Ask A Priest Live

Canon Ross Bourgeois, ICKSP serves as Parochial Vicar at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Canon Bourgeois was ordained in 2019. In Today's Show: If you had to give a regular Catholic layman a concrete spiritual daily routine that would give them the greatest chance of living a life for God, staying away from mortal sin and ultimately dying in friendship with God, while also taking into account their busy schedule, what would you prescribe them? Also, which sacramentals would you prescribe them? Is it immoral to use artificial intelligence to create media such as films and other forms of art? My parish has an LED candle for the sanctuary candle. I was horrified when I first noticed this. Do you have any thoughts on this? Guidance on the carnivore diet during Lent How did you decide to pursue a vocation with the ICKSP? Where and how did you first discover the order? How do I know if my prayer routine is adequate? I have an Evangelical friend who converted some fallen-away Catholics. Is it better that they are somewhat closer to Jesus by becoming Evangelical rather than wallowing in sin, or should they remain Catholic but non-practicing? What are the benefits of praying for the Poor Souls in a graveyard? Does that have any effect? As someone who is looking at becoming a Catholic, can I receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday? What is the meaning of Matthew 5:22-24? How do we get more young people to 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 Benjamin Norman, ICKSP currently serves as Representative of the Institute of Christ the King at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Oakland, California. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show: What is Candlemas and how should we celebrate it? Is there a certain way or order The Raccolta is to be used? In addition, may we pray for certain people within these prayers? It says in the beginning of the Raccolta that the prayers should not be changed. I'm wondering about the church's stance on cremation. The body corrupts in the ground and to me, if all the remains are together, I think that God can unite them with their souls. Is this a dogma of the church? What does the priest do if he accidentally spills the Blood of Christ on carpet next to the altar? During a Baptism ceremony, is it proper to use the phrase "I Baptize you..." or "We Baptize you" and if the incorrect phrase was used, should that person get re-Baptized? When and why did polygamy became unacceptable for those in the Church? Are Catholics required or expected to name their children after a Biblical or saint name? What is so "new" about the so-called "New Evangelization"? Hasn't evangelization always been central to the mission of the Church? Translations of scripture - what is the best Bible version for Catholics and why? How should I respond to a sibling who has been inviting me to join an SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) group? 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 Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. In Today's Show As Catholics, what are we to believe about ghosts? Do they exist? Are they souls? What exactly the role of a Priest is? Did the Blessed Mother have kids after Jesus? If so, how could Mary be ever virgin? What is the best way to explain what saying the Rosary/praying to the Saints is to my daughter? In light of Traditionis Custodes what advice would Father give to fellow priests who can't celebrate the Latin mass? I now tend to see the Founding Fathers Writings as Deist philosophy to be taken with a massive truckload of salt. Any advice for a Catholic who recognizes the great government they established while distrusting basically all of their writings? The overall violence of nature and the various diseases seem to run counter to the idea that we live with a loving God. What is the best way to think about this topic? I feel as if Jesus is coming back soon, although I know we have no way of knowing that for sure. How do I know if I'm prepared? When we say in the creed that after Jesus ascended into heaven, He is "seated at the right hand of the Father." What does that really mean? Would Fr. Rock be so kind as to talk about the difference between the Masoretic text and the Septuagint, and how the Latin Vulgate originates? Father, Most Protestants believe you can't lose grace given by God...How can we explain that we can? There is an ongoing discussion about the Luminous Mysteries. Can I pray the rest of the rosary without them? Please explain to me Luke 14:26 "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, |...| yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Can people who commit suicide receive a Catholic funeral? When we hopefully reach heaven will individuals have different size houses? And what does that mean? The Pope said that hell was empty, is this something we should take as doctrine? Can a Catholic buy a religious statue that is being sold in a flea market, since it may be blessed? 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. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP is Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Providence, Rhode Island. He was ordained in 2008. In Today's Show Is there a certain extreme point at which the church "draws the line" and determines that separation is actually necessary rather than discouraged? Should widows remarry? I am divorced and remarried. I was not a Christian when I was married either time. I have since become a Christian and have been baptized. Both marriages took place with a justice of the peace and were outdoor weddings on family property. In the process of my divorce from my first wife, she had a child with another man. Would I need an annulment of my first marriage to join the church? If so, how does it work? Do children from invalid marriages lack any individual graces bestowed by God upon children from valid marriages? Has the Protestant reformation had any impact on the perception of marriage? How can we bring marriage back to a place of holiness and reverence in the public eye? My wife and I are coming up on our ten year wedding anniversary. Does the church recommend anything for such an occasion, such as a renewal of vows or an informal blessing? How do I convince a friend that marriage is between a man and a woman? Can you please explain why deacons are able to marry but priests are not? Can you please explain why some Eastern Rite Catholic priests are able to be married (and have children) and why that practice differs from the Roman Catholic Church? In regard to family members who are lapsed Catholics married outside The Church: if the couple decides to divorce, is it right to encourage them to NOT divorce? If we have loved ones who are or were in an invalid marriage and changed their last name in that marriage, when having masses said for them, should we use their legal last name or their last name prior to the invalid marriage? If a man goes missing and is presumed dead for a long time, and the wife remarries, but the man eventually comes back, is the new marriage valid? Can the man remarry? How should one approach the potential fallout that comes from declining an invitation to a family member's wedding due to faith reasons? Is it really worth fracturing relationships? 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 Immaculate Conception Church in El Paso, Texas. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show When engaging in youth ministry, do you feel that smaller or larger groups of students work best? Is there any reason for that? Why do you feel so many children and young adults seem to lose their faith as soon as it is no longer being "force fed" to them? What can we do to reverse the trend? What is the best way to discipline children who aren't at the age of reason? I'm wondering if you can suggest any "must-have" books or supplemental materials that I should be using as the instructor of a Catholic youth group? How do I know when my child is at the proper age to begin participating in youth ministry activities? Is there any such thing as "too young?" How involved are parents expected to be in their children's youth formation? Is living a devout Catholic life and setting a good example enough? Would there be any noticeable difference between a youth formation group at a Novus Ordo parish vs. a TLM parish, or is it all just Catholic at the end of the day? Would there be a different approach to the types of the topics being discussed? What types of activities would you recommend for Catholic youth outside of the traditional classroom setting? If there were 2-3 things that you could ensure every single one of your students would remember after leaving your class/group, what would they be? 