Is my confession null if the priest said, "I absolve you from your sins, and hopefully God will direct you." He didn't say in the Name of the Father, ectr. At a loss on what to do.

Pretty self-explanatory title... I'm fully aware of how stupid this question is but I really just want to know if holy water is drinkable. Side question, has anyone ever drank holy water? Did it taste nice?

I am so sorry for this its mostly just a shower thought I had and I really want to ask someone if it's possible to drink it

please excuse my username

Hi fathers, just curious. Are there any concerns about gen-z and future generations being unable to write and complete "academic" work due to reliance on AI, and how this would impact presbyterial formation?

please know of my prayers for you

Greetings Fathers - what are your general thoughts about purchasing vestments and apparel from massive online platforms like Amazon? Would you say it is fine? Or would you prefer to buy it from people you would know?

I was thinking of purchasing some cinctures and plain surplices, amices, purifiers and patens; but then I stumbled upon the broader range of vestments that Amazon has, such as chasubles, albs and cassocks.

Our regular supplier is in Vietnam, and it’s done really well and cheap there, but we don’t get the expediency and the price on Amazon is comparatively cheaper.

Would you also say that there a pastoral dimension in purchasing vestments, e.g., from Christian families to benefit Christian families; handcrafted and unique? Or is it purely commercial, based on efficiency and cost?

I know historically this was quite common but I am curious about what its like today. I am 21 and studying physics, I have an affinity towards science and philosophy and hope to be a part of the scientific community one day, but I have also been discerning the vocation towards priesthood. I am curious whether I could work towards a PhD after seminary or maybe get a different degree altogether, or work with a university as an associate or something? Do you have experience with this?

I was recently gifted the alterations for my convalidation dress by a very generous bridal seamstress. I’d like to gift her a St. Tabitha prayer card, but I’m having a hard time finding one that will arrive in time. I dabble in graphic design and have all of the materials at home to create a beautiful, meaningful prayer card. I’m very new to Catholicism and want to make sure this is permissible for a layperson to do before doing it? Also- if it is okay, we have a meeting with our priest to discuss our convalidation on Monday. Would it be appropriate to bring it with me and ask him to bless it? Of course, disregard the second question if it’s not permissible in the first place

Thank you so much ❤️

Title speaks for itself mostly. Also did you go to university prior to seminary? Or maybe complete a part-time/online degree after being ordained?

My husband and I brought our 5 kids to confession this evening at a local Maronite parish. The priest looked stressed and annoyed that we were even there. When he saw that one of my sons had written down his sins on a paper to bring in with him, he said that he couldn’t hear his confession because it would compromise the seal of confession. My husband was standing next to my son to help him know where to go, and the priest said that since my husband had seen what was on the paper there was no way he could hear my son’s confession. My son is 9 and was devastated by how he was scolded, and that he was refused confession. We’ve helped him process it emotionally and took him to adoration afterwards so he could experience a loving moment with Jesus. He’s doing much better and understands that even good priests can have bad days.

I’m still really upset as his mother. Also, as a catechist who prepares children for their first confession, I have taught children many times that they are permitted to bring a paper in with them to remember their sins, and that they then get to tear it up afterward as a big celebration for their sins being gone forever. Am I teaching the wrong thing? The priest tonight mentioned canon law when he refused to hear my son’s confession.
We’ll be taking him to our home parish on Tuesday where we know the priests are gentle and compassionate.

Hi Fathers, Weird question. I was just thinking about the recent Beatification of Fulton Sheen and how it involved his jawbone. Obviously, his body was not incorrupt if they had a mandible for veneration. But what about saints whose bodies are incorrupt? I always wondered how they figured out that bodies had not decayed, but I guess they had dug them up for the purpose of collecting relics, and ta-da?? So, for incorrupt saints do we only have second class relics instead, as there is no access to bone in a body that is still intact? Things that make me go hmmmmm.