Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Are “butt baptisms” valid?

From a priest… QUAERTUR: Are partial immersion baptisms valid? Where the baby is dipped up to the waist 3x, with valid words of baptism spoken. Here’s the deal. The “proximate matter” of baptism is ablution. This means physical contact of the … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: USCCB urges Catholics to call officials about DACA. If I don’t, do I sin?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As you are probably aware, the USCCB has declared this Monday, February 26 to be a call-in day for DACA, and is urging Catholics to call their congressmen in support of the DREAMERs. On some other Catholic sites people … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , | 62 Comments

ASK FATHER: Priest forbids a deacon to wear a dalmatic

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can the priest celebrant of Mass tell a deacon tell a deacon to not wear a dalmatic at Mass? Some people think it best that a deacon wear a dalmatic for a higher degree of solemnity but not … Continue reading

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Card. Sarah: return to Communion directly on the tongue while kneeling

A combination of factors has lead to erosion of understanding of the Eucharist and reverence for the Eucharist.  Included in these factors is a near universal insistence that everyone go to Communion at every Mass and, of course, lay ministers … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 32 Comments

Making the Church appealing. What “sells”?

When it is time to draw people in, do those in charge show ugly modern churches bereft of statues, windows and obviously Catholic elements?   SURE they do! When it is time to make a movie and portray something about … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The State v. Self-Reliance

I nearly missed an email note from a reader (because he didn’t use the contact form) which had a semi-jocular solution to mass shooting attacks on schools. “Our solution to the school shooter crisis is Universal Mandatory Home Schooling!” Okay. … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Semper Paratus, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged | 16 Comments

Books for boys. Suggested titles and an additional point.

At Crisis there is a good post about 10 Books That Every Boy Should Hazard I warmly approve his use of “hazard”. Thank you.   He signals the spirit of this list in a word. The writer, Sean Fitzpatrick, explains: … Continue reading

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Commandments are NOT mere “ideals” from which some are excused because, “They’re tooo haaard!” Wherein Fr. Z rants.

With all the chatter these days about virtuous behavior being an “ideal” and jawing about “paradigm shifts” and so forth, I present anew something I posted exactly one year ago today. ___ Originally published 17 Feb 2017 Look. I’m the … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Linking Back, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Role of #MSM in mass shootings: If it bleeds, it leads. Angry @fatherz asks fearful questions

I dunno. What is the role of the MSM in these mass shootings? The networks descend on every mass shooting like vultures and create 24/7 coverage. I wonder if mentally disturbed people don’t fix on these horrors and then copy … Continue reading

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Wherein Fr. Z rants in the wake of the Florida school mass murder

When man-made or natural disasters occur which result in the loss of life, I have often posted here about the importance of being in the state of grace. In the first LENCAzTs I have done, I’ve used texts from St. … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Cri de Coeur, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Semper Paratus, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , | 9 Comments