Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: What to do about altars with huge Nativity scenes in front of them?

From a priest: As I prepare to take some time away from the during Christmastide, it occurs to me that all of the altars in my home town will have large, practically immovable, Nativity scenes in front of them. I … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Long confession lines, having only venial sins, and blocking someone else’s chance to confess

From a reader: Last week I was in line for a long time, and finally entered the confessional around 3:25. As I was leaving, the sacristan came in behind me to tell Father it was time to prepare for Mass. There were still … Read More

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47 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a priest act as a deacon in the Novus Ordo? Wherein Fr. Z confesses (and rants).

From a reader: Does the [Novus Ordo] preclude the possibility of a priest serving as a deacon and not concelebrating? From the Caeremoniale Episcoporum: “22. Presbyteri, qui celebrationes episcopales participant, id solum quod ad presbyteros spectat agant; (SC n. 28) … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
25 Comments

QUAERITUR: Getting a blessing at Communion time. Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: We hope to bring 2 children (extended family) to Mass on Christmas Eve. They have not been baptized. QUAERITUR: Are unbaptized children allowed to go up to Communion with their arms crossed and receive a blessing? What … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , ,
33 Comments

Learning Latin responses for the TLM

Every once in a while I get a request to record the Latin responses for the TLM so that people who want to serve Mass can learn them more easily. A friend sent me a link to online recordings made … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Rubrics for Aztec dancers during the offertory

From a reader: On the fest of Our Lady of Guadeloupe the local parish here had Aztec liturgical dancing during the offertory. Everything else was fine, but this seemed a bit off. It opened with the dancers running to the altar … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Missing Masses with the “corny music”

From a reader: I am having difficulties reconciling my love of the EF Mass with the fact that sometimes I miss the OF Mass and it’s corny music. You know, sometimes I miss being able to expressively belt out Table of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , , , ,
55 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priests and a silent Roman Canon

In another post I wrote about an option for a silent Canon/Eucharistic Prayer in the Ordinary Form. This comes from a priest: I have had an interesting experience with the new translation of the Roman Missal. Since it arrived, I decided … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, The future and our choices | Tagged , , ,
28 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can EMCHs give “blessings”?

From a reader: At Mass this morning, at least one of the EMs was ‘blessing’ children as they came forward. My understanding was that only priests could give blessings. We are a parish with 2 priests covering 3 churches, plus … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , , ,
50 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a bishop forbid Mass in Latin?

From a reader: You recently had a post about Latin and the Novus Ordo with a reference to canon 928. You asserted that Mass can always be celebrated in Latin based on that canon. If one’s bishop makes it a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, HONORED GUESTS, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
29 Comments