Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

What to do if you don’t know what to do. Wherein Fr. Z … advises.

My in-box is filled with email from people who are frustrated, angry, confused. I am with you.  I jot people’s names down and I pray for you.  I am shifting my other practices around to include mortifications.  After all, as … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
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ASK FATHER: Varia concerning today’s problems in the Church

Since I am on the road and busy with many times, but since these are pressing issues, allow me to respond, but collectively. From readers… QUAERITUR: Given the rate things are going for this current pontificate, would it be sinful to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box |
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ASK FATHER: Can the Novus Ordo be “ad orientem”, in Latin, with Deacons?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Novus Ordo be ad orientem with Latin, chant, a subdeacon and deacon in traditional vestments? Not only can the Novus Ordo be celebrated ad orientem, it ought to be.  The rubrics indicate that this is the standard, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
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Canonist Ed Peters: What does can. 915 really say?

Some people on the Kasperite side (give Communion to the divorced and remarried who have no purpose of amendment, etc.) have a spittle-flecked nutty when can. 915 is brought into the discussion. Distinguished commonsense canonist Ed Peters has offered us … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, Canon Law, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged , ,
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Serious priest taking it to the streets

Note that this priests says Mass for the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in Missouri.  They’re apostolate is to pray for priests and bishops.  I hope they pray for me. They have wonderful discs of music.   Speaking of … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Fr. Z KUDOS, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Can absolution be granted when no purpose of amendment exists?

Under another entry here a commentator asked: Can absolution be granted where no purpose of amendment exists? If granted, with no purpose of amendment, does it even ‘take’? No. And No. In normal circumstances, when there isn’t danger or some … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Vatican II | Tagged , , , , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Diluting Holy Salty Water… Salty Holy Water… just plain Holy Water

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello Fr Z! Our pastor puts a lot of salt in the holy water. So much so that a MASSIVE crust forms on our font at home. Is it OK to dilute the holy water a … Read More

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Never underestimate the power of an invitation

I incessantly tell congregations never to underestimate the power of an invitation.   By that I mean that people should be inviting to others to go with them to Holy Mass or to church for confession and other events.  Invitations … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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The knock on effect of small acts performed with love

At both the blog of my friend Fr. Jeffrey Keyes (Beauty Evangelizes … so true) and repeated at NLM there are photos of how the sister who sets up Father’s Mass vestments in the sacristy arranges the ties of the amice. … Read More

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A serious Catholic way to “accompany” the sinner?

I had an interesting email in my box today.  What do you think? Hi Father, I’ve been reading through Ratzinger’s book “Behold the Pierced One“. [UK – HERE] In it, he addresses the issue of the prohibition of communion to the divorced … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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