Have you ever wondered if you’re doing the right gestures at Mass?
In this Ask A Priest episode, Father Tim answers common questions about posture during the Mass and what the Church actually asks of us. While some gestures are optional and left to personal devotion, the deeper meaning of these moments points us to something much bigger.
Father Tim explains how the priest sitting after the purification of the vessels echoes the Ascension of Jesus, when Christ sits at the right hand of the Father after accomplishing the work of salvation. Just as the apostles were then sent out to proclaim the Gospel, the Mass sends us out too, reminding us that what happens at the altar is not the end of the story, but the beginning of our mission.
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Is Halloween Catholic?
Every October, the same question comes up: Can Catholics celebrate Halloween? From zombies and vampires to “Stranger Things” and “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” we’re drawn to the supernatural because deep down, we’re made for the paranormal. We’re made for Heaven. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains why our…
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Why Isn’t Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?
If everyone goes to Mass on Ash Wednesday, why isn’t it a holy day of obligation? Ash Wednesday feels like it should be a holy day of obligation. Churches are packed, and everyone comes for ashes. But it isn’t, and the reason is simple: holy days of obligation are feast days. Ash Wednesday (like Good Friday) is a day of fasting, not feasting. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains how the Church has fast days and feast days and why the Church “obliges” us on days of celebration. Using examples like weddings and the 4th of July, he shows how Catholics worship first and then celebrate, because Jesus has already won.
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Can Catholics Do Yoga?
Is yoga okay for Catholics to practice? What about the poses, breathing, and their roots in Hinduism, could that conflict with Christian faith?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim tackles a question many Catholics have wondered about. He explains that stretching, exercise, and caring for the body are good things, and that worship always involves freedom and intention. You cannot accidentally worship another god or reject Jesus simply by doing physical movements.
Father Tim also warns against falling into superstition, giving something more power than it actually has. Whether you’re stretching, playing sports, or doing yoga poses, the key is your intention: you can glorify God through your body in everything you do.
If yoga ever becomes explicitly tied to non-Christian worship or spirituality, it may be wise to step away, but simple stretching and movement themselves are not the problem. As Christians, we trust in the power of Jesus Christ and remain rooted in Him in all things.
