Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: Does Lent really have 40 days? How does that add up?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, sorry for the possibly silly question, but adding up the days from Ash Wednesday to the Lord’s Supper Mass, excluding, it does not add up to 40 if we exclude Sundays as memorials of the … Read More

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15 Comments

Stupid Idea: Sand in holy water fonts during Lent. Fr. Z opines.

You would think that this stupid idea would have been eradicated by now but, no. I am sure that in some places you readers will see that Holy Water has been removed from the stoops – at the beginning of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, You must be joking! | Tagged , ,
13 Comments

ASK FATHER: Separating priest from altar in the Novus Ordo

From a reader… I have a question about the GIRM. If I’m reading it correctly everything except from the Offertory through Communion Rite must be done from the chair, and the missal and chalice placed elsewhere except for those times. … Read More

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10 Comments

ASK FATHER: Patron Saint of aquaculture workers

Since there is a great deal that’s fishy going on inside and coming out of the Vatican, thus making it a kind of fish hatchery, I thought this question was appropriate. From a reader… QUAERITUR: My dad is the manager … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged ,
5 Comments

ASK FATHER: During sick call, tea and biscuits before administering Communion

From a reader… QUAERITUR: When a priest arrives at a sick person’s house in order to provide Communion, should the Communion rite happen immediately upon arrival? I presume that tea, biscuits and chatting should certainly not happen beforehand? I was … Read More

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8 Comments

ASK FATHER: Popes in red rather than white?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Would you like to see the pope (or maybe the next one) resume wearing a red cassock? Well, this is a truly burning question, isn’t it. There are conflicting theories about how the pope wound up … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare | Tagged , , ,
8 Comments

ASK FATHER: The authority of pastors, parish priests, over people

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Dear Father, My family and I regularly travel to a different parish, in a different diocese, to attend Mass at an FSSP Mass centre. The FSSP Mass centre is served by priests from a nearby personal … Read More

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10 Comments

ASK FATHER: Use of 1964 Collectio Rituum, blessings and exorcisms in English?

From a priest… QUAERITUR: When using the older ritual of blessings, the ones still used at the time of the Second Vatican Council, some of the blessing itself could be done in the vernacular.  I have a Collectio Rituum that … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Latin, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
9 Comments

ASK FATHER: How to explain changing parishes without sounding “elitist”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Wondering if you had any advice on how to explain to family and friends why my wife and I have decided to go to mass on Sunday at another parish the next town over without sounding … Read More

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22 Comments

ASK FATHER: Butter in coffee on Ash Wednesday

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I know this is a bit early for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but I am curious (and excited about Lent). There’s a trend of putting butter into one’s coffee. Basically it’s supposed to make you … Read More

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7 Comments