Tag Archives: Reminders

How to Fulfill the Sunday Obligation

Posted on June 17, 2019 by

I believe I have spoken to this question before in some prior post here on the blog, but I don’t remember which. In light of recent questions I’ve received, it seems worthwhile to post about it again and perhaps with … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Come, Holy Spirit — What does this mean?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by

At this time of the year, as we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost, it is not uncommon to see many people invoking a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and praying that He will come into their lives. There … Continue reading →

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How Does One Make Holy Water?

Posted on May 31, 2019 by

Is it enough for a priest to make the sign of the cross over plain water, to make it “holy water”? Holy water is one of the Church’s sacramentals. “Sacramentals” are sacred signs instituted by the Church that “signify effects, … Continue reading →

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Who may use the Exorcism of Pope Leo XIII?

Posted on May 30, 2019 by

I remember once, many years ago, when I was more involved in pro-life activities, I was in a certain place praying outside an abortion clinic and the other good lay people who were praying there (I was a layman also … Continue reading →

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The Marital Debt

Posted on May 23, 2019 by

One very traditional (and important) Church teaching that has all but disappeared from Catholic consciousness in recent decades is that of “the marital debt”, also known as “the conjugal debt”. This teaching has to do with the obligation that spouses … Continue reading →

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Confession behind the Screen

Posted on May 22, 2019 by

The recent legal moves against the seal of confession in California — see Bishop Barron’s commentary here — are a good argument for only having anonymous (behind the screen) confessions. So a brother priest tweeted — and I heartily agree. No priest is … Continue reading →

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A Thought on Death and Dying

Posted on May 20, 2019 by

I had an edifying conversation with some other priests recently on the topic of death, and it occurred to me: my hope (and prayer) is that I might have full use of my mental faculties until the very end, so … Continue reading →

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Mother’s and Father’s Day – At Mass

Posted on May 11, 2019 by

Amy Welborn has a helpful post about a good way to handle Mother’s Day at Mass – I highly recommend it to all priests and deacons. In short, asking all mothers to stand or handing out flowers to all mothers, while … Continue reading →

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Mary’s Praises Sung through the Seasons

Posted on May 4, 2019 by

Each day, a priest ideally both celebrates Holy Mass (not an obligation) and also the canonical hours of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office (an obligation). Thus, typically, the last liturgical thing he does each … Continue reading →

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Always the Regina Cæli

Posted on May 3, 2019 by

A priest-acquaintance of mine once told me that he re-reads the General Instruction of the Roman Missal on a yearly basis. After all, our chief duty as priests is to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy and our memory can be feeble; … Continue reading →

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Can Sacramental Penances Count for Indulgences?

Posted on April 30, 2019 by

I recently had occasion to consult the Manual of Indulgences and was reminded of something I had forgotten: namely, that the prayers or works we are assigned as a penance when we go to Confession can, in fact, count towards receiving … Continue reading →

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