The Question Box - Catholic Sentinel

Wearing a veil in church/ Destination weddings?

If you are using a mantilla, or chapel veil, out of vanity — to draw attention to yourself — then that is wrong. But if you wear it as a sign of reverence, out of respect for the dignity of the Eucharist and our unworthiness before it, then that is a laudable choice.
Why images of crucifixion?/ Treatment for erectile dysfunction

Q — Most of my family is Protestant, but I became an adult convert four years ago and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Members of my family often ask me questions about Catholic beliefs, and usually I can answer them, but recently my mother asked me one that I need your help with.
Work assignment on Sunday/ Mass card for non-Catholic ceremony?

Q — My wife sometimes travels on work assignments on a Sunday and is not able to attend Mass. I am wondering whether she is committing a sin. (Lagos, Nigeria)
Church’s funeral rites meant to comfort

Q — I recently attended a funeral Mass for a friend. The pastor informed the family of the deceased that there could be no eulogy given in church, before, during or after the Mass.
About the dead: In heaven for sure?

Q. My mother passed away some time ago, and I wonder whether she is now in “God’s eternal embrace.” How can I be sure?

She was a good mother and she dearly loved the church, but we have been taught that everyone has some imperfections and, upon death, must be sent to purgatory before they can enjoy heaven. I would rest more easily if I knew that my mother were not suffering any longer. (Forest, Virginia)
Sunday Mass and mortal sin

We just need to get back on track, on our eucharistic track.
The Holy Spirit and the early church

The textual evidence for the Trinitarian baptismal formula in Matthew is almost universal in the earliest papyr.
Concerning croutons and Communion; St. Teresa

It may well be that a legitimate but different form of bread, different from what you are accustomed to, is what you noticed.
Searching for answers on suffering

I would say that Christians don’t have an intellectual answer to the problem of pain and suffering, but they have a response.
Imagining and writing Jesus' missing years

Where historical fiction — and I would include here biblical fiction also — is not based in actual historical reality it tends to lose a sense of authenticity.
Purgatory a necessary reality; that's not the case for limbo

Which of us in the presence of this Love will feel appropriately ready for this final embrace of God?
Inclusive language is worthy

Many modern English translations of the Bible attempts to use inclusive language as appropriate, that is, as it seems to be intended by the biblical authors.
'In these last days he has spoken to us'

Some thinkers suggest that the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago — and the mission of the Lord and the early church — was prepared for by the circumstances of the Roman Empire.
Confession fine tunes moral compass

A regular participation in the Sacrament enables us to fine tune from time to time our moral compass, to deepen our awareness of the destructiveness of sin and the endless generosity of the Love that God is.
The very word 'Lent' calls us to new growth

Lent is about helping us to grow spiritually, even when our Lenten resolutions are not especially successful.
What can we do to become merciful?

The rest of my response to the question is really a scriptural reflection on the works of mercy, and it can be summarized in this fashion: “Be all you can be as Christ’s holy body!”
Selling religious goods not same as simony

Even if they have been blessed at some point, it is not the blessing that you are selling but the material entity. You are not trafficking in spiritual goods.
Accept holy object in life of prayer

Such powerful connections with sanctity have nothing to do with insurance policies, but much to do with personal growth in holiness.
Ecumenism is sometimes reconciled diversity

Either one abandons the ecumenical enterprise, which would be in my judgment not only ecclesially irresponsible but sinful, or one keeps going with great patience and absolute confidence in the Holy Spirit.
Death penalty: Is it ever acceptable?

Q: I am confused on the death penalty. In the Catechism (2266) it says: “traditional teaching....has acknowledged as well-founded the right and duty of legitimate public authority to punish malefactors by means of penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime, not excluding....the death penalty.” Of course, I understand, it is a very rare option, says Pope John Paul II. But the window of absolute necessity, though small, is open, right?

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