Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

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

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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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ASK FATHER: The priest won’t let me make an anonymous confession – updated

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question about confession. If you want to remain anonymous during confession, is it OK for the priest to not allow it? I did something horrible and it had a lot of ramifications in … Read More

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ASK FATHER: In the confessional Father said the Holy Spirit is a woman.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father during confession said in his opinion, the Holy Spirit is a woman. “She gives us birth in baptism, she will help you.” [Jackass!] His other remarks were well taken but I was so appalled I … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Children playing Mass, etc.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My autistic teenage son was recently confirmed and received his first communion from Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Although I’ve lived in and around NYC for more than 30 years, I realized I knew next … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Restoring, replating, regilding chalices

From a reader… I have a priest who is a good friend who owns a beautiful chalice he bought in Fatima. The gold plating on the inside of the chalice is beginning to thin out. Could you recommend someone who … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Communion services simply because the priest is away?

From a reader… QUAERITUR … sort of… there is am implied question: It all started when I tried to go to a noon Mass today at the liberal parish you have showcased before (the old pastor retired but the new guy … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Did Leo XIV use an older, traditional form of the “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing?

From a priest… QUAERITUR: I have not had time, and will probably not any time soon to go back to footage of previous last handful of Roman Pontiff to confirm, but I heard that apparently Pope Leo XIV when he … Read More

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