Category Archives: Priests and Priesthood

VIDEO INTERVIEW with a Canon Lawyer specialized in penal law who defends priests

This is a valuable, highly instructive interview with Dr. Michael Mazza, a civil lawyer and canon lawyer who defends priests in canonical processes. His workload?  “Swamped.” Consider the implications of that. Some of the things he deals with. Above all: … Read More

Posted in 1983 CIC can. 915, Cancelled Priests, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill | Tagged
6 Comments

Another prayer for priests

Do you consciously pray for priests? For those local priests whom you know and those far away? For those whom you love? For those who are annoying or obviously in grave spiritual danger? On the sidebar I have an image … Read More

Posted in Cancelled Priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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Priests and the imparting of blessings for same-sex “couples”. Risks? Wherein Fr. Z prays.

This comes via a comment under another post HERE QUAERITUR: Serious question – if a priest were to bless an unholy act, would he be bringing a curse upon himself? God the Father is very clear in the Dialogue of … Read More

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, SESSIUNCULA, Sin That Cries To Heaven, The Drill | Tagged ,
18 Comments

Now THAT’S what I call “concelebration”!

Amazing. Photos of the ordination of 842 priests at the XXX International Eucharistic Congress in Barcelona at the Olympic stadium in Montjuich on May 31, 1952. 21 altars were erected on which 21 bishops celebrated Holy Mass simultaneously. Each bishop … Read More

Posted in Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood |
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Number of Priestly Ordinations in Free Fall

A recent piece at the SSPX site deals with the “vertiginous” drop in priestly vocations in France, in particular, Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe.    The figures they used are from the French bishops conference and other non-SSPX sources. The … Read More

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Priests and Priesthood, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
17 Comments

MAZZA: The Importance of the Value of Reputation, Part II

At Homiletic and Pastoral Review (yes, it still exists), find the second part of important work by civil and canon lawyer Michael Mazza (whom I’ve known for a zillion years).   He now works as a canonist especially in defense of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
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VIDEO: Dr. Janet Smith at the Coalition For Canceled Priests conference

I debated within myself attending this conference held near Chicago by the Coalition For Canceled Priests.  This talk makes me wish that I had. NB: Coalition FOR Canceled Priests not Coalition OF Canceled Priests. That means YOU.

Posted in Cancelled Priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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“The clerics’ starting gun … Itinerarium Clericorum” read in Latin, an mp3 audio file available for priests.

I just concluded a driving road trip that chalked up over 3400 miles.  There were a few perilous moments and one or two that were, frankly, frightening.  One involved a human who shouldn’t be allowed to drive and the other … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Latin, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
3 Comments

It takes real effort to make something like this happen

I was sent this news: France: Number of Ordinations at A Low Only 88 French candidates will be ordained priests this year, announced Eglise.Catholique.fr (June 22). 52 of them belong to dioceses. It is the lowest number of ordinations in … Read More

Posted in Priests and Priesthood, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices |
13 Comments

QUESTION FOR PRIESTS: Are you going to the St. Paul Center July conference?

Fathers, are any of you going to the St. Paul Center’s July conference for priests in West Virginia? I’m working out transportation, whether to fly, drive and see things and people along the way, etc. Drop me a line?  If … Read More

Posted in Cancelled Priests, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, The Campus Telephone Pole, What Fr. Z is up to |
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WDTPRS: Mass Prayers “Pro seipso sacerdote – For the priest himself” (1962MR)

This time of year many new priests are being ordained and, consequently, many priests observe their own anniversaries. In the traditional, Vetus Ordo of the Roman Rite a priest can add orations for himself, Pro seipso sacerdote, on the anniversary … Read More

Posted in Cancelled Priests, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
1 Comment

26 May 1991: 32nd anniversary of ordination

Many priests observe the anniversary of their ordination at this time of year. It is a common time for ordinations, probably because Ember Days were common times for ordinations and Ember Days fall during the Pentecost Octave. It is my … Read More

Posted in Linking Back, Priests and Priesthood |
19 Comments

Bad floods in Italy! A priest. A book. A bridge.

You long-time readers will know that when there is a hurricane or some natural phenomenon like storms that spawn tornadoes coming along I plead with bishops and priests to put on their gear and pray against the storms using the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, Save The Liturgy - Save The World |
6 Comments

FATHERS! Called into the chancery? Possible trouble? The first 24 HOURS are critically important. Be CAREFUL. TAKE ADVICE.

One of the advantages to being in Rome is that I can catch up with friends and acquaintances who come for pleasure or for work. What work? Sometimes journalistic. Often canonical. There are canon lawyers who come to Rome for … Read More

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, Cancelled Priests, Canon Law, Priests and Priesthood, Si vis pacem para bellum! | Tagged
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ROME 23/04 – Day 18: Viewed from afar

The sun rose at 0624 and set at 1956. The Ave Maria is at 2015. Weather in Rome has been… unpleasant.  Very cool, breezy and off and on rainy.  So, you can’t plan easily. Tomorrow should be nicer.  I hope … Read More

Posted in Cancelled Priests, Priests and Priesthood, SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

Just when you thought…

… priests couldn’t get stupider. Meet “Father Relevant Niceguy”, on loan to this diocese from the Diocese of Libville. He thought that carrying a great chocolate Easter egg around would be meaningful. No question. He was right. I meant a … Read More

Posted in Lighter fare, Priests and Priesthood, You must be joking! |
24 Comments

WDTPRS – Tuesday in Holy Week: Strengthening our grasp on Christ and His grasp on us

[A special note for priests alone at the end.  Nobody else look! o{];¬) ] COLLECT (2002MR): Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, da nobis ita dominicae passionis sacramenta peragere, ut indulgentiam percipere mereamur. This prayer was in the 1962MR on Tuesday of Holy … Read More

Posted in LENT, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, WDTPRS | Tagged , ,
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These numbers suggest a seriously unhealthy Church. UPDATED

From this new study about vocations to the priesthood and ordinations in these USA: HERE I was told by a bishop that bishops say they do not hear that men have been inspired toward priesthood by Francis.  Of course the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
33 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z rants about clericalism

At Crisis there is a good article: Clericalism Is Dead. Long Live Clericalism! The writer, a priest, explores what real clericalism is all about. It is NOT what libs say it is, by the way. Long-time readers here will recall … Read More

Posted in Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
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Card. Sarah on what the Church “tragically” needs today

From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah’s new book. When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin’s or of living … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The future and our choices | Tagged
4 Comments