Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

Special Blessing of Epiphany Water on the Vigil of Epiphany

Wonderful customs come with the Feast of the Epiphany.  Real Epiphany is 6 January, by the way.  Happily, this year it doesn’t get transferred to a Sunday because it falls on a Sunday. On Epiphany we find in the Roman … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged
9 Comments

Francis and the retreating US Bishops

As the US bishops meet in a retreat at Chicago’s Mundelein Seminary, with reflections by Rainiero Cantalamessa and the aegis of – I guess it was unavoidable – Card. Cupich, Francis sent them a letter.  HERE There is a piece … Read More →

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged ,
26 Comments

ASK FATHER: Friday penance for a vegetarian

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question and I think you are the perfect ossified manualist to give me the answers I need. I am a vegetarian. When it comes to Friday Penance, am I covered because I am … Read More →

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

What is your good news?

It has been some time since I’ve asked. What is your good news? Share something good and positive with the readership.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
22 Comments

1st Friday and Saturday Devotions and You

Reminder. Today is a 1st Friday, the first of a new Year of Grace. Do you keep 1st Fridays in special way as the Sacred Heart of Jesus urged? Do you engage in the Saturday devotions which Our Lady asked … Read More →

Posted in Be The Maquis | Tagged
14 Comments

Photos of Ultima Thule!

The first images of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule are on SpaceWeather. New Horizons is a NASA spacecraft that was the first to visit Pluto in July 2015.  It continued into the Kuiper Belt.   This is only the fifth craft … Read More →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged ,
8 Comments

REVIEW: “Annibale Bugnini: Reformer of the Liturgy” by Yves Chiron

As the new year begins, I’ll point to a new and interesting book about an infamous figure in the Church in the 20th century. Annibale Bugnini: Reformer of the Liturgy by Yves Chiron. US HERE – UK HERE This is … Read More →

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, REVIEWS | Tagged ,
26 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z rants at the beginning of a New Year of Salvation

I’ve noted with interest a number of reviews of the past year regarding the Church.  Not a few saw the last year as a “year from hell” or an “annus horribilis”. Sure.  That’s not unfair.  It was a very difficult … Read More →

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
18 Comments

“Let y’all know!” The “Noveritis” Epiphany chant announcement of 2019’s liturgical dates

At Epiphany – once upon a time far more important than Christmas – we Latins have the custom of singing a solemn proclamation of the key liturgical dates – movable feasts – for the new year of salvation, just begun. … 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 | Tagged , ,
4 Comments

Fr. Z’s Predictions for 2019

2019 Predictions 1. Pres. Trump will get yet another SCOTUS pick. 2. Francis and the meeting in Rome about protection of minors will miss the point of The Present Crisis and do nothing concrete. 3. The Diocese of Madison will … Read More →

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged
6 Comments