About this blog…
“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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Recent Comments
- R2D on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: I can recognize the good that Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Orthodox do. That doesn’t make them Catholic. I’m truly…”
- on ASK FATHER: If God love us infinitely why does He not speak to us directly?: “Another angle; God speaking directly to us might not be good for us. Jesus says in John 16:13 “ I…”
- on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: Respectfully, I must say that you have misunderstood my position. I have not placed myself in “God’s judgment seat,”…”
- on WDTPRS: 5th Sunday after Pentecost – Snatched up into invisible love: “Father, to your enlightening translation of this wonderful Collect, one might add the beautiful English version in the Book of…”
- on ASK FATHER: If God love us infinitely why does He not speak to us directly?: “Wonderful reflection, which I will “plagiarize” , with due credit to Fr. Z, in future homilies. Yes, we should pray…”
- on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@Geoffrey – Perhaps you don’t realize that you’re basically placing yourself in God’s judgment seat and proclaiming your judgment to…”
- on Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 4th Sunday after Pentecost (N.O.: 12th Ordinary) 2026: “Said tongue firmly planted in cheek: “The admonition to leave your gift at the altar doesn’t mean that you should…”
- on Daily Rome Shot 1651: MAMBO!: ““The other day I shot an elephant with an obelisk. How I managed to maneuver the obelisk I’ll never know.”…”
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Category Archives: Hard-Identity Catholicism
September Ember!
A friend sent an email with a reminder about Ember Days. These days were penitential in spirit. They were also traditional times for ordinations. The short mnemonic “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy” can help you remember when they fall. Today in the … Read More
ASK FATHER: How to “steel ourselves” and not come down off from our crosses?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Dear Father Z, In your post regarding the 18th Sunday after Pentecost you advised us to steel ourselves and not come down off from our crosses. Would you be so kind as to offer some specific … Read More
ASK FATHER: Why are we responsible for the sin of Adam and Eve when weren’t there?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, no priest/bishop/theologian/book has ever answered my question on how human beings after Adam & Eve can be responsible for their sins when, apart from our first parents, we weren’t even participants in their disobedience. I really don’t understand … Read More
ASK FATHER: Why MUST one be in communion with Rome?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Why MUST one be in communion with Rome? The Eastern Church has celebrated the sacraments without communion with Rome for 1000 years, but still they have wonderworking Saints. GUEST “ASK FATHER” ANSWER from a priest who participates here: Why … Read More
WDTPRS – 18th Sunday after Pentecost: Who says mercy has to be gentle? Wherein Fr. Z rants.
The Collect for Sunday Mass this week in the Extraordinary Form wound up in the Ordinary Form Missale Romanum as the Collect for Saturday in the 4th Week of Lent. Go figure. It had an ancient source in the Gelasian … Read More
Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, WDTPRS, Wherein Fr. Z Rants
Tagged correction, mercy
7 Comments
7 Comments
Would the young Joseph Ratzinger – or I – have had the same reaction if….
As I often write, we are our rites. In the new interview book with Peter Seewald, Benedict XVI was asked how the son of a Bavarian policeman became a priest. I have a measure of sympathy with Benedict’s answer. I, too, … Read More
Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The future and our choices, Turn Towards The Lord
Tagged Benedict XVI, lack of vocations, Peter Sewald, priesthood, vocations
23 Comments
23 Comments
Did Pope Francis really write that letter?
UPDATE: I have found a “news story” (but not really) at the site of Vatican Radio by Philippa Hitchen saying something about the letter. HERE Also, in today’s L’Osservatore Romano of 12-13 September there is an unsigned piece on p. 7 … Read More
Rutler on Luther and Islam
As a former Lutheran, I won’t look forward to Catholic-Lutheran hoopla in 2017. I, for one, won’t celebrate theological revolt and the shredding of the fabric of Christendom. A must read is to be found at Crisis from the keyboard of Fr. George … Read More
ASK FATHER: What are the best arguments they have in the favor of the novus ordo?
From a reader… and please note that when I get emails with strings of questions I usually delete them instantly. Answering this is an exception to the rule, which I indicate clearly on the ASK FATHER form. If ya’ll want me … Read More
R2D on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: I can recognize the good that Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Orthodox do. That doesn’t make them Catholic. I’m truly…”
