Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

ASK FATHER: Is the priesthood dominated by men who are varsity-level players or 3rd and 4th stringers?

From a reader (as Substack under my post about Thomas Reese’s latest stupid thing)… QUAERITUR: Is the priesthood dominated by men who would have been varsity-level players in almost any field? Or, because the varsity players left or never entered, … Read More

Posted in Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , ,
11 Comments

29 August – The Beheading of John the Baptist: Corruption exposed and the “brass ring” revealed

I celebrate as my onomastico or “name day” the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist, 29 August.  “He must increase,” said the Baptist, “I must decrease” (John 3:30).  I need that rule of life. Although St Augustine of … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
4 Comments

PODCAST – Voices of the Fathers 05 – St. Jerome’s wide open spaces

28 August 2026  – What I’m trying to do is described HERE (hint: rebuilding) Originally Published on: 18 Feb 2026 I recently rediscovered a slim volume entitled The Osterley Selection from the Latin Fathers, published in 1950. The preface praises the … Read More

Posted in Patristiblogging, PODCAzT, Voices of the Fathers | Tagged , , ,
1 Comment

Kudos to the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston

We haven’t seen a lot of wins lately. I take this as a win for the faithful in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. You should be able to click the image and read the letter easily. In a nutshell, Bishop Evelio … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
11 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1691: When Augustine and his mother Monica were reunited after 1617 years

In 2005 the bones of St. Augustine were brought to Rome from Pavia to the Church of St. Augustine, where there is also the tomb of Augustine’s mother, Monica. It was the first time in 1617 years that they had … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

Roundup of books on St. Augustine of Hippo

It is 28 August, the Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo who died in 430. He is one of the most influential people not only for the Christian Faith, but for the shaping of Western Civilization.  It could be hard … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols, SESSIUNCULA, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged
5 Comments

ASK FATHER: Priests tells me to say Act of Contrition outside the confessional, afterward

From a reader…. QUAERITUR: I went to a local church (non TLM) near my place of employment for confession after work. Please allow me to give them props for that. My question is about a posted sign that says the … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Is the Collect from Leo’s “Mass for Creation” heretical?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: The first line (firstborn of all creation) strikes me as calling the Son a creation and therefore not coeternal with the Father. Seems to be an error. I may be interpreting this wrong and would like … Read More

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

27 August – St. Joseph Calasanz

In the Novus Ordo, today is the Feast of St. Monnica, mother of St. Augustine.  I have a 1st class relic of her in my Chapel of the Two Trinities. However, in the Vetus Ordo, I will celebrate Mass for … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

Over at Substack… I’m taking baby steps there… I posted about Jesuit Thomas Reese’s latest idiocy at RNS

Over at Substack… I’m taking baby steps there… I posted about Jesuit Thomas Reese’s latest idiocy at RNS.   He compares the Traditional Latin Mass to a zombie, because it won’t die. HERE Along the way, I note that Jesuits are … Read More

Posted in The Campus Telephone Pole |
1 Comment