Ask A Priest Live

Fr. Michael Copenhagen is a Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest, husband, and father at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Melkite Catholic Church in Gates, New York. He holds a Bachelor's of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In Today's Show: How do we know if our Lent was a good one? Where did the people who were released from the bonds of Hades by Jesus go on Easter Saturday? Does the Eastern Catholic Church have the same Catechism as the Roman Catholic church? Are there anonymous confessions in the Eastern Catholic Church? Has Father Michael ever met the Byzantine Franciscans? Why do we still celebrate Mass during the Great Fast? What is the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism? Can certain liberties be taken with liturgical music? What is the difference between the Catholic and Orthodox beliefs about the Holy Spirit's procession? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: Is working out our salvation with fear and trembling contradictory to the advice to not be anxious or worry? Why does the church seemingly promote interfaith dialogue yet denounce beliefs like Freemasonry? Is the Trinity difficult to understand because it is a mystery or because it has a logical problem? Why is Easter celebrated before a full three days have passed? What can be done to prevent another French Revolution? What is the difference between ICKSP and FSSP parishes? How does one overcome being inconsistent in prayer life? ​​Why is consulting with spirits forbidden? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Michael Duesterhaus was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arlington in 1991. He spent 27 years, Active and Reserves, as a Naval Chaplain, mostly serving with units of the U.S. Marine Corps. Father has presented over 125 formal cases before Tribunals of seven dioceses of the United States. He currently serves as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal, Virginia. In Today's Show: What are the graces we receive from God? If a non-married man has a child, can he become a Roman Catholic priest? What is the best way to resolve a decades-long family conflict? What is happening in the church with inculturation? If Jesus is all-powerful, then why do we need to protect the Eucharist from abuse? Is it permissible for a single woman to lie in a threatening situation? How should we best use our time in adoration? What is the best approach when speaking about our dead relatives? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Joseph Dalimata, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Littleton (Denver), Colorado. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show: How can someone begin again and build a strong faith foundation? Is a Votive Mass of the Angels used for adults who do not have full use of reason? Why were Adam and Eve ashamed after eating the forbidden fruit? ​​Why do we use Vidi Aquam during Easter? ​​Why is Judica Me omitted from Mass during Passion Week? ​​Is an acoustic guitar, along with a piano, an acceptable instrument for a mass? Who are "the poor in spirit" whom Jesus refers to? Is Lucifer not Satan, but instead King Nebuchadnezzar? ​​Does the St. Gertrude prayer save 1000 souls out of purgatory every time you say it? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Canon Benjamin Norman, ICKSP, was ordained in 2018. He currently serves at Most Holy Rosary Chapel (St. Vincent's School For Boys) in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. In Today's Show: Would a non-Catholic need an annulment to marry a Catholic? Why was the wording in the 1978 Episcopal Ordination Sacramental formula changed? Can we ask non-Christians to pray for us, or pray with non-Catholics? How should we respond when someone criticizes the Pope? Is the use of incense by lay people allowed during prayer? Why does God seemingly not take care of stray animals? Would the conflict in Iran be justified under Catholic Just War Theory? Could the Eastern Schism have been prevented if we had left many things up to mystery instead of trying to define them? What is Canon's favorite day of Holy Week? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. William Rock, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. Fr. Rock is also currently contributing to TAN Books “Year of the Latin Mass.” Fr. Rock’s video contributions can be found on TAN Books YouTube page. Show Resources: Tan Books: Year of the Latin Mass In Today's Show: How is Christ present during the consecration if He's in the tabernacle? Should the laity also veil their pictures, statues, and crosses? Can the First Friday devotion be completed on Good Friday? Is it a sin to talk during Eucharistic adoration and or inside of a church? Are the bells used during Mass required? What is the difference between Miaphysitism vs Hypostatic Union? Why would someone go to the same Mass in Latin over English? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Father Casey Jones is a priest of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. He currently serves as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and school in Naples, Florida. In Today's Show: What is the difference between temptation and consent to sin? What if our penance is too light? Does the Catholic Church view those who are neurodivergent as "pure of heart"? Does everyone need to go to purgatory? If a priest teaches something out of the Summa Theologica, would this be seen as teaching outside the Magisterium? What is the difference between the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, and the Orthodox Church? Did the early disciples understand when Jesus said 'this is my body' at the last supper literally or symbolically? Why do Protestants typically wear a cross instead of a crucifix? Can Catholics support immigration enforcement resulting in deportations and the separation of the nuclear family? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Canon Stephen Sharpe, ICKSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained in 2020. In Today's Show: How can we correct our dominant fault if it's caused by mental health issues? ​​Is the fig tree prophecy false or yet to be fulfilled? How should we view the explicit language in Ezekiel 23:20? When Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me but weep for yourselves and for your children," would this apply to today? Will a blessed item that is gifted keep its blessing? What will be the fate of Satan? How do we honor Jesus when participating in the novena of the Divine Infant King? Why were there fruits in the Garden of Eden if Adam and Eve couldn't starve? What should our response to AI imagery be? Are seminarians permitted to swim in public beaches or pools? