Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Update: working on the Mass Intention Request Form

The migration of the blog disturbed a few things, including my contact forms which I have been trying to fix. I think I have the Mass Intention Request Form working again. Someone used it recently, and the necessary information was … Continue reading

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Cardinal Eijk’s first Pontifical Mass in the Traditional Roman Rite: “impressive and unforgettable experience”. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Messa in Latino has the interview.   Dutch Cardinal Willem Eijk celebrated his first Pontifical High Mass in the Traditional Roman Rite as an “impressive and unforgettable experience.” Here is part of what the Cardinal said: The Eucharistic celebration at the … Continue reading

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Article at The Catholic Thing about the two forms of the Roman Rite

At the wonderful The Catholic Thing you will find an opinion piece by a priest writing under a penname (to avoid the Eye of Sauron as is only correct).  The piece is entitled “The ‘Polar Unity’ of the Two Forms … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Why are Sunday “of Lent” in the Novus Ordo and “in Lent” in the TLM?

From a priest reader QUAERITUR: I noticed that in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar we have Sundays IN Lent and in the Novus Ordo we have Sundays OF Lent.  What’s going on? In the 1962 Missale Romanum today is called … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Ashes On Very Small Children, Babies? – PRIESTS invited to comment especially

From a priest: Reverend and Dear Father, Ash Wednesday is soon to be upon us, and I am faced with the situation I am often faced with: whether to impose ashes on cute, angel-faced infants. It never fails that, as … Continue reading

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18 February 2025 – Ash Wednesday – Fasting, Abstinence, and You (with remarks on coffee and the brushing of teeth)

According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church, Latin Church Catholics are bound to observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday. Here are some details. I am sure you know them already, but they are good … Continue reading

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Send 2025 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z! – With a cautionary note. – UPDATED

I always enjoy your Christmas cards.  The notes and letters which describe the year people have had are interesting and, often, moving.  Over the years I’ve recognized so many familiar names.  I read them all. And drawings by kids are … Continue reading

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Special Blessing of Epiphany Water on the Vigil of Epiphany (5 January)

Wonderful customs come with the Feast of the Epiphany.  Real Epiphany is 6 January, by the way.  Happily, this year it doesn’t get transferred to a Sunday because it falls on a Sunday. On Epiphany we find in the Roman … Continue reading

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“Let y’all know!” The “Noveritis” Epiphany chant announcement of 2026’s movable dates and feasts

At Epiphany (real Epiphany is 6 January) we Latins have traditionally chanted a solemn proclamation of the key liturgical dates or movable feasts for the new year of salvation, just begun. This underscores how these dates and seasons are all … Continue reading

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FATHERS! ACTION ITEM! Plenary Indulgences available on 31 December (Te Deum) and 1 January (Veni Creator Spiritus)

Holy Mother Church offers the possibility to gain two plenary indulgences, one on 31 December to thank God for the graces received during the year and one on 1 January to invoke the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged | 6 Comments