Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum?

From a reader…. QUAERUNTUR: I was wondering if it is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum (i.e., praying for the Holy Father’s intentions being a requirement to gain the indulgence)? Also are there any traditional practices during … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How can Septuagesima and Sexagesima be “70th” and “60”? It doesn’t add up.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I don’t get it.  “Septuagesima” means “seventieth” and “sexagesima” means “sixtieth”, which are ten apart.  But the Sundays are seven days apart. 10 isn’t 7.  Is there an explanation? Here is something I’ve penned before. Roman … Read More

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2 Comments

Notes about different kinds of Holy Water

Recently there was an incident in St. Peter’s Basilica.   A man (allegedly with mental problems) profaned the main altar over the tomb of the Apostle.  In the case of a profanation like this, the altar could be “reconciled”, a kind … Read More

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“GO TO CONFESSION!” I always say. Another thing I say is that it is CRUEL to leave penitents in doubt.

Today I was out and about in Rome doing errands. I chanced on a posted sign in the penitents’ part of the free standing confessionals that line most Roman churches, often dusty from neglect.   The sign is a little blurry … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Pò sì jiù | Tagged ,
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Another point of Catholic identity out with the bathwater?

Occasionally we have a collision of Holy Days of Obligations and Feasts in the calendar.  Feasts get transferred.   Does the obligation get transferred?  We had this situation recently regarding the Feast/Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which fell on an Advent … Read More

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“I asked the new Chinese AI “DEEPSEEK”, about the priest’s posture during the consecration in the Traditional Latin Mass. It’s Reply….”

Some think that AI is here to stay.  If that is so, then I am not convinced that we are (cf. Skynet). In the meantime, AI is bringing us bread and circuses: great memes and videos, etc. That’s what the interwebs did, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, I'm just askin'..., Semper Paratus, SESSIUNCULA, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices |
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What is Catholic teaching about “deportation”? Maybe not what some higher-ups think.

At Catholic Vote there is an article (seemingly assembled from tweets/x) which you should look at about Catholic teaching on “deportation”. PROBLEM: Official Church documents on faith and morals have perennially been written in LATIN.  That fact is not the … Read More

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Daily Rome Shot 1217 – “Why”, you may be asking? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I have a comparatively short trip to Rome coming up.  First, a couple days with a priest friend in Brooklyn, which breaks up the journey and puts a buffer into the flights.  A couple weeks in Rome.  The same coming … Read More

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ACTION ITEM – FIRES IN CALIFORNIA – Bishops! Priests! Pray!

UPDATE 9 Jan ’25 06:08: Today’s entry in the traditional Roman Martyrology states: At Ancona, St. Marcellinus, bishop, who, according to St. Gregory, miraculously delivered that city from destruction by fire. St. Marcellinus of Ancona! Pray for us! Originally  Published … Read More

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POLL: When are the announcements made where you usually go to Mass?

Please choose the best answer. We want your comments, too, what you think about the placement. Anyone can vote, but only registered and approved readers can comment. All comments on every post go into a queue.

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