Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Priest Mumbles Words of Absolution. Fr. Z says: FATHERS! Stop being JACKASSES and do it right!

FATHERS!  This fellow’s note gives another example of why we priests must must must be careful and precise when giving absolution to penitents. Use the prescribed form of absolution in Latin or appropriate vernacular language and say the essential words … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
7 Comments

ASK FATHER: Communion twice in a day. But is Communion under both species already twice?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question about the number of times Holy Communion May be received in a day. And I know the answer sort of. The question is, if you may receive twice in the same day … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
6 Comments

ASK FATHER: Catholic betrothal rite, ceremony

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Have you ever heard of “betrothal ceremonies” in the Roman Rite prior to entering into marriage? Asking for a friend… Once upon a time the notion of “betrothal” was far more rooted in both secular and … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
14 Comments

Gallup Poll points to future demographic disaster. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

We are wobbling on the edge of a point where two demographic cliff faces converge. First, there is in most dioceses a clamant, ongoing loss in the number of active priests.  This will get worse in the next few years. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, POLLS, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
26 Comments

ASK FATHER: Extraordinary Form marriage vows but Ordinary Form Mass

From a priest… QUAERITUR: A devout Catholic couple would like to get married using the EF vows (in English), but would like to have an Ordinary Form Latin Mass.  Could I do their vows in the EF outside of Mass, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
13 Comments

“as the churches come down all around me”

Churches come and churches go.  They are means to an end.  When there is need for a church, a church is built.  When there is no need – or these days no desire – for a church, the church falls … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
17 Comments

ASK FATHER: New adult convert son still with non-Catholic parents is pressured against the Faith

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr. Z, my daughter’s boyfriend became Catholic last night; she was his sponsor. His parents are protestant and go to Church on TV. This morning they told him if he didn’t watch the preacher with them … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, The future and our choices | Tagged
25 Comments

Help wanted. Traditional Gregorian Mass and also Traditional Church Musician

First, I am looking for a priest who could – soon – take a Gregorian Mass set using exclusively the Usus Antiquior.   Please drop me a line.   This is concrete. Second, I wonder if there are any young musicians out there … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
Comments Off on Help wanted. Traditional Gregorian Mass and also Traditional Church Musician

ASK FATHER: Effect of Sacrament of Anointing in someone in mortal sin

From a reader… QUAERITUR: If a hospital patient that is able to confess still gets the sacrament of the sick does it just forgive venial sins or mortal ones too? First, let’s be clear about something.   The sacrament of anointing … Read More

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

UPDATE on ACTION ITEM! Pray for important pro-life SCOTUS case! Arguments on 20 March.

UPDATE 20 March: Link to the transcript of the oral arguments for the good guys.  HERE ___ Originally Published on: Mar 19, 2018 Can the government force Christian pro-life centers to advertise taxpayer-funded abortions?  California says they can. That’s the essential question … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Emanations from Penumbras | Tagged ,
11 Comments