Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: deacon in music ministry

From a reader: There is a situation I would like to ask your (or your readers’) advice about. If a man whose job was to be a music director at a parish with a serious sacred music program perceived a calling … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: promoting reverence at Communion

From a priest reader: Quick question with regard to GIRM #281. "Holy Communion has a more complete as a sign when it is received under both kinds.  For in this manner of reception a fuller light shines on the sign … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests | Tagged ,
89 Comments

QUAERITUR: Old & new calendar – feast of St. John Vianney

From a reader: I have a question for you regarding the celebration of feasts that fall on a different date in the new calendar rather than the old. Our diocesan office of worship is planning events for the year of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Year of Priests |
8 Comments

QUAERITUR: Confessions forbidden on Sunday?

From a reader: We had a visiting priest today who refused to hear confessions because the CIC forbids the Sacrament of Penance to be celebrated on Sunday.  I’ve checked my own copy of the CIC and found no such Canon … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
58 Comments

QUAERITUR: Urbi et Orbi blessing

From a reader: I’ve read in several places, and heard at the time, that the twice-yearly papal Urbi et Orbi blessing grants forgiveness of all sin, and that there is a plenary indulgence attached to it. If the former is … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
5 Comments

QUAERITUR: privileged altars

From a reader comes a good question: Do the spiritual concessions attached to a privileged altar still apply? I heard from a priest that they no longer do. If a pastor of a church suspects his high altar was (or is) … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
12 Comments

QUAERITUR: baptism practices… AGAIN. Fr. Z rants.

WARNING – this has been updated and must be corrected!READ THIS BEFORE READING ANYTHING ELSE BELOW. If water does not touch the head, baptism is invalid. But most of my comments below still have their use. __________________ From a reader: … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Malachi Martin and his novel Windwsept House

From a reader: I’ve been doing some reading of Malachi Martin and in his novel Windwsept House he says that a Black Mass was celebrated in the Vatican.  He was interviewed about this and he says it’s true and that … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
65 Comments

QUAERITUR: marriage validity question

In most cases I refer people with questions about the validity of their marriages directly to a real live parish priest who will be in a position to help them work out any problems they may have. This question, however, … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: “We baptize you…” valid?

A friend asked a question by telephone. A priest in a parish baptized two children using the proper rite for baptism, pouring water properly, but saying "WE baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and … Read More

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