Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

ASK FATHER: Is speeding a sin?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a leadfoot driver, have been for decades. My wife says I could have been an Indy racer. My driving record is solidly good and I drive a well-handling sedan. To limit speeding, I set … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Mass “for the gift of tears”… for someone else?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Mass for the gift of tears be said for someone else or is it only for the celebrant or person requesting the Mass? The prayers seem like a powerful source of conversion for self. … Read More

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During this “watch”, each evening at St Peter’s Gregorian chant is sung… but hardly anyone sings. Why is that?

From a priest reader… As I’m sure you’ve noticed, each night in St. Peter’s Square, a small schola has sung the Oremus pro Pontifice for the Holy Father. It’s a gesture that is simultaneously reverent and traditional, yet incredibly simple. … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum?

From a reader…. QUAERUNTUR: I was wondering if it is still possible to gain indulgences during a papal interregnum (i.e., praying for the Holy Father’s intentions being a requirement to gain the indulgence)? Also are there any traditional practices during … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How can Septuagesima and Sexagesima be “70th” and “60”? It doesn’t add up.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I don’t get it.  “Septuagesima” means “seventieth” and “sexagesima” means “sixtieth”, which are ten apart.  But the Sundays are seven days apart. 10 isn’t 7.  Is there an explanation? Here is something I’ve penned before. Roman … Read More

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Notes about different kinds of Holy Water

Recently there was an incident in St. Peter’s Basilica.   A man (allegedly with mental problems) profaned the main altar over the tomb of the Apostle.  In the case of a profanation like this, the altar could be “reconciled”, a kind … Read More

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“GO TO CONFESSION!” I always say. Another thing I say is that it is CRUEL to leave penitents in doubt.

Today I was out and about in Rome doing errands. I chanced on a posted sign in the penitents’ part of the free standing confessionals that line most Roman churches, often dusty from neglect.   The sign is a little blurry … Read More

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Another point of Catholic identity out with the bathwater?

Occasionally we have a collision of Holy Days of Obligations and Feasts in the calendar.  Feasts get transferred.   Does the obligation get transferred?  We had this situation recently regarding the Feast/Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which fell on an Advent … Read More

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“I asked the new Chinese AI “DEEPSEEK”, about the priest’s posture during the consecration in the Traditional Latin Mass. It’s Reply….”

Some think that AI is here to stay.  If that is so, then I am not convinced that we are (cf. Skynet). In the meantime, AI is bringing us bread and circuses: great memes and videos, etc. That’s what the interwebs did, … Read More

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What is Catholic teaching about “deportation”? Maybe not what some higher-ups think.

At Catholic Vote there is an article (seemingly assembled from tweets/x) which you should look at about Catholic teaching on “deportation”. PROBLEM: Official Church documents on faith and morals have perennially been written in LATIN.  That fact is not the … Read More

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