Category Archives: Priests and Priesthood

ASK FATHER: Recitation of Office completely silently? Prepare, Fathers, to wince!

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have seen a tendency for people who have a duty to say the Office attempt to satisfy their obligation without mouthing the words with air passing through the lips. Has the liturgical law changed? I’m … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , , , , ,
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IN THE WILD: “Prayer For Vocations” spotted

I had a great text cross-country SMS from a colleague in the TMSM this morning at a little church in Shell Lake, WI.  Here is a poster at the parish… First, I am delighted that they found – note the … Read More

Posted in Just Too Cool, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged ,
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A reader has fun with a seminarian, a great book, and an “ordination tambourine”

A seminarian sent this… Hello Father, I wanted to let you know that one of your readers, upon reading this post, sent me a copy of Pope Emeritus Benedict’s new book on the priesthood. I received it a few days ago … Read More

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Tradition = vocations – It isn’t rocket science

I contend that the shortage of vocations is a self-inflicted wound. Yesterday, here in the Diocese of Madison, the Extraordinary Ordinary and the seminarians concluded a week of praying together, talks, activities, hanging out with each other and priests.  Among … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged ,
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Thanks from seminarian: The BIRETTA PROJECT!

The other day, HERE, I mentioned that new seminarians of the diocese, gathered for their annual week with the Extraordinary Ordinary, have been measured for their birettas as part of the ongoing BIRETTAS FOR SEMINARIANS PROJECT. So far, this project has … Read More

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URGENT: for priests

Today at Crisis Fr. George Rutler is the purveyor of salutary advice to young priests.  HERE Of particular interest to me, since I harp on the need for frequent confession: The Holy Mass is the heart of the Christian life, but to be that, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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Wherein a popular beer is renamed to honor priests

Remember the recent story about the priests who denied entry to a pub in Wales because the bouncer didn’t know what they were wearing… who they were?   They were eventually admitted with apologies and applause and it all worked … Read More

Posted in Lighter fare, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Validity of absolution of accomplices in sexual sins

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have two questions about c. 977, which bars a priest from absolving an accomplice in sins against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue except in danger of death (on pain of excommunication, per c. 1378). … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
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Of seminarians, books, birettas, new vestments, and wherein Fr. Z is very pleased

Every summer the Extraordinary Ordinary of the Diocese of Madison, His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, gathers all the seminarians for about a week of fraternity and conferences.  We are in full swing. Today, I celebrated Holy Mass for … Read More

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The Cassock

Use of the cassock. In England… and in Wales?… it was illegal to wear the cassock in public.  Perhaps it still is.  I believe there is a tale told that Queen Elizabeth paid the fine for John Paul II.  Se non è … Read More

Posted in Lighter fare, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
64 Comments