Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Priests keeping or turning over Mass stipends

From a priest: As we know, a priest is only allowed to keep one Mass stipend per day, with those exceptions noted in Canon Law. However, when a conference/bishop has named a “standard” offering for a Mass, can local law require … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, The Drill | Tagged , ,
13 Comments

QUAERITUR: More than one language during Mass. Fr. Z rants.

It fascinates me how often questions on a similar idea come in at the same time. From a priest and from a student (edited): Here in Ireland, it sometimes happens that, when Mass is being celebrated in English, some parts … Read More →

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30 Comments

The key to pumpkin carving

A reader sent a link to a photo. Someone is having fun with punkin’s. Hint: There is a photo of it lit up, too.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Lighter fare |
11 Comments

QUAERITUR: Sunday obligation and TV Masses

From a reader: I was chatting with someone and she told me the priest in the parish where she is a member gave her permission, due to her ill health and thus difficulty in attending Mass on Sunday, to “attend Mass … Read More →

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

QUAERITUR: Can a lay man impersonate a priest for drammatic presentations?

From a reader: Is it permissible to portray a priest as a reenactor? I have been asked to portray a Catholic chaplain of the 69th New York in 1862. I know a few poeple who have done so, but none … Read More →

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23 Comments

QUAERITUR: Things manipular. Wherein Fr. Z rants and ties on one.

From a reader: For some reason unbeknownst to me I am intrigued by the maniple. My understanding is that when the maniple comes off, the Mass is suspended, hence the reason for permitting the reading of announcements just prior to … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Proportion of communicants and ministers

From a reader: Today, in a rather large church, there was only 20 in attendance at mass with 17 of us going to Holy Communion. Father had 3 EMHC assist him. One with the Body of Christ and two with … Read More →

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18 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mind goes blank during confession

From a reader: I went to Confession the other day, and my biggest fear came true- my mind went completely blank. What happened was the guy ahead of me informed the priest (he’s a visiting priest) that we could hear everything … Read More →

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38 Comments

QUAERITUR: Didn’t finish penance from confession before Communion.

From a reader: Yesterday before mass I went to confession and by the time I was in the confessional, the bells of the consecration were ringing. My pennance was 12 Our Fathers and 12 Hail Mary’s. (I had confessed some mortal sins, and … Read More →

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4 Comments

QUAERITUR: Ringing bells during Mass

I will leave this to the readers to help with. I’m training the altar servers at my parish, and we want to add ringing the sanctus bells at the epiclesis. In the 3rd edition of the roman missal, when should the bells … Read More →

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