Why is Mary's perpetual virginity so important to Catholics?
Q: Why is Mary's perpetual virginity so important to us Catholics? I've had discussions with my Protestant friends about this, and while they believe Mary was a virgin when Jesus was born, they don't ...
Why is New Year's Day a holy day of obligation?
Q: If the church's new year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, then why is the secular New Year's Day (Jan. 1) a holy day of obligation? A: You are correct that the church's liturgical new year ...
What does the term 'protomartyr' mean?
Q: A Catholic Church near me is named after a certain saint, but has "protomartyr" after the name. What does this term mean? (Indiana) A: My guess is that the church you're thinking of was named "St. ...
When can Catholics sing the Advent hymn 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?'
Q: My favorite Advent hymn is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." I'm used to singing it all through Advent, but the new choir director at my parish says we're not allowed to sing it now until the fourth Sunday ...
Do Catholics give things up for Advent?
Q: My dad gives up chocolate every year for both Lent and Advent. I always tell him that this is weird and that we're not supposed to give things up for Advent, only Lent. Which one of us is right? ...
Is it a sin if someone calls Mary 'co-redemptrix?'
Q: Is it a sin if someone calls Mary "co-redemptrix?" Should I stop following them on social media? (Louisiana) A: I'm assuming your question is in response to the recent document from the Dicastery ...
What are appropriate prayer intentions when praying for the souls of the dead?
Q: In my rosary group, I suggested we pray for all those experiencing feelings of hopelessness. My friend said that since it's the month of November, we should pray for the dead who are feeling hopeless. ...
Why does the church still have indulgences?
Q: From what I learned in history class, indulgences caused major issues for the church in the 16th century and was one of the main reasons why the Protestant Reformation happened. If indulgences were ...
