With the introduction of a contraceptive means (artificial or not) to the marital act, the procreative dimension is purposefully suppressed and ignored. The unitive dimension, therefore, is separated from the procreative.
Recently, when I was in the hospital, a lady came to give me the Anointing of the Sick. She said she was sanctioned by the “Healing Ministry” of my parish to do this. When a priest came to anoint me, I told him that I had been anointed by a lady from my parish. He said that lay people cannot anoint, so I did not receive the Sacrament. If my first anointing was not a sacrament, why does my parish have “healing ministers,” and why can?t they anoint? ? A reader in Falls Church.
Recently, I visited some relatives in New Jersey. At their parish, they do not have regular private confessions, but a service where everyone prays and then the priests gives absolution. I thought this was strange, but they said “general absolution” was allowed. I am not really sure what general absolution is. Is this right? ? A reader in Arlington.
I have a tape with the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary on it that I use as a prayer aid daily. In the litany are some phrases I don?t get, like Tower of David, House of God, Ark of the Covenant, Tower of Ivory, Mystical Rose, Morning Star and Star of the Sea. In this month of May, could you please explain them? ? A reader in Alexandria
At the diocesan anniversary Mass this August, I had the pleasure of meeting Bishop Loverde. I am embarrassed to say that I was not sure
Because of our firm belief in God’s infinite mercy and His universal salvific will that all should be saved, we have a genuine hope that there is indeed a way of salvation for children who have died without the benefit of Baptism through no fault of their own.
Why is the Precious Blood almost never distributed at Mass? By not distributing the Precious Blood, the priest would seem to be disregarding the command that our Lord gave us when He initiated the Eucharist at the Last Supper: “Take and eat: this is my Body. Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, ?Drink from it all of you, for this is my Blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Recently, a friend invited me to join the Masons. What are the Masons? Are Catholics allowed to belong to this organization? ? A reader in Alexandria
Ever since the HERALD published the article about the birth of Christ and whether or not Mary experienced the pains of birth, you have printed letters which discussed both sides of the issue. What is the real position on the issue of the painless birth of Christ? ? A reader in Vienna
I have always wondered about some of the gestures I see at Mass ? the making of the sign of the cross at the Gospel, bowing at the Creed and shaking hands for the sign of peace. Where do these come from? Are they required or options, since some people do not do them? ? A reader in Leesburg
