Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Where did Mass “facing the people” come from?

We should network our brain power for this.  Father’s tired. From a reader: I once wrote (by invitation) an article for a diocesan newspaper in which I mentioned, inter alia, that Vatican II never called for the priest to face … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
101 Comments

QUAERITUR: “self-service” from the chalice

From a reader, edited: Last night I was scandalised, apart from the usual "inclusive" language that the Priest used throughout, he asked, after the Priests Communion (normally the EMHC’s are crawling over each other by now) whether there was a … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , ,
30 Comments

QUAERITUR: Pastor tells me, a deacon, to omit dalmatic on weekdays

From a reader: I am a transitional deacon on pastoral placement.  Please include me in your prayers for thorough preparation for the priesthood.  [Will do.] The Parish Priest has said that I should not wear the dalmatic for weekday Masses.  … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: bishop won’t allow choir to be in choir loft

From a reader: Our priest wanted to move the choir loft into the open attic space at the back of our church (over the narthex), [the logical place for a choir loft] but he said the bishop would not let … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Exposition of Host during Mass before continuing Mass

From a reader: Someone asked me today.. "what if after consecrating the bread the priest put it in a monstrance and had 30minutes of adoration before continuing with the mass?" Every part of me wants to say this shouldn’t be … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
15 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is Latin chant forbidden unless congregation can sing?

A reader asks: My priest recently mentioned that there is a document (he does not remember what it is called) that forbids the use of choir lofts and the singing of Latin chants unless the congregation is able to sing … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
21 Comments

QUAERITUR: Are priests, bishops ordained after 1969 validly ordained?

From a reader: I realize this must be a sensitive topic for anyone especially a priest ordained after 1969 but please know we are just seeking an objective answer. We have done our "homework" on this but who can we … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , ,
47 Comments

QUAERITUR: “Body of Christ” not “The Body of Christ” because people embody Christ

From a reader: Our priest informs the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion [Indeed, they are not "Eucharistic Ministers".  In fact, we need to have the discussion of whether they are techincally ministers at all.] of our parish that, henceforth, they … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
50 Comments

QUAERITUR: a blessed object as a raffle prize

From a reader: We recently had a bingo at our parish and the main prize for a raffle was a beautiful portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Prior to the bingo, the portrait was blessed by a priest. I know … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , ,
4 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priest in confession doesn’t ask for Act of Contrition

From a reader: My parish pastor forgets to ask me to say the Act of Contrition after I’ve finished my Confession.  (I should note that he is from Cuba and that he does not speak English well at all, although … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , ,
49 Comments