Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Father says that rubrics are only suggestions

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a member of a consultative body for our parish. During a lively (for lack of a less-positive term) discussion at a recent meeting we were told by our pastor that the GIRM is, in … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity |
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ASK FATHER: Confession and absolution via text message? Phone? VOIP?

A question pops up once in a while and I have dealt with it before.  Can you be absolved over the phone or by internet?  NO.  That would be INVALID. I was alerted to this post at the site of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Stole-less confession. Okay?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does a priest have to wear a stole during confession? I surprised a priest and asked for confession and he did without a stole. No, a priest does not have to wear a stole. The stole is … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Membership in a parish, borders, registration

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a parishoner at an ethnic church in the Archdiocese of X with national boundaries where there are Masses, sacraments, services, etc in my preferred language. However, I live 20 minutes away in the Diocese of Y. Who … Read More

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Ancient Greek Fish on Friday

One of the blogs I follow is Pass the Garum. They recently moved to a new site, by the way. As you know from reading this blog for a while, garum is a fermented fish sauce that the Romans put … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Fr. Z's Kitchen | Tagged , , , ,
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ACTION ITEM! PLENARY INDULGENCE on FRIDAYS OF LENT!

The usual conditions of confession, Communion and detachment from even venial sin apply, but here is a great opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence for those who go to Mass on Fridays of Lent! The Handbook of Indulgences has this: … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , ,
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St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows: Patron of Handgunners

A saint for today.  Terrorists invade your town and set about to do terrible things…. … someone to pray to when ISIS – or whomever – comes to your neighborhood. Today is the feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of … Read More

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SYNODGATE: A canonist weighs in – Fr. Z gives advice

The esteemed canonist Ed Peters has something to say about #Synodgate – the heist of the Five Cardinals Book™ from the mailboxes of participants at last October’s Synod on the Family. (HERE) Thus, Peters: It was worse than a crime—it was … Read More

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Reason #142 for Summorum Pontificum

This is from Vatican Radio: (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and the Roman Curia are in the middle of their weeklong Spiritual Exercises in Ariccia, outside Rome. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the retreat master, Carmelite Father Bruno Secondin, has shared reflections … Read More

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Request to readers: towel rack… yes… you read that right…

If I had to build a church or restructure one, there are some traditional things that I would be sure to include in the sacristy. I would make sure there are adequately deep drawers and closets for vestments, a vault, a … Read More

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