Category Archives: Our Catholic Identity

Fascinating and sad: transcript of 1976 meeting of Paul VI and SSPX Archbp. Lefebvre

UPDATE  The late, great Michael Davies (God rest his soul) published in his Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre (Vol. 1 Ch. 14 – US HERE – UK HERE) Lefebvre’s own account of that same meeting with Paul VI on 11 Sept 1976. … Read More

Posted in Cri de Coeur, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, SSPX, The Drill, Vatican II | Tagged , , ,
46 Comments

¡Hagan lío! Wherein Fr. Z is pretty angry and wants to fight back

I’ve been pondering the Met “Gay-La” in light of some experiences here in Rome. As a preamble, I still stand by everything I have written and said in the past concerning my  convictions about Summorum Pontificum.  It was a tremendous gift … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Cri de Coeur, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, On the road, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, What Fr. Z is up to, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
24 Comments

ASK FATHER: Stuck at work for all Sunday obligation Masses

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I work 12 hour shifts at a hospital, including 1 weekend a month. This means even Saturday night Mass is out of the question. Is it a sin to miss Mass because I am required to work? I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
17 Comments

Brick by brick in @archstl – a lesson in commonsense, prayer and elbow grease

There are entirely understandable reasons why not every church can be grand and beautiful.  For example, sometimes a church is needed quickly and the means are slim.  In many cases, however, a little creativity and a touch more patience – … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
2 Comments

ASK FATHER: Am I obliged to receive Communion?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As a recently baptized Catholic (2016, entirely in the traditional form), I am used to attending the TLM or a NO mass at a monastery (and so without EMHCs). I occasionally sing in a choir at a Sunday afternoon … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

“If it’s just a symbol, then to hell with it!” Wherein a Lutheran tells it as it is and then Fr. Z rants a lot.

Years ago, I was – for my sins – sent by the pastor of the parish to attend a Thanksgiving Day “ecumenical” breakfast.  When I entered the place, a young man in clerical cloths and a tag identifying himself as … Read More

Posted in Fr. Z KUDOS, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
15 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – Good Shepherd – AUDIO

Today, in the traditional Roman Rite, is Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Novus Ordo people heard for the Gospel a passage about a post Resurrection appearance of the Lord. Was there a good point made in the sermon you heard … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged ,
14 Comments

ASK FATHER: Catholic betrothal rite, ceremony

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Have you ever heard of “betrothal ceremonies” in the Roman Rite prior to entering into marriage? Asking for a friend… Once upon a time the notion of “betrothal” was far more rooted in both secular and … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
14 Comments

Gallup Poll points to future demographic disaster. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

We are wobbling on the edge of a point where two demographic cliff faces converge. First, there is in most dioceses a clamant, ongoing loss in the number of active priests.  This will get worse in the next few years. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, POLLS, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged ,
26 Comments

“as the churches come down all around me”

Churches come and churches go.  They are means to an end.  When there is need for a church, a church is built.  When there is no need – or these days no desire – for a church, the church falls … Read More

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