Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Why didn’t the Assistant Deacons wear surplices during the Pontifical Mass at the Shrine? #MassoftheAmericas Wherein Fr. Z analyzes and then rants.

The other day, His Excellency Most Rev. Salvatore Cordilone of San Francisco celebrated a Pontifical Mass at the Throne at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  It was televised.  A new musical Mass setting was used and new vestments … Continue reading

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@FatherTF good explanation of “Perfect Contrition”

Sometimes we Catholics use technical terms which, over time, have become a little confusing.  For example, recently I wrote a clarification about what praying for the “Pope’s intentions” really means. My good friend Fr. Tim Finigan, His Hermeneuticalness, has a good post … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: I’ve lost all desire and motivation to pray, fast, etc. It all seems so pointless.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve lost all desire and motivation to pray, fast, etc. I’ve become apathetic towards the spiritual life. It all seems so pointless. God stopped listening and caring about me years ago, and I feel as though … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Gaining indulgences and “the Pope’s intentions”. Prayer for the Pope, or for what the Pope designates?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: The people in the chapel I attend – lay people and even the priests – insist on saying that the rules for indulgences include praying for the pope. [No.] I have tried and failed to instruct … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Should I accept an invitation to be installed as an acolyte?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: First, thanks. Your blog helped me find my way back into the Church after many years and was very formative for me. I and several other men I’m close with have been asked by our pastor … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: For Communion can I chose to go only to the priest and not the lay ministers?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I felt very uncomfortable when I attended a weekday Novus Ordo mass and the priest called up 3 EMs (when there was maybe 40 people) and then positioned himself on one of the sides to hand … Continue reading

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PRIESTS: Are you available to take a “Gregorian Mass” intention?

In the past I have played “yenta” and put lay people who want Gregorian Masses (30 consecutive Masses for a single intention – usually, but not limited to, for the deceased). I have a few requests that are languishing. Priests: … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Am I still forgiven if I don’t to my assigned penance?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw a tweet about a question on confession.  The person said the penance she got from the priest in confession was hard but she didn’t completely do it.  She wanted to know if she was … Continue reading

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Bp. Schneider on today’s “vacuum of prayer and adoration”. Fr. Z makes a plea to bishops and priests.

From his terrific new book… Christus Vincit: Christ’s Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age US HERE – UK HERE   With my emphases: SCHNEIDER: The whole crisis in the Church, as seen after the Council, was manifest in an incredible inflation of … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: A priest asks about “behind the lines” warfare against the Enemy.

From a priest in a European country writes… QUAERITUR: First thanks for your blog. It`s one of the things that kept me sane during my seminary years. [Thanks for that!] I`m a newly ordained priest from ___. A few moments … Continue reading

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