Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Masses for things instead of for people

From a reader: Father, is it appropriate for a person to ask a priest to offer Mass for a non-human intention, like “for a bountiful harvest” or “for good weather”? Canon law says (c. 901) that a priest can offer … Read More

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10 Comments

QUAERITUR: decree about excommunications of SSPX bishops

I have received several emails asking about the juridical effect of the lifting of the excommunications of the SSPX bishops in January 2009. Some are saying that the decree means that there never were excommunications in the first place, some … Read More

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31 Comments

QUAERITUR: Bishop requiring exclusive use of the Extraordinary Form

From a reader: I have a purely hypothetical question. I know all priests may say the Extraordinary Form of the Mass without special permission of their bishops (i.e. It is up to the priest if he wishes to say it), … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare |
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Requiem on Sunday

From a reader: Father, is it ever allowed in the Extraordinary Form that a Requiem Mass be celebrated on a Sunday? Perhaps for a private Mass.  If I, for example, were to learn of the death of a friend, I … Read More

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11 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is the SSPX just being stubborn?

From a reader: Why is the SSPX still not in union with Rome? Especially with groups like the FFSP what problem do they still have with us? They could unite with Rome, and still basically continue as usual. Am I … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
73 Comments

QUAERITUR: parent won’t attend wedding without SSPX priest

From a reader: My Fiancée’s family is SSPX. Since coming to college she has realized the error in their beliefs, so she is no longer SSPX. We are planning on getting married next november We would absolutely love to get … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity |
32 Comments

QUAERITUR: Was Latin the “vernacular”?

From a seminarian: A brother seminarian and I recently attended one night of a parish mission of sorts led by a renowned Catholic musician. In one tangent mentioning the newly corrected translation of the Missal, he stated how the Mass … Read More

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12 Comments

QUAERITUR: Admitting RCIA candidates to Communion?

From a reader: I have a question that I cannot find a direct answer: Our pastor made the decision to allow non-Catholics in RCIA to receive Holy Communion. He stated that “Anyone who believed the Church’s teachings on the Mass … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: The canopy over the Holy Father’s chair

I was not able to see any of the canonization Mass on Sunday.   Today, however, I received a question from a reader about the canopy over the Holy Father at his chair. Whilst watching some of the Ceremonies from the … Read More

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17 Comments

QUAERITUR: non-Catholics reciting the Rosary

From a reader: Me and a group of my friends try to go weekly to a nearby nursing home to visit and pray with the people there. We usually go around the rooms asking if any of them want to … Read More

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19 Comments