Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

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

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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

QUAERITUR: Is it right to genuflect in a Catholic church?

From a reader: I have become confused by genuflexion and I am hopeful you may be able to clear up my problem. I am a convert from Anglicanism and in that tradition I had always genuflected when entering or leaving … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Work or school on Holy Days of Obligation

From a reader: I have a question regarding Holy Days.  I am no longer a student, but when I was I always remember having school on Holy Days (and I went to a Catholic grade school and high school).  Yet, … Read More

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15 Comments

QUAERITUR: In mortal sin, but I have to go to Mass. What do I do? Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: I feel horrible I fell in to mortal sin today and I am supposed to go to Mass, what do I do? Why is this hard? You go to Mass anyway.  Just go.  If you shouldn’t receive … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
34 Comments

QUAERITUR: “free from attachment to sin” for plenary indulgence

Several readers have asked along these lines: To get a plenary indulgence we have to be completely detached from sin, affection for sin, even venial sins.  Since only Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother were perfectly free from attachment to … Read More

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23 Comments

QUAERITUR: “bishops in soutanes with big, gaudy riiiiiiings”

We now shift away from the less important issues – salvation outside the Church and American exceptionalism – to focus on something of momentous significance. From a reader: At times I have seen priests wearing a short black cape over … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, Parody Songs | Tagged ,
26 Comments

QUAERITUR: “centering prayer” in a parish

From a reader: A parish close to us (not our parish, but one we go to for confession) has a centering prayer “ministry.” My understanding was that this was an extremely dangerous, if not forbidden practice, rooted in Buddhism. The … Read More

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29 Comments

QUAERITUR: Salvation outside the Church… again…

From a reader: in one of your recent post, concerning “extra Ecclesiam nulla salus”, you have discussed an option, that actually, one might be saved outside the Catholic Church. Your proposition was also based on Augustin. Recently, however, I have … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back | Tagged ,
19 Comments