Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

QUAERITUR: a proper genuflection

From a reader: I happened to note in O’Connell, II, 1940, p. 23: "… the Celebrant, when genuflecting at the foot of the altar (especially when genuflecting on the step), must not turn sideways, but directly face the tabernacle."   … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, SESSIUNCULA, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , ,
14 Comments

A CALL TO PRIESTS who implemented ad orientem worship

Here is a call to priests who have implemented ad orientem worship in their parishes. The renowned liturgical scholar Fr. Klaus Gamber – who influenced also the liturgical theology of Joseph Ratzinger – thought that perhaps more than any other … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Mail from priests, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
9 Comments

How to light the really tall candles

The other day we were talking about candles and their composition. You know the old phrase… don not try this at home? From a priest reader: Fr Z. now that altars are becoming higher and higher, so to speak, some … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Just Too Cool | Tagged , , ,
42 Comments

How to receive Communion on the tongue (or “Don’t bite the priest!”)

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! I was alerted by a reader to a post by Fr. Mark Mossa, SJ, in Cambridge, MA. Father wrote, with my emphases and comments. I wrote a post a while back in … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Justify ad orientem worship in light of GIRM 299

From a reader: I’m a student at ___, studying Psychology and Theology. First off, IMy name’s __, and I’d like to thank you for your blog. I’ve learned a lot that I’ve been able to share with my friends about … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back |
76 Comments

QUAERITUR: What to do with old palms from last year’s Palm Sunday?

From a reader: Having entered Holy Week I’m confronted with an annual problem. What do we do with blessed Palms received on Palm Sunday, or the crosses made with them? They dry out through the week and, inevitably, pile up … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Confessions on Good Friday

Every year I get e-mails about priests who will not hear confessions during the Triduum, especially on Good Friday.  They say the directions in the Missal forbid confessions. Wrong. Some priests, liturgical experts, and even diocesan liturgy offices wrongly claim … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: How early can the Easter Vigil begin?

From a reader: There is a parish in our diocese that is advertising (in the bulletin and even in the diocesan paper) a 4:00 p.m. Easter Vigil.  Are there ANY circumstances which allow for such an exception to the rule … Read More

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

Nice image

From the Holy Father’s Mass today for Pope John Paul II Just a nice image… no comment necessary.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Just Too Cool |
Comments Off on Nice image

Too fun!

This is simply too fun. Take a look at this comment, with photos of images veiled in a parish church. Draw an object lesson!

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool |
Comments Off on Too fun!