Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: Ordinary Form Mass with a Communion rail?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ll ask the question up front: Is it illicit to celebrate the Ordinary Form while using a communion rail? If not, would use of a rail while celebrating the OF preclude reception of Communion in the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
36 Comments

What to do if you don’t know what to do. Wherein Fr. Z … advises.

My in-box is filled with email from people who are frustrated, angry, confused. I am with you.  I jot people’s names down and I pray for you.  I am shifting my other practices around to include mortifications.  After all, as … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
6 Comments

ASK FATHER: Varia concerning today’s problems in the Church

Since I am on the road and busy with many times, but since these are pressing issues, allow me to respond, but collectively. From readers… QUAERITUR: Given the rate things are going for this current pontificate, would it be sinful to … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Can the Novus Ordo be “ad orientem”, in Latin, with Deacons?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Novus Ordo be ad orientem with Latin, chant, a subdeacon and deacon in traditional vestments? Not only can the Novus Ordo be celebrated ad orientem, it ought to be.  The rubrics indicate that this is the standard, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
11 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can absolution be granted when no purpose of amendment exists?

Under another entry here a commentator asked: Can absolution be granted where no purpose of amendment exists? If granted, with no purpose of amendment, does it even ‘take’? No. And No. In normal circumstances, when there isn’t danger or some … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Vatican II | Tagged , , , , , ,
38 Comments

ASK FATHER: Diluting Holy Salty Water… Salty Holy Water… just plain Holy Water

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello Fr Z! Our pastor puts a lot of salt in the holy water. So much so that a MASSIVE crust forms on our font at home. Is it OK to dilute the holy water a … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: “I was filling out a family liturgical calendar and got to thinking…”

From a reader… This doesn’t really apply to next year, but I was filling out a family liturgical calendar and got to thinking. My wife and I have recently started abstaining meat on Fridays. We were married on the Feast of the Dedication of … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Reception of Eucharist multiple times with same Mass formulary

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Would it be wrong to receive the Eucharist attending the Saturday Mass of Anticipation & Sunday Mass? [Both with the same Liturgy]. Since matters of reception of the Eucharist in Communion more than once in a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , ,
13 Comments

ASK FATHER: Friday penance on 6 January where Epiphany is transferred

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hi Father Z, I’m confused about this Friday and the obligation to do penance this Friday. Our Bishops’ Conference (Canada) transferred the Feast of Epiphany to the Sunday, but we who follow the 1962 Calendar observe it on the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
22 Comments

ASK FATHER: Which superhero would you be?

From a reader… some lighter fare. QUAERITUR: Sometimes I see faithful, traditional priests as heroes. That word might be overused today, but that’s how I see it. They work in obscurity and take a lot of hard knocks and keep … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare |
18 Comments