Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: Mass “for the gift of tears”… for someone else?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Mass for the gift of tears be said for someone else or is it only for the celebrant or person requesting the Mass? The prayers seem like a powerful source of conversion for self. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box |
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During this “watch”, each evening at St Peter’s Gregorian chant is sung… but hardly anyone sings. Why is that?

From a priest reader… As I’m sure you’ve noticed, each night in St. Peter’s Square, a small schola has sung the Oremus pro Pontifice for the Holy Father. It’s a gesture that is simultaneously reverent and traditional, yet incredibly simple. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, The future and our choices | Tagged
12 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum?

From a reader…. QUAERUNTUR: I was wondering if it is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum (i.e., praying for the Holy Father’s intentions being a requirement to gain the indulgence)? Also are there any traditional practices during … Read More

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7 Comments

ASK FATHER: How can Septuagesima and Sexagesima be “70th” and “60”? It doesn’t add up.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I don’t get it.  “Septuagesima” means “seventieth” and “sexagesima” means “sixtieth”, which are ten apart.  But the Sundays are seven days apart. 10 isn’t 7.  Is there an explanation? Here is something I’ve penned before. Roman … Read More

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2 Comments

PRAYERCAzT: Singing the 2024 Christmas Proclamation or Kalendas in Latin (audio), – and a hard ASK FATHER question

First, the Kalendas. For years I’ve posted about this.  It was/is a custom for centuries before Mass begins to sing the Kalendas, the solemn announcement of the birth of the Savior at Prime. Since Prime isn’t being sung in many places, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, PRAYERCAzT: What Does The (Latin) Prayer Really Sound L, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
5 Comments

ASK FATHER: Book about Mary in the Old Testament

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, Merry Christmas, almost. I’m looking a resource/s that will help me see Our Lady in the Old Testament. I know there are many passages that allude, foreshadow or indirectly tell us about her. I would … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Solitary Boast, The Campus Telephone Pole |
4 Comments

ASK FATHER: What if Father misses with water during one of the three pours during a Baptism.

From a priest reader… Thank you for your post: HERE (very helpful; answered a question of mine some time ago). I have had some discussions with some of our Priests regarding Baptism. Here’s a scenario that came up: Many times, baby … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box |
3 Comments

Surprise! I found them. Sorry about that.

I have been wondering why I hadn’t seen “Ask Father” questions for a while. Then I discovered that an old email filter had decided to work and was funneling questions into an old folder I had made to make it … Read More

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ASK FATHER: 8 December 2024 is Immaculate Conception but also the 2nd Sunday of Advent – What to do? – UPDATED

From a priest reader… This year the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December, falls on the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Which has precedence? It is transferred in the Novus Ordo.  Is it transferred in the Traditional Latin Mass? My initial reaction … Read More

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15 Comments

ASK FATHER: “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”… invalid?

From a cleric reader… QUAERITUR: I was wondering if I received valid absolution. The priest in confession said the entire formula correctly but at the very end he said “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
10 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is Baptism valid if one person says the words and another person pours the water?

From a priest friend (summarized): QUAERITUR: At Gloria.TV there is a story about aberrations in Germany [Imagine my shock!]. One was a Baptism problem: the priest said the words while the godfather poured the water. Is this a valid Baptism? … Read More

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5 Comments

ASK FATHER: Home Chapel How To’s – consecrated chalice and paten? Wherein Fr. Z rants

I’ve been getting notes about, and seeing chatter about on the interwebs, people setting up home chapels just in  case. I think it is good to have one anyway, not just in case. In any event, while it is relatively easy to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , ,
15 Comments

ACTION ITEM: 2 3/8″ hosts!

Dear readers, I received this.   Can you help? We are looking for hosts of the 2 3/8 size. We have two monstrances and lunas that take that size but no one seems to make them anymore. Previously we have gotten … Read More

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8 Comments

ASK FATHER: Using leavened bread for Mass – Just in case

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw your post about being at the Byzantine church on Sunday. You have pictures of their bread for eucharist. I know that in the Latin Church we are supposed to have unleavened hosts. If you … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
10 Comments

OLDIE ASK FATHER: A soul in anguish about the state of the Church. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I occasionally check posts from the past. I found something from a few years ago, which feels right for these hard days, especially in view of future persecution. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Dear Father, I feel [unsafe] going to Church, … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged
18 Comments

ASK FATHER: Our choir is scheduled to sing something that seems blasphemous

From a reader… QUAERITUR: You’re probably the only priest who can properly help me navigate this, given your knowledge of the fine arts, particularly classical music, as well as being solid on Catholic morality. You’re also the only priest whom … Read More

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6 Comments

ASK FATHER: Kissing the priest’s hand in the Latin Mass v. the liturgical spirit of Judas. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Finally I got my first Latin Mass and it was wonderful.  I want more more more and I can’t understand why the Pope doesn’t want us to have it.  I know he doesn’t like things he … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, Poetry, Priests and Priesthood, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
20 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can we eat meat on Friday in the Octave of Easter?

We are now in the Easter Octave – Happy Easter! Let’s get out in front of this before the calendar clicks over to Friday. First, allow me to post a shot of last night’s (Wednesday’s) repast. The beef is so … Read More

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7 Comments

ROME 24/3– Day 13 & 14: Easter Tuesday and Wednesday – QUAERITUR: The Ave Maria Bell Explained… even too much

Today, 3 April, Easter Wednesday, at 6:47 the sun rose over the Eternal City. The sunlight day will begin to end at 19:40. I got a little screwed up with my days in posting, so this is a sort of … Read More

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8 Comments

ASK FATHER: FSSP leaders had a meeting with Francis. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

This is what the FSSP released after the meeting. My emphasis. Published 1 March 2024 Official communiqué of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter – Fribourg, March 1st, 2024. Following a request from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Pope … Read More

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