Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)

ASK FATHER: Must we do penance, abstain from meat, on Friday in the Octave of Christmas?

This is a question which comes up each year. It came up again today. Must we do penance on Friday within the Octave of Christmas? The short answer is YES.  This year. According to Canon Law, Catholics are bound to … Read More

Posted in 1983 CIC can. 915, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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26 Dec: St. Stephen the Protomartyr, his Archconfraternity, and the Octave

In addition to Boxing Day, and the day good King Wenceslaus went out, it is the feast of St Stephen. I hope all your snow is neat and crisp and even. St. Stephen’s feast has been celebrated this day since the … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged
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25 Dec 2020: Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD – RIP

In your goodness, please offer a prayer for the repose of the soul of Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD, who died on Christmas Day in 2020. Foster was a Carmelite if Holy Hill, WI, Latinist for many Popes in Rome, and … Read More

Posted in PRAYER REQUEST |
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“Et verbum caro factum est”

Posted in Just Too Cool |
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The Burning Babe – A Christmas Day Poem by a English Martyr Saint

The Burning Babe by St Robert Southwell, S.J., martyr (1561–1595) As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow, Surpris’d I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to … Read More

Posted in Poetry, SESSIUNCULA |
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Daily Rome Shot 1207 – Buon Natale!

Many thanks to anyone who has sent an item from my wishlist.   I try to send a note, when I am able.  Amazon has made it harder to do that.  Sometimes, they don’t include gift slips.  Once, the slips had … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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PRAYERCAzT: Singing the 2024 Christmas Proclamation or Kalendas in Latin (audio), – and a hard ASK FATHER question

First, the Kalendas. For years I’ve posted about this.  It was/is a custom for centuries before Mass begins to sing the Kalendas, the solemn announcement of the birth of the Savior at Prime. Since Prime isn’t being sung in many places, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, PRAYERCAzT: What Does The (Latin) Prayer Really Sound L, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
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Daily Rome Shot 1206 – Fishwrap’s spittle-flecked nutty

Welcome registrant: Rick from Oregon Thanks go out to a couple more of you who moved from Continue To Give over to Zelle for your donations.   I really appreciate it.  The sooner the better for the rest! Yesterday’s Holy Mass … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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WDTPRS: Collect 4th Sunday of Advent (Vetus Ordo) – “What our sins are obstructing”.

This prayer was in the ancient Gelasian Sacramentary and other sacramentaries. It survived in edited form in the Novus Ordo on Thursday of the 1st week of Advent. Excita, quaesumus, Domine, potentiam tuam, et veni: et magna nobis virtute succurre; … Read More

Posted in ADVENT, GO TO CONFESSION, WDTPRS |
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Mass for Benefactors – 4th Sunday of Advent

Today’s Holy Mass, for this 4th Sunday of Advent, will be offered a 1700h EST for my benefactors, those who send regular or occasional donations and items from my wishlist. I ask you also to keep me and also my … Read More

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