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. William Rock, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. Show Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZmjSae9jg In Today's Show: Is confession different in a traditional parish? How can we refute when protestants say the priesthood had been "done away with" What is the risk to the souls of those Catholics who now attend non-Catholic churches and are remarried in them without getting a Catholic annulment? What graces occur if we put a scapular under a child's bed? Why is the Eastern Orthodox Church a false church? What is considered almsgiving during Lent? Is the congregation supposed to respond along with the choir during the traditional Latin Mass? What is the difference between an Oratory and a Parish? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Michael Copenhagen is a Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest, husband, and father at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Melkite Catholic Church in Gates, New York. He holds a Bachelor's of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Show Resources Philip Kruse's story: https://philipkru.se/my-search-for-a-living-liver-donor In Today's Show: What is a homily supposed to contain? Do Eastern Catholics pray the rosary? Is stock trading sinful for Catholics to participate in? If Jesus is the only way to Heaven, does that mean all non-Christians won't make it? What is the Eastern Rite's stance on lending money? Can a Mass for the Dead help those in purgatory or Hell? Is it wrong to collect interest and receive more money than you put in? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Father Casey Jones is a priest of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. He currently serves as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and school in Naples, Florida. In Today's Show: Is stealing sinful if it's a necessity? Does the Church permit birth control for medical treatment outside of contraception? Would a North Korean baptism be valid? Was Jesus truly tempted in the desert if he couldn't sin? How did St. Joseph receive the title of "Terror of Demons"? Can you work in business and be a hermit? What is the blasphemy against the holy spirit? Will you go to Hell if you can't pay back your debts on Earth? Should a priest interject humor into his homily? Why does the Church require us to go to confession yearly, even if we have no mortal sins? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Paul Born currently serves as the Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of Martyrs Parish in Plymouth, Massachusetts. In Today's Show: Can a priest consecrate hosts outside of Mass? How can the laity know if the words of consecration are being done correctly? Is a confession valid if the priest says "your sins are forgiven" during the absolution? When does wasting food become a sin? Why can't a Catholic be a Freemason? Why does it seem like Catholicism isn't being spread? Father Born's prayer advice. What is the true Catholic way of keeping Lent? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Elias Mary Mills, F.I., served as Rector of the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2021. He was ordained in May of 2000. In Today's Show: When will the three days of darkness begin? How do we suffer well? Why is Japan less than 1% Christian, even after Saint Maximillian Kolbe? What is the difference between “the letter of the law” and “the spirit of the law”? Can we pray to our deceased relatives? Fr. Elias' book recommendations on Saint Maximillian Kolbe. How do we know the pope can be infallible? Are papal critics who expose scandals sinning? What is a healing Mass, and are they safe to attend? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: Is it immodest for a pregnant woman to show her stomach in public? Can someone seeking a declaration of nullity serve as a witness to a baptism? When does anger turn into the sin of hatred? Father Brancich's thoughts on inculturation. Father's advice for discerning a third order. What should someone do if they are leaning towards Orthodoxy? Why does it feel like we're just reciting words during the Nicene Creed? How does one align themselves to the movements of grace? What should be done if a husband doesn't lead their household in Catholic matters? What if someone is not strong enough to stand up to their wife? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Canon Stephen Sharpe, ICKSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained in 2020. In Today's Show: If Canon Sharpe could only pick one book for a layman to read, what would it be? What is the proper way to practice NFP? How can someone deal with an emotionally abusive parent once they are an adult? Is dying now different from death at the end of the world? What should you do if your parents are against a young marriage? Does bad Christology lead to bad Mariology? What does Lenten abstinence consist of? Why are we allowed to eat fish on Fridays during Lent? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Father Christopher Mahar earned a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from Providence College in 2000 and subsequently completed his Bachelor's degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2003. He was ordained a deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 2003 and a priest in the Diocese of Providence in 2004. He currently serves as Pastor at St. Augustine Church in Providence, Rhode Island. In Today's Show: Did Jesus know Nicodemus before His final week? How did Saint Dismas join Jesus in heaven the day he died if he was in Hell? How are hymns chosen in the Ordinary Form? How can we put the love of God first? Can priests reference previous confessions? Why are babies baptized instead of waiting until they are older? Why isn't sacred music more emphasized? Why don't Catholics observe the Torah? Was Jesus in the spirit form before he was incarnated? Are we in the end times? And more Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Elias Mary Mills, F.I., served as Rector of the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, from 2016 to 2021. He was ordained in May of 2000. In Today's Show: What should you do if a protestant friend tries to evangelize you? How do you become a Franciscan without any order nearby? How do you properly confess a habit? "How do I discern a call to do missionary work in Japan"? How do Churches come into possession of relics? Can we give up our past suffering to God? What is the proper order for receiving the sacraments? Is spiritual gluttony a real thing? Has Catholicism ever been compatible with society? What can we do if we feel penance isn't enough? Why did God rest on the 7th day if he didn't need to? