Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Confessor gave a penance I could not do. Was the absolution invalid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A few weeks ago I went to confession, and after some words of consolation and admonition, Father gave me my penance. He said I had to pray to the Holy Spirit during Lauds and Vespers for … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

POLL: Starting your confession: “Bless me, Father…” or “Forgive me, Father…”

In another post, I responded to a question from a reader about blessings at the beginning of sacramental confession, following the words, “Bless me, Father, I have sinned…”. Of course, some people begin their confession differently. It occurred to me … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, POLLS | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

ASK FATHER: CONFESSIONAL DRAMA! Penitent says, “Bless me, Father” and actually wants a blessing!

From a reader… QUAERITUR: One of our wonderful [traditional order/institute] priests this Sunday mentioned – prior to his sermon – that he was surprised that so many of us were not correctly following the ritual of Confession. He said that … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare, Mail from priests, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

ASK FATHER: Blessed candles for use at home

From  a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently purchased some beeswax candles which I want to have blessed in order to use them at home. My question is this: is there a preferable material for devotional candles? Is there a difference between, … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

ASK FATHER: Mass obligation when there’s treacherous ice and I’ve fallen before.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A woman in my 60s now, having had a couple of bad falls one requiring surgery, the other requiring weeks of bedrest . . . the church parking lot and walkways usually icy, frozen, unplowed, untreated, … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

ASK FATHER: Does Pope Francis really want to change the Lord’s Prayer?

First, if liturgical translations frustrate you, just use Latin.  It is, after all, the official language of worship of the Roman Catholic Church. I have had a couple dozen panicked or confused emails, and a few more that are simply curious, … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Patristiblogging, WDTPRS | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Oath of fidelity made by all Bishops, some considerations, and YOU

As a follow up to the nearby post about Latin, and to what Fr. Hunwicke wrote about the oath that bishops have to take – in Latin – when they receive a mandate from the Holy See, here is that … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Latin, The Drill, What are they REALLY saying? | Tagged , | 3 Comments

ASK FATHER: What Happens to Professed Religious in Orders that Don’t Make It?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As one currently discerning a religious vocation, I was wondering: if someone takes vows in a religious order before it is officially approved by the Holy See (such as an “ad experimentum” order), what happens to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Canon Law, Women Religious | 4 Comments

ASK FATHER: One Mass for the obligation for Sunday, Christmas Eve and Monday, Christmas Day?

Under another post someone asked: Father, would can. 1248.1 apply to the case of a double obligation, e.g., an evening Mass for Sunday also satisfying a Holy Day obligation for Monday (as Christmas this year)? I’ve written about this situation … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

ASK FATHER: “Anticipated” Traditional Latin Mass on Saturday evening with Sunday’s texts

From a reader… Is it licit to celebrate Traditional Latin Masses in an anticipatory manner (i.e., an evening Mass but using the following day’s propers)? I’m asking because a recent Rorate article implies the contrary yet I know priests who commonly … Continue reading

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