The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-11-20

Catholic woman? He is quite willing
to be married in a non-cathoIic church
and still remain in the Catholic faith.
He would have no standing at all.
BY such a direct act of disobedience
of the laws of the Church he would be
correspondent see the contradiction in
the terms of the question asked, viz,
disobedience and good standing? The
Catholic Church's law on marriage re-
Quires her children to be married by
her only lawful representative, the
priest, and in this she is merely legis-
latiBg for her own children.
Why is the national shrine referred
to as basiIica? In what way does a
basilica differ from the ordinary
church or cathedral?
A basilica strictly speaking was
originally a building in which the
courts of justice were held. The word
itself from the Greek means a royal
hall, or the hall of the King. In it's
PAGAN loI III IL was oUlODS III SHdpc,
and the early Christians fashioned
their churches after the basilica form
In Christian usage bcsilica is a
church to which particular privileges
have been granted by the Holy See.
Thus in Rome there are five Major Ba-
st. John Lateran, and ST. Mary Ma
jor. Besides these there are both in
Rome and throughout the Christian
world certain churches which have
been especially privileged and which
are known as Minor Basilicas. The
ington, if given these special priv.
leges, will be known as a Minor Ba-
silica. Thus also the Shrine of ST.
Ann de Beaupre, near Quebec, is a
Minor Basilica.
Why is Mass said in Latin instead
OF in English?
This question has been answered
frequently in these columns. Briefly,
however, the principal reason is that
ehC SIul Cil oo ASdiu
the Mass is the same throughout the
whole world and it has always been
customary among Catholics outside of
the Oriental church and that of Slo.
vakia to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice
in the Latin tongue. This rite has
been consecrated by centuries Of
usage, and the Western Church has
constantly said Mass in Latin. There
are many other reasons which have
been enumerated before. Incidentally
it may be remarked that throughout
the Catholic world the Mass is said in
nine different languages, these being
chiefly among Oriental peoples who,
from the beginning of their conversion,
have been privileged to say Mass in
the principal language of those peo-
pies.
Can a Catholic, who has been d.
Vorced and remarked and who has
never practced his religion, receive
the last sacraments?
n Catholic vino has been lawfully
married, divorced and remarked is in
state of grievous sin. Such a per-
son so long as he remains in the Sec
ond state of attempted wedlock can
not receive the sacraments. At the
hour of death, however if this person
be repentant and be prepared to give
up the sinful state in which he is liv-
ing, even if he RECEIVERS, he may re-
ceive the sacraments In case he re-
fuses this necessary condition he can.
not receive these sacraments.
Can a Catholic who is married get
separation and then obtain from the
Bishop dispensation to marry again !?
a Catholic who is lawfully married
cannot obtain dispensation from any
living power to marry again during the
life of the first partner. 1t sometimes
happens, however, that the first mar
riage for some reason is proven to
have been invalid. In such case the
Bishop does not grant a dispensation
but merely declares that the first mar
rage never was really lawful One
sometimes hears of persons being mar.
rled and afterwards being allowed to
marry again. In every case the rea-
son is that the first marriage was for
some reason or other unlawful in the
beginning. Where a lawful marriage
has taken place neither priest, bishop
or Pope can grant a dispensation to re,
marry: only death can sever such a
bond,
Is it sin to omit saying grace at
meals when dining in public place?
1t is not sin, ordinarily speaking,
to omit grace at meals. At the same
time there may be a sinful element
in the omission if it be the result of
weak faith or human respect. This
old custom dates from the time of the
Apostles themselves, ST. Paul telling
us that whether we eat or drink or
perform any other action we should
do it to the honor of God In Catholic
countries grace Or prayer at meals is
always offered by the head of the fam
lily or by the most distinguished per.
son present Priests and religious al.
ways say this prayer before and after
meals, and every true Catholic layman
follows the same pious custom In a
time like the present, especially, it is
a most salutary practice, before sitting
down to eat, to pause for moment
and to return thanks to the Giver OF