Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

ASK FATHER: Why fast? Why abstain?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Why do we have to fast and abstain? Why the Eucharistic fast? Why Ash Wednesday? Such a simply put question. Not a simple answer. It’s tied, I think, to another question from email. Also from a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism | Tagged , ,
9 Comments

Fr. Z’s Ash Wednesday Kitchen: Sandwich 101 et al.

Sandwich. Easy. Right? At Sandwich 101 level, I’ll share just one tip. When you prepare a sandwich, always make sure to bring your to-be-sandwiched additives all the way to the edges of your bread. Sandwich 102 will deal with dividing. … Read More

Posted in Fr. Z's Kitchen | Tagged
7 Comments

T.S. Eliot – “Ash Wednesday”

Back in 2013, with a remnant of a cold, I read T. S. Eliot’s Ash Wednesday. It’s interesting to go back to that post and see the comments.  For example, Supertradmum is no longer with us.  Say a prayer for the repose … Read More

Posted in Poetry | Tagged
3 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 671

Closing of Forty Hours at Ss. Trinità dei Pelegrini in Rome.  From The Great Roman™. The wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have a beautiful disc and digital download: Tenebrae at Ephesus US HERE – UK HERE … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-02-22

Again, on a busy day we get a fresh one. Feb 22nd, 2023 Dear Diary, Fat Tuesday has come and gone. Other than the flapjacks, good riddance. But I gotta admit I love Ash Wednesday, because so many people show … Read More

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants | Tagged
2 Comments

What’s wrong with this picture?

per canon 1210, local Bishops can now approve the use of a parish church for a live performance of Kenny Loggins and Dolly Parton’s classic ballad ‘Islands in the stream’ (1983) but not the celebration of mass according to the … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
17 Comments

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-02-21

This one came in punctually. Perhaps on these busy days the mole has better access. Feb 21st, 2023 Dear Diary, “Fat Tuesday”… again. I used to hate this day every year before I was a bishop and people had to … Read More

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants | Tagged
2 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 670

Welcome new registrant: LeoC4 Meanwhile,… NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others. Chess is exploding.  Make sure your young children and YOU can play.  It is a gift that lasts … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

20 Feb 2023 Rescript ex audientia – The Dictastery for Worship tattled and got some tape and glue to patch up their paddle

And people ask me why I post a lot about chess these days. The Congregation Dicastery for Worship has become a parody of itself. So much for the ‘Social Justice’ Principle of Subsidiarity! Translated: The Holy Father, in the Audience … Read More

Posted in Traditionis custodes | Tagged ,
32 Comments

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-02-20

Some of you managed to squeeze out polite interest in perhaps seeing more entries from the private diary of His Excellency Most Reverend F. Atticus (“Fatty”) McButterpants.  You are kind. Keep in mind that I have no idea when they … Read More

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
10 Comments