When we whisper a prayer —”Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord” —we’re doing more than remembering; we’re loving. Even when someone has already reached eternal life, our prayers still echo, increasing their joy in God’s presence and deepening our own hope in the life to come.
In this Ask A Priest episode, Fr. Edward reflects on the meaning behind our prayers for the departed, the hope of Heaven, the mystery of resting with the Lord, and how our prayers can help our loved ones draw closer to Heaven.
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Why Confess To A Priest?
Why tell your sins to a priest when you can go straight to God? It’s one of the most common questions Catholics ask. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Fr. Edward Looney unpacks the Scriptural roots of confession, from Jesus breathing on the apostles and giving them authority to forgive sins, to the deep peace that comes from hearing the words, “I absolve you.” If you’ve been away from confession for a while, maybe it’s time to come home.
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When Is the Pope Speaking Infallibly?
How do you know when the Pope is speaking infallibly?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what papal infallibility actually means and why it happens far less often than many people think. The last time a pope spoke infallibly was on November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Papal infallibility, also called ex cathedra, happens when the pope formally defines a teaching on faith or morals from the chair of Peter. It is not every homily, interview, opinion, or public statement. When it happens, it is clear, formal, and a major moment for the whole Church.
Father Tim also explains why the Assumption mattered so deeply in 1950: in a world wounded by war and ideologies that treated people like disposable parts of a machine, the Church proclaimed that the human body is good, sacred, and made for glory with God.
Papal infallibility is not something to fear. It is a gift Christ gives His Church to protect truth, strengthen faith, and remind us that the Lord continues to guide His people through the papacy.
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What’s The Proper Posture At Mass?
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.
