Category Archives: Mail from priests

ASK FATHER: Hosts brought to altar at Communion, not before consecration

From a reader… Today at mass, after the priest had completed the Eucharistic Prayer, and we had moved past the Agnus Dei, one of the EMHCs noticed that the Chalices and Ciboriums with unconsecrated hosts (those meant for distribution to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

The Mysterious Case of the Hallow’s Missing Maniple

I wonder if Tracer Bullet, Private Eye, has any contacts in London. There’s a mystery to be solved. Fr. Hunwicke reported at his fine blog Mutual Enrichment, about the Case of the Missing Maniple.  In this case, the case concerns, includes, … Continue reading

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“If you don’t commit adultery, I’ll kill myself!” – “Well, okay.”

My friend Fr. Gerald Murray has again offered some insights over at The Catholic Thing about… The False and Dangerous Coccopalmerio Gambit Ready for some casuistry? [which is the use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral … Continue reading

Posted in Mail from priests, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , | 69 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can the pastor force me, a priest, to wash women’s feet on Holy Thursday?

From a priest… QUAERITUR (edited): Emboldened by the Pope’s new legislation last year, my pastor is determined to force the small parish which I primarily serve  in the cluster to introduce women into the Holy Thursday footwashing rite.  [This old thing again… sigh.] … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , | 49 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z is sore tempted – UPDATE

UPDATE 13 March: I am delighted that one of my priest friends is able to come to help with our Triduum!  However, I really would like to have one more priest come. So, I’ll give in to the temptation.  Fathers? ___ Originally Published … Continue reading

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Tinkeritis: Screwing around with, screwing up, liturgical translations

You may have heard that there is an initiative underway to “review” or “study” vernacular translations of the texts of Mass and the norms according to which they are to be prepared as given in Liturgiam authenticam.   This would be … Continue reading

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Translation, Pò sì jiù, PRO MULTIS, WDTPRS | Tagged , , , , , | 43 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can a pastor forbid an assistant from using black vestments?

From a priest… QUAERITUR: Can a Pastor of a parish forbid a Parochial Vicar from wearing a black chasuble at funerals? I just heard of 2 pastors in [a large NE Archdiocese] who have forbidden their traditional-minded parochial vicars from wearing … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Slubberdegullions | Tagged | 21 Comments

ASK FATHER: If there is no other priest, does Father put ashes on himself? #ashtag

From a priest comes a good #ashtag question… QUAERITUR: A couple priests have asked me today, and I have no good answer – when a priest is offering Mass on Ash Wednesday without another priest present, or a deacon, does … Continue reading

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“If you still attend the Novus Ordo, murmur ‘Ganganelli’ as you exchange the Grope of Peace.”

The inimitable Fr. Hunwicke, who feverishly awaits the arrival of his new Clement XIV Ganganelli drinkware which I have sent with my compliments, has this to say over at his indispensible blog Mutual Enrichment: Have you got your spectacular Clement XIV … Continue reading

Posted in Lighter fare, Mail from priests | Tagged , | 8 Comments

To a priest who learned the Traditional Mass and then quit because it was hard.

I have often written about how priests are never the same after having learned how to say the older, traditional form of Holy Mass in the Roman Rite.  Many priests have related to me about how, once they learned, or … Continue reading

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , , | 21 Comments