Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: When can people begin to ask for Pope Benedict’s intercession?

This question comes from a comment under another post, but it stands on its own. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, quick question? I too believe that Benedict is a saint in heaven. Of course, when someone dies (including a pope), … Continue reading

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Ever the optimist. Fr. Z’s first rants of the year.

This year 1 January, the Octave of Christmas or the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God fell on a Sunday.  All Sundays are Holy Days of Obligation.  Next year, 2024, 1 January falls on a Monday.  That means that, … Continue reading

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | 21 Comments

ASK FATHER: Friends returning to the Church say they can receive Communion without going to confession first

From a reader… QUAERITUR: After a number of years away from the faith of my childhood, I made the decision to return to the Catholic church.  After attending a few masses, my heart longed to receive the Eucharist, so I … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Fr. Z KUDOS, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

27 December – St. John the Evangelist – Today we bless WINE!

The liturgical year guided and nourished and shaped Catholics for centuries.  It does so far less now, since it is much diminished after the “reforms” that hacked away at the calendar. However, once upon a time people not only followed … Continue reading

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URGENT! ALL PRIESTS… ALL PENITENTS GOING TO CONFESSION… ACTION ITEM!

I received this email. First, let me say… GO TO CONFESSION! That means PRIESTS too! Next, use my tips for making a good confession. HERE Now… I received this email. Good afternoon, Father. In the middle of a recent confession, … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged , | 15 Comments

ASK FATHER: “I absolve you from THESE sins…”. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession and the words said by the priest for absolution were “I absolve you from these sins” etc. Would this absolution be valid? Thank you for going to confession.  KEEP GOING. This is … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Father says part of the consecration inaudibly and the rest audibly. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Our parish priest speaks in a very distinct way. He chants the Novus Ordo from “For on the night he was betrayed he himself took bread, and giving you thanks he said the blessing, broke the … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Confession by checklist because of no common language

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr, I went to confession at a Catholic church in France that gets pilgrims from around the world. Because of the many languages of the penitents there was a checklist in the confessional with a wide variety of sins translated … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Did John the Baptist never sin?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: At Mass yesterday the priest said that St. John the Baptist never sinned his whole life due to the absolution he received from the Lord during the Visitation (‘ . . . and he leapt in … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Manual of life

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Would my Baltimore Catechism No 4 and the Sacred Liturgy be best as a layman as my manual for daily life? I ask because I’m wondering if I should carry both my Catechism and my 1962 … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | 8 Comments