Tag Archives: Issues

Formula of Absolution

Posted on July 30, 2017 by

A friend was commenting to me at dinner recently about an experience he had with a priest who did not use the proper formula of absolution when he went to confession. The formula that he used, in fact, was invalid. … Continue reading →

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New Book

Posted on June 21, 2017 by

I recently had the opportunity to have dinner with Dr. Peter Kwasniewksi, a professor at the great Wyoming Catholic College and a distinguished writer on many topics relating to our faith — especially the sacred liturgy. His writings are regularly … Continue reading →

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Communion in the Hand – A Greater Responsibility

Posted on April 17, 2017 by

This past Saturday I was instructing our new converts on how to receive Holy Communion. And as I was speaking about the practice of communion in the hand — which the Church permits — the words “a greater responsibility” came … Continue reading →

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Classical Education

Posted on February 13, 2017 by

A friend sent me this homily – apparently preached yesterday (I guess they keep the poinsettias out till they die!?). This is an excellent explanation of the benefits of and need for classical education in our Catholic schools. As my … Continue reading →

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The Pope of Gestures

Posted on January 10, 2017 by

Pope Francis has repeatedly been referred to as “the pope of gestures“. It is of note, then, that the Holy Father again celebrated Mass on the high altar of the Sistine Chapel this past Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism … Continue reading →

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Weddings and the Sunday Obligation

Posted on December 15, 2016 by

It’s very common nowadays for couples to hold their wedding on a Saturday afternoon – in my current parish, 1:30pm is the standard time. A question that I often pose to couples when I am doing marriage preparation is: How … Continue reading →

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Pastors Should Take A Pyx “Collection”

Posted on October 8, 2016 by

A post on this blog that has received a lot of traffic and generated a lot of contacts from readers is the one I wrote on PYX PROBLEMS a little over a year ago. Many good people had already noticed some … Continue reading →

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Cardinal Sarah Again Addresses Ad Orientem Worship

Posted on October 5, 2016 by

I would like to call your attention to Sandro Magister’s latest column, in which he presents the upcoming book of Cardinal Robert Sarah. In particular, the excellent Cardinal again speaks about “ad orientem” worship. I quote: “FACING EAST” (par. 254) … Continue reading →

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Where Things Stand With Père Hamel

Posted on October 2, 2016 by

Several weeks back, upon the news of Fr. Jacques Hamel’s assassination in France at the hands of Muslim terrorists, I put up a post questioning whether it was really wise to jump to the conclusion that he was a martyr … Continue reading →

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Purifying the Vessels

Posted on July 19, 2016 by

The purification of the sacred vessels at Holy Mass is an action limited to bishops, priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes. There was, at one point here in the United States, a special indult that allowed for other lay people to … Continue reading →

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Mass according to the Rubrics

Posted on July 6, 2016 by

I’ve posted on various occasions about Mass celebrated ad orientem, “facing east” – that is, with priest and people facing the same direction, toward the altar. You can easily use the search feature on the blog to find some of those … Continue reading →

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The Contempt of Some Priests!

Posted on May 19, 2016 by

An Italian blog I check on recently posted an excerpt from the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori on the reverence – or lack thereof – with which some priests celebrate Holy Mass. It’s striking to think that this was written … Continue reading →

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