Category Archives: Four Last Things

25 December 2020: Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD – R.I.P. – 1st Anniversary of death

In your kindness please pray for the repose of the soul of a priest friend who died one year ago, today, Christmas Day. Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD, was a famous Latinist. He was a complicated guy and not always easily … Read More

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Silent Keyboard

I received a note today about the recent passing away of a long-time reader and commentator here (though he hadn’t commented for a while), John C (aka acricketchirps).    His wife wrote: “He was anointed and received the apostolic pardon.” … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Did Francis say that sexual sins aren’t that serious?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Why is it always an airplane?  When Pope Francis went back to Rome from Greece he talked about the resignation of the Archbishop in Paris because of a past sexual scandal.  One thing the Pope said … Read More

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WDTPRS – 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost: Like lightning in the East

This is the Last Sunday of the liturgical year. The last part of the liturgical year thematically dovetails with the first part of the new liturgical year.  Advent was once longer, so the overlap of reflection on the End Times across … Read More

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Sermon and photos for the Requiem Mass of Gaetano, a poor man of the street, at Ss. Trinita dei Pellegrini in Rome

I had asked you to give alms to help bury the dead.   HERE Gaetano Tinnirello. He lived rough, in the streets, and often with his dog was at the doors of my adoptive parish Ss. Trinità dei Pellegrini, the Vetus … Read More

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Opportunity! A work of mercy for a poor man, recently deceased, at the “traditional” parish in Rome – ACTION ITEM

In my adoptive neighborhood in Rome, at my adoptive parish, there was a young man named Gaetano Tinnirello. He lived rough, in the streets, and often was at the doors of my adoptive parish Ss. Trinità dei Pellegrini, the Vetus … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Will happiness in heaven be incomplete if our loved ones aren’t there too?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I always hear that when we die and go to heaven we will see our loved ones again. That we will be together again. But how can that be? How can It be if someone you … Read More

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About the Apostolic Pardon given to the dying. Where Fr. Z admonishes you!

Two recent email exchanges brought up the importance of the Apostolic Pardon (AP).  It is also sometimes called the Apostolic Blessing. The AP is a special indulgence given by a priest to a person who is dying which remits all … Read More

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Fr Hans Küng, R.I.P.

Pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Hans Küng, dead at the age of 93. Küng did untold damage to the Church and the identity of Catholics through his persistent cage-match with heresy.  He was forbidden to teach … Read More

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Officer slain in Boulder shooting was a TLM parishioner. Wherein Fr. Z rants about death and YOU. UPDATED

UPDATE: 26 March Time has been changed to noon MDT. Still at the Denver Cathedral with an FSSP celebrant. the link for livestream is https://livestream.com/accounts/3170708/events/9593864 Originally Published on: Mar 24, 2021 Recently there was a terrible mass shooting in Boulder, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: “Any tips about a Last Rites “kit”?”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As part of my Lenten practices, I’m trying to seriously keep before my mind, on a daily basis, the fact that eventually I will die. As you yourself often say, we should practice dying well and … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does a stillborn baby have to be baptized?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does a stillborn baby have to be baptized? A friend just gave birth to an 8-month stillborn baby who died in her womb early yesterday morning. What is the procedure before burial? Would appreciate your help. … Read More

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“Is it too much to ask, therefore,…”

Run, don’t walk, to today’s Crisis Magazine offering by Regis Martin. Just DO IT. HERE A taste… […] In thinking about [Heywood] Broun’s conversion [by then Fr. Fulton Sheen], it is important that we not lose sight of the fact … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Does idolatry incur a greater penalty than other mortal sins? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does violation of the First Commandment of the Decalogue (such as acts of literal idolatry and/or demon worship) entail a greater penalty / injury to the offending baptized Catholic than mortal sins against the other Commandments? … Read More

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WDTPRS: Prayer for enemies – Part III

ADDENDUM: You might want to see this. HERE Some people outlandishly concluded or maliciously claimed that because I added prayers “for enemies” to the orations of a Votive Mass asking for the grace of a good death, that I was … Read More

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Msgr. Richard Soseman – R.I.P.

I heard today that a good friend of mine Msgr. Richard Soseman died from the Wuhan Devil.   He was 57.   A story HERE I’ve known him for many years.   He worked in Rome in the Curia for a time and … Read More

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NOTA BENE! FINAL DAY 30 Nov. – Special Decree extends opportunity for Plenary Indulgence for Poor Souls through whole of November

30 November: FINAL DAY The Church’s senior tribunal, which handles all matter of the internal forum and indulgences, the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, has issued a decree about the annual opportunity to gain indulgences for the souls in Purgatory in time … Read More

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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 24th and Last after Pentecost (NO: Christ the King) 2020

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at the Mass for your Sunday (obligation or none), either live or on the internet?  Let us know what it was.   Too many people today are without good, strong … Read More

Posted in Four Last Things, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, LIVE STREAMING |
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Notes about Holy Communion

I saw a very good post at Ann Barnhardt’s blog. HERE It is in no way polemical or political. It is, however, both timely and perennial. It is something that needs refreshing in the minds and hearts of many and … Read More

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All Souls Masses – changes to rubrics when saying three Masses continuously

I am getting ready to say my three Masses today. On two days of the year, the priest has the privilege of saying three Masses: Christmas and All Souls.  On Christmas, he can keep three stipends for the Masses.  On … Read More

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