Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: “Transgender” nun?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: What is going to happen when someone who identifies as a male , but is in a sane biological based world female, wants to become a priest of some male who competed on the girls soccer … Read More

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ASK FATHER: 1st Communion at another parish because grandparents can’t travel

From a reader… I am hoping for your wisdom and guidance here. My daughter is preparing for 1st communion (May 2018) at our home parish. However, my parents, living in another state, are not in good enough health to attend … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Baptized but never lived as a Catholic, soon to marry

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A cousin of mine was baptised in the Catholic Church as an infant to fulfill the wishes of persistent grandparents. But was in no way raised in the Church and never recieved any other sacraments – … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, One Man & One Woman | Tagged , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Confessor gave a penance I could not do. Was the absolution invalid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A few weeks ago I went to confession, and after some words of consolation and admonition, Father gave me my penance. He said I had to pray to the Holy Spirit during Lauds and Vespers for … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged , , ,
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POLL: Starting your confession: “Bless me, Father…” or “Forgive me, Father…”

In another post, I responded to a question from a reader about blessings at the beginning of sacramental confession, following the words, “Bless me, Father, I have sinned…”. Of course, some people begin their confession differently. It occurred to me … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, POLLS | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: CONFESSIONAL DRAMA! Penitent says, “Bless me, Father” and actually wants a blessing!

From a reader… QUAERITUR: One of our wonderful [traditional order/institute] priests this Sunday mentioned – prior to his sermon – that he was surprised that so many of us were not correctly following the ritual of Confession. He said that … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Blessed candles for use at home

From  a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently purchased some beeswax candles which I want to have blessed in order to use them at home. My question is this: is there a preferable material for devotional candles? Is there a difference between, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Mass obligation when there’s treacherous ice and I’ve fallen before.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A woman in my 60s now, having had a couple of bad falls one requiring surgery, the other requiring weeks of bedrest . . . the church parking lot and walkways usually icy, frozen, unplowed, untreated, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does Pope Francis really want to change the Lord’s Prayer?

First, if liturgical translations frustrate you, just use Latin.  It is, after all, the official language of worship of the Roman Catholic Church. I have had a couple dozen panicked or confused emails, and a few more that are simply curious, … Read More

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Oath of fidelity made by all Bishops, some considerations, and YOU

As a follow up to the nearby post about Latin, and to what Fr. Hunwicke wrote about the oath that bishops have to take – in Latin – when they receive a mandate from the Holy See, here is that … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Latin, The Drill, What are they REALLY saying? | Tagged ,
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