A reader asks: “Although I have heard the Gospel containing Jesus’ instructions ‘take nothing for the journey but a walking stick’ a plethora of times, it still surprised me to hear in a recent homily that Jesus looked beyond its use as
A reader writes: “As Catholics we believe there is one God in three Divine Persons. Why then do the prayers at Mass not use the third person singular verb when ascribing action to God? For example, the Prayer for the Offerings for
A reader writes: “I hear a lot about the love of God, but then I also see a lot in the Bible about his wrath and anger. I don’t know which view of God to believe in.” One way to understand it,
A reader asks why Jesus didn’t perform more miracles during his lifetime and why he didn’t personally write down his teachings. Monsignor Charles Pope questions the premise of the first question and delves into Scripture. As far as writing, he adds, Jesus
A reader writes that they do not feel forgiven after confession or like he or she can be saved. Monsignor Charles Pope responds that you certainly can be saved. In the first place, you are doing what you can to stay in
A reader asks which kinds of oils can be used in the Catholic Church’s sacraments. Monsignor Charles Pope explores different situations and explains that “Olive oil is the oil to be used in almost every circumstance” and that “Only in the case
A reader asks why artists depict Jesus as expressionless or in agony instead of joyous or smiling. As Monsignor Charles Pope explains, “It seems generally true not only of Jesus but also of all art that laughter is seldom depicted.” He delves
A reader asks whether the laity can lay hands on members of the clergy while praying for them. Monsignor Charles Pope responds, “It is generally the role of the clergy to lay hands on the faithful” in a sign of both blessing
A new Catholic asks for the definition of a church’s “sacristy” and “rectory.” Monsignor Charles Pope acknowledges a kind of “church-speak” that can be bewildering to new members. He goes on to detail how the rectory is where the parish priests reside
A reader asks if priests remember the sins they hear in confession. Monsignor Charles Pope offers a priest’s perspective before concluding, “your priest, even if he recognizes you in the moment of the confession, is probably not going to remember the specifics