Category Archives: Priests and Priesthood

Fascinating and sad: transcript of 1976 meeting of Paul VI and SSPX Archbp. Lefebvre

UPDATE  The late, great Michael Davies (God rest his soul) published in his Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre (Vol. 1 Ch. 14 – US HERE – UK HERE) Lefebvre’s own account of that same meeting with Paul VI on 11 Sept 1976. … Read More

Posted in Cri de Coeur, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, SSPX, The Drill, Vatican II | Tagged , , ,
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Connection of home-schooling and entering seminary

A study shows that men who are home-schooled enter the seminary at a higher rate than those who were in Catholic schools. 1 in 10 priests were home-schooled at some point and are 4 times more likely to enter seminary … Read More

Posted in Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The future and our choices |
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ASK FATHER: Priest Mumbles Words of Absolution. Fr. Z says: FATHERS! Stop being JACKASSES and do it right!

FATHERS!  This fellow’s note gives another example of why we priests must must must be careful and precise when giving absolution to penitents. Use the prescribed form of absolution in Latin or appropriate vernacular language and say the essential words … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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JUST TOO COOL: Unboxing my new portable altar – UPDATED!

UPDATE 11 March: This just came in from a US Army chaplain! I enjoyed the joy you showed in your recent posting after receiving your newest portable altar.  I ordered mine last year in preparation for the Afghan deployment that … Read More

Posted in Just Too Cool, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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20 Years Later: #WhoKilledFatherKunz

Last Saturday, 3 March, we had a Requiem Mass for in the intention of the late Fr. Alfred Kunz. It was the 20th anniversary of his murder.  His body was found on 4 March 1998, though he was probably killed … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Four Last Things, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
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Your parish priest and YOU.

I just received an email from a priest who informed me that today is the 200th anniversary of the day that St. John Vianney, arrived at his parish in Ars and began his work as a pastor with the care … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, Saints: Stories & Symbols |
5 Comments

ASK FATHER: Why couldn’t priests and religious be godparents?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Would you please comment on why the tradition (at least the 1917 code) was reluctant to permit clerics and religious to be Godparents? Any comment on it being done under the new code? GUEST PRIEST RESPONSE … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
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ASK FATHER: Visiting retired, elderly priests

From a reader.. QUAERITUR: I have a particular devotion to the Priesthood and priests and would like to start visiting retired priests who are no longer able to live in residence in a rectory and have had to move on … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
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VIDEO: A remarkable vocation story.

A remarkable vocation story. Fr. James Mawdsley, FSSP. For years I’ve written about how learning and celebrating the traditional form of Mass forms a priest. This priest touches on this transformative experience. (He mentions that blogs played a role. I … Read More

Posted in Just Too Cool, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
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How bad is the situation of vocations to the priesthood tragic Germany?

How bad is the situation of vocations to the priesthood tragic Germany? “In 2017, only 76 priests were ordained in Germany; in 2000 there were still about twice as many, namely 154.  When the German Bishops’ Conference tallied this number … Read More

Posted in Liberals, Lighter fare, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
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