Monthly Archives: September 2016

Memories of Vatican II’s halcyon days. Who could have predicted that things would fall apart?

Over at Crisis there is a great piece recounting memories of Vatican II times… those spirit-filled, halcyon days! I particularly enjoyed this paragraph about the writer’s days in a Catholic girls school: We attended Mass in Latin, sang hymns in … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
27 Comments

US admits Muslim Syrian refugees but bars Christians?

From Spero News: The U.S. bars Christian, not Muslim, refugees from Syria The title of this blog post–The United States Bars Christian, Not Muslim, Refugees From Syria–will strike many readers as ridiculous. But the numbers tell a different story: The … Read More

Posted in The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Religion of Peace | Tagged , ,
11 Comments

ASK FATHER: Year of Mercy indulgence when no chance of confession

From a reader… I’m a shut-in in a rural area. EMs bring me Communion on Fridays. Confess once a year (prev. yrs ago @ 2 wks). Really no way to confess @ 3 wks for Plenary Indulgences (Priest has 3 parishes). Any exceptions … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Year of Mercy | Tagged , , ,
2 Comments

ASK FATHER: Could the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issue a binding interpretation of #AmorisLaetitia

From a reader… QUAERITUR: As a recent convert and a lawyer (but definitely not a canon lawyer), in view of Pope Francis’ recent endorsement of the broad view of AL, can the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issue … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, The Drill | Tagged ,
12 Comments

15 Sept: Seven Sorrows of Mary, Mater Dolorosa, Queen of Martyrs

Today is the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Can you name them? Here the entry from the Roman Martyrology: Memoria beatae Mariae Virginis perdolentis, quae, iuxta crucem Iesu adstans, Filii salutiferae passioni intime fideliterque sociata est et nova … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Solitary Boast | Tagged , , ,
9 Comments

Benedict XVI: last Pope of old era or first of the next?

I’m reading the Italian edition of Pope Benedict’s book-long interview with German journalist Peter Seewald.  I’m jumping around a bit and I ran across an interesting section.  Here is my on the fly translation from the Italian (not from the … Read More

Posted in Benedict XVI, Francis, Pope of Christian Unity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
29 Comments

Canonist Ed Peters on Pope Francis’ “Argentinian Letter”

Distinguished canonist Ed Peters (who also comments here) has posted on his fine blog In The Light Of The Law some thoughts about Pope Francis’ latest move, the letter to the Argentinian bishop about a draft document that seems to attempt … Read More

Posted in 1983 CIC can. 915, Canon Law, One Man & One Woman, The Drill | Tagged , ,
28 Comments

ASK FATHER: Parish prayer effort to beg protection from Islamic terror. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I will appreciate your help in leading me to a prayer to protect us from terrorism (specifically Muslim, if possible) that can be recited by our parish weekly during these threatening times. I do this at the behest of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Religion of Peace, Urgent Prayer Requests, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
16 Comments

ASK FATHER: Pope Francis said Fr. Hamel is a martyr. Is he now “Blessed Jacque Hamel”?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw today that Pope Francis confirmed that Fr. Hamel is a “martyr.” Does this mean we can now refer to him as St. or Blessed or Venerable Fr. Hamel? I strongly suspect that Fr. Jacques Hamel, recently … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Francis, Modern Martyrs, Saints: Stories & Symbols |
33 Comments

Would the young Joseph Ratzinger – or I – have had the same reaction if….

As I often write, we are our rites. In the new interview book with Peter Seewald, Benedict XVI was asked how the son of a Bavarian policeman became a priest. I have a measure of sympathy with Benedict’s answer. I, too, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The future and our choices, Turn Towards The Lord | Tagged , , , ,
23 Comments