Tag Archives: Sacraments

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 →

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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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Scrupulosity

Posted on April 29, 2019 by

Most priests who have a pastoral ministry find themselves in a position to guide a scrupulous conscience at one time or another. And some priests have been better equipped than others to deal with this delicate task. Doing so well … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Eucharistic Prayers in Spanish

Posted on July 26, 2017 by

Several years ago I made recordings of the first three Eucharistic prayers in Spanish, for a brother priest (fellow native English speaker) who wanted to practice. For some English speakers who are learning Spanish, I think, it can be easier … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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