Monthly Archives: May 2017

About Manchester and other terrorist attacks – a couple of rants and ACTION ITEM!

My heart goes out to the people harmed in the recent terror attack in Manchester, England. As the usual reportage goes on, I’ve been getting messages on my phone from a friend which underscore something important not being well addressed … Read More

Posted in Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Our Solitary Boast, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Religion of Peace, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , ,
47 Comments

Approaching Jupiter

Stepping aside from things churchy for a moment, here’s a spiffy video spotted at Astronomy Pic of the Day. EXPLANATION FROM APOD: What would it look like to approach Jupiter? To help answer this, a team of 91 amateur astrophotographers … Read More

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged ,
1 Comment

A First Things article recommended, about Pope Benedict

Be clear before reading: It is not complimentary toward Pope Francis (which might bother some) or toward Card. Kasper (which shouldn’t bother anyone). That aside, the useful piece includes background on the dispute between Card. Ratzinger and Card. Kasper with … Read More

Posted in The Drill | Tagged , , ,
12 Comments

ASK FATHER: Visible tattoos and altar service

From a reader… I was at Mass today at a parish with exceptionally reverent liturgies, communion received at the communion rail kneeling and on the tongue, male-only altar servers and EMHC, but something kept catching my eye and distracting me-one … Read More

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

Anthony Esolen makes a point – with napalm

The brilliant Anthony Esolen (how I envy his prose) makes a point – with napalm – at the increasingly useful Crisis today.  The post confirmed me in my desire never to be on his bad side. He begins… Don’t Let A Foolish … Read More

Posted in Liberals, The Drill | Tagged , ,
15 Comments

ASK FATHER: Boys choosing female saints for confirmation names

From a reader… Today at our new parish, we had the Bishop administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. Among the girls, 2 took the name Sebastian, 3 took Luke, 1 took John, 2 took Raphael, 2 took Francis, with one Michael. … Read More

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

SSPX claims about permission from Rome to ordain priests

SSPX Bishop and Superior Bernard Fellay recently made comments in a video interview which caught my attention. At about 15:20 listen for him to say: “Last year, I received a letter from Rome, telling me you can freely ordain your … Read More

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, SSPX | Tagged
21 Comments

A young priest recounts his experience and aspirations

For decades priests have done all sorts of goofy things to Mass and bishops did little or nothing to safeguard our sacred worship. Almost a year ago Robert Card. Sarah called for priests to celebrate Mass ad orientem more often, where possible, … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
16 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is having a “straw subdeacon” for a Solemn TLM okay?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve been to Solemn High Masses where a seminarian (perhaps having been instituted as an acolyte) was acting as Subdeacon (a “straw” subdeacon, I think, since he’s not ordained). Other than ordained men, who can act … Read More

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

Pope Francis sets date for Consistory for new Cardinals – short, odd list

At the English site of Vatican Radio we find the names of the soon-to-be Cardinals.  There is something rather odd in the list. (Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Sunday announced a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals. He made … Read More

Posted in The Coming Storm, The Drill | Tagged , ,
30 Comments