Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Can seminarian bless an engagement?

From a reader… I am a seminarian. One of my family member is have a non-Christian wedding but wants me to bless her engagement at home. Is it okay to do so? No. Even if the marriage were to take place in … Read More

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ASK FATHER: During Year of Mercy can I go to SSPX Masses for my Sunday Obligation?

From a reader… May I attend a Mass by an SSPX priest during the Year of Mercy to fulfill my Sunday obligation? What is the current status of their Mass and is it affected by the Year of Mercy declaration … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, SSPX | Tagged , ,
39 Comments

ASK FATHER: Baptism with slight separation of matter and form… valid? Am I baptized?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was born to Southern Baptist parents and baptized at age 7 by immersion. I clearly remember standing waist-high in a pool of water… the Baptist minister pronounced the Trinitarian formula and AFTER WHICH, he immersed … Read More

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9 Comments

ASK FATHER: Frequent confession to overcome pornography

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, I am a new Catholic and I’m struggling mightily to overcome a past life filled with pornography. Sometimes I fail the day after a confession. Some Priests have told me not to go more than … Read More

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31 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can’t go to Mass on Sunday. Are we obliged to go on Saturday?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’m satisfied that Canon 1248 clearly grants us a generous concession to fulfill / satisfy our obligation to assist at Mass on a Sunday by going on Saturday evening. If my Church has a Saturday evening … Read More

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Speak badly of Pope Francis and incur automatic excommunication… NOT.

During the Year of Mercy – which I guess already began, at least in Africa, but which is going to begin sometime tomorrow in Rome and then some days later elsewhere – certain confessors are to be granted faculties to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Canon Law, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, The Drill, What are they REALLY saying?, Year of Mercy | Tagged , ,
13 Comments

ASK FATHER: Godparent by proxy?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am an American living in Europe, and I was baptized and confirmed by a priest (not the bishop) in the Roman Catholic Church at Easter in 2009 (at the age of 35) in the Czech Republic. … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does a chalice have to be consecrated before use?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My family plans to give a priest a chalice (he is from Ireland and does not have one of his own here in the US) and I have the following questions:  [Usually I take one question … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Lutheran wife is against me, a convert, going to Mass

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a convert from Lutheranism, and my wife and children remain irregularly practicing Lutherans. My wife says that my absence for Mass every Sunday is a selfish betrayal of family time, and that our whole … Read More

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15 Comments

ASK FATHER: Prayer services and lay people extending hands to “bless” an Advent wreath

From a reader… I have recently noticed something strange at my school. We had an Advent Prayer service in which the students were told to extend their hands to bless the Advent wreath. Is this alright? I heard that lay … Read More

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10 Comments