Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Why are Sunday “of Lent” in the Novus Ordo and “in Lent” in the TLM?

From a priest reader QUAERITUR: I noticed that in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar we have Sundays IN Lent and in the Novus Ordo we have Sundays OF Lent.  What’s going on? In the 1962 Missale Romanum today is called … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Ashes On Very Small Children, Babies? – PRIESTS invited to comment especially

From a priest: Reverend and Dear Father, Ash Wednesday is soon to be upon us, and I am faced with the situation I am often faced with: whether to impose ashes on cute, angel-faced infants. It never fails that, as … Read More

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18 February 2025 – Ash Wednesday – Fasting, Abstinence, and You (with remarks on coffee and the brushing of teeth)

According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church, Latin Church Catholics are bound to observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday. Here are some details. I am sure you know them already, but they are good … Read More

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Send 2025 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z! – With a cautionary note. – UPDATED

I always enjoy your Christmas cards.  The notes and letters which describe the year people have had are interesting and, often, moving.  Over the years I’ve recognized so many familiar names.  I read them all. And drawings by kids are … Read More

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Special Blessing of Epiphany Water on the Vigil of Epiphany (5 January)

Wonderful customs come with the Feast of the Epiphany.  Real Epiphany is 6 January, by the way.  Happily, this year it doesn’t get transferred to a Sunday because it falls on a Sunday. On Epiphany we find in the Roman … Read More

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“Let y’all know!” The “Noveritis” Epiphany chant announcement of 2026’s movable dates and feasts

At Epiphany (real Epiphany is 6 January) we Latins have traditionally chanted a solemn proclamation of the key liturgical dates or movable feasts for the new year of salvation, just begun. This underscores how these dates and seasons are all … Read More

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FATHERS! ACTION ITEM! Plenary Indulgences available on 31 December (Te Deum) and 1 January (Veni Creator Spiritus)

Holy Mother Church offers the possibility to gain two plenary indulgences, one on 31 December to thank God for the graces received during the year and one on 1 January to invoke the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the … 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

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ASK FATHER: Does a communicant have the right to receive communion from a cleric?

Under another post there is a question in a comment: QUAERITUR: Does a communicant have the right to receive communion from a cleric? Yes, and no. The 1997 Instruction On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in … Read More

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ACTION ITEM! Seven Sisters Apostolate for Saturday

This post is absolutely and blatantly self-serving! I shudder to think about my present situation if there weren’t people praying for me out there. I am so grateful to all of you. Therefore, I want to underscore a special group. … Read More

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