About this blog…
“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes
Uniting Communities in Shakopee, MN
Some time I wrote about a parish in my native Minnesota, St. Mark’s Church in Shakopee, which has implemented Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form with preaching also in Spanish. HERE Fr. Erik Lundgren, the pastor, sent a few photos. … Read More
Explaining the Year of Mercy “abortion forgiveness faculty”
For the Year of Mercy the Holy Father has given to all priests the faculty to absolve from the censure that is incurred by the crime (not just sin) of successfully procuring an abortion. This has created a bit of … Read More
Recently Received Items
The diligent John of Leaflet Missal, in the wake of the great Seminarian Biretta Project (ongoing) has sent me a mighty tool of the New Evangelization. Behold a “scruple spoon”. I lacked this weapon of demon-terrorizing in my liturgical arsenal. … Read More
A note about the necessary faculty priests must have licitly and validly to absolve sins
I want to clear up something related to the upcoming grant from Pope Francis (I repeat… upcoming, and not yet) to SSPX priests to absolve the sins of penitents who come to them. Some people are claiming that the SSPX already validly absolve … Read More
ASK FATHER: Father with dementia “absolved” by Episcopalian
From a reader: Short, short version: my ailing dad thinks he received (and is satisfied with) absolution from an episcopalian “priest” — do I press the point or trust in the Lord’s Mercy on this one? My father (70) has been away … Read More
Ed Peters on the ‘sin’ of abortion, the ‘crime’ of abortion, and excommunication
The distinguished canonist (and commentator here) Ed Peters has a useful post at his fine blog In The Light Of The Law about the distinction of the sin of abortion and the crime of abortion and the sanction/censure that can be incurred … Read More
ASK FATHER: Prayers for a sick pet
From a reader… My 10 year old Golden Retriever is in rough shape. How far is too far when praying for pets? What is a Catholic to do when his pet is sick or in danger of death? Is praying appropriate? I’m … Read More
ASK FATHER: What documents are needed for us to marry?
From a senior reader… QUAERITUR: My fiancee (age82) and I (age 76) are both widowed and lifelong Catholics. We know what documents we need, but what other church requirements must we go through before marriage. You should have your baptism certificates, which will … Read More
Down with pews! Away with them!
I have a recurring dream about having to build a church. It’s Romanesque and open, uncluttered, especially by pews. My friend Fr. George Rutler is in Crisis. He is talking about pews. He has a few digressions – he … Read More
ASK FATHER: Does a declaration of nullity mean a marriage never existed?
From a reader… My diocese’s website says, “A declaration of nullity does not say that the marriage never existed,” yet the site also says that a declaration of nullity means “that the marriage was invalid from the moment of the wedding.” These statements … Read More
