Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Should I serve at the altar if I don’t want to be a priest?

From a reader: I have been an altar server for several years. However, after a slowdown two years ago, I have figured out that priestly ordination is probably not for me. Occasionally, I still serve at an Eastern Catholic parish, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
48 Comments

QUAERITUR: American patriotic stuff in church

From a reader: Is it permissible to recite the pledge of allegiance at Mass before the final blessing and then omit the final blessing? Is it permissible to display the American flag on the main altar during Mass? Omit the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
33 Comments

Liberal survey of priests on new translation is inaccurate

A little while ago, some people who hate on the new translation of the Roman Missal had a little survey of priests and their reception of the translation. It may not come as a huge surprise that the survey found … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, POLLS, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged , ,
23 Comments

QUAERITUR: Communion on Saturday evening, then twice on Sunday?

From a reader: I am a Seminarian who is in a parish which has a “Vigil Mass of Sunday” on Saturday evenings. I have read your posts regarding receiving communion twice in one day, and I know the “Vigil” Mass … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , , ,
7 Comments

“Liturgies” compared

In the combox under a different entry, one of the participants here posted a link to a video that wasn’t perfectly relevant to the topic, but… I can’t resist sharing it with a wider audience. Keep in mind that the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , , , ,
107 Comments

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary

Yesterday the Holy Father lead a profession of Faith for all the Italian bishops as they are meeting in plenary session. He addressed them. At the end of the address, Francis pronounced a prayer to Mary which should move any … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, Just Too Cool, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill | Tagged , , , ,
11 Comments

QUAERITUR: Greek island without a Catholic church on Sunday

From a reader: we will be on a Greek island without a Catholic church on a Sunday: can we attend the Greek mass and/or receive the Sacrament? You can, and I think should, attend the Greek Divine Liturgy if attending a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged , , , , ,
87 Comments

Pope Francis on the possibility of salvation for atheists

People are sending me notes about Pope Francis’ fervorino from Mass yesterday.  News outlets (and panicky emails I am getting) are suggesting that the Pope said that atheists go to heaven.  HERE Alas, we never get what the Pope actually said in … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
72 Comments

Ed Peters on the suicide at Notre-Dame de Paris

Over at the blog of the gentlemanly though trouble-making canonist Ed Peters (aka The Canonical Defender) there is a post about the ramifications of the suicide at Notre-Dame in Paris.  Suicide—whatever mental/emotional problems induce some to commit it and which … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , , , ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can Father require all servers to stand to receive Communion?

From a reader: My 10-year-old son, who daily receives Holy Communion on his tongue while kneeling (and in fact has never received standing) just completed altar server instruction. He was told that when he serves, he must receive standing!!! (for … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
46 Comments