Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Can a priest simply refuse to hear a confession?

From a reader: I’ve never cried over Church related matters until last night after I was refused Confession. I’m in grave mortal sin, and I tried to go to confession twice yesterday, but I had no luck. The first parish … Read More

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54 Comments

QUAERITUR: How old can an altar “boy” be?

From a reader: Is there an upper age limit to serve as an altar “boy” at a TLM? I am a 35 year old father who converted at about age 30.  I’m encouraging my six year old son to consider … Read More

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38 Comments

QUAERITUR: Holy Communion at two Masses on the same day?

From a reader, comes a question I have answered quite a few times, but which bears repetitio. Are there any circumstances in which one can receive Communion more than once a day? I spent Christmas at Clear Creek Abbey in … Read More

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9 Comments

QUAERITUR: advice to a new Catholic mother?

From a new mother: What advice is there for a new mother? I have no examples in my life, I became Catholic on my own. But since I’ve had my baby, all of my previous devotions I had adapted into … Read More

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59 Comments

Can. 915 – Lunge, parry, riposte – Dr. Peters, Bp. Hubbard and Gov. Cuomo (D. Albany), Dr. Peters

The great canonist Ed Peters, on his blog In the Light of the Law, let’s us know about an exchange over an issue of canon law he has had with the Diocese of Albany, NY. Dr. Peters, a referendarius (consultant) … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , ,
52 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I go to another parish for a “big” confession?

From a reader: I was recently listening to one of your podcaZts about St. Augustine, and became convinced of my need to make a good confession. A quick questions: I would prefer not to confess at my own parish if … Read More

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23 Comments

QUAERITUR: Dress code for teens for dances, etc?

From a reader: We belong to a Catholic homeschooling group and now that our children have reached their teen years, we are beginning to organize dances and formal social events for them. The question of modest dress came up after … Read More

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107 Comments

PODCAzT 117: What the Catholic Church really says about same-sex unions

NB: iTunes users… I found that there was a second enclosure buried in these posts which screw up the iTunes feed. Let me know if you are not getting this on iTunes. After the release of that iTune app/tool to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, PODCAzT, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , ,
6 Comments

QUAERITUR: What do I say in the Eucharistic Prayer when there is no bishop?

From a priest reader: In the very near future my bishop’s resignation will be accepted by the Holy Father. I was wondering what the correct thing to do will be when praying for the bishop in the Eucharistic Prayer. I … Read More

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30 Comments

News from an Italian source about the Instruction on Summorum Pontificum

There is a good deal of hand-wringing going on right now about the possibility that the upcoming “Instruction” about Summorum Pontificum will water-down the provisions which the Supreme Pontiff made the law of the Latin Church. About this Instruction, I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged
19 Comments