Each weekday, you'll find a new question and answer. Check back for the new question and scroll down to see previous day's entries! Let us know what you think - - or question! -- by emailing us at tcanswer@osv.com.
What Happens Right After Death?
Q. What does the Bible say about events immediately following death? Will most souls simply "sleep" until the Resurrection? Will most souls go immediately to purgatory? What are the possible immediate destinations?
Nick Cicchini, via e-mail
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death" (No. 1022). In this particular judgment, each of us will receive the perfect verdict on what we have become in this life.
If, when we die, our life has been completely purified of all sin and all traces of sin, we will be taken directly in heaven. If we die in a state of grace, but with the effects of sin not completely cleansed, we will enter the state of purification called purgatory.
But that state is not final; we shall be prepared there for eventual entrance into heaven.
However, if we die cut off from God by our sin, we shall be taken into "immediate and everlasting damnation" (No. 1022).
Determining whether something is “Catholic”
Q. I have heard that some groups call themselves “catholic,” but don’t follow the rules of the Church. How can I tell if a program is really Catholic?
— Kathy Wagner
A. Here’s a reply from Father Reginald Martin:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The word ‘catholic’ means ‘universal,’ in the sense of ‘according to the totality’ or ‘in keeping with the whole’” (No. 830). The text uses Vatican documents to explain that this means “correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession.” An individual, a worshipping congregation, or an educational program that flouts or knowingly denies these characteristics — or fails to embrace all of them — cannot be called “Catholic.”
Obviously, great care must be used in judging, so determining whether an individual, a group or a program is truly Catholic may prove challenging. An Internet search of a particular diocese’s offices and organizations can prove helpful, as can consulting a diocesan directory, the official document that lists clergy and ministries approved by the bishop. Every parish in a diocese has a copy of this local directory, and most will also have a copy of the “Official Catholic Directory,” which lists approved institutions and ministries throughout the United Sates.
A phone call to a diocese’s administrative headquarters (the Chancery Office) will allow an individual to speak to an official, who can give more information in particular cases.
Priests’ sins, sacraments
Q. Considering the extent of priestly sexual abuse in the Church, should we laity be worried that the Masses and sacraments celebrated by abusive priests were invalid? What should I do if I think my marriage was invalid because of the priest who officiated at it?
Name and address withheld
A. Here’s a reply from OSV columnist Msgr. M. Francis Mannion:
The Church has long struggled with the issue of the validity of sacraments in view of the sins and imperfections of priests. Very early on, it came to the conclusion that the validity of sacraments does not depend on priestly virtue. The sacraments are not affected by the holiness of the priest, but by God's power.
The teaching of the Council of Trent was very clear on this, and this teaching is repeated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (see Nos. 1127-28). As long as the sacraments are celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ acts in and through them, independent of the holiness of the minister.
The fundamental principle underlying this position is that Christ is the principal actor in the sacraments. The sacraments are efficacious because Christ is at work in them. It is Christ who baptizes, is principal celebrant of the Eucharist, forgives, anoints and unites in marriage.
The lack of holiness on the part of a priest is not unimportant. If the priest is perceived by the people to be lacking in basic holiness and virtue, then the people are easily scandalized and their participation in the sacraments may be less than fully edifying. By the same token, what the priest receives from the sacraments he celebrates is compromised.
If you are worried about the validity of your marriage only because of the character of the priest who officiated, then you have nothing to worry about. Certainly a marriage may be invalid for any number of reasons, but invalidity by virtue of the sinfulness of the priest is not a factor. I would not advise any action on your part, and I would suggest that you set aside worry over this matter.
Is daydreaming sinful?
Q. My friend said daydreaming is considered a sin because we are wishing for more than what God has given us. I didn't argue the point because she has studied the Bible and is really quite knowledgeable. Are daydreams really frowned upon by the Church? I'd never thought about it before.
K. Fleming, via e-mail
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D.:
It all depends what you mean by daydreaming, and the degree of consent given to such fantasies. If the daydream is about something sinful, and we consent to the thought, that would be a sinful thought.
If the daydream is about something virtuous, or morally neutral, it could only be sinful if it were a waste of time, which it usually is. It is better for us to sanctify the moment and live in the moment, rather than wasting our time and energy dreaming about a future that might never come.
Bells at Mass
Q. I remember years ago the altar servers would ring bells at the consecration. It was always so beautiful to hear, especially when they did it in three separate ringings for the Body and the Blood. Why isn’t it done anymore?
— Chris
For those who attended Mass before the Second Vatican Council, bells were a routine — and inescapable — part of Catholic worship. Bells have assumed lesser importance recently, but their use is still approved, if not encouraged. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states: “A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice” (no. 150).
A commentary on the instruction (“Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite”) observes, “If the sound is pleasant, and the servers are trained to use it reverently … the bell enhances and accentuates the solemn moments of the sacred action” (No. 113). A footnote adds, “It also has a salutary effect when young children are present or in churches frequented by tourists during the time of Mass.”
The words “when appropriate” and “according to local custom” are extremely important. They indicate that the use of bells is optional, and depends on a parish’s practice. The decision to use bells falls to pastors (or diocesan liturgical commissions). Some parishes have abandoned them, but many continue to employ them.
Church Seasons
Browse our collection of church seasons pages.
Pentecost
Ordinary Time
Advent/Christmas
Lent
Easter
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