Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)

Daily Rome Shot 1512 – Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!

And its the small things sometimes… ? Behind the scenes. The sash (fascia) worn by the Holy Father in recent days bears his coat of arms. The left field is blue with a silver fleur-de-lis; the right is white, with … Read More

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CHRISTMASCAzT 2025 – 27 – St. Stephen, Protomartyr

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for the Octave of Christmas. Today I explain the three feast days now so closely tied to Christmas, St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, and the Holy Innocents. Fr. Troadec has a beautiful … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Must we do penance, abstain from meat, on Friday in the Octave of Christmas?

This is a question which comes up each year. It came up again today. Must we do penance on Friday within the Octave of Christmas? The short answer is YES.  This year. According to Canon Law, Catholics are bound to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Classic Posts |
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The First Mass of Christmas: Missa in Nocte (MR1962)

Christmas begins in darkness. Holy Church gathers while the rest of the world sleeps, and in that deep quiet she announces that the eternal Light has entered time. The First Mass of Christmas, the Missa in Nocte in the 1962 … Read More

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CHRISTMASCAzT 2025 – 26 – Christmas Day

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Christmas and the Octave Fr. Troadec on the “marvelous night”. Fulton Sheen, opines. Yesterday’s podcast HERE.

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Vigil of Christmas – (2005) Roman Martyrology – Fascinating entry

In the 2005 Roman Martyrology for Vigil of Christmas has a fascinating entry.  Here is the first entry of Christmas Eve day: 1. Commemoratio omnium sanctorum avorum Iesu Christi, filii David, filii Abraham, filii Adam, patrum scilicet, qui Deo placuerunt … Read More

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Daily Rome Shot 1512 – ANGELS VS DEMONS (aka angry leftist protesters)

From The Parish™.   I’m sad I’m not there as I thought I might have been.  No presepio this year, however, because of the ongoing restoration work in the nave which requires enclosing the side chapels in scaffolding. Please remember me … Read More

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ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 25 – Vigil of Christmas – Rex Pacificus

A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Advent preparation. Fr. Parsch starts to lead us into the point of Christmas with observations about the visible and the invisible. Yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) podcast HERE

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From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 25-12-21 – Christmas stuff

December 21st 2025 Dear Diary, First entry in a few coz busy.  It’s been really cold. Someone said its the winter solstiss again and said the days are getting longer now, which does not seem right because it is getting … Read More

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants, SESSIUNCULA |
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ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 24 – Tuesday 4th Week of Advent – Resolutions – CORRECTED

A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Advent preparation. Fr. Troadec about charity and … whew… time. Card. Bacci hits us smack between the eyes. O Emmanuel. I CORRECTED the link to the Tuesday podcast.  You might … Read More

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