Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

EPIPHANY traditions: exorcisms, blessings, special chants, eggs, etc.

Let’s be clear about something.  Epiphany falls on 6 January.  Always has, always will.  This year, the year of grace 2018, 6 January is a Saturday. Great feasts have vigils.  Vigils are moments of penance, preparation, recollection.  We fast before … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Are blessings, holy water, etc., less effective if Latin isn’t used? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… who picked up on something I wrote about blessings and holy water in the traditional form compared to the new, post-Conciliar form… HERE QUAERITUR: “The exorcisms of the salt and water are to be done in Latin.” … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How long does holy water stay blessed?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I got to wondering about the properties of holy water. Since so much water has been blessed before and recycled throughout time, does the church have comments about the length that water stays “holy”? Or is … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Antisemitism among “traditionalist” Catholics – UPDATED

UPDATE 31 Dec 2017: The original questioner wrote: Thank you so much for your guidance in response to my query. I had never even considered that my heartache could be used as an opportunity to grow in holiness! Rereading my … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Prefaces “ad libitum” in the 1962 Roman Missal

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, what is this “Prefatio ad Libitum” in some 1962 Missals? I saw Prefaces for Advent, Sundays Throughout The Year, etc. May these be used in the Extraordinary Form? Thank you so much for answering my … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Penance on Friday in the Octave of Christmas

I’ve been texting with a Famous Catholic Author™ about today, a Friday in the Christmas Octave, and the obligation to do penance.  I’ve received email about it, too. The Octave of Christmas does not have the “weight” of the Octave … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Mary was an “unwed mother”? The Holy Family were “refugees”?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: At this time of year the inevitable ‘Mary was an unwed mother‘ and The Holy Family’s flight into Egypt makes them migrants sermons are very confusing. Can you clarify these interpretations? Or recommend a source that … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Why do servers lift the chasuble during the elevation of the Host?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Why do servers elevate the chasuble during the elevation of the host? I was looking for a good answer after my mom asked me. Thanks! The practical answer is the best answer. It is a custom … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father doesn’t put particle of Host into the chalice

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I attend daily Mass in my local parish and one local priests (who is not newly ordained) always omits commingling a particle of the Host into the precious blood after consecration. He fractures the Host into four pieces for … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does a priest need a dispensation to say Mass “ad orientem”?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello Father. I recently asked my Pastor if he would ever celebrate the Ordinary Form of the Mass ad orientem. He replied that a dispensation is required from our Bishop. I’ve never heard such a thing. Could this be … Read More

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