Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: Grounding for the “harrowing of Hell”

In a comment elsewhere on the blog… QUAERITUR: Father, since the Gospels do not record Jesus harrowing hell, where did that phrase of the Creed come from? Is it based on the writings of any of the Early Church Fathers? … Read More

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ASK FATHER: 9 1st Fridays but how do Good Friday (April 3) and St. Joseph (May 1) impact that?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: If we are keeping the 9 first Fridays, with the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart, how do Good Friday (April 3) and St. Joseph (May 1) impact them? I get your point: rulz iz rulz, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Judas and the 300 denarii v. the 30 pieces of silver

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A blessed Holy Week to you! I noticed that in the Gospel Judas complained that the ointment could have been sold for 300 coins. Are those the same coins with which he was paid later? Is … Read More

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ASK FATHER: John 8:55

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Question re Passion Sunday gospel Latin Message: Would you please translate this passage from Sunday’s gospel with all the nuances of plurals and verb tenses translated into English – even clunky English? I am curious why … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Why are Sunday “of Lent” in the Novus Ordo and “in Lent” in the TLM?

From a priest reader QUAERITUR: I noticed that in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar we have Sundays IN Lent and in the Novus Ordo we have Sundays OF Lent.  What’s going on? In the 1962 Missale Romanum today is called … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Ashes On Very Small Children, Babies? – PRIESTS invited to comment especially

From a priest: Reverend and Dear Father, Ash Wednesday is soon to be upon us, and I am faced with the situation I am often faced with: whether to impose ashes on cute, angel-faced infants. It never fails that, as … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Must we do penance, abstain from meat, on Friday in the Octave of Christmas?

This is a question which comes up each year. It came up again today. Must we do penance on Friday within the Octave of Christmas? The short answer is YES.  This year. According to Canon Law, Catholics are bound to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Classic Posts |
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ASK FATHER: What’s the difference between the “rejoice” of “Laetare” Sunday of Lent and “Gaudete” Sunday of Advent?

From a reader… QUAERITUR What is the difference between gaudete and laetare? Gaudete seems to be 2nd person plural imperative, while laetare looks like an infinitive. Both mean “rejoice” but is there a subtle theological difference in meaning? Laetare Sunday … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does a communicant have the right to receive communion from a cleric?

Under another post there is a question in a comment: QUAERITUR: Does a communicant have the right to receive communion from a cleric? Yes, and no. The 1997 Instruction On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Latin orations for St. Maximilian Kolbe

The Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe was yesterday, but I was travelling and unable to do much online.   Thus, I missed a question from a reader about the Latin orations so that he could be more properly celebrated in the … Read More

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