Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: Removing Holy Water during Lent

From a reader… I am currently serving at a parish as a transitional deacon. On Thursday I noticed along with the parishioners that the Holy Water was removed from the entrance of the church. They were looking all around for … Read More

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31 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can a pastor forbid an assistant from using black vestments?

From a priest… QUAERITUR: Can a Pastor of a parish forbid a Parochial Vicar from wearing a black chasuble at funerals? I just heard of 2 pastors in [a large NE Archdiocese] who have forbidden their traditional-minded parochial vicars from wearing … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Slubberdegullions | Tagged
21 Comments

ASK FATHER: If there is no other priest, does Father put ashes on himself? #ashtag

From a priest comes a good #ashtag question… QUAERITUR: A couple priests have asked me today, and I have no good answer – when a priest is offering Mass on Ash Wednesday without another priest present, or a deacon, does … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , ,
36 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is it OK to clap at the end of the recessional hymn at Sunday Mass?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: At our Sunday Masses there is instantaneous applause at the end of the recessional hymn. Is this OK? I have sent many emails to the parish priest and he agreed that this is not correct but … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Decorum, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
32 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is there a good, conservative RCIA program?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I attend a Maronite church and our priest has decided he wants to offer an RCIA type program (Maronite Rite doesn’t technically have one). He’s a generally conservative priest and I was hoping you might suggest … Read More

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33 Comments

ASK FATHER: Faculties of the Missionaries of Mercy after the Year of Mercy

From a priest… QUAERITUR: Do the missionaries of mercy still have the faculty to remit censures arising from reserved delicts? I’m working with a priest who is worried (I think he’s ok actually). But if a trip to the missionary would be able … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , ,
2 Comments

ASK FATHER: St. Patrick’s Day 2017 on Friday in Lent

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am responsible for a brunch which is served after the Saint Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral in my Archdiocese. This year, Saint Patrick falls on a Friday of Lent. I believe this means I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism | Tagged , , , ,
26 Comments

ASK FATHER: Praying for the Holy Father’s Intentions

From a reader… QUAERITUR: When praying for an indulgence, is it better / okay to pray for Holy Father’s HOLY intentions, rather than simply his intentions? These days it seems that – laying aside his published universal intentions – some … Read More

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4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Father doesn’t make Sign of the Cross when giving absolution

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Whether an absolution is valid if the priest prays the form of the sacrament correctly, but does not make the sign of the cross. This might just be scruples, but recently, I went to confession to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , ,
7 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can priests serve as and vest as deacons in the Novus Ordo?

UPDATE: I’ve received quite a bit of mail about my response.  The preponderance says that I was right in my argument, but also that the Caerimoniale‘s directions do NOT prohibit priests from vesting as deacons.  Here is an example: When the … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , , , ,
28 Comments