Monthly Archives: October 2010

QUAERITUR: priest adds a word to words of absolution

From a reader: Father, i went to confession this afternoon and instead of the usual “I absolve you from your sins…” the priest said instead, “I now absolve you from your sins…”. Was my confession valid? Yes, it was valid. … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
13 Comments

BLOG RENEWAL: combox and mobile theme

Under another entry a commentator said that, in his experience, there is an odd glitch in the combox.  He says that the input editor suppresses a space between the punctuation at the end of a sentence and the beginning of … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
13 Comments

“I worked so hard for that title!”

I don’t like being called anything but “Father” … except for those times when I don’t care.   After all, I worked hard for that title. Oooops… er… um… no… um… no, wait.    It has to do with that ontological character … Read More

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged
31 Comments

Minnesota Democrats: ANTI-CATHOLIC in print

I wonder if there is a federal statute that covers using the U.S Postal Service for the distribution of discriminatory printed material aimed at a specific religious group.  I am no lawyer, but I can wonder.  Right? Yesterday I posted … Read More

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged ,
42 Comments

Benedict XVI on regulating migration

A friend of mine, the great Roman Fabrizio noticed this and sent it along for our opportune knowledge. The Holy Father, in his “Message” for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, offered: ” The Church recognizes this right in … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
16 Comments

Msgr. Gherardini on the SSPX talks and the future of the SSPX

Our friends at Rorate have a bit of an interview with the distinguished theologian Msgr. Brunero Gherardini (an old prof at the Lateran back in my day). My E and C. Msgr. Brunero Gherardini on the SSPX On September 29, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
46 Comments

Nuns auctioning rare Honus Wagner baseball card

From AP with my usual treatment: Holy card! Nuns auctioning rare Honus Wagner By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press BALTIMORE – Sister Virginia Muller had never heard of shortstop Honus Wagner. But she quickly learned the baseball great is a revered … Read More

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare | Tagged ,
5 Comments

Composer James MacMillian explains what happened before the Papal Visit

Here is a story from The Telegraph about the trouble distinguished composer James MacMillian had with the liturgical establishment before the Holy Father’s visit to Scotland and England. James MacMillan is a Scottish composer whose symphonies, concertos, operas, sacred music … Read More

Posted in Fr. Z KUDOS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
46 Comments

QUAERITUR: confessor without a stole, outside a confessional

From a reader: Today I was reading “Pardon and Peace” by Fr. Randolph, and he writes “Church law requires that confessions should normally be heard in a proper confessional” and that for hearing confessions “a priest should always wear a … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
24 Comments

Did the Holy Father get a free ride from the BBC during his visit?

From Damian Thompson: The Times’s paywall is mysteriously down, so I nipped behind it and found a blog post from my former colleague the Rev George Pitcher, now the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Public Affairs. Writes George: I confess … Read More

Posted in Linking Back | Tagged ,
7 Comments

Democrats in Minnesota anti-Catholic political postcard campaign

I have seen this story in various places, but LifeSite has a good summary. A campaign postcard the Minnesota Democratic Party sent to voters in the Midwestern state is causing a strong reaction from pro-life advocates. It claims the Catholic … Read More

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Emanations from Penumbras, Our Catholic Identity, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , ,
10 Comments

QUAERITUR: taking a chalice home to pray for vocations

From a reader: There is a “program” at Church, where a family takes the Chalice Home with them to pray for an increase in vocations. Now, our parish is supposed to be the most conservative in the area, and our … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Sunday obligation and Communion service

From a reader: Recently a friend of mine went to what he thought was Mass, but actually turned out to be a eucharistic service on a Sunday. He says the ordinary priest was absent but another person (assuming a priest … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
43 Comments

QUAERITUR: Indulgences for the dead and visiting a cemetery

From a reader: Your recent answer to a question about prayers and Masses for non-Catholic departed brings to mind a question some friends and I were deliberating over. With regard to the indulgences we can gain for the departed during … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
21 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can non-Catholics be saved?

From a reader: Can non-Catholics who die outside formal union with the Church be saved? I’ve had the statements of the Council of Florence pointed to as proof to interpret extra ecclesiam nulla salus. This seems to contradict what’s said … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
174 Comments

QUAERITUR: homemade marriage vows

From a reader: I recently attended a Catholic wedding between two Catholics. During the ceremony, I believe the couple did the declaration of intentions according to the Rite of Marriage. When it came to the wedding vows, instead of using … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged
21 Comments

APNews: “Catholic bloggers aim to purge dissenters”

From Townhall comes this: Catholic bloggers aim to purge dissenters APNews Pressure is on to change the Roman Catholic Church in America, but it’s not coming from the usual liberal suspects. A new breed of theological conservatives has taken to … Read More

Posted in Throwing a Nutty |
85 Comments

Some critics of the new translations: “radioactively cynical”

Over at First Things Fr. Rutler has some comments about the new translation and liturgy in general. Here are a few excerpts. We join him in medias res with my emphases and sinographs: […] Publicly owned corporations are more accountable … Read More

Posted in Mail from priests, The Drill | Tagged , ,
36 Comments

QUAERITUR: Old Rituale Romanum and “churching” of women

From a deacon: May God Bless you for your work. I will be traveling home for Thanksgiving break to Baptize my twin brother’s newborn son. He and his wife are faithful, traditional Catholics. I was wondering if it is still … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
17 Comments

The 2012 Synod of Bishop will focus on…

From CNS comes this news.  Woo hoo. Next synod theme: New evangelization October 24, 2010 by John Thavis VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict announced today that he’s chosen “new evangelization” as the theme for the next world Synod of Bishops in … Read More

Posted in New Evangelization, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
6 Comments