Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

25 April – St. Mark and the Major Rogation Day – Wherein Fr. Z rants

Years ago I was outside the Paul VI audience hall waiting for my bishop.  There were there various drivers, priests waiting for their bishops, newsies, etc.  An old Italian bishop, tired of the yakking inside the meeting of their conference, … Read More

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ASK FATHER: What should I do if I hear a priest break the Seal of Confession?

From a reader in the combox under another post.  HERE QUAERITUR: What is the proper procedure for a person to whom the Seal is broken? For example, folks who happen to hear those two Libville homilies? The “Libville homilies” were … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Penalties for Violation of the Seal. Wherein Fr. Z and a fictional SSPX priest explain the situation.

In the combox I was asked… QUAERITUR: Doesnt revealing the content and identity of a penitent incur grave penalties? I respond thusly. First, for a person – and priests are people, too – to incur a censure, he has to … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Cohabiting couple who own a house. (MUST READ HILARITY!)

I don’t like hypothetical questions.  “What if’s…?” can go on forever. However, this one was interesting.  So I reached out to my friend Fr. Ferguson, knowing in my bones that what I would get back would be a doozy. It’s … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Fr. Z KUDOS, HONORED GUESTS, Lighter fare, One Man & One Woman |
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ASK FATHER: Can the bishop forbid lay Catholics from gathering in public or private places because of COVID-19?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does the bishop of a diocese have the authority to prevent lay faithful from gathering in public or private with non-household members? The following is background for the question. A group of lay Catholics were organizing … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How do we fulfill our Easter Duty in this time of pandemic lockdown?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hi Father – my question is about how to fulfill the Easter duty during this time of quarantine. Does a spiritual communion during a “parking lot mass” on Easter Sunday count? Also, our pastor has insisted … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Cardinal says confession and absolution over the phone is okay

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was shocked, as I heard, that the local bishop allowed phone confession and absolution over phone because of COVID-19.  A priest from my community says the Cardinal of says that he may use phone to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
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Chinese virus horror stories and Fr. Z gives advice to young people

I read at Radio Free Asia, a truly horrifying post. While the ChiCom government claims victory over the CHINESE virus, other pesky pieces of evidence suggest a different situation. It seems that so many people have to be cremated that … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Pò sì jiù, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices |
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A prayer for a miracle: the sudden, complete and lasting obliteration of COVID-19.

Almighty and eternal God, who shaped us from the mud of the earth and breathed into us beautiful life and eternal souls made to give You glory, look graciously now upon Your poor creatures who have fallen into sin.  We … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Cri de Coeur, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Pray For A Miracle, PRAYER REQUEST, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, Turn Towards The Lord, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: The Sacred Triduum in the Extraordinary Form privately, without people.

Numerous priests have written to me, asking about what to do about the Sacred Triduum in private. I’ve been pondering and consulting. Summorum Pontificum 2 excepts the Triduum for Holy Mass in the Vetus Ordo sine populo. However, Card. Sarah, … Read More

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