Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Returning to the Church from schism

From a reader… I’ve heard a lot recently about ordinary priests being given the power to lift excommunications for abortion, what with the Year of Mercy. What about other sins that carry an automatic excommunication, like schism? I left the … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Poured Precious Blood down sacrarium. Go to a Missionary of Mercy?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I know an EMHC who once was instructed after Mass to pour, and did pour, the remaining (there was a lot) Precious Blood in the sacrarium. This EMHC will be attending a pilgrimage this weekend at … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Neglect of the Precepts of the Church and Mortal Sin. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a priest… QUAERITUR: I am trying to clarify whether or not the precepts of the church bind under mortal sin? According to the catechism of St. Pius X they do, however the current CCC gives no clear indication. I … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: How long after death can Last Rites be given?

In the last few hours some of you have sent similar questions. QUAERITUR: How long after death can the Sacrament of Anointing be administered? Sometimes we say “Last Rites”, though technically Last Rites includes Penance, Anointing and Viaticum (Eucharist), and hopefully … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Young children receiving ashes on #AshWednesday

This comes up each year in my ASK FATHER email, so I will repost an oldie. From a reader: I have a three year old girl. She loves the material aspects of Catholicism (holy cards, holy water, lighting candles, relics etc) … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Lent, #AshWednesday and the ol’ aligator on Friday question!

I have posted on this in the past, but repetita iuvant as we say in Latin. ORIGINAL: Someone sent me a copy of a letter written by the Archbishop of New Orleans to a member of his flock about eating alligator … Read More

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Remember! #AshWednesday Fast and abstinence! What’s your plan?

What are you all having for your meals today? I had a slice of toast this morning.  Later, probably a bowl of vegetable soup. For supper, after Mass… we’ll see.  Probably nothing. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the … Read More

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ASK FATHER: St. Blaise Blessing from a laywoman

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Yet another weird anomaly for our Modernist parish is having laity assist the priest in blessing throats on St. Blaise’s Feast. The laymen make no “Sign of the Cross” at least, merely place the candles across … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father said say Act of Contrition afterwards. Fr. Z rants… at priests.

From a reader… who recently went to confession! Everyone… GO TO CONFESSION! QUAERITUR: I just went. Yay! After confessing my sins I had a question about a friend who fell away from church. It took 2 minutes, 3 tops. I don’t usually … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Reciting the Office or reading silently

From a seminarian… QUAERITUR: I am a seminarian and I pray the EF Office faithfully. I know I have read somewhere that even when praying alone the words should actually be pronounced (however quiet) and not read as completely silent. … Read More

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