Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Wherein at the tail-end of 2021 Fr. Z reflects on the phrase “In cauda venenum”

There’s a pattern in papal and curial and chancery documents.  In general, after the salutations and other blah blah, there follow status quaesitionis points which stand as the justification for the correspondence or decree.  However, the business is nearly always … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, Traditionis custodes, What are they REALLY saying? | Tagged , ,
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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. I’ve had three notes in email today. Must we do penance tomorrow, Friday within the Octave of Christmas? The short answer is YES, this year, yes. According to Canon Law, Catholics … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
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27 Dec – St. John the Evangelist – Today we bless WINE!

The liturgical year guided and nourished and shaped Catholics for centuries.  It does so far less now, since it is much diminished after the “reforms” that hacked away at the calendar. However, once upon a time people not only followed … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
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People flocked to a Bishop’s Traditional “Rorate Mass”

For years I have said that if bishops want to control the TLM in their dioceses, the best way to do it would be to get involved. These are Catholics who would go to the wall, if necessary. When bishops … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: I was going in for surgery, but I have staph. How can I fulfill my Christmas and Sunday obligation?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am having surgery Tuesday 12/28. I went to reconciliation Wednesday and was absolved. In my medical appointment to get the ok for surgery I was tested for staph infection and it came back positive. My … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: When a pope dies, what happens to the motu proprios that he may have written? Do they die with him?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: When a pope dies, what happens to the motu proprios that he may have written – do they die with him? For example, when Pope Francis dies, what happens to the motu proprio on the TLM? … Read More

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GOOD NEWS in the Diocese of Phoenix regarding TC and the DD

TC and the DD… Traditionis Custodes (aka “Jailers of Tradition” aka “Taurina cacata”) and the Dubious Dubia. In effect, this doesn’t exactly “round file” TC and the DD.  It is more like to… … leaving it out on the steps … Read More

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An important note about the Dubious Dubia™ for “Traditionis custodes”. The way to cut through the obvious cruel intent and BE TRULY PASTORAL.

Traditionis custodes, a cruel and incoherent document, exceeded in incoherent cruelty by the Responses to the Dubious Dubia™, must fail. Together, they do something unprecedented: they attack diocesan bishops. However, for all the bishops out there who are wondering what … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Canon Law, Traditionis custodes | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: How does one get invited to the Synod (“walking together”) on Synodality

From a reader.. QUAERITUR: I wanted to thank you for your original and powerful exhortation, via the death of a rabbit, to go to confession. As a consequence I did indeed go to confession and made a clean breast of … Read More

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FATHERS! ACTION ITEM! Great idea from a priest about the Dubious Dubia and the Traditional Latin Mass for New Year’s Day

I received this great suggestion from a priest friend: There is great deal of angst among TLMers after Saturday’s Responsa. Thank you for what you have written in the aftermath. In addition to encouraging prayer and Confession, perhaps we could … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Mail from priests, The Coming Storm | Tagged ,
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