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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Recent Comments
- R2D on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: I can recognize the good that Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Orthodox do. That doesn’t make them Catholic. I’m truly…”
- on ASK FATHER: If God love us infinitely why does He not speak to us directly?: “Another angle; God speaking directly to us might not be good for us. Jesus says in John 16:13 “ I…”
- on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: Respectfully, I must say that you have misunderstood my position. I have not placed myself in “God’s judgment seat,”…”
- on WDTPRS: 5th Sunday after Pentecost – Snatched up into invisible love: “Father, to your enlightening translation of this wonderful Collect, one might add the beautiful English version in the Book of…”
- on ASK FATHER: If God love us infinitely why does He not speak to us directly?: “Wonderful reflection, which I will “plagiarize” , with due credit to Fr. Z, in future homilies. Yes, we should pray…”
- on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@Geoffrey – Perhaps you don’t realize that you’re basically placing yourself in God’s judgment seat and proclaiming your judgment to…”
- on Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 4th Sunday after Pentecost (N.O.: 12th Ordinary) 2026: “Said tongue firmly planted in cheek: “The admonition to leave your gift at the altar doesn’t mean that you should…”
- on Daily Rome Shot 1651: MAMBO!: ““The other day I shot an elephant with an obelisk. How I managed to maneuver the obelisk I’ll never know.”…”
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Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes
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
ASK FATHER: Can we ask God to strike down enemies?
From a reader: Is it a sin to ask God to strike down an enemy of the Church? Christ the Lord has commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Love for “enemy” comes in different forms. It can be expressed … Read More
ASK FATHER: How to talk to other mothers about male only altar service?
From a reader… Our parish priest does not care for girl servers but allows it. Today we went to daily Mass and a new girl was serving (which was arranged by one of the moms, I don’t believe Father knew about it), … Read More
ASK FATHER: Is it a mortal sin to criticize the Pope?
From a reader… Can a Catholic criticize the Pope? Or is it a mortal sin to do so? Yes. No. Not necessarily. Catholics are obliged to have filial love for and obedience to our Holy Father. Neither that love nor that … Read More
ASK FATHER: How to explain the Eucharist to a 3 year old?
From a reader… Father, My son is three years old. I’m looking for a very simple way to explain the Eucharist to him. I have been pointing out the host to him and saying, “See that’s Jesus that Father is … Read More
ASK FATHER: Can we pray to the deceased who are not saints?
From a reader… I know that the Church encourages the faithful to pray for the intercession of Saints and those who are on the path to being canonized. However, what does the Church teach in regards to praying to the deceased who … Read More
R2D on I have to post these. I know you can find them on your own. But I must post them.: “@WVC: I can recognize the good that Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Orthodox do. That doesn’t make them Catholic. I’m truly…”
