Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Plenary Indulgence – Mercy Sunday

On Mercy Sunday there is a Plenary Indulgence available.   Of course, during the Year of Mercy if you are near one of the churches that has a “holy door” you can get an indulgence every day, so this indulgence … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

ASK FATHER: Blessing weapons

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As a Catholic and a practitioner of the 2nd Amendment, I was wondering if or there are blessings for firearms. The priests in my local parish strike me as a bit squeamish when it comes to firearms, so … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Going Ballistic | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

EXSULTET: WDTPRS and audio

The EXSULTET is one of the most spectacular moments of all the Church’s liturgical life. When it is sung well in Latin the Church is in her glory! I have fond memories of singing the Exsultet. The first time, I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Classic Posts, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
15 Comments

A Tenebrae excerpt: “O my people! lament, like a virgin”

The Lamentations of Fr. Z include verses on the loss of the singing of Tenebrae, whole and entire in its proper language. The ordering of the psalms is not particularly profound, but the antiphons and responsories are simply incomparable in … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, LENTCAzT, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, PODCAzT | Tagged ,
4 Comments

Washing Feet – observations

I refer the readership to some lucid and sober comments about the pedilavium, the foot washing, that can occur as an option in both uses of the Roman Rite. Fr John Hunwicke makes some keen and, for liberals sobering, observations. I expunged … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , , , ,
17 Comments

24 March: Bl. Oscar Romero, martyr

There is a piece at Vatican Radio that this Holy Thursday, 24 March, will be the “feast day” of Bl. Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran Archbishop who was murdered while celebrating Mass in 1980. It seems to be the Church’s day … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
7 Comments

ASK FATHER: How long do I have to fulfill my Easter Duty?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: One of the precepts of the Church states we are to receive Holy Communion at Easter. I always wondered if that meant Easter Mass or during the Easter season. My 1962 Missal say Easter (period) but … Read More

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

Wherein Fr. Z reviews and rants on important points about VALID baptism

Because Easter is a special time for baptizing, I hereunder assemble some observations from past ASK FATHER Question Box responses about baptism and validity. INITIAL RANT:  Bishops would do well to quiz priests, and seminarians before ordination as deacons, about how to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
21 Comments

ASK FATHER: Priest only baptizes babies by full immersion and without clothes (… on the baby)

From a reader… My daughter and son-in-law (a Lutheran, and a good man finding his way home) are taking classes in preparation for the baptism our granddaughter who will be born in April. She has been told that all baptisms are … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Woman “Eucharistic Minister” crosses lines to receive only from the priest

From a reader… In our parish we have a woman who is a Eucharistic minister at some masses. Whenever she does not serve, she will get out of the pew and cross over so she can receive from the presider only. If … Read More

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