Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Friday Lenten Penance on 25 March – Annunciation

Those who are bound by the law are to do penance on Fridays of Lent. However, tomorrow, Friday is 25 March, the Solemnity (in the post-Conciliar calendar) of the Annunciation. Please attend to can. 1251. Can.  1251 Abstinence from meat, … Read More

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QUAERITUR: What sort of “wine” is valid for Mass?

From a priest: Are there any rules or traditions about the type of wine used the chalice? I know it must be fermented grape juice – but must or can it be it be red, white, sherry, port? It is … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Defection from the Catholic Church

From a reader: My brother, a fallen away Catholic, is getting married outside the Church. He asked me to be best man. I had the understanding that a Catholic can release himself from the obligations to get married in the … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Seminarian looking for Latin tools

I want to get the readership into this with suggestions. From a reader: I’m a seminarian for ____. I’ve been trying to get hold of a good ecclesial Latin dictionary and grammar for awhile and haven’t had much luck. Do … Read More

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Latin in the Ordinary Form, seminary. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I am forever lamenting the sloppy, inaccurate term long used by many of the traditionalist camp, “the Latin Mass”, to describe older, pre-Conciliar form, Extraordinary Form, Usus Antiquior, “Tridentine” Mass, even Traditional Latin Mass or TLM. The Latin Mass… ought … Read More

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Brick by continuity brick in Macon, Georgia

From a reader about St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon, GA where Fr. Allan McDonald is building brick by brick.  You will remember Fr. McDonald from his rodent wars and his efforts at true continuity in liturgical worship.  Fr. McDonald … Read More

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Priests, holiness, and avoiding a spiritual peril

I am getting a lot of email and phone calls about something in the news recently about accusations made against a priest. I don’t know enough about the case in question to offer anything other than my sincere hope with … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
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WDTPRS POLL: How is your Lent going so far? Part I

Lent is a preparatory time of penance in introspection, involving fasting, good works, and confession. How is your Lent going so far? Pick the answer closest to your situation. If you care to make a comment in the combox, please … Read More

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Archbp. Gullickson: “ad Orientem” will be our saving grace

Archbishop Thomas Gullickson, Nuncius to the Antilles, has a blog called Island Envoy. We have heard from His Excellency before, when he had sharp words about bishops who resist Summorum Pontificum. Here is something from Archbp. Gullickson’s latest entry: What … Read More

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PRAYERCAzT: The Lorica of St. Patrick

The Latin word loríca means “a leather cuirass; a defense of any kind; a breastwork, parapet”.  In effect, it means “armor”.  It has come to be associated with a prayer attributed to St. Patrick (+ 5th c.) . “Loríca” is … Read More

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