Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: using old Mass rubrics in the new Mass

From a reader: Recently, our apostolate targeted priests to say the Ordinary Form properly as well, and even encourage the use of the rubrics of the Extraordinary Form, in the Novus Ordo. Nonetheless, one of our priest consultants (who is … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged ,
22 Comments

QUAERITUR: harmonizing with the priest during the doxology

From a reader: Please don’t think I’m a heretic, but I was at one of those great circumstances where multiple celebrants sang the last part of the Eucharistic prayer (which I think is the doxology). They sang it together and … Read More

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30 Comments

QUAERITUR: I heard “excommunication” in the words of absolution!

From a reader: While I am praying my Act of Contrition in the Confessional, I hear the priest praying in Latin. Sometime I hear him say the Latin word for excommunication and this always makes me afraid that he has … Read More

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6 Comments

QUAERITUR: sandals

From a reader: When I was on vacation at Lookout Mountain, Georgia USA, I saw the Priest wearing SANDALS with his vestments. Yeah – that surprised me, too! Is this normal? Shoes are rather new-fangled inventions, actually. And there are … Read More

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26 Comments

A priest’s thoughts about celebrating “ad orientem” for the first time

Do you remember the Monty Python sketch about the funniest joke in the word?  It was so funny that it would kill you.  Even just seeing a couple words of the joke on paper would put you in the hospital. … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, Mail from priests | Tagged
45 Comments

QUAERITUR: getting around celibacy by leaving Church and coming back

From a reader: For the sake of argument, couldn’t a married Catholic man, who wanted to become a priest, simply get around the un-married rule by seeking ordination in an Episcopalian/Anglican seminary and after ordination simply take advantage of John … Read More

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39 Comments

QUAERITUR: More than one intention with stipends for one Mass.

From a reader: Over the years, parish practice has allowed that there be several intentions listed at Mass. These collective intentions are a daily occurrence with some Masses having four or five intentions. Our bishop has recently begun to enforce … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: confession by phone, long-distance

From a reader comes a question about long-distance confession, using telephone or other technology. I am on the road at the moment and do not have good internet connection at the moment.  Same old story, I’m afraid: wifi settings are … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
14 Comments

QUAERITUR: bestowing “minor orders”

From a reader: With the recent news of the upcoming ordination of several men to the Minor Orders, I was wondering — perhaps you’ve spoken on this — what is the canonical standing of these men?  I know several people, … Read More

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35 Comments

QUAERITUR: artificial flowers

From a reader: At the meeting of the Altar & Rosary Society this morning, the discussion about Christmas poinsettias came up. It was suggested that even though real flowers would be used for most of the decorations, that fake poinsettias … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
34 Comments