Tag Archives: Catholic Culture

Sufficient Confession Times

Posted on July 10, 2019 by

A priest-friend of mine has remarked that every priest should take his weekly confession time (in minutes), multiply by 52 weeks, then divide by the number of individual parishioners over the age of reason. The result is how many minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Confession during Mass?

Posted on June 10, 2019 by

May confessions be heard during Mass? There is still rather a lot of confusion about this question — both among priests and laity. It is not unusual to hear of a priest who, with a great sense of certitude, declares … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Working on Holy Days of Obligation

Posted on November 1, 2018 by

There are five [or six] Holy Days of Obligation each year in the United States: Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas (December 25), Mary, Mother of God (January 1), Assumption (August 15), and All Saints (November 1). [In a few regions … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baptism Booklet for the Extraordinary Form

Posted on October 6, 2018 by

I have had many more parishioners requesting that their child’s baptism be done in the Extraordinary Form (EF) in the past few years, which has necessitated my learning how to do it. What’s more, I’ve had to think through how … Continue reading →

Posted in Scheduled | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First Blessings and Masses of New Priests

Posted on March 16, 2017 by

There is an urban legend out there to the effect that there is a plenary indulgence available to anyone who receives a “first blessing” from a new priest within a year of his ordination. This is false. No such indulgence is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , ,

Caring for Liturgical Linens

Posted on August 28, 2014 by

Earlier today I was laundering and ironing some liturgical linens over at Holy Rosary, and I posted this photo on Facebook: Among the comments it received, a brother priest suggested that I explain how to launder liturgical linens. Since I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , ,

Mass “For the People” – All the People

Posted on June 9, 2014 by

You may have seen in your parish bulletin that one of the Sunday Masses is scheduled “For the People”. In some bulletins they still use the Latin, “Pro Populo“, or perhaps they vary the wording a bit, such as “For … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , ,

Sick Call Crucifix

Posted on June 5, 2014 by

I’ll never forget, when I was a deacon and was helping in a parish in Pennsylvania on the weekends, taking communion to an elderly gentleman and finding, when I arrived, that he had a candle lit and a crucifix near … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Put St. Joseph to Work for You

Posted on May 1, 2014 by

Happy Feast of St. Joseph the Worker! Devotion to St. Joseph is a healthy part of any Catholic spirituality. There is an endearing article today on Vatican Insider about Pope Francis’ devotion to St. Joseph – read it here. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad Hoc | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Prayer Before and After Holy Mass

Posted on February 17, 2014 by

Although we regularly encounter distractions arising from within and without during our time at Holy Mass, we should resist these and do our best to approach Holy Communion in as recollected a state as possible. (I take for granted the … Continue reading →

Posted in Scheduled | Tagged , , , ,

Non Fecit Taliter Omni Nationi

Posted on June 28, 2013 by

This phrase in Latin means “He has not done thus for any other nation”, and is a verse from Psalm 147. It is also frequently associated with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I would say that the majority … Continue reading →

Posted in Scheduled | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,