year since so returned to the Church I dread the Feast of the Holy Family. I don’t come from a pious family, nor am I married, but instead chose to live a life of perpetual … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, HONORED GUESTS, One Man & One Woman | Tagged
59 Comments

ASK FATHER: Deacons in the Novus Ordo

From a diaconal reader… QUAERITUR: I have begun serving Solemn High Masses, at local parishes near my assignment for a couple of years now. The experience of serving at the Latin Mass has enriched my diaconal ministry in ways that … Read More

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4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Too much water mixed with the wine in the chalice. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Your article, “ASK FATHER: Altar boy notices priest skipped the consecration of the Precious Blood” states that Mass is not celebrated until the priest consumes both species of the sacrament. Since our congregation receives under both … Read More

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5 Comments

ASK FATHER: Irritating fundraisers during Mass

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was and still am a strong supporter of the EF, but after years of building and developing both personal and professional relationships, I fell away from my faith. I have recently begun attending Sunday Mass … Read More

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36 Comments

ASK FATHER: Peter’s Pence these days. Alternatives?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I read an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning about how the Peter’s Pence collection largely funds the Vatican deficit. I am a stickler for finance and am forced to run a very lean … Read More

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6 Comments