Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Can we attend non-Catholic weddings?

From a reader: Is it wrong if not in fact sinful to attend the weddings and funerals of non-Catholics? For as Pope Pius XI stated in his encyclical treating on Christian unity, Catholics are never to participate in schismatic or … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
27 Comments

THE list again: Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession (and Fr. Z rants)

You and I are going to die someday.  We don’t know when. When we die we will be judged. Scripture teaches, and Christ’s own words and actions make clear, that there are some sins bad enough to kill the life … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Linking Back, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , , ,
34 Comments

QUAERITUR: Using the new, corrected translation before Advent in private concelebration.

From a priest: Dear Fr. Z, I’d be interested in your thoughts on this: The new translation of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal (Ordinary Form) becomes the official text for Mass in the United States on the first … Read More →

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box |
12 Comments

QUAERITUR: Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Kiddies

From a reader: Masses at our local Catholic grade school use Eucharistic Prayer II for Masses with Children, in which many congregational responses are added, even during the Institution Narrative! Please tell us these are going away with the new … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The future and our choices |
14 Comments

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 →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged , ,
23 Comments

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged ,
15 Comments

“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 →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged
25 Comments