Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: applause in church for music

From a reader: I have complained on your blog and to this forum in the past about their practice of vigorously applauding the choir after the communion “meditation”/song. Sometimes this song is even secular opera piece. After the applause, the … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged | 35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Reservation of Precious Blood in home of a sick person

From a reader: My father-in-law has been battling tongue cancer (which has spread to his lymph) and has been housebound for nearly 5 months. Moreover, he hasn’t eaten any solid foods for nearly 10 months. He has a feeding tube … Continue reading

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

QUAERITUR: Dispensation for Americans to eat meat on Friday after Thanksgiving?

From a reader: The folks at Rorate Caeli have posted that Pius XII granted an indult for Americans to eat meat on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Is this indult still in effect? I don’t know.  Probably not.  Also, it doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged | 28 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a deacon preach at a TLM?

From a reader: A priest who speaks very little English has volunteered to say the TLM on Sundays. Is it OK for a deacon to deliver the homily in his place? Yes.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged | 7 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a deacon baptize with the older Rituale Romanum?

Want a traditional baptism with the Roman Rite? Have a deacon but not a priest? From a deacon reader: I […] was recently ordained to the transitional diaconate, asked me whether church law allows him to perform a Baptism using … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | 9 Comments

QUAERITUR: thanksgiving tree during entrance procession

From a reader: What do you think about the following announcement at Mass: “At the rear of the church, please pick up a paper leaf and write on it what you are thankful for this year. We will put all … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | 26 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a church’s name be changed?

Parish mergers happen.  When they do, sometimes a new name is cobbled up to identify the new entity.  Sometimes, however, names of churches are changed. From a reader: There is a parish in my diocese that was formed years ago … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged | 14 Comments

QUAERITUR: survey at sermon time

From a reader: Today at Mass, instead of a homily the priest invited a member of the Parish Council to the podium to inform us that it would be helpful to them if we’d fill out a survey regarding the … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | 46 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mozart’s Requiem too distracting from prayer?

From a reader: Just an interesting link that highlights a requiem mass presided by three FSSP priests set to Mozart’s Requiem…if I only could be so lucky to have it like this for my funeral!! Even though I must ask…is … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged | 50 Comments

QUAERITUR: Our “presider” for this “liturgy” … as “we” pray the Eucharistic Prayer…

From a reader: Today at Mass, the lector introduced Father as the “presider.” Is it more proper to call the priest a presider or a celebrant? And Father said, “As we pray TOGETHER the Second Eucharistic Prayer….” Do the people … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged | 35 Comments