Clarifying Contraception
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I was just told that contraception is acceptable if one spouse in a marriage believes it is wrong but the other spouse insists on it, saying that without it, he ... Read more
A Right Order for Sacraments?
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A man in our parish is a convert who was baptized in another religion and finished his Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes two years ago. Our pastor had ... Read more
“A People Redeemed?”
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Is there a general instruction to kneel during Mass at “Behold the Lamb of God” (Ecce Agnus Dei) and during the Communion rite? What if the priest tells the people ... Read more
A Doubtful Baptism
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I am a former Protestant who became a Catholic as an adult. When I went through the RCIA process, my baptism was accepted as valid since I was baptized as ... Read more
What is a “First Friday”?
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A “First Friday” is the first Friday of the month and is often marked by special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus since Jesus died for us and won ... Read more
When Did God Begin?
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This is a largely metaphysical question, which is best answered by St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica (see Part I, Article 10, on eternity). Not only did God not have a ... Read more
How Do I Dispose of Blessed Items?
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I know of no graveyards for broken holy items. But a blessed crucifix or a blessed statue is not just an ordinary item: it is blessed. And blessed objects should ... Read more
What Is a Marriage Convalidation?
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A “convalidation ceremony” is a remedy for a marriage that has been impeded by some canonical defect. Most typically the ceremony takes place in private in the presence of the ... Read more
What are the current rules for determining the age of reason for first Holy Communion?
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There is no hard-and-fast rule for determining the age of reason: it is a judgment call on the part of parents, pastors and teachers — the ones who know the ... Read more
What does the Church say about how cremated remains should be handled?
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The answer is simple. Cremated remains of the baptized faithful are to be treated with the same reverence with which we treat the mortal remains of those who are not ... Read more
Communion For Non-Catholics?
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It is true that in normal circumstances — Sunday or weekday Mass — non-Catholic Christians are not supposed to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. But there are exceptions ... Read more
What Is The Stigmata?
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The stigmata is a miracle, and the Church does recognize it after careful scrutiny. But sometimes it turns out to be a hoax. The two worthiest Christians ever (Our Lady ... Read more