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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What Is Purgatory and Why It’s Good News?
The word purgatory isn’t in the Bible, but neither are Trinity or Christmas. Still, the reality of purgatory is both real and hopeful: it’s not punishment, it’s preparation. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what purgatory truly is. It’s a time of purification that readies our hearts to be with Jesus forever. Through Scripture, the Catechism, and one unforgettable wedding dress analogy, he shows why purgatory is actually good news.
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Can Priests Be Rich?
Can priests own fancy cars or expensive things? Do some priests make money? It’s a question people ask often, and the answer reveals something deeper about what it means to follow Jesus. From vows of poverty to promises of prayer and obedience, discover how the priesthood isn’t about possessions… It’s about purpose. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Edward Looney explains the difference between diocesan priests and religious order priests and why both are called to live lives of simplicity and service, not wealth.
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Why Is The Eucharist Not Mentioned In The Creed?
We pray the Creed every Sunday, but have you ever noticed something missing? Why doesn’t it explicitly mention the Eucharist? In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains why the Eucharist wasn’t included in the Creed, not because it was unimportant, but because it was never questioned. For the first thousand years of Christianity, belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was assumed, lived, and loved by the faithful. The Creed was written to defend what was under attack, and the Eucharist didn’t need defending… until later.
