Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Latin orations for St. Maximilian Kolbe

Posted on 15 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe was yesterday, but I was travelling and unable to do much online. Thus, I missed a question from a reader about the Latin orations so that he could be more properly celebrated in the … Read More →

ASK FATHER: The priest won’t let me make an anonymous confession – updated

Posted on 10 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question about confession. If you want to remain anonymous during confession, is it OK for the priest to not allow it? I did something horrible and it had a lot of ramifications in … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged anonymity, can.964, Seal of confession
4 Comments

ASK FATHER: In the confessional Father said the Holy Spirit is a woman.

Posted on 9 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father during confession said in his opinion, the Holy Spirit is a woman. “She gives us birth in baptism, she will help you.” [Jackass!] His other remarks were well taken but I was so appalled I … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged GO TO CONFESSION
5 Comments

2 August until midnight: “Portiuncula” Plenary (or Partial) Indulgence

Posted on 2 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I’ll get out ahead of this this year. From midnight 1 August (some say evening of 1 August) to midnight 2 August, you can gain the “Portiuncula” Indulgence. This indulgence seems to have been granted directly by Christ Himself in an … Read More →

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

Every BISHOP! Every VOCATION DIRECTOR!

Posted on 17 July 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

GREAT CAESAR’S GHOST!!! This is GOLD. Let this be your examination of conscience, pals. Fr. McTeigue rips the mask off the vocations crisis. What (most of you) are doing… gotta change. I want lots of comments here. I want you … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The future and our choices |
27 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z had a bad scare and thereafter Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 15 July 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Dear Readers… I had a scare. From time to time I write about online and telephone scams, to warm you to be careful. The scammers are devious and “creative” (ironically destructive). I am not sure what happened exactly, but I … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged scams
11 Comments

Deinde de chirurgo et plumbario. Chirurgus habet urgentem aquae rimam ad reparandam…

Posted on 13 July 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Then there’s the one about the surgeon and the plumber. A surgeon has a terrible leak to be fixed. It’s a weekend, so the plumber charges extra. He fixes it in 5 minutes. When the plumber gives the him the … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, Si vis pacem para bellum! |
10 Comments

ASK FATHER: Children playing Mass, etc.

Posted on 30 June 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My autistic teenage son was recently confirmed and received his first communion from Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Although I’ve lived in and around NYC for more than 30 years, I realized I knew next … Read More →

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

ASK FATHER: Restoring, replating, regilding chalices

Posted on 27 June 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader… I have a priest who is a good friend who owns a beautiful chalice he bought in Fatima. The gold plating on the inside of the chalice is beginning to thin out. Could you recommend someone who … Read More →