Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Confessions during the Triduum

Each year one sees confusion about the Sacrament of Penance during the Triduum. Some priests, liturgical experts, and even diocesan liturgy offices wrongly claim the rubrics of the Missal or “Sacramentary” forbid the sacrament of Penance. However, this claim is … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Holy Thursday altar of repose in the basement where coffee is usually taken

From a reader: Is there any guidance about where the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday should be located? For many years at my parish, it was located at one of the side altars in the Church (we have five … Read More

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Cradle Catholic – 30 years old – first confession

From a reader: Due to your blog you singlehandedly managed to get me to my first confession ever (just before this lent, actually); my first, while I’m 30 years old and a cradle catholic. Obviously, that was quite a bit … Read More

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QUAERITUR: I haven’t been to confession for 10 years! I don’t know what to do!

Here is a question from a reader I answered some time ago. But it is now Saturday of Passiontide.  Sure there are parishes this evening where you can find a priest hearing confessions. Go. To. Confession. From a reader: I … Read More

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Brick by Brick in Amsterdam

If it can be done in Amsterdam, it can be done anywhere. NLM has a page with some photos of a recent Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form in Amsterdam. Friends, don’t just sit and wish you could have one.  … Read More

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“It is possible to fully understand the Mass.”…. NOT.

My friend Jeffrey Tucker over at the Chant Cafe has a great entry on music and matters liturgical… and you. He provides bullet points which are each food for thought. Here is how he begins: What We Think We Know … Read More

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Office of Readings for Bl. John Paul II available

The Latin texts of the Office for Bl. John Paul II for the Liturgia Horarum are now posted on the Vatican website. Latin English

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QUAERITUR: Mephitidae

From a reader: Father, I have read with interest your posts on Mice in the Rectory. Now, perhaps you have something for Skunks under the Farmhouse. Our air-conditioner repairman just informed us that we have a family of skunks residing … Read More

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REVIEW: Letters to an Altar Boy (Angelus Press)

The publishing arm of the SSPX has reprinted a 1952 work by Fr. David E. Rosage, Letters to an Altar Boy (reprint 2011). The thin book begins with a quote from Rev. Thomas O’Donnell, CSC (Director of the Knights of … Read More

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QUAERITUR: TLM “straw” subdeacon

From a reader: I serve Low Mass five or six days out of the week as well as participating in Sunday Vespers, so my priest recently asked if I would be able to serve as the straw subdeacon for the … Read More

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