Tag Archives: penance

ASK FATHER: Francis said priests must NEVER deny absolution. True? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I’m getting a lot of questions about something that Francis said to seminarians from Barcelona.  Story at the Catholic Herald HERE. As the tale goes, Francis delivered profanity-studded “off the cuff” remarks to seminarians, including “not to be clerical, to forgive everything”, adding … Read More

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33 Comments

ASK FATHER: I failed to do my confession penance. Now what?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession the other day to get back into the state of grace with the plan to get my spiritual life back in order after slacking and falling into habitual mortal sin during the … Read More

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13 Comments

ASK FATHER: Penance on Friday, Octave of Christmas

I had a note from a reader about the need to do penance on this coming Friday, which is the Octave of Christmas. The short answer is NO. Why?  Because according to Canon Law, Catholics are bound to do penance … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
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Minimalist Catholics or More?

Fr. Jerabek, at his blog, has a good reminder about Lenten penance, and Fridays, and fasting and abstinence. All Fridays of the year are days of penance.  Fridays of Lent are more specific. All Catholics who have completed 14 years … Read More

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8 Comments

Public penance and public reparation

The other day, Archbp. Vigano, bless him, issued a public letter in which he calls for disgraced Theodore McCarrick publicly to repent. I have on various occasions opined that bishops should prostrate themselves in the steps of their cathedrals in … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Sin That Cries To Heaven | Tagged , ,
11 Comments

25 March – Feast of the Thief who “stole heaven”: St. Dismas

Today is Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, the instant of the Incarnation… and we would be celebrating it if it were not for the vagaries of the Moon.  Palm Sunday and Holy Week have pushed our observance to another … Read More

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What would your Lent have been like in 1873?

For those of you who may think that Lent is a pretty tough time to be a Catholic, giving up chocolate and so forth, this is what our forebears did for Lent in these USA (my emphases and comments): DIOCESE … Read More

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18 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is Advent a penitential season? Also, Advent Blue Vestments… NO! ANNUAL SONG ALERT!

From a reader… QUAERITUR: In my 14.75 years as a Catholic, I’ve heard that Advent: 1) Is a penitential season 2) Is a semi-penitentials season 3) Is no longer a penitential season but was before Vatican II 4) Never was … Read More

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6 Comments

Fatima’s major theme and YOU

I think that what happened at Fatima is an event that is ongoing, with urgent ramifications for us today. Taken all together, the central message of Our Lady in her apparitions at Fatima is the urgent need to pray, do penance, … Read More

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14 Comments

ASK FATHER: St. Patrick’s Day 2017 on Friday in Lent

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am responsible for a brunch which is served after the Saint Patrick’s Day Mass at the Cathedral in my Archdiocese. This year, Saint Patrick falls on a Friday of Lent. I believe this means I … Read More

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26 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is it a sin to laugh or joke when in need of confession?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Is it grave matter to laugh or joke when in need of Confession? (That is, when one has committed mortal sin and intends to go to Confession at the next opportunity.) Aristotle points out that man … Read More

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6 Comments

Friday Abstinence, the Octave of Easter and You

Each year during the Octave of Easter – and of Christmas – there is a Friday.  Fridays are days of penance, usually observed by abstinence from meat. So, can one eat meat on Friday in the Octave of Easter? The … Read More

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28 Comments

ASK FATHER: Parish fundraiser serves meat on 1st Fridays

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Every First Friday, a neighboring parish hosts a fundraiser dinner at which they serve beef or chicken, except during Lent. Many of our friends (homeschooling families) are parishioners there and attend every month. We hear that it’s delicious fare and … Read More

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

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

I suspect that some of you clicked on the link when you saw the headline because you want to read my predictable rant about the “gay” thing in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York and the local archbishop’s … Read More

Posted in Fr. Z KUDOS, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , ,
58 Comments

ASK FATHER: Father gave me a penance that discouraged me.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am struggling with food and alcohol addiction. After confessing this, my penance was to fast the next day after such indulgences. I was discouraged. My confessor did not know my circumstances. I have successfully done … Read More

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20 Comments

Pope Francis: GO TO CONFESSION!

What is it I have been shouting? From CNA: Pope: Be courageous, go to confession Vatican City, Feb 19, 2014 / 04:57 am (CNA).- During his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis encouraged the pilgrims filling St. Peter’s Square to receive the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
32 Comments

QUAERITUR: Getting married on a Friday. Must I abstain from meat? Fr. Z includes a brief rant.

From a reader: im getting married on friday may 31st the day after Corpus Christi. can i eat meat at the reception or do i need a dispensation? All Fridays, except for liturgical Solemnities, are days of penance even if … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
39 Comments

QUAERITUR: Ember Days during Octave of Pentecost… penitential?

From a priest: For those that follow the 1962 calendar or simply follow the traditional penitential days, are the ember days in the octave of Pentecost days of fast? It would seem not since the octave days, similar to Easter, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Drill | Tagged , , , , ,
11 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is it a sin to fast during the Easter Octave?

From a reader: I listen to the Catholic Channel on Sirius/XM a lot and yesterday a priest who is usually fairly reliable made the comment that it is a sin to fast during the Octave of Easter. My wife started … Read More

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29 Comments

QUAERITUR: Penances appropriate for a married layperson

From a reader: I have a question regarding what kind of penances I should do as a married layperson. I feel a strong desire to do penance both for personal sins and as a sacrifice for the conversion of my … Read More

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35 Comments