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 Luke Zignego, ICKSP serves as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Oratory in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show Is there an indulgence connected with the blessing of graves with holy water by family members? The argument for priestly celibacy At my ICKSP parish, the servers say the Confiteor again right before communion is given to the people. I have only seen it at ICKSP masses. Is there a reason? What is the Catholic Church's take on Reiki healing? If we are getting candles blessed, is it okay if they are in closed boxes, or should they be open so that Holy Water might contact them? Is there anything I should know to prepare for my role as a pallbearer in an upcoming funeral 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!

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: Celebrating our 100th episode on the air! If a lapsed Catholic receives Communion in the hospital from a visiting priest without Confession, are they receiving unworthily? Can I pray on the behalf of someone who has dementia and has lost their ability to communicate with God? Will my prayers help to predispose that person to a favorable journey with God after death? Are there any particular prayers that I should be saying for this person? Who holds the twelfth seat, or chair, in heaven? Is it Saint Paul? Is a Catholic required to have a funeral mass after cremation? Is there a difference between Gregorian masses said in the Latin rite and the Novus Ordo? The particulars of Fridays - when to start/stop fasting, etc. How do I know when the Pope is speaking infallibly? How, as traditional Catholics, do we balance between the traditional and new calendars in our daily lives? What is the proper time frame to request Extreme Unction? 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. Alan Maria Wharton, F.I. has assisted in Pastoral Ministry and Media Production for The Station of the Cross 88.5 FM in New Bedford, Massachusetts, formerly Radio Cor Mariae. In Today's Show Is spontaneous prayer with our Protestant friends permissible? Do you believe a town or community could be under evil influence? Unpacking Fiducia Supplicans If you had to design, for the layman who hopes to start a family, a prayer/devotional plan that would give him/his future family the highest chance of dying in a state of grace, what would it be? I read modernist authorities who say that the reason the Catholic Church had to change drastically in the mid-20th century was because of Modern Man and his new sensibilities, apparently a break from our past. Can you please explain to me why they think Modern Man is essentially different from human beings in the past? How did God communicate with Eve and Adam? What language did He speak? Also, how do we know so much about the creation of the world if it was so long ago? I am trying to find a Gregorian mass for a friend but would like it to be offered by a Traditional priest. Can you offer ideas, or does it matter? In my heart it does - am I wrong? If we seek God's will and strive to follow this in our lives then how are we to be sure that any inclination or "voice" guiding us is coming from Him and not from an evil or selfish place? Referring to being born again, 1 John 5:18 states, "the devil cannot touch him." We know that many born-again persons are persecuted though. Does this mean that persecutions are of human origin, not satanic? If a married man gets an annulment, would he be free to enter the priesthood? 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 currently serves as Representative of the Institute of Christ the King at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Oakland, California. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show: What are your thoughts on the Taizé community? Is the purple scapular approved by the Catholic Church? I am getting different answers from different sources. What about the green scapular? What do priests normally do to stay healthy physically? The Bible says the body is a temple. What type of exercise and eating habits, etc. do priests practice on a regular basis? Is it customary to bow for the priest when he walks by during the entrance and exit processions? Also, my son is six and has not received his first Communion. Should I bring him to the Communion rail for a blessing? I'm a religious education teacher. What are the top two or three things that I should make sure the kids learn? If they forget everything else, what are those couple things that I should really make sure they never forget? Where is the best place to start for someone looking into a vocation? I have a question based on Mark 2:2-11. Didn't Jesus know that a paralytic man was about to be lowered through the roof before he was? If he knew that he was going to, why didn't he let them through the door? What is the best way to consolidate as many familiar departed souls as possible during Mass on a regular basis? Are the lit candles during Mass an important means of helping many at the same time? I just recently found out that New Year's Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. I don't think I went to Mass that day in 2023. Do I need to go to confession even if I didn't know it was a Holy Day? Could you provide some resources or counsel for a young person (in their early teens) who struggles with sins against the Sixth Commandment / Holy Purity? 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. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020. In Today's Show How serious is disrespect to parents? How can I trust God/not be angry at Him while struggling with infertility? Where is the FSSP seminary? Can you talk about your experience there? My friend is becoming a Lutheran Pastor at the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Can I attend the service or can I even congratulate her? I was told that Satan fell because he didn't like God's plan for mankind. Why would he then go and tempt Adam and Eve, thus starting the process of Redemption, which he hated? What can one do to prepare for Ash Wednesday in terms of prayers, devotions or disposition to better embrace the entirety of Lent? Which clothing should a teen avoid in order to maintain modesty? I feel guilt about the way I acted towards a loved one who is now deceased. What can I do? In John 20:23, what does Our Lord mean when He says "If you retain the sins of any, they are retained? Are there times when a priest can choose NOT to forgive sins? I have friends that are quite loose with their sexual habits. They've said that their faith in God is waning. Should I work with them through this or distance myself from these friends of twenty years? Please explain why a priest must be the one to hear a confession and give absolution. What is the purpose of confessing to the priest instead of directly to God? Can you please explain predestination? I seem to remember, when I was a child in Catholic school, the Nuns telling us that Christmas was to be spelled with 2 s's. Christ-Mass. To your knowledge, is this correct, and if so, can you expand on this? How do I know if I have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, in order to gain plenary indulgences? 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. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show: Our pastor recently appointed new parish trustees for our church. Could you describe what the role of parish trustees is? I pray daily that my stepdaughters will come to love Jesus and the one true church he created. I pray that they will live the faith that my husband raised them with. Are my prayers any more efficacious than prayers from a stranger because of my position as their stepmother? Has the church historically taken a stance on the idea of women serving in politics and other positions of leadership and authority? How would you recommend dealing with a parent who is overly controlling, especially in their children's dating lives? Who did you pick as your Confirmation saint and why? If an ordinary person suspects that he or she is talking to someone who is possessed, what is that ordinary person to do? How do we react, and how should we talk to the person? Or should we stay away from the danger? How does the church feel about tattoos? How to discern a job opportunity that may require one to miss Mass on Sundays 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 Ross Bourgeois, ICKSP serves as Parochial Vicar at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Canon Bourgeois was ordained in 2019. In Today's Show: Can any priest dispense private vows made in rash judgement? What reparations should I do for my child who cheated in school? My son asked me after seeing something on the internet regarding recent wars, diseases, and unrest if they are signs of the end times. How to respond? Question about the practice of reliquaries on the altar, also what reliquaries does Canon have? Question for Canon. What copy of the 1961 Breviary does the ICKSP Canons use? What is Canon's opinion on the Chosen TV show? Should Catholics watch? When we use the term "Lord" in our prayers, are we referring to God the Father or to Jesus or both? Why did the church shorten the Christmas season from the 40 days? If a layman is going to receive the Eucharist twice in a day do they have to fast twice? Hi, what is the church's position on the role of the third temple being built & destroyed in the tribulation? 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 Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. In Today's Show How often would you recommend that Catholics go to confession? Do you think every week is too much? Is the required once a year not enough? Christ did not possess a fallen human nature. But was the human nature he possessed like Adam's before the fall or like the human nature we will possess in heaven? What is the meaning of the phrase "Christ, the first-born from the dead?" Am I allowed to share in Communion at home with my family, or should it only be administered by a priest on Sunday? I was enrolled in the Brown Scapular on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I've forgotten to say my Rosary a couple times. Must I confess this? Can you give me your definition of, and take on, "scrupulosity" and how you would counsel someone suffering from it? Is it even appropriate to refer to scrupulosity as a disorder, or would you describe it differently? Why is it that Matthew changes portions of Mark and vice versa? Which one do you think was published first? My wife and I budget how much to give the Church. Can you provide any guidance on the proportion we should consider giving to our FSSP parish vs the Fraternity itself if we would like to support both? Can we speak in tongues? I heard a priest make reference to the "faculties of the soul." Would you expand on this? If someone kills themselves to prevent them being used to kill others, would it be altruistic to kill themself? If we have confessed a grave or mortal sin in the past and not confessed the number of times it was committed, should we re-confess the sin and mention the number of times? Could you provide recommendations on discerning when to try and share the faith with loved ones and when it is OK to focus instead on praying for them? 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 Immaculate Conception Church in El Paso, Texas. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show I heard someone say that we should forgo saying the Creed like we do with the Gloria during the Advent Season. Is there any practice that does this? Would it be a mortal sin if I missed mass because I am afraid of driving due to poor weather conditions and a recent history of knee surgery? Can you please explain spiritual direction and how it can be beneficial for Catholics? Since the upbringing of children is one of the primary goals of marriage, why does the church allow those who are too old to bear children to get married or remarried? Since both the bread and the wine become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, why do we consecrate both if they are the same thing? Also, why do the faithful not receive the Blood at Traditional Masses? If a Pope himself were speaking and pushing false doctrine, wouldn't he be considered anathema? How would that determination be made? I play baseball at a Catholic school and sometimes my peers say and do inappropriate things. What should I do? I've never believed in God, but recently started feeling like there must be a God after the passing of a relative. Could this just be a coping mechanism for my grief? Where do I go from here? 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. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show I noticed on our altar at Mass that the small Crucifix was not there. Is it required? Is it possible to have Gregorian masses said for the living? At a low mass, why are homilies sometimes said? Should wives and mothers work outside the home? What was Father's Latin formation, if any, in the seminary? Why does the Traditional Latin Mass not typically involve distribution of the Precious Blood? Can Mary, Joseph, and the saints read minds? Are prayers said aloud more effective than silent prayers? Can someone be cursed if they're in a state of grace? Is it permissible for lay people to pray over one another? 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 - All About Our Lady! (Part Three) It seems to be quite difficult to find a lot of concrete information about the end of Our Lady's life on Earth. I have heard that she was simply assumed into heaven in her sleep, but that is very hard to envision for a mere mortal like myself. What can you tell me about that? Does the name Mary have any special meaning or symbolism? What can you tell me about the Secrets of Fatima, particularly the Third Secret? Could you please explain the Seven Swords of Sorrow that pierced our Blessed Mother's heart? With your upcoming pilgrimage(s) to Akita, can you please speak briefly about that particular apparition and how it may relate to the times we find ourselves in? Why wasn't the Virgin Mary with the ladies on Easter morning? Was it Jewish culture that a mother would dress the body of her child? Is it believed Jesus had already seen Mary and maybe that's why? 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 Is it a sin if a wife and/or mother worked outside of the home? What is her obligation? If part of the host becomes lodged in my throat and I expel it to avoid choking, have I then desecrated the Eucharist or committed any sort of an offense against God? Is my reception of the Eucharist that day still valid? For my first Holy Communion, I was given a cross and a Rosary. Is there a place I should display them? Can you please explain to me the difference(s) between Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism? Do you prefer Fr. Elias or Fr. Mills? Is there a specific reason or is it just preference? Regarding the homeless, how do we fulfill the corporal works of mercy correctly besides directing them to the nearest soup kitchens/aid centers? Is God indifferent to the practice of the ineffable name doctrine (not saying God's name), or is there a good reason as to why we practice it? Can you please help me to understand why we refer to the Pope as the Holy Father? Isn't God the only one, true Holy Father? I have a daughter who is married outside the church. She is seven months pregnant now and her husband has been diagnosed with very serious lung issues. What does the church teach about them coming to live with us until they pass this crisis in their life? Must they have separate bedrooms? Are Eastern Rite churches now in schism if they reject Fiducia Supplicans? 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. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020. In Today's Show What is the proper way to be buried? Can a Catholic be buried in water - as in an underwater cemetery? Does the FSSP have a monastery? If a blessed object changes ownership, does it then need to be re-blessed, or does the original blessing remain valid? Why did the Catholic Church introduce pews into churches after the Protestant Reformation? For how long do I need to pray for the repose of my loved one's soul? During prayers of the faithful, I've heard folks pray for the Jewish people to remain faithful to their covenant with God. Is this appropriate? I have three first class relics but I don't know how I should properly display them or make use of them. If the Jewish people broke their covenant with God, would that be better or worse than a Muslim who never held said covenant to begin with? How can we charitably respond to members of other religions who take Our Lord's name in vain? I've learned in the Traditional Latin Mass that as long as Catholics arrive at the Offertory or Mass of the Faithful, they are still able to fulfill the Sunday Obligation/Holy Day of Obligation. Does this also apply at the Novus Ordo and Eastern Rite Liturgies, in which as long as Catholics arrive at the offertories at those Masses their Sunday Obligation/Holy Day of Obligation are fulfilled? A recent poll shows that a mere 31% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. How can we reverse the trend? 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 Luke Zignego, ICKSP serves as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Oratory in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show How much flexibility is there in choosing the shade of a liturgical color for Mass? Does it matter at all as long as it's generally within the right range for the season? How does the Catholic Church understand the theological claims of Messianic Judaism, which incorporates belief in Jesus as Messiah within a Jewish framework? Can you tell me more about the ICKSP oblate program? My family member kept removing his Brown Scapular and ripped it. Should we give him another or keep it away from him to avoid further abuses? If a non-Catholic felt compelled to make a confession, how would a priest handle it if they were to just enter the confessional line? If the Christ child was brought to the temple on the 40th day, wouldn't Herod have been looking for him? Can you explain how God views Catholics who marry non-Catholics outside the church? I have a question about the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Are all seven hours required for the Brown Scapular devotion, or does one hour suffice? 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 Ross Bourgeois, ICKSP serves as Parochial Vicar at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Canon Bourgeois was ordained in 2019. In Today's Show: Is it modest for women to wear pants? My Protestant friend will be going under anesthesia. What can I recommend in case something were to go wrong and she didn't wake up? My husband is not a practicing Catholic, so we disagree on a lot of things pertaining to life and death. His younger brother, who was baptized in the Catholic Church, passed away several years ago and unfortunately was cremated and his ashes were placed in various places, including a tin box which now resides in our bedroom closet. For years, I have tried talking him into giving him a proper burial and he refuses. What should I do besides pray and wait for his conversion of heart? Can you please explain the tradition behind the blessing of Epiphany water? What is the church's stance if two people with a history of mental illness want to get married? Is it valid if they agree to marriage during a time when they are not in crisis? If we have endured suffering in the past, but out of negligence or distraction failed to offer it up at the time, or it occurred before we were living a Catholic life, is it meritorious to offer them up? Are any animals in heaven? What formula should a lay person, such as a father, use when giving a blessing? For example, a dad giving a night blessing to his kids and wife. Should he say "I bless you" or "May God bless you?" How do we properly offer up our sufferings? Did New Testament authors other than John know about and understand the Divinity of Christ? 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-Mary Bowlin serves as Parish Priest at St. Jude Catholic Church in Gun Barrel City, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army and was ordained a priest in June of 2012. In Today's Show: If I pray the Rosary with someone on YouTube after its original airing, is Jesus still with me? Is watching Eucharistic Adoration on TV the same as live in the church? What is the Epiphany and what is Epiphany water? What is the Catholic belief on evolution? Did humans evolve from apes? What are your thoughts on Star Wars? If someone was a Freemason but isn't anymore, can they still become Catholic and marry in the church? In past confessions I have ended with "for these and all my sins." If I remember the sins later, do I need to specifically confess them or does the phrase from a previous confession suffice? Also regarding confession, if a person is in a state of mortal sin and has not made it to confession but has remorse and they pass away before making it to confession, is there any chance the person can still go to purgatory? When does one commit the sin of rash judgment? When is it considered venial and when is it considered a mortal sin? Can you fall into this sin in thought/imagination only? I just recently heard about Fr. James Martin giving a blessing to a gay couple. As a Catholic, we condemn homosexuality and deem it as a mortal sin. Why is a Catholic priest publicly opposing Catholic doctrine? Is it ever acceptable to tarnish the good name or reputation of a fellow Catholic? How do we best approach someone who's been away from the church for a very long time? 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 A comprehensive breakdown of organ donation and life support from a Catholic perspective How can we best avoid conforming to the patterns of the world in our modern times? Is the Sabbatine privilege still in effect in regard to the Brown Scapular? With some of our tax money being spent on immoral things, do we as taxpayers have any moral culpability in participating? How do I deal with my fallen-away Catholic family who spreads myths about the church? I was surprised to recently find out that the church has an official position on dances found in the Vatican's 1916 decree. Could you please explain this decree and who is obliged to follow it? Also, would this extend to participating and watching dances like the ballet? 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. Alan Maria Wharton, F.I. has assisted in Pastoral Ministry and Media Production for The Station of the Cross 88.5 FM in New Bedford, Massachusetts, formerly Radio Cor Mariae. In Today's Show As Catholics, how do we properly understand "turning the other cheek?" My wife prefers the Novus Ordo and I prefer TLM so we split our time between both at separate churches. Is it ok for us to register as parishioners at both? I had an abortion at age 23. I confessed that sin and others when I was around 34. My question is, if I wasn't recommunicated the first time, was my confession then, and others after it, invalid? Should I make a general confession? When a host falls on the ground, the priest quickly picks it up and consumes it. It bothers me that there isn't more care at the moment in clearing the area. What can I do as a prayer in reparation for this? I was watching a podcast and apparently the Archbishop of Maceio, Brazil has said he would excommunicate Catholics who attend the Traditional Latin Mass. Do you see this type of behavior heading towards the USA? I have a friend who wants to become a surrogate mother. What does the Church teach on surrogacy? Why did Fr. Alan choose the Friars of the Immaculate vs other orders? Any tips as how to spend my free time more fruitfully? To give some context, I am a high school student. 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: We no longer feel attached to our parish. Should I switch parishes, or should I stay at the church closest to me? Family member got married outside the Church. How do we go around dealing with that. Addressing letters etc. Can you tell us about the history behind the letters of St. Peter. Can we use Epiphany chalk from previous years? Why does/doesn't use the deacons for distributing Holy Communion? I have a friend who wants to become a midwife, is it a mortal sin to do so if she would be forced to prescribe birth control or abortion pills? 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 Can pets go to Heaven or an equivalent place? Does your "order" celebrate the TLM? How can I be happy in heaven if a loved one is in hell? Has the Vatican approved the Marian apparition at Akita, and has the Vatican approved the Third Secret of Fatima? How do we pick or know our patron saint? Recently there was a wedding ceremony in my family. They were both divorced previously; one was married in the Catholic Church with no annulment. The wedding was outdoors. After the vows/ceremony, a deacon of the Church (Novus Ordo) went up and gave a blessing and a prayer. Is this allowed by the Church? Does God continue to bless someone if they are in a state of mortal sin from past offenses? Should a person judge whether or not they are in God's friendship by whether or not they receive blessings from God? When having masses said for deceased loved ones who were Protestant, is there any special way to go about it? I also had a grandfather who was a freemason and wondered if it was OK to have masses for the repose of his soul? I have been struggling with anxiety and depression. Are there any Bible verses that touch on this subject? Is there a prayer I can say relating to anxiety? 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 Francis Altiere, ICKSP serves as Rector of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Oratory in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was ordained in 2014. In Today's Show Opposite an intersection hangs an advertisement with an immodestly dressed lady. Is it a moral obligation to take a different route to avoid going through this junction? What about when there is a passenger with me? After the wedding, the wife found out the husband was impotent; he was not impotent beforehand. Is it mandatory to get an annulment? Is it a sin for both to stay together in celibacy? What is the main difference between the Institute of Christ the King, FSSP, and SSPX fraternities? I went to a mass but a lady there told me the priest wasn't able to make it. They instead said they will do communion prayers. It seemed like a full mass though, with a woman leading it. What can you tell me about this? What can we do to foster a traditional Catholic culture, create schools, and create a community? What is your favorite Psalm and why? Can bad things such as chaos and disorder ever come from God? 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. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020. In Today's Show What would be your advice to someone who is afraid to read the Bible because whenever they've tried in the past, they feel they've come under spiritual attack? Why is Jesus sometimes referred to as the "Son of God" and sometimes as "Son of Man"? I understand that our souls are immortal and that our body and souls will be reunited in the final resurrection. I was wondering about those who are condemned to hell. Are their bodies and souls also reunited for eternity even though they are separated from God? In the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 8, we read about Philip who went to Samaria to preach. While there he dispelled demons and cured people. Do we know if this was Philip the Apostle, or is this Philip the Deacon in the story about the Ethiopian mentioned later in the chapter? I am a practicing Catholic who has never been married. I would like to marry a man who is interested in converting to Catholicism. He was raised a Hindu, and had a Hindu marriage/divorce. I am unsure of the process we would need to go through for him to convert and to request a marriage through the church. When someone is cremated, how does that affect their new body in heaven? What is the difference between venial sin and mortal sin? Why do Eastern rites not have daily 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!

Fr. William Rock, FSSP serves as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. Fr. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020. In Today's Show What is your favorite and least favorite Christmas song? Why do we celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December? In a Christmas Carol. Does Jacob Marley receive forgiveness cause he's the one who got Scrooge to change his ways? What is the best version of A Christmas Carol? Should we listen to Christmas music before Christmas during Advent? When does the Christmas Season end? After 12 days or till Candlemas? What is the history and origin of the Rorate Mass? What are your favorite Advent and Christmas traditions? Why was the Feast of Saint Thomas moved in the modern calendar? Is it true that Epiphany is an "older feast than Christmas? Why aren't the feasts of the companions of Christ no longer treated as Holy Days of Obligation? Would you recommend any specific practices on these days? Can you please explain the 12 Days of Christmas? What are they and what do they represent? What is your favorite Christmas movie? 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 Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. In Today's Show Italian Christmas traditions. I was wondering, do the saints pray for the souls in purgatory? What is the Church's stance on two people who are mentally ill who want to get married? Is the soul created from nothing, or was it like when God breathed His Spirit into Adam? What does it mean when God breathed His Spirit into man? Question on the Psalm verse "ye are gods". What does it mean? Do we know of any particulars from Scripture or Church teaching regarding what exactly Purgatory is like? Can you explain what Matins are prior to Christmas Midnight mass? What are the differences between all of the Christmas masses? Where do the popes usually get buried? If two people have mental illness such as schizophrenia, can they not be permitted to be married in the Church since they would not be able to care for children? Why would God create a revealed morality when we have a draw to a natural form of morality? My Protestant friend says that Jesus is the one "Mediator", as He said that no one comes to the Father except through Me. My friend says that's way we should not pray to the saints. How should I respond to that argument? How would you describe what it means for something or someone to be "blessed"? Discussion on Fr. Rock's writing. 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 currently serves as Representative of the Institute of Christ the King at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Oakland, California. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show: I am curious about what Jesus called the First Commandment, that is to love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind, and with your whole strength. It seems to me to be a selfish God who would actually command his followers to love him. I thought love was something that should be freely given, or it is not real love. Can you explain this from a Catholic perspective? If I go to Mass on Sunday at 4PM, does that fulfill my Sunday obligation? Can you please explain the ICKSP's Coat of Arms? Should people who are sick, and/or pregnant and nursing mothers, fast and abstain from meat as penance, even if not recommended by their doctors? What is appropriate and not when it comes to end of life care? Does the Bible say anything about the age of the Earth? My grandchildren are unbaptized. Can I baptize them in an emergency? Should I stop lust directly or progressively? 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: It is still debated when the ensoulment of a baby in the womb happens. I am confused because I thought the Church was clear in recent times that a baby receives an immortal soul at conception. Isn't this inferred by the dogma of the Immaculate conception, that Our Lady was preserved from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception? For those in hospitals, what happens if the Chaplain is living in a state of mortal sin? What did Jesus call Mary? Do we know? What is a good night time prayer for a family to pray with little children? Did the story of Sodom and Gomorrah actually happen or is it symbolism? What are ember days and how are they observed? The Church taught historically that Catholics couldn't attend non-Catholic weddings, funerals, etc. I heard that now there are exceptions where, in certain cases, you can attend. Was there a drastic change in Church teaching? Where did the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes come from (on Christmas Eve)? I went to get enrolled into the Brown Scapular on Sunday but was in the state of mortal sin. Does my enrollment count? Do I have to start over? Would Father please tell us about how a priest gets his chalice? How did he get his? Also, does each priest collect his own vestments? 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 Luke Zignego, ICKSP serves as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Oratory in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show With the recent news from the Vatican stating that priests are allowed to bless same-sex couples, would performing a blessing of this kind be a mortal sin for a priest? Also, how do we understand this pronouncement in terms of Vatican II's Lumen Gentium 25, where it states that we must show "religious submission of mind and will'' to the ordinary magisterium, even when not spoken ex-cathedra? Can we still be happy in heaven knowing that a loved one is likely in hell? I noticed on our altar at Mass that the small Crucifix was not there. Is it required? Why is it so important for Catholics to read Papal statements and documents for themselves? In a recent Responsorial Psalm, we heard the line, "Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you." How is it that a mere human being can "bless" God Himself, and can lay-people bless others and even inanimate objects? Is it OK for someone to make a donation to the church with the condition that it be used for a specific purpose? Is it a mortal sin to gossip about someone, even if you did it without malicious intent? 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 Information about Father Elias' upcoming pilgrimages to Japan I read that Catholic tradition teaches that Clopas, whose wife, Mary, was at the cross, was Joseph's brother. Is it possible that after Joseph died, Jesus and Mary went to live with Clopas and his wife, Mary, and their children were brought up together as siblings and that's why they were known as his "brothers and sisters?" Is this theory plausible, and was it common practice in Jewish culture then, and is it okay to believe this might have happened? Is it mortal sin to work on a Holy Day of Obligation? At the final judgment, will all our sins come out, even those that we've already confessed, or just those which we have forgotten to confess? Where is Sister Agnes Sasagawa in Japan? I have a friend who often skips going to mass on Sunday. She says that the Ten Commandments just say to keep holy the Sabbath, and doesn't mention that we have to attend mass every Sunday. What is the best way to convey the Church's teaching on the matter? What is the church's teaching on organ donation? Can you please explain the teachings of St. Francis regarding living the Gospel? What do we as Catholics do when a teaching that has held for 2000+ years that the Church deems a sin gets 'overturned' during this synod? 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 Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. In Today's Show Approaches to fasting and days of abstinence What are some "must-have" books for any Catholic's library that aren't necessarily restricted to topics of religious nature? Is the soul or the physical body created first? How should I address a Christmas card to a family member who is living in a state of sin? I know that you can say the Novus Ordo in Latin, but can you say the extraordinary form in English? With Advent underway, do you have any recommendations for spiritual reflection and preparation before Christmas? Do Catholics have an obligation to send their children to Catholic school? When a priest is transferred in the FSSP, do they have any say in being moved or being a pastor vs. a vicar? I understand that Our Lady did not experience labor pains as she did not suffer the effects of original sin. Does that mean she was also never sick, as that is also a result of original sin? Would Our Lord not have suffered fatigue after working since work was man's curse for the fall? I have been attending the Latin Mass for a little over a year. In the beginning of Mass, I see that the parishioners genuflect and bless themselves at the Crucifix as well as bow to the priest as the altar boys and priest process towards the altar. Is this appropriate? Is there a point in both the Latin mass and the new mass when we are too late to mass and have not fulfilled our Sunday obligation? If we touched an unblessed Rosary and Scapular to a first class relic (so the Rosary and Scapular became 3rd class relics), would the Rosary and Scapular still need to be blessed by a priest? If Jesus turned water into wine, if he walks on water, would it also turn to wine? 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 Immaculate Conception Church in El Paso, Texas. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, is it still fitting to keep the partial abstinence in preparation for Christmas on Monday? The Immaculate Conception fell on Friday this year. Was it fitting to eat meat that day with no other penance offered if one ate meat, or should the faithful still offer another penance on a Solemnity if it falls on a Friday and they eat meat? In general, is it wrong to do penances on Sunday in or out of a penitential season? Is watching UFC a sin? Can, and should, Catholics receive SSPX sacraments? What does the FSSP teach in regards to instruction of altar servers? What are your recommendations for dealing with suffering? Why does God allow suffering? What is your opinion on the translational differences between different rites of the Mass? How important is the capitalization of the word "Catholic," and does its meaning or significance change between uses? Should I be asking for a sign from God as I discern marriage? If not, what should I be focusing on? Is it licit for Catholics to adopt frozen embryos? 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. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show Why were the Apocrypha taken out of protestant Bibles? If you have the time, could you explain why each of the seven specific chapters were taken out? Where can I find specific instructions for the laity on when to stand, sit, kneel, genuflect, and make the sign of the cross? Can a Priest celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in a state of mortal sin? I belong to the Old-style Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece (the Synod of Chrysostom), but as far as I understand, even among the new-style Orthodox Churches it is considered schismatic. Can I convert to Catholicism in the same way as Orthodox New Churches that are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church do, and will I have any different status from believers who have converted to Catholicism? Is serving as an administrator strictly reserved to the priest, or can those duties be split between the priest and a layperson? I've heard that there's "nothing new under the sun." I'm of the firm belief that all the issues society is facing are reincarnations of early heresies already condemned by the Church. What are your thoughts? I was at Mass and a host dropped on the floor. What to do in that situation? And, how can I respectfully speak with the priest about this? I'm in the middle of a cross-country move and I wanted to know if it's permissible for me to be working on something like that on a Sunday? When it comes to Jesus' resurrection, we have a lot of testimony from His disciples about what happened, but do we have anything more in the way of scientific evidence? The only thing I can think of is the Shroud of Turin, which we can't be certain is the actual shroud of Jesus. What are your thoughts on the shroud? 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-Mary Bowlin serves as Parish Priest at St. Jude Catholic Church in Gun Barrel City, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army and was ordained a priest in June of 2012. In Today's Show: If we confess something in the confessional that is a sin, but the priest says it is not a sin, is it still forgiven if he gives us absolution? Should we understand the Luminous mysteries as a part of the full list of mysteries for the rosary? Should we correct people when they take Our Lord's name in vain? My father has dementia and has been a devout atheist his entire life. Is it too late for him to accept Jesus into his life? I've heard that the Church at Martin Luther's time, was pretty rife with injustices and those not behaving holy. Is this overblown? This Advent, I am doing a fast. Why was it changed in the church so that the fast is not an obligation? Father, what book or books are you currently reading? I married a woman forty years ago who was divorced, her first husband passed away. Can I now return to the church as a full Catholic? Hi, Fr: what are some personal hobbies of yours that you have kept up after joining the priesthood? do you have a favorite Star Wars movie? I've seen St. Jude pictured often next to Santa Muerte. What role does St. Jude really play in our faith? What is the consequence of a divorced male taking Holy Communion in the Catholic Church? Can Protestants go to Heaven? What is the difference between an indulgence and a plenary indulgence? What is the average length of time a Soul spends in Purgatory? Do we know? What is the proper way to dispose of Holy Water? 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 Luke Zignego, ICKSP serves as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Oratory in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show I went to a parish recently where everyone stood immediately after Communion instead of kneeling. Is this permissible? I remember hearing that at the moment of death, there's a struggle in which Satan tries to win that person's soul. I can't find it in the catechism. Is this something that is actually true? Why are there changes in vestments during Advent? As a Catholic, what reparations can I make for those who don't know how to vote "correctly" from a moral point of view? What general principles should Catholics follow while traveling in regards to Sunday obligation? To what extent should we correct people who are in error in our everyday lives?? As today is the feast of Good St. Nick, I was hoping you could give a brief breakdown of the homoousios/homoiousios (Arianism) debate which led to the first "MMA match" at Nicaea? 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: My Protestant friend says that they prefer the bare cross because it represents that Jesus has risen from the dead and is no longer bound by death. What is the difference between the bare cross and the crucifix and why do Catholics prefer the crucifix? Since Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, should we fast? During Advent, our traditional parish doesn't say the Gloria and the ite missa est - is this proper? When praying the First Five Saturdays devotion, do they have to be the first five Saturdays, or can it be any five Saturdays in a row? Is hobby work (casual woodworking, etc.) permissible on Sundays? Where was the Garden of Eden? Was it the whole world? Is the use of medical marijuana, as prescribed by a doctor, a sin that one must confess? What is excommunication? What are its effects and its limits? How should we approach a Solemnity that doesn't fall on a Holy Day of Obligation? Can Catholics attend restaurants on Sundays? Aren't we forcing others to work by doing so? What is the most important spiritual lesson that can and/or should be taken from the Book of Job? 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. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP is Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Providence, Rhode Island. He was ordained in 2008. In Today's Show When I was growing up, we always recited the Nicene Creed at Mass. But now it seems that the Apostle's Creed is getting more use. I was wondering if this shift had anything to do with the controversy surrounding the Western Churches' inclusion of the "filioque" in the Nicene Creed, which I understand was one of the factors leading to the "Great Schism" of 1054? Was St. John the Apostle too young to start his ministry? What should Catholics believe on the separation of Church and State? I'm doing Lectio Divina with the scene with the boat when Jesus says come out and follow me, but I'm struggling, as I can't imagine myself doing so. Any advice? I pray for the living and usually select someone specific to pray for. I have a set of petitions that I make, many of which are targeted towards their proper, active participation in the faith. Is this an appropriate practice? What would be a good response or explanation for why we don't read more from the Pentateuch, Minor Prophets, and so on during Mass? What is the proper disposal procedure for a Protestant "Bible?" How do we respond to Protestant arguments about graces obtained through the sacraments? Which is more important: to follow one's conscience or to follow one's faith? Who is God? What does that word apostle mean? Since Peter was the first Pope, does that make his successors to the papacy apostles as well? 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: What is the meaning of mixing water with the wine during the Offertory at Mass? Is it a supported doctrine to call Mary co-redemptrix? Two St. Stanislaus' Churches in New Hampshire? If I were unkind to someone when they were alive and then when they pass away. I start praying for them. Do they hear my prayers? When Mary gave birth to Jesus, was it a normal birth like any other woman, with pain? Or was it without pain? I keep struggling with gambling, how can God keep forgiving me for this repetitive sin? One of Father's greatest crosses. Why does the Church get to decide what is a sin and what isn't a sin? When does detraction become a mortal sin from a venial sin? 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 Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog and the TAN Direction Blog. In Today's Show Fr. Rock's resources for Advent preparation. If a seminarian has same sex attraction, is his upcoming ordination valid? How is honoring one's father and mother or ruler different from respecting every neighbor? Did Saul sin by not killing his son Jonathan (1st Samuel Chapter 14)? Did King Saul's servants sin by disobeying his order to kill the priests (1st Samuel Chapter 22)? If I refuse cancer treatment, is that suicide? In Genesis 6:3, God declared that "The years of man shall not exceed 120 years." And yet, people have lived to exceed this age. What was God's message in this? If I don't fulfill my penance is my confession valid? What is Father's most favorite piece of Sacred Music? My Uncle claimed that Pilate crucified many men named Jesus. Plus, he made other historical arguments. Any thoughts? What is the traditional Catholic understanding on vigils? Are they originally meant to be used as they are today? Why did Methuselah live so long? What lesson do we take from that? If Adam and Eve didn't eat the fruit, would we still be living in the garden of Eden? I attend the TLM. Any tips to learn Latin to follow along better? What missal should I use? 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 currently serves as Representative of the Institute of Christ the King at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Oakland, California. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show: When your congregation is speaking with you or in reference to you, is it improper to call you "father" in lieu of canon? Would it be permissible to Baptize a new grandchild whose parents have walked away from the faith and have no intention of doing this? What can a man do to prepare for his first child? How should we respond to extreme criticisms of the Pope, even from our fellow Catholics? If I find any lost Rosaries, either ones I have lost track of in the past or ones accidentally abandoned, should I have them blessed? My understanding is that all ICKSP Canons have to learn French, which unites the ICKSP under a common language. That makes sense, but why isn't that language Latin? Are we falling into sin when we acknowledge someone's gender that is not a gender they were given by God? I cannot eat the standard foods most others eat on Fridays in order to abstain from meat. What are some other things we can do in order to observe the rule to abstain from meat on Fridays? My girlfriend is Roman Catholic and she wants to get married in a church. I'm a non-believer. Can we get married, and is that marriage sacramental? Disproving false claims about Mary 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. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020. In Today's Show What Bible passages/stories would you recommend a First Holy Communion catechist strive to incorporate as a must to present in class? Can you please speak about finding time to pray and attend daily mass for stay at home moms with small kids? When is it generally allowed for spouses to separate temporarily in hopes of healing and reconciliation? Who is the patron saint of hunters/hunting? What are the rules for blessed food items? If a priest blessed your Thanksgiving turkey, can you throw away the wishbone after dinner or does it need to be burned/buried? Do you have any particular devotions that you find most spiritually edifying? Is it proper to put things in the church bulletin about contacting local government officials supporting things like climate control and other political issues? Do you have tips for Bible studying? Any resources or recommendations? Are the souls of the Saints in heaven, the Church Triumphant, aware of the sins of the Church Militant still on earth? Would the Church suffering, the Poor Souls in Purgatory, be aware of our sins, and could this be part of their purification? Does the Church still teach the possibility of limbo, a state of natural happiness without suffering, but also without the Beatific Vision? What is your understanding of the role of a choir and how does the choir's music relate to active participation in the liturgy? Do you know if Gregorian chant or Eastern/Greek chant is older? Do you have a preference between them, and if so, why? 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. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show I've received some flack because I kneel immediately after the rite of peace. Is that okay that I do that? I disrespected my father over the phone. My penance in confession was to have lunch with him and reconcile. My Father refused. Is my confession valid? Does it matter how we hold our hands when we pray? palms together or fingers intertwined? How can I learn more about praying for the poor souls in purgatory? When exactly did Jesus make the sacrifice of the Mass a sacrifice in the Bible or tradition? Recently there was miscommunication in the confessional, and the penitent wasn't done listing their sins. Was the confession valid? Is there a specific secret formula for issuing penances in the confessional? I'm in RCIA. I guess my question what happens to the marriage bond in heaven? will I know my wife? Father, which traditional Monasteries and Abbeys do you recommend visiting? There is this wonderful person who wears too much perfume in church. I have allergies and sometimes it is so hard to breathe. What can be done about this? 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 Michael Stein, ICKSP serves as Rector at Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri. He was ordained in 2010. In Today's Show Thanksgiving and the virtue of gratitude Can you talk about the teaching behind your order's patronal feast and if there's any relevance in our predominantly democratic society? What books do you recommend for someone who is really just beginning to learn and understand the Catholic faith? I don't feel comfortable receiving from Eucharistic Ministers. Is it wrong to avoid that line? How can Catholics best avoid "conforming to the world?" Can you please explain why the church permitted cremation, and why it's important for Catholics to not cremate and to preserve the physical body at the time of death? Is veiling a devotion or a requirement for women attending the traditional Mass? I have read that if one doesn't veil, she is NOT sinning - is this correct? Did the Blessed Virgin Mary have any brothers or sisters? Would St. Joseph have shown physical signs of affection for Our Lady such as hugs or kisses? Can you explain why I might feel more spiritually fed at the Latin Mass as opposed to the Novus Ordo? Is it proper or not to ring the bells at the very start of mass, or is it up to the priest's discretion? 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 Immaculate Conception Church in El Paso, Texas. He was ordained in May of 2021. In Today's Show How can mothers with young children better participate in Mass? Any suggestions? Can Catholics practice yoga? What is your best argument for clerical celibacy? Is it a sin to not pray the Rosary every day? Why does the church feel so strongly about its approach to infant Baptisms? Must we believe in the effects of plenary indulgences? How do we explain the concept of plenary indulgences to our Protestant friends and family? I just found out that my husband is addicted to pornography. He's lied to me about it all this time. Would this be an impediment to our marriage, and if so, what do we do to fix 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 Luke Zignego, ICKSP serves as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Oratory in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. He was ordained in 2018. In Today's Show Is it enough to make mass my prayer for days which are very busy? Is it incorrect to mimic the priest and raise your hands during the Our Father? Should we not attend a non-Catholic's wedding that is outside of the church? When you were in the ICKSP seminary what was your job? What does the Church teach on the sin of usury when it comes to charging interest? Should I have a transplant done for a possible life-threatening disease? When I would like to just go to church and offer my suffering up to Christ instead. Some people ask: Why would Jesus, who is all merciful and loving, withhold communion from couples who are cohabitating? How to respond? 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 Ross Bourgeois, ICKSP serves as Parochial Vicar at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Canon Bourgeois was ordained in 2019. In Today's Show: Could you please explain how the misconception that is The Rapture became commonly accepted, even among Catholics? Protestants claim that since Jesus and His disciples lived in poverty, the Catholic church should not have any funds and that we shouldn't build large cathedrals with acquired money. How should we respond to those types of claims? How to dispose of sinful things like tarot cards - do we burn them? Also, how to dispose of sacramentals? How do I know when to abstain from receiving the Eucharist? Is being late to Mass something I must confess? When does it not cover my Sunday obligation? How should the Church view greeters before mass? Is it proper to have them? My father is not Catholic. When God calls him home, would it be appropriate to have a Catholic funeral for him, or should I request a private Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul? How do you obtain first fervor if it was once lost due to sin? How does one build a life of prayer when starting from scratch? When and where did the practice of putting the host in the monstrance, and then having adoration, begin? Indulgences and cemetery visits 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: Why do we read the gospel of Saint John at the end of mass? Is it new to the Latin mass or did the church always read it? Why is the confiteor said three times in the TLM? Why were the words changed in the Novus Ordo mass? How should we react to our son's Protestant girlfriend? Does the Apostolic pardon ensure heaven immediately? I was born into the church, then became a Mormon in my late teens, then ended up becoming a Jehovah's Witness in my late twenties. I now have a desire to come back to the church. What can I do to come back? How do I explain to my young nephews that transgenderism is wrong? When picking godparents for a newly baptized baby, would one be allowed to pick someone who is living in public mortal sin, for example cohabitating outside of marriage? Must we pick someone who is Catholic? 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!