Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: What can deacons bless?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently witnessed our parish deacon blessing an image of St. Francis. Do deacons have the power of blessing images. And if not, does the image to be “re-blessed” by a priest? Given that this is the season … Read More →

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18 Comments

ASK FATHER: A dying man’s confession, death and YOU.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My father-in-law recently passed away. Before he died, he received Last Rites and a confession, but my wife is concerned about the validity of the confession. He suffered from a couple of strokes before he died, which took away … Read More →

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ASK FATHER: “Baptismal Stoles” or “Confirmation Stoles”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I heartily agree with you regarding cassocks and surplices on “altar girls”. [More on that HERE] But I have another concern, and I wonder if I am right. I also do not believe that “Baptismal Stoles” or “Confirmation … Read More →

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ASK FATHER: Altar girls also Communion ministrices

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to Mass today in the diocese of [removed] as a visitor. The priest had 4 teen age alter girls and I actually received communion from one of them. This brought tears of sorrow to … Read More →

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Luke 19: Zacchaeus

I think we could benefit from a discussion of the moment in the Gospel of Luke when Zacchaeus meets the Lord.  The Pope recently used this pericope when addressing the UN delegation.  It made me scratch my head.  The Pope … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Drill | Tagged ,
37 Comments

Summorum Pontificum. It won’t be stopped.

Here is some news to cheer you in these otherwise chaotic and troubling times. From HPR: Seven Years after “Summorum Pontificum”: Nearly 500 North American Churches Offer the Traditional Latin Mass For those Catholics who are seeking even more regular … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Benedict XVI, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , ,
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Card. Burke with do’s and don’t’s of parish, church closures

Hearts can break when churches close. But if the church cannot be repaired, or if people are not paying the bills… what to do? Sometimes they must close. However, I think there are many case in which a church does … Read More →

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22 Comments

ASK FATHER: Hands under a cloth during Communion

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have attended Mass in the Extraordinary Form fairly often in several US and UK cities over the past decade, and I was surprised to observe something new. An Institute of Christ the King church near … Read More →

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26 Comments

ASK FATHER: Sister started Mass without the priest

From a reader… QUAERITUR: On Friday, my family and I arrived at Mass (NO) a few minutes early and took our usual places. When Mass was about to begin, a Sister (non-identifiable) came out to announce that the priest was running a few … Read More →

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23 Comments

ASK FATHER: Cassock, surplice, girls

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, Am I correct in saying that Cassock & Surplice is male attire and that girls should NOT wear it? And if this is the case why do people let it happen? I am taking over … Read More →

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , ,
58 Comments