Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: All Saints NOT of obligation in 2010

From a reader: Can you give insight regarding All Saints not being a Holy Day of Obligation? This was announced at a Mass my husband attended today in our diocese. It is also posted on Diocese website. There isn’t elaboration. … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
53 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mortal sin to join SSPX third order?

From a reader: I have a question about becoming a 3rd Order member with the SSPX. Would it put me into mortal sin to become a member? I have not attended their Mass on general orders from Pope Benedict XVI … Read More

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12 Comments

QUAERITUR: reconsecrating, restoring a chalice

From a reader: Many years ago, a chalice was donated to the parish of my grandfather as a memorial after his death. After several years, my grandmother received a call from the pastor stating that they were cleaning house in … Read More

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7 Comments

QUAERITUR: priest adds a word to words of absolution

From a reader: Father, i went to confession this afternoon and instead of the usual “I absolve you from your sins…” the priest said instead, “I now absolve you from your sins…”. Was my confession valid? Yes, it was valid. … Read More

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13 Comments

QUAERITUR: confessor without a stole, outside a confessional

From a reader: Today I was reading “Pardon and Peace” by Fr. Randolph, and he writes “Church law requires that confessions should normally be heard in a proper confessional” and that for hearing confessions “a priest should always wear a … Read More

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24 Comments

QUAERITUR: taking a chalice home to pray for vocations

From a reader: There is a “program” at Church, where a family takes the Chalice Home with them to pray for an increase in vocations. Now, our parish is supposed to be the most conservative in the area, and our … Read More

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35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Sunday obligation and Communion service

From a reader: Recently a friend of mine went to what he thought was Mass, but actually turned out to be a eucharistic service on a Sunday. He says the ordinary priest was absent but another person (assuming a priest … Read More

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43 Comments

QUAERITUR: Indulgences for the dead and visiting a cemetery

From a reader: Your recent answer to a question about prayers and Masses for non-Catholic departed brings to mind a question some friends and I were deliberating over. With regard to the indulgences we can gain for the departed during … Read More

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21 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can non-Catholics be saved?

From a reader: Can non-Catholics who die outside formal union with the Church be saved? I’ve had the statements of the Council of Florence pointed to as proof to interpret extra ecclesiam nulla salus. This seems to contradict what’s said … Read More

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173 Comments

QUAERITUR: homemade marriage vows

From a reader: I recently attended a Catholic wedding between two Catholics. During the ceremony, I believe the couple did the declaration of intentions according to the Rite of Marriage. When it came to the wedding vows, instead of using … Read More

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21 Comments