Monthly Archives: December 2016

Thank you, dear readers. Mass for Benefactors

From the bottom of my beady black heart, I send out thanks to all of you readers for your many acts of kindness and your attention over the last year. Let’s all pray that this next year of salvation, 2017, … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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31 Dec & 1 Jan: Plenary Indulgences!

Today, the last day of the year, you have an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, by taking part in the recitation or singing of the Te Deum in a church or oratory. Tomorrow, 1 January, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged , , ,
5 Comments

CQ CQ CQ – #HamRadio Saturday : Vatican

I haven’t posted about Ham Radio lately. I haven’t been active. I have no “shack” at the moment here in the Cupboard Under the Stairs. (No bird feeders, either… though I do have a stove, now. That’s something.) However, I … Read More

Posted in Ham Radio | Tagged , , , ,
6 Comments

Penance and Epiphany on Friday: Wherein Fr. Z rants

I had a note about the obligation to do Friday penance (usually through abstinence) on the Friday in the Octave of Christmas. HERE. Yes, we were obliged to do penance… except where we weren’t.  The reason is that the days … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
18 Comments

ASK FATHER: Which superhero would you be?

From a reader… some lighter fare. QUAERITUR: Sometimes I see faithful, traditional priests as heroes. That word might be overused today, but that’s how I see it. They work in obscurity and take a lot of hard knocks and keep … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare |
18 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can priests say the “Tridentine Mass” alone, without a server?

From a priest… QUAERITUR: I know that Canon Law currently permits, although discourages, a priest to say a Mass alone (i.e. without server or faithful). I’ve heard that previously, it was forbidden under penalty of mortal sin to say Mass … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged ,
17 Comments

NLM: Four Bloggers Submit Dubium to Eye of the Tiber Concerning Its Status as Satire

As seen on NLM: Four Bloggers Submit Dubium to Eye of the Tiber Concerning Its Status as Satire GREGORY DIPIPPO Four prominent members of the Catholic blogosphere – Fr John Zuhsldorf of Fr Z’s Blog (formerly called “What Does the Prayer … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Lighter fare | Tagged , ,
14 Comments

Merenda Time!

It’s mid-afternoon coffee time. How is your supply? You know what to do.  

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged ,
1 Comment

ASK FATHER: Friday penance, abstinence during the Octave of Christmas

From a reader… already… Is Friday, December 30, a Meat Friday since it falls within the Octave of Christmas? It is good to see that someone is planning ahead.  As I write we are a fortnight from the day in … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , , ,
10 Comments

ASK FATHER: Enervating, paralyzing shame and going to confession

I have occasionally exhorted you to … GO TO CONFESSION! I shall continue to do so. I take seriously my duty to try to keep as many of you out of Hell as I can and get as many as … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , ,
31 Comments

28 Dec – Childermas – The Holy Innocents: “They were the Church’s first blossoms”

Today is Childermas, the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child, By by, lully lullay. O sisters too, How may we do For to preserve this day This … Read More

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , , , , , ,
8 Comments

ASK FATHER: What’s up with the ‘penitential wand’ and indulgences?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently read about the indulgences formerly attached to being touched by the ‘penitential wand’ in Rome in the Raccolta. I’ve been trying to find more information about this practice online, all to no avail. I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
18 Comments

ACTION ITEM! Support Our Lady of Hope Clinic – MATCHING GRANT

I have an ACTION ITEM for you good readers. You have been generous to causes I have mentioned in the past.  Sometimes people have a hard time finding causes to support.  This is one of them that I admire. RIGHT NOW… … Read More

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, Our Catholic Identity, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , , ,
1 Comment

ASK FATHER: Is ‘Alma Redemptoris Mater’ wrong?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: In general it seems that we only ask God to have mercy on us. This is most clear in litanies of the saints, where the response for a saint is ‘pray for us’, but the response … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Solitary Boast | Tagged ,
4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can SSPX priest still give absolution validly after the Year of Mercy?

From a reader… For the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis gave permission to receive Absolution from SSPX priests. Has that permission ended with the Year of Mercy or is it still in effect? We can’t find an official answer explaining … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, SSPX | Tagged , ,
12 Comments

Help from readers: Find the banding!

Okay folks… who can find this banding (the red embroidered part) for us?

Posted in ACTION ITEM! |
7 Comments

Concerning the movie ‘Silence’ movie by Scorsese, book by Shusaku Endo

I just read at The Catholic Thing a review by Brad Miner of the movie from Martin Scorsese Silence, from Shusaku Endo’s book. Here is the bottom line from the review: Scorsese’s Silence is not a Christian film by a Catholic … Read More

Posted in Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
34 Comments

Merry Christmas Octave!

We are in the Octave of Christmas.  Merry Christmas everyone! Here is a shot from our Midnight Mass. The word “immemorial” came to mind when I saw it.  We have a beautiful continuity with our many forebears who sacrificed so … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
6 Comments

The Angry Man

A friend sent me this.  It’s good. It explains a lot. The Angry Man For all the interest group pandering that shapes modern American politics, the group that may well have decided the election has come down to the demographic … Read More

Posted in The Drill |
60 Comments

26 Dec: The Protomartyr, The Octave, and You

In addition to Boxing Day, and the day good King Wenceslaus went out, it is the feast of St Stephen. St. Stephen’s feast has been celebrated this day since the earliest centuries of the Church’s life. We are also in the … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , , ,
2 Comments