Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

A New Year. Remembering past injuries. Clinging to past sins. The Purification of Memory

A the beginning of a new civil calendar year, quite a few people are moved (at least for a while) to assess their lives and resolve (at least for a while) to make some changes.  These changes are mostly about … Read More

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5 January: St. Telesphorus and an old friend

In the Novus Ordo calendar it is the Feast of St. John Neumann (+1860) and also of St. Edward the Confessor (+1066). However, it is also the Vigil of Epiphany and feast of St. Telesphorus (c. 137).  St. Irenaeus says … Read More

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ASK FATHER: When can people begin to ask for Pope Benedict’s intercession?

This question comes from a comment under another post, but it stands on its own. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, quick question? I too believe that Benedict is a saint in heaven. Of course, when someone dies (including a pope), … Read More

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Ever the optimist. Fr. Z’s first rants of the year.

This year 1 January, the Octave of Christmas or the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God fell on a Sunday.  All Sundays are Holy Days of Obligation.  Next year, 2024, 1 January falls on a Monday.  That means that, … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
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ASK FATHER: Friends returning to the Church say they can receive Communion without going to confession first

From a reader… QUAERITUR: After a number of years away from the faith of my childhood, I made the decision to return to the Catholic church.  After attending a few masses, my heart longed to receive the Eucharist, so I … Read More

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27 December – St. John the Evangelist – Today we bless WINE!

The liturgical year guided and nourished and shaped Catholics for centuries.  It does so far less now, since it is much diminished after the “reforms” that hacked away at the calendar. However, once upon a time people not only followed … Read More

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URGENT! ALL PRIESTS… ALL PENITENTS GOING TO CONFESSION… ACTION ITEM!

I received this email. First, let me say… GO TO CONFESSION! That means PRIESTS too! Next, use my tips for making a good confession. HERE Now… I received this email. Good afternoon, Father. In the middle of a recent confession, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: “I absolve you from THESE sins…”. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession and the words said by the priest for absolution were “I absolve you from these sins” etc. Would this absolution be valid? Thank you for going to confession.  KEEP GOING. This is … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father says part of the consecration inaudibly and the rest audibly. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Our parish priest speaks in a very distinct way. He chants the Novus Ordo from “For on the night he was betrayed he himself took bread, and giving you thanks he said the blessing, broke the … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Confession by checklist because of no common language

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr, I went to confession at a Catholic church in France that gets pilgrims from around the world. Because of the many languages of the penitents there was a checklist in the confessional with a wide variety of sins translated … Read More

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