Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Recessional Hymn – to sing or not to sing?

From a priest: Last Sunday at the end of Mass the musicians chose a song that just wasn’t striking a chord with me. I couldn’t muster the energy required to pretend to be gleeful and sing along. As I looked … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , | 81 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is enduring a migraine a substitute for Friday penance?

From a reader: Would enduring a headache or migraine constitute a proper substitute for a Friday penance? I’ve seen in others how intense the suffering is. Enduring any illness can be penitential. Suffering can be offered up for the good of one’s soul … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged | 24 Comments

External (TLM) Observance of Corpus Christi on Sunday… yes? no?

Today I had qualms… qualms I say… about the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost for the traditional celebration of the Roman Rite.   Why?  “External celebration”? One of the long-time readers here posted in a comment (tossing some of my words … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , | 48 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is Mass valid if the priest is in mortal sin?

From a reader: Sometime ago, I was told by a priest that if the priest is in mortal sin, the mass (primarily Holy Communion) is still valid, his argument being that you wouldn’t know that he was in mortal sin. I was … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , | 33 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is a priest forbidden to be in the congregation?

Under another entry I posted an email from a priest about his experience of being in the congregation during the celebration of Mass according to the Novus Ordo, the Ordinary Form.  HERE This raised, again in email, questions from priests … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should people make responses during the Traditional Latin Mass?

From a reader: I have been attending the TLM almost exclusively for four years now. Where I used to live the responses were always given by the servers and we were expected to unite ourselves silently. However I’ve just moved and here there … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , | 87 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should I serve at the altar if I don’t want to be a priest?

From a reader: I have been an altar server for several years. However, after a slowdown two years ago, I have figured out that priestly ordination is probably not for me. Occasionally, I still serve at an Eastern Catholic parish, … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , | 48 Comments

QUAERITUR: American patriotic stuff in church

From a reader: Is it permissible to recite the pledge of allegiance at Mass before the final blessing and then omit the final blessing? Is it permissible to display the American flag on the main altar during Mass? Omit the … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , | 33 Comments

QUAERITUR: Communion on Saturday evening, then twice on Sunday?

From a reader: I am a Seminarian who is in a parish which has a “Vigil Mass of Sunday” on Saturday evenings. I have read your posts regarding receiving communion twice in one day, and I know the “Vigil” Mass … Continue reading

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QUAERITUR: Greek island without a Catholic church on Sunday

From a reader: we will be on a Greek island without a Catholic church on a Sunday: can we attend the Greek mass and/or receive the Sacrament? You can, and I think should, attend the Greek Divine Liturgy if attending a … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments