Was St. Joseph assumed into heaven? If not, why, since he was the foster father of Jesus? Monsignor Pope explains that “while we don’t know for sure, the usual answer is that St. Joseph was not assumed into heaven, body and soul.
A reader asks: “Do Pope Francis or our bishops actually have authority to restrict the Latin Mass?” In his latest column, Monsignor Charles Pope explains, “Arguably, the older form of the Mass in use before 1962 cannot be abrogated, that is, it
A reader asks: “Some priests use the prayer to St. Michael at the end of Mass after the blessing and dismissal and before the closing hymn. When did it become part of the Mass? It feels wrong to me.” In his latest
What is the Rite of Confession? Should we begin confession by saying, “Bless me father, for I have sinned … .” In his latest column, Monsignor Charles Pope looks at the prescribed ritual for the sacrament and how strict priests and laity
A reader asks: “History, biblical Scripture and our Catholic faith all prove to us that Christ is our only true Savior and son of God. What then are we to make of Muhammad, Buddha, Haile Selassie, Brahman and others who claim that
A reader asks: “Protestants often criticize Catholics for praying to Mary and the saints. They say this is a violation of the First Commandment. Or, to look at the question from another perspective: If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, why not pray
A reader asks: “Why are so many afflicted by demons today? It seems the number is up. But, from my perspective, I know many people who are decent people and can’t understand why God allows them to be tormented or possessed by
A reader asks, “What were the urim and the thummim? The Bible mentions that the Old Testament priests used them but doesn’t seem to say what they were or how they were used.” In his latest column, Msgr. Charles Pope explains that
A reader tells Msgr. Charles Pope that their pastor forbid parents and others from taking pictures during their children’s first Communion Mass. She asks, “Is such a rule common or permitted by the Church?” Msgr. Pope responds: “Many parishes have sought to
A reader asks: Why do you have the sacrifice of the Mass since the Letter to the Hebrews says that “there is no more offering for sin”? Are you not saying that sacrifices need to be offered continually in contradiction to Scripture?