Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Celebrate Prudence and not “Pride”!

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Pastor/Religious Superior mandate that the Associate Pastor/other Religious priests use only particular options in celebrating Mass with the congregation. Of course, saying Holy Mass ad Orientem is one matter. But what about the Pastor/Superior … Continue reading

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Why we Say The Black and Do The Red

Let us begin with an understatement. The revitalization of our Catholic identity will be an opus magnum et arduum. Most of us reading this will not see but the first fruits. We have to be smart and persistent, using all … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Disturbing short film “The Confession” that somehow won Catholic award

I was sent the link to a short film that, apparently, won and award at the International Catholic Film Festival in 2017. Fail. It starts with some good point.  Never mind that the priest is not wearing a purple stole: … Continue reading

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Father’s Day gift idea – from the “hearts”

Seeing that, in the Novus Ordo calendar, today is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (the day after the Sacred Heart of Jesus), I point once again your attention to the wonderful Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles whose … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood, Women Religious | Tagged , | 1 Comment

ASK FATHER: What does the comma really say?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: When listening to a Collect (or any similar prayer) in Latin, whether OF or EF, I notice that the priest tends to “punctuate” the final phrase as such: “in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Esolen’s observations on boys and men and what women cannot give them

This last week I saw the new and well-done Masterpiece Theatre issue of the classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (US HERE – UK HERE). I wonder if the short series wasn’t in part an inspiration to Anthony Esolen to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

ASK FATHER: I’m afraid that my mobile phone addiction will put me in Hell.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’m appealing to you since you’re technologically adept and understand how easy it is to get attached to electronics. When I got my first iPhone back in 2009, I wasn’t attached to it. I used to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM! | Tagged | 18 Comments

ASK FATHER: “take” Communion instead of “receive”? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: In light of your recent question about “First Eucharist ” I was wondering about something else heard frequently. When referring to reception of the Blessed Sacrament some people say they are going to “take” Communion. When … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

How the Left wins.

One thing’s for sure: conservatives and traditionalists are lousy at organizing and fighting back in the public square. In fact, too many times they turn on each other, which makes the Enemy cheer us on. The Left is good at … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged | 11 Comments

ASK FATHER: First Eucharist or First Communion?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have noticed an uptake lately in referring to first communion as first Eucharist, usually by people who insist on referring to extraordinary ministers of holy communion as Eucharistic ministers. The uptake seems frequent and widespread … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 7 Comments