Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Can a priest in the confessional assign AA meetings for penance?

From a reader: Can a priest give AA meetings for a overindulgent penitent? WHAT?!?  Noooo… bad idea. Look. A priest can, I guess, give whatever penances he can get away with.   If the penance is too onerous or impossible, … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
33 Comments

PODCAzT 134: Christ the King, the Collect, and a listener’s question

Here is a little offering about the Collect for the Solemnity of Christ the King, as it is today in the post-Conciliar, Ordinary Form, calendar.  I use some material I wrote for the best Catholic weekly in the UK, The … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Four Last Things, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, PODCAzT, Reader Feedback | Tagged , , ,
4 Comments

QUAERITUR: Do we have the right to ask for Traditional Form baptism?

From a reader: We are planning our daughter’s baptism next month and would appreciate your guidance regarding an issue that has arisen. Our parish does group baptisms twice a month outside of Mass. While our pastor was willing to do … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
52 Comments

QUAERITUR: Clarity about Pius XII’s cool Thanksgiving Friday indult

I’ve been getting a lot of questions by email from people in these USA who want to know about the indult that Pius XII gave to Americans to eat meat on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Rorate looked at that HERE, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged , , , , ,
10 Comments

QUAERITUR: Does the obligation to do penance on Fridays bind us under pain of sin?

From a reader: I advised a friend that Catholics are either to abstain from meat on Fridays or to substitute another form of prayer, good work, or abstinence; and that she should confess if she failed to do this. In … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , , ,
26 Comments

QUAERITUR: Examination of conscience and “Speaking against priests or consecrated religious”

From a reader: Hello Father! An examination of conscience asks, “Have I spoken against a priest, or against anyone consecrated to God? (This is a sacrilege).” I am not sure what constitutes “speaking against”, but I have made fun of … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liberals, Magisterium of Nuns, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
13 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should EMHCs cleanse their fingers after distribution of Communion?

From a reader: If EMHC are used should they cleanse their fingers of Eucharistic particles after communion? Of course they should! Let an ablution cup or bowl be set somewhere, in advance, so that they can purify their fingers. The … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
20 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should priests be appointed for six year terms?

From a reader: I am curious about the appointment of pastors (specifically diocesan priests). The bishop in the diocese I grew up in (usually) assigns pastors for life. The bishop of the diocese I now live in assigns them to … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill | Tagged , , , ,
41 Comments

QUAERITUR: Are priests required to wear clerical dress at all times?

From a reader: Are preist required to wear them at all times? Im sure you’ve been asked this before. I’m a new reader I cant find the answer on your blog. I’ve tried for two months. Can you answer or … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
49 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should I encourage my daughter to be an altar girl?

From a reader: I belong to a parish with a good Shepard. I also have two wonderful daughters, one of which has been an alter server (she is 12 by the way). Our priest tried to walk back the use … Read More

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63 Comments