Dear Catholic Exchange:

Is it canonically possible for a layperson to "bless" a religious article, i.e., a rosary, a Miraculous Medal, etc. in the home and is there an approved "book of blessings" available?

In Christ,

Ben Nasca
Santa Ana, CA

Dear Ben,

Peace in Christ!…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

There are times when the priest in our parish omits the prayers of the faithful in the mass. Is it permissable to omit the prayers of the faithful in the mass?

Sol Magat
Philippines

Dear Mr. Magat,

Peace in Christ!

There are times…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

My daughter has had a very challenging life during her 26 years on earth.

She was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 13 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments for 2½ years. She is in remission and has…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

Our Pastor says that to receive Communion at the Saturday evening Vigil Mass and then at a next day Sunday Mass is not permitted since the readings are the same and this would be the same as receiving…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

I have been in communication with non-Catholics regarding religious matters, and, as is habitual for Protestants to do, they have pointed out a Bible verse to explain a belief that they held. For the majority of the objections…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

Why can I not find the name of St. Joseph's mother and information on her?

Thank you,

Noreen C.

Dear Noreen,

Peace in Christ!

The Bible records very little information about St. Joseph. He first appears in the Infancy Narratives (Mt. 1-2 and…

Dear Catholic Exchange,

I am currently in a dialogue with my pastor about using titles for God the Father that are not in the Sacramentary, i.e. Creator, Lord, Holy One. At times the prayers sound distorted and unnatural. He tells me…

Dear Catholic Exchange:

I have a question on corporate donors to Planned Parenthood. Is American Express still donating to them?  Also, what about IBM?  Thanks so much!

Gabriela Granados

Dear Gabriela,

Peace in Christ!

Apparently neither American Express nor IBM give to Planned Parenthood, although…

Dear Catholic Exchange:

Can you please give me the history of the rosary-who started it and when? By answering this, maybe I could help some of those born-again Christians who do not believe on repeating prayers.

Thanks a lot,

Nelson

Dear Nelson,

Peace…

Dear Catholic Exchange:

My daughter was married in the Roman Catholic Church. She divorced her husband who is Greek Orthodox. He had their marriage annulled in the Greek Orthodox Church and is now remarried and has a daughter by his present…