Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Do martyrs killed in the state of mortal sin go to Heaven?

From a reader: I know that the Church teaches that people that die in a state of mortal sin cannot go to Heaven. However, can martyrs killed in a state of mortal sin still go to Heaven? Excellent question, and … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Modern Martyrs, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Saints: Stories & Symbols, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

QUAERITUR: Woman training altar servers stands in as priest. Sacrilege?

From a reader: My parish priest recently asked an older (semi-retired) female altar server (former MC & Sacristan) from another parish to train our altar servers for enrolment into the Guild of St Stephen (http://www.guildofststephen.org/). First of all she discourages genuflecting (as it … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

QUAERITUR: Do I have to add details when I confess sins?

From a reader: In confessing a sin is it necessary to describe (giving some details of) the sin rather than merely indicating the name (species) of the sin? You don’t have to go into great detail, but you ought to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Confession – interpreters, eavesdroppers, secrecy and you

From a reader: Father, I spend a lot of time in Finland which has Europe’s smallest Catholic Church, [not to mention one of Europe’s oddest languages…] both in terms of absolute numbers and in terms of percentage of the population. … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

QUAERITUR: Confirmed, but in state of sin. Am I confirmed?

From a reader: If a person is confirmed in Mortal Sin, does it ‘count’, or must he/she be conditionally re-confirmed. What you are asking is “Was the sacrament validly conferred?” or “Is she confirmed?” Yes.  The sacrament was validly confirmed and … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , | 24 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can the priest say the older, Latin Mass ‘facing the people’?

From a reader: A local retired priest wishes to begin offering the EF of the Mass, but he wishes to offer it versus populum. He honestly believes he has that option. Is there a specific Church document forbidding this? If … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , , , | 46 Comments

QUAERITUR: Walking out of church because of the sermon.

From a reader: Today, the priest gave an overtly political homily that I have no doubt you would have found highly inappropriate. Think Fr. Michael Pfelger of Chicago. I sat through it in stunned disbelief but some got up and … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , | 108 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I have a job at a Lutheran church?

From a reader: I recently got laid off from my job, and have been doing whatever side work I can find until I find a stable job. One of these jobs has been to help in a Lutheran Service, by simply changing … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

QUAERITUR: What is “ad nutum episcopi”?

From a reader: Recently here in Minneapolis the 2 FSSP priests were assigned. One was assigned as ad nutum episcopi parochial vicar. What does this phrase mean and what does is say about his tenure? What we found on the … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

QUAERITUR: What is a diocesan “Chancellor”?

From a reader: My question is about the requirements for the Chancellor of a diocese. Some people have told me that the Chancellor is supposed to always be a priest. Is this correct? (Our diocese has had a woman Chancellor for decades.) … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , | 7 Comments