ASK A
PRIEST
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. Ask A Priest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just search the topics below for an answer to your question! You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events. Our goal is to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question.
Real Questions
from Real People
Answered by Real Priests
Fr. Benjamin O'Loughlin:
"Is quiet peaceful prayer always better?"
Fr. Daniel Brandenburg:
"Is AI good or bad?"
Fr. Vinh Pham:
"How far is too far on a Catholic date?"
Most Recent
Post
Receive the latest questions and answers by email twice a week.
Should I Miss Mass and Go to Confession Later?
Q: Today I missed a morning Sunday Mass due to being up all night. I want to go to 6 p.m. Mass but will have to leave right after communion (which I don’t like to do), but I need to get to my birthday party dinner that my daughter is having for me. Would this be OK or should I just miss Mass and go to confession as soon as possible? — D.H. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC: Ideally, no one should never leave Mass right after communion. The Mass ends with the final blessing. I hope that you ...
Read More →
Have a question?
Search for an Answer
“Ask a Priest: Do Matthew and Luke contradict each other on Jesus’ early life?”
Q: In Matthew 2, it says Mary, Joseph and Jesus were in Bethlehem, and (verse 13) after the wise men left, the angel told them to flee to Egypt. So they went to Egypt and stayed there till Herod died. But in Luke 2, Mary, Joseph and Jesus go to ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: Is it a sin if I miss Sunday Mass while on a cruise?”
Q: I have been invited to go on a cruise with my family. If there is not a priest on board, I will miss Sunday Mass. I attend Mass daily. May I do this without committing sin? I am 80 years old, and will be with my daughter, her husband ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: I am considering liposuction… Will I go to hell for this?”
Q: I got two tattoos many years ago, which I thought were spiritual and pretty. I also had some permanent makeup, and as a result of a scar on my scalp, I had that scar tattooed the color of my hair to make the scar less noticeable. Also, I have ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: If God loves us so much, why does hell exist?”
Q: How can a loving God send anyone to hell? I was always told that God loves us unconditionally, but if that’s true, then why does hell exist? Doesn’t that prove that God’s love is conditional? Couldn’t God, who created the magnificent universe, come up with a better alternative than ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: Can you explain the connection between the priesthood, the Eucharist, and the Church?”
Q: For the past three Sundays our priest has asked us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and then said, “Without priests there is no Eucharist, and without the Eucharist there is no Catholic Church.” Please explain. Thank you. -K. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: That is ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: Why do we pray to the saints?”
Q: I have been trying to explain why we pray to saints to one of my sisters and I’m a little lost. Is there some book I could read that would give me as simple an explanation as possible to relate to her? -M.O. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: Is it OK to recognize the beliefs of other religious traditions?”
Q: I always felt that it was very interesting that the First Commandment has to even mention “other gods.” Is it fair to assume that there are lesser gods than the Lord? It seems like odd phrasing, when God / Moses (as a vessel) could use a more total choice ...
Read More →
“Ask a Priest: A prayer of mine has been answered… How can I give back to God?”
Q: I’m 19 years old. I was raised non-religiously since my mom is a fallen Catholic and my dad is Jewish. Recently I met a girl who made me happier than I was ever before in my life. I just enjoyed being around her. I usually find true love to ...
Read More →
