Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

ROME 23/10 – Day 32: Imagine the joy

We are out of the days of my natal month and the coincidence of calendar and my length of stay.  I enter now into the final stretch of days here, aka crunch time.  I’m disoriented at the prospect of leaving.  … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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1 November 2023 – All Saints – Holy Day of Obligation: We are all in this together.

While some bishop might obliterate the obligation by transferring it to a Sunday (what’s the point of that?), as All Saints falls on a Wednesday this year, it is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Church can determine our obligations … Read More

Posted in WDTPRS |
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The present needs the past

Right now some clamor for everything in the Church, all her doctrine, liturgy (which is doctrine), law, structures… everything… to be “reinterpreted” in light of the “spirit” of Vatican II and the “spirit” of ongoing “synodality” (“walking togetherity”). From the … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù | Tagged
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ROME 23/10 – Day 31: LifeSite Rome Forum meeting

On this last day of my natal month, the sun rose at 06:39 and it set at 17:08.   The Ave Maria – 17:30. It is the Feast of Alfonso Rodriguez, SJ (+1617), and the Vigil of All Saints. Does that … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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ROME 23/10 – Day 30: promised videos

The Roman sun came up at 06:38 (now that we are off the “ora legale”) and it will leave Rome’s sight at 17:10. The Ave Maria Bell should ring at 17:30. Welcome registrants: DePicchi Knee1987 PaterNoster22 I offered Holy Mass … Read More

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“Moral Injury” revisited

Some time ago, I wrote about moral injury and priests who are compelled by authorities to do things that are against their consciences. Today I read that Archbp. Broglio of the Military Services had a series of convocations with active … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged
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ASK FATHER: “active participation” in the Traditional Latin Mass

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question about “active participation”. The priest that used to service my SSPX chapel was very adamant about is using a missal to follow and pray the Mass. He added that it wouldn’t be … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: How much prayer is enough?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have seen several Examination of Conscience guides mention neglecting prayer as a sin. Could you unpack this a bit? Failing to pray at all for a week, for example, seems like it would be a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged
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Feast of Christ the King and the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sunday, in the Church’s Vetus Ordo calendar, is the Feast of Christ the King, there fixed on the last Sunday of October. It is customary on the Feast of Christ the King publicly to recite the Act of Consecration of … Read More

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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – Christ the King (N.O.: 30th) 2023

Share the good stuff. It’s the Feast of Christ the King in the Vetus Ordo and the 30th Sunday of the Novus Ordo. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Sunday Mass of obligation? … Read More

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