Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: How much prayer is enough?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have seen several Examination of Conscience guides mention neglecting prayer as a sin. Could you unpack this a bit? Failing to pray at all for a week, for example, seems like it would be a … Read More

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Sometimes you’ve just had enough of the stupid

Yup. Nice tackle. Holding? Nah. I hope her whole community is like this. Yup.

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis |
9 Comments

BOOK ALERT: Anthony Esolen – No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men

I am ready to read anything by Anthony Esolen, a writer who is both lyrical and whose head is firmly screwed on in the right direction.   For those of you who are Dante virgins or noobs, his e translation of the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, REVIEWS, The Drill | Tagged ,
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UPDATED: Would it be a Synod “Walking Together” without an other demon idol?

UPDATE 10 Oct 2023 Here is more news about the demon idol. We’ve been able to confirm that the demon idol Cindy McCain gave to Pope Francis is most likely the ogre-woman called Soyoko Mana, not the priest killer. Soyoko … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Synod, The Drill, What are they REALLY saying?, You must be joking! | Tagged
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VIDEO about making a good confession with some additional notes

I stumbled across a video which presents a sermon on how to behave before during and after making a sacramental confession. There is some good advice in the sermon, particularly about the need to examine one’s conscience and the confess … Read More

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14 September: Exaltation of the Cross and Anniversary of Summorum Pontificum. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Today, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is also the anniversary of the 2007 Summorum Pontificum going into effect.  This Motu Proprio – the Emancipation Proclamation for the faithful who desire the Vetus Ordo – was a keystone … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Benedict XVI, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices |
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ASK FATHER: What if an aardvark runs by and the priest goofs up the LATIN while baptizing?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’m going to entirely recast this question in my own words because I need to address the answer to priests, rather than to the laymen who sent the original query. It seems that a priest recently … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests |
8 Comments

QUESTION FOR READERS: reMarkable (and digital notebooks)

As I look down the road to writing projects, I have a question for the readership. During the wonderful conference for priests held by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, I sat at most of the sessions next to … Read More

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MAZZA: The Importance of the Value of Reputation, Part II

At Homiletic and Pastoral Review (yes, it still exists), find the second part of important work by civil and canon lawyer Michael Mazza (whom I’ve known for a zillion years).   He now works as a canonist especially in defense of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: What is the official book and English translation for blessings after Vatican II but prior to the release of Book of Blessing? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have been doing research however to no avail. What is the official book and english translation used for blessing after Vatican 2 prior to the release of Book of Blessing? The book of blessings remained … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
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“The clerics’ starting gun … Itinerarium Clericorum” read in Latin, an mp3 audio file available for priests.

I just concluded a driving road trip that chalked up over 3400 miles.  There were a few perilous moments and one or two that were, frankly, frightening.  One involved a human who shouldn’t be allowed to drive and the other … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Latin, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
3 Comments

“Availability of priests in Care Centers”

From a reader…. (edited): Father, My sister has been in an Assisted Living Center for some time and was just today transferred to hospice. Her daughter’s family are Nons and her husband is even actually antagonistic to any religious belief. … Read More

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Mass… no mas… in St. Peter’s for the end of the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage this year. Wherein Fr. Z muses about an alternative.

Yesterday The Great Roman™ informed me of the news that for this year’s Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage in October (I hope to be there), the locum tenentes of St. Peter’s Basilica have forbidden the celebration of Mass in the Vetus Ordo. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism |
10 Comments

Reminder: Moral injury of the clergy and laity

A couple years ago I posted about the psychological abuse of priests and the resulting Moral Injury.  It is good to review this concept occasionally, and consider it in light of what is going on in the Church today. Moral … Read More

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2 Comments

ASK FATHER: “What’s up with not adding water to the chalice? Or did you?” A deep dive into the offertory with a minor rant about Vatican II.

I had a question from a reader/viewer who was wondering about the preparation of the chalice during a streamed Mass. When it came to the water, I didn’t pick up the water cruet to add water. QUAERITUR: It looks like … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged , , ,
8 Comments

Intense image of the Sacred Heart and YOU – ACTION ITEM!

It is the Feast of the Sacred Heart and, therefore, the Church’s appointed Day of Sanctification of Priests. Please pray for your priests. Pray for me. HERE This striking detail is from a print by the Catholic artist Daniel Mitsui. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM! |
7 Comments

Signs of the times

I was about to post something along the lines of “KETCHUP: THE WONDER FOOD”, but then I saw this. Remember.  Vatican II was – pace St. Joan – the new Pentecost… Springtime in the fullest sense.  It surely – pace … Read More

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22 Comments

There is hardly anything crueler that a priest can do than to leave people in doubt about the validity of their sacraments.  

It is extremely VEXING to learn of priests who are so thick… so arrogant… that they can’t or won’t be exacting about the VALIDITY of sacraments.   It isn’t hard.  You “Say The Black and Do The Red” and you use valid matter. … Read More

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35 Comments

23 May 2023 – Reinstallation of St. Philip Neri’s altarpiece – VIDEO

St. Philip is home again.   The painting for the altar in the chapel dedicated to him at the parish has been restored and put back in its place. Music from Musica Al Tempo Di Guido Reni

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A good point in Card. Burke’s book on when Communion should be denied

I have been looking at Raymond Leo Card. Burke’s book from Sophia Press about worthy reception of Communion. Respecting the Body and Blood of the Lord: When Holy Communion Should Be Denied US HERE – UK HERE Firstly, I did … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, Canon Law, REVIEWS | Tagged , ,
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