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. William Rock, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. In Today's Show: How can a Father balance his earthly life with his spiritual life? What should we do if a priest gives a penance that's too vague or complicated? Can we ask for the intercession of those who aren't saints? Would Jesus exist as a human without original sin? Are night terrors in children a spiritual attack? What is the point of homeschooling? Would it be wrong to play in a quartet on a Holy Day of Obligation? How can someone be a silent witness to others? What will happen on Judgment Day? Is it a sin to consume tobacco in moderation? Is it better to receive ashes from a priest on Ash Wednesday? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Father Casey Jones is a priest of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. He currently serves as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and school in Naples, Florida. In Today's Show: Advice for a protestant feeling the pull of the Catholic church. Was the person who died on the cross next to Jesus the same person who helped Jesus when he was born Is praying an equal act to physically helping people? How do indulgences work? How can we enjoy Heaven if some of our relatives may be in Hell? What should be done if you see someone take the Eucharist without consuming it? ​​Is it foolish to feel that your personal prayers are trivial to God with all the chaos going on? Can the Rosicrucians be disproven? Who is "The Angel of the Lord"? Are there any circumstances where we would want to pray to a specific member of the Trinity over God the Father? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Michael Duesterhaus was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arlington in 1991. He spent 27 years, Active and Reserves, as a Naval Chaplain, mostly serving with units of the U.S. Marine Corps. Father has presented over 125 formal cases before Tribunals of seven dioceses of the United States. He currently serves as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal, Virginia. In Today's Show: How do saints become the patrons of specific things? Is Mark 10:25 meant to be taken literally or as a warning? When an adult is baptized, is all sin removed? Does the Catholic Church fully reject the death penalty? Are the General Intercessions at Mass supposed to address particular situations? Can priests lay "curses" on objects? What's the Catholic perspective on euthanasia? Why did Jesus tell some people not to tell others he healed them? Can a cross that's not a crucifix be blessed by a Catholic priest? Could our general judgment be different from our particular judgment? And more! Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Joseph Dalimata, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Littleton (Denver), Colorado. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show: Does God need humans? Is it okay to feel weird praying to Mary? How does one reconcile the same sins over and over again in confession? How did the Blessed Mother pass away if she was preserved from original sin? Is it okay to chew the Eucharist? Is it necessary to meditate while praying the rosary? Can the laity lead the stations of the cross? Can a person who passed away be baptized? Can a Catholic attend a Greek Orthodox church? Why did God create a cunning animal like the serpent who would tempt Eve in the garden? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. William Rock, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. In Today's Show: Is a priest allowed to remove the creed from Mass during Lent? Can God create a stone he can't lift? Would Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius support a vernacular Western liturgy? When did the Church start using the host as we know it today? What penance should we do on Fridays outside of Lent? Why do babies in the old rite have exorcised salt put on their tongue during baptism? Are we supposed to make the sign of the cross when passing a church? What are we to be contemplating when we watch the Priest consume the Body & Blood? If God is omnipresent, what is so special about the consecration? What is the purpose of a breviary? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Michael Copenhagen is a Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest, husband, and father at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Melkite Catholic Church in Gates, New York. He holds a Bachelor's of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Show Resources Philip Kruse's story: https://philipkru.se/my-search-for-a-living-liver-donor In Today's Show: Recommendations for couples to turn a new leaf in marriage. How is praying with icons done from a Western perspective? Are the Ten Commandments 30% transcendental and 70% earthly? Why was Jacob chosen for God's covenant over Esau? Why did John the Baptist say he didn't know Jesus in John 1:33 when they were cousins? Why does the rosary have no beads for the Glory Be? How can a Christian survive without a church in an oppressive country? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Francisco Nahoe, OFM Conv., has served the Church and the Franciscan Order in Catholic education, campus ministry, parochial ministry, and catechesis. He is a chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, and focuses his scholarly efforts on Renaissance rhetoric and Polynesian ethnohistory. In Today's Show: Why is purple the liturgical color of Lent? In the Litany of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, is it required that one say Blood of Christ so many times? When we do someone else wrong, do we need to tell the other person that we are sorry and ask their forgiveness to be right with God? What is the difference between Holy water, oil, and salt? Did Our Lady say no Franciscan shall ever die of hunger? How do we honor our mother and father when their words are contrary to the faith? What are religious orders, and how do priests choose them? How can someone stay consistent in prayer life? How can we surrender ourselves to God? Did changing the dialectic of the mass in Vatican II change the intention of the mass? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Canon Stephen Sharpe, ICKSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained in 2020. In Today's Show: Is it okay to have birthday parties during Lent? Why does it say that God "repented" in Genesis 6:6 after creating man? When the altar server approaches the altar with a candle, what does that represent? Can a Roman Catholic confess to a Byzantine Priest? Before the consecration, why do priests add a drop of water to the wine? When is a general confession recommended? Is it normal for a TLM to have an opening and closing hymn? What is Jesus' second coming? How long does the propaedeutic stage last for ICKSP candidates? If a canon is hearing confession, do you say "forgive me canon"? What should those entering the field of law look out for morally? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!