Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Can a lay man impersonate a priest for drammatic presentations?

From a reader: Is it permissible to portray a priest as a reenactor? I have been asked to portray a Catholic chaplain of the 69th New York in 1862. I know a few poeple who have done so, but none … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Things manipular. Wherein Fr. Z rants and ties on one.

From a reader: For some reason unbeknownst to me I am intrigued by the maniple. My understanding is that when the maniple comes off, the Mass is suspended, hence the reason for permitting the reading of announcements just prior to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Proportion of communicants and ministers

From a reader: Today, in a rather large church, there was only 20 in attendance at mass with 17 of us going to Holy Communion. Father had 3 EMHC assist him. One with the Body of Christ and two with … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Mind goes blank during confession

From a reader: I went to Confession the other day, and my biggest fear came true- my mind went completely blank. What happened was the guy ahead of me informed the priest (he’s a visiting priest) that we could hear everything … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Didn’t finish penance from confession before Communion.

From a reader: Yesterday before mass I went to confession and by the time I was in the confessional, the bells of the consecration were ringing. My pennance was 12 Our Fathers and 12 Hail Mary’s. (I had confessed some mortal sins, and … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Ringing bells during Mass

I will leave this to the readers to help with. I’m training the altar servers at my parish, and we want to add ringing the sanctus bells at the epiclesis. In the 3rd edition of the roman missal, when should the bells … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Priests obliged to say the daily Office but not daily Mass.

From a reader: It is my understanding that those ordained to the priesthood are bound by canon law to pray the main hours of the Divine Office daily. I think by main hours, it is Matins, Lauds, Sext?, Vespers & Compline. However, how … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Some people go to the Communion rail quite early.

From a reader: In my parish, some of the parishioners approach the Communion Rail at what seems to be too early a time. They go up as the second Confiteor is said by the servers, and are kneeling at the … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Saying “Amen” before Communion in the Ordinary Form.

From a reader: Is it required that a communicant say “Amen” in order to receive Holy Communion at the Novus Ordo? I ask because we normally attend the Extraordinary Form, but last weekend we were traveling and attended the Novus Ordo. … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: People who arrive at Mass really late and then go to Communion

From a reader: During the Agnus Dei at Mass this morning, two unfamiliar teenage girls and a man, who I suspect to be their father, entered our rather small church and made their way to a pew. I was saddened … Read More

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