Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Congregation for Divine Worship’s new document on valid bread and wine for the Eucharist

The sacraments have both matter (the physical stuff) and form (the words pronounced).  In the case of the Eucharist the matter is twofold: bread and wine.  The bread must be from wheat and, in the Latin Church, unleavened.  The wine … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Can an Eastern Catholic priest confirm a Latin Catholic

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Is it licit for a child who has received the sacraments of baptism and first communion in the Western Rite to receive the sacrament of confirmation from an Eastern Rite priest? Canon 696 of the Code of the … Continue reading

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10th Anniversary of release of Summorum Pontificum! So…. TIE ONE ON!

I’m tying one on for the 10th anniversary of the release of the text of Summorum Pontificum (aka The Emancipation Proclamation). Last week the Extraordinary Ordinary ordained three young men for the Holy Priesthood to serve in the Diocese of Madison.  The … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can a priest with little Latin say Mass validly?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My Latin is not great will an ordinary form mass I celebrate in Latin be valid? Sure, Father, it would be valid. Language is a tricky thing.  There are almost always gaps in our comprehension of … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Latin, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

ASK FATHER: Won’t go to Mass celebrated by a married priest

From a reader… QUAERITUR: What advice can one give to a person who will not go to Mass celebrated by married priest? GUEST PRIEST RESPONSE: Fr. Tim Ferguson There is nothing in canon law or theology that prevents people from … Continue reading

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The war on John Paul II’s Magisterium: Veritatis splendor

From Sandro Magister. Müller Out. But the Real Attack Is Against “Veritatis Splendor” On Sunday, July 2, the very day on which Pope Francis removed Cardinal Gerhard L. Müller as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, from all … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged | 15 Comments

Roman Concrete, the Roman Rite, and YOU

The ancient Romans really knew how to build. They built the Roman Rite, after all. The Roman Rite is a foundation of the West. The Roman Rite reflects the Roman “Thing”, its genius.  The Roman genius is to be concrete, … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Patriotic songs at Mass

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr. Martin recently wrote an article about how patriotic songs should not be sung during mass. His argument is essentially that most national hymns address the nation rather than God. In all honesty, I think he … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 43 Comments

ASK FATHER: Holding hands or the “orans” position during the Our Father. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Over at the Fishwrap (aka National Schismatic Reporter) there is a question today about hold hands during the Our Father.  As you might guess they reference liberals who are probably unreliable.  What say you?  Is hand … Continue reading

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back, Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , | 81 Comments

ASK FATHER: How to support a seminarian assigned to our parish?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Our parish has received a terrific seminarian this summer. He comes from a great background and his older brother is a priest so he seems to have a strong support at home. My question is how … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , | 7 Comments