Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Priest and the Roman Canon… what do we say now?

Priests have written, one with some precise notes and cites, and I’ve seen one piece in my email by Louis Tofari, who knows his way around an Ordo. QUAERITUR: With the death of Francis, what do priests say in the … Read More

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Holy Thursday Plenary Indulgence

A plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, is granted to the faithful who: Visit the Blessed Sacrament for adoration lasting at least half an hour; OR Piously recite the verses of the Tantum ergo after the Mass of the Lord’s … Read More

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Yes… Communion rails are returning and it isn’t going to be stopped…

Today I received a text from a priest friend who sent photos of the brand new COMMUNION RAIL which they just installed in the “old church”. This one these places where they built a new church but kept the old … Read More

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Are there any Excel wizards out there?

UPDATE: You can stop offering now! I have a couple I’m looking at. UPDATE: A priest saw this post and wrote to say that he needs it too! Several people have responded so far, so hold off until I see what … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Difference between the “rejoice” of “Laetare” (4th Sunday of Lent) and “Gaudete” (3rd Sunday of Advent)?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can you explain the difference between gaudete and laetare? Gaudete seems to be 2nd person plural, imperative, while laetare appears to be an infinitive, both seem to mean rejoice in those respective forms. But the roots … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Is speeding a sin?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a leadfoot driver, have been for decades. My wife says I could have been an Indy racer. My driving record is solidly good and I drive a well-handling sedan. To limit speeding, I set … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Mass “for the gift of tears”… for someone else?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Mass for the gift of tears be said for someone else or is it only for the celebrant or person requesting the Mass? The prayers seem like a powerful source of conversion for self. … Read More

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During this “watch”, each evening at St Peter’s Gregorian chant is sung… but hardly anyone sings. Why is that?

From a priest reader… As I’m sure you’ve noticed, each night in St. Peter’s Square, a small schola has sung the Oremus pro Pontifice for the Holy Father. It’s a gesture that is simultaneously reverent and traditional, yet incredibly simple. … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum?

From a reader…. QUAERUNTUR: I was wondering if it is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum (i.e., praying for the Holy Father’s intentions being a requirement to gain the indulgence)? Also are there any traditional practices during … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How can Septuagesima and Sexagesima be “70th” and “60”? It doesn’t add up.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I don’t get it.  “Septuagesima” means “seventieth” and “sexagesima” means “sixtieth”, which are ten apart.  But the Sundays are seven days apart. 10 isn’t 7.  Is there an explanation? Here is something I’ve penned before. Roman … Read More

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Notes about different kinds of Holy Water

Recently there was an incident in St. Peter’s Basilica.   A man (allegedly with mental problems) profaned the main altar over the tomb of the Apostle.  In the case of a profanation like this, the altar could be “reconciled”, a kind … Read More

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“GO TO CONFESSION!” I always say. Another thing I say is that it is CRUEL to leave penitents in doubt.

Today I was out and about in Rome doing errands. I chanced on a posted sign in the penitents’ part of the free standing confessionals that line most Roman churches, often dusty from neglect.   The sign is a little blurry … Read More

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Another point of Catholic identity out with the bathwater?

Occasionally we have a collision of Holy Days of Obligations and Feasts in the calendar.  Feasts get transferred.   Does the obligation get transferred?  We had this situation recently regarding the Feast/Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which fell on an Advent … Read More

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“I asked the new Chinese AI “DEEPSEEK”, about the priest’s posture during the consecration in the Traditional Latin Mass. It’s Reply….”

Some think that AI is here to stay.  If that is so, then I am not convinced that we are (cf. Skynet). In the meantime, AI is bringing us bread and circuses: great memes and videos, etc. That’s what the interwebs did, … Read More

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What is Catholic teaching about “deportation”? Maybe not what some higher-ups think.

At Catholic Vote there is an article (seemingly assembled from tweets/x) which you should look at about Catholic teaching on “deportation”. PROBLEM: Official Church documents on faith and morals have perennially been written in LATIN.  That fact is not the … Read More

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Daily Rome Shot 1217 – “Why”, you may be asking? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I have a comparatively short trip to Rome coming up.  First, a couple days with a priest friend in Brooklyn, which breaks up the journey and puts a buffer into the flights.  A couple weeks in Rome.  The same coming … Read More

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ACTION ITEM – FIRES IN CALIFORNIA – Bishops! Priests! Pray!

UPDATE 9 Jan ’25 06:08: Today’s entry in the traditional Roman Martyrology states: At Ancona, St. Marcellinus, bishop, who, according to St. Gregory, miraculously delivered that city from destruction by fire. St. Marcellinus of Ancona! Pray for us! Originally  Published … Read More

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POLL: When are the announcements made where you usually go to Mass?

Please choose the best answer. We want your comments, too, what you think about the placement. Anyone can vote, but only registered and approved readers can comment. All comments on every post go into a queue.

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PRAYERCAzT: Singing the 2024 Christmas Proclamation or Kalendas in Latin (audio), – and a hard ASK FATHER question

First, the Kalendas. For years I’ve posted about this.  It was/is a custom for centuries before Mass begins to sing the Kalendas, the solemn announcement of the birth of the Savior at Prime. Since Prime isn’t being sung in many places, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Book about Mary in the Old Testament

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, Merry Christmas, almost. I’m looking a resource/s that will help me see Our Lady in the Old Testament. I know there are many passages that allude, foreshadow or indirectly tell us about her. I would … Read More

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