Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

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

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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

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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

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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

QUAERITUR: What is a “stable group”? How big? How small?

From a reader: Saw your most recent quaeriter [“quaeritur” is a verb, btw.] and noted the use of “stable group.” We are struggling with our diocese over the definition of that term, as they [“they”? Diocesan officials?] want to say a stable … Read More

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