Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: Mass obligation and SSPX chapels

From a reader: Does a Mass heard in a SSPX chapel fulfill the Sunday Mass obligation? Perhaps you have answered this question before. If so, I missed it. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, can. 1248 says: 1. "The precept … Read More →

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55 Comments

Video about how to serve Mass

In this day of desktop publishing… gosh, even that is a dated term now… and the ability to produce polished videos from your laptop from things you shoot from your mobile phone, we have an obligation to use the tools … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, SESSIUNCULA |
23 Comments

QUAERITUR: If you wear an alb, do you need an amice?

From a reader: I just had a quick question: If a seminarian or anyone for that matter wears an an alb at Mass is it proper to wear an amice under it? I have a cassock and surplice but the … Read More →

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10 Comments

How to make altar boy program grow by 500%

I enjoyed this post from Stella Borealis: Boy altar server involvement in Mass increases 500% by making rules more demanding [Do I hear an "Amen!"?] By returning to more demanding altar server practices, two men were able to increase participation … Read More →

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54 Comments

QUAERITUR: we want the TLM, but no priest, no parish

From a reader: I must drive 1.5 hours minimum (in good driving conditions) to attend an EF mass.  There is only the […] offering it before noon.  I have 7, soon to be 8 children.  There are easily 12 parishes … Read More →

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17 Comments

QUAERITUR: EMCs, “leftover” Hosts after Communion calls

From a reader: But I can’t post to your forum.  I am an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist for my parish, serving the homebound.  I receive communion at mass, then take the Eucharist to those who are sick.  Sometimes they … Read More →

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15 Comments

QUAERITUR: Holy Communion twice in one day… did I sin?

From a reader: At Mass this morning I received Communion, then unexpectedly invited to serve Mass this evening, which I did. I did not think to say to the priest before Mass that I should not receive, having done so … Read More →

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19 Comments

PODCAzT 98: A chat with Fr. Finigan; a special Epiphany blessing

Here is a quick PODCAzT which includes a conversation over skype with His Hermeneuticalness himself, Fr. Timothy Finigan, parish priest in Blackfen, Kent. Then I go on with multiple digressions about a special blessings in the pre-Conciliar Rituale Romanum for … Read More →

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14 Comments

A cautionary tale in France

Sometimes it seems that the trajectory of your life is to serve a a warning to otheres not to go down the same path you took. His rebus dictis, there is a truly bizarre dust up in France in a … Read More →

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Reminder: Blessing chalk, houses on Epiphany

Wednesday is 6 January and therefore Epiphany. Don’t forget, Fathers, the wonderful tradition of blessing chalk and houses. (In other words, get some chalk today, if you don’t already have some.)

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