Tag Archives: Storytime

Ringing the Bell at the Consecrations

Posted on June 16, 2019 by

The practice of ringing a bell at the consecration (or striking a small gong-like bell or using some other sort of chimes) is not required, but is certainly widespread. Some places did abandon it in the past half-century, sometimes for … Continue reading →

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Rose Petals on Pentecost

Posted on June 11, 2019 by

This past Sunday, June 9 — Pentecost — we had our second annual “Shower of Rose Petals” in my parish at the conclusion of our 11am Solemn Mass. This custom picks up on the rather ancient tradition at the Pantheon … Continue reading →

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Eleven Years

Posted on June 7, 2019 by

Today — June 7, 2019 — is my eleventh anniversary of ordination. Spare a prayer for me today, if you will. Thank you! And thanks be to God. This past year has been a big one… First, there was the … Continue reading →

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The Biretta

Posted on June 6, 2019 by

One of the delights in reading old books that comment on the liturgy, is that they often provide profound explanations of the meaning of the various things we say and do during the sacred liturgy. One example of this is in … 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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Scrupulosity in Children

Posted on May 6, 2019 by

Following upon my recent post about scrupulosity in general, I thought it might be helpful to share some particular thoughts about dealing with this cross in children. It seems that there are few resources that speak directly to this topic. … Continue reading →

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Unique Inscriptions

Posted on May 2, 2019 by

When in Europe — especially, in my experience, in Eastern Europe — it isn’t uncommon to see this or that glorious monument with an inscription on it that has this interesting combination of differently-sized capital letters. The above photo is … Continue reading →

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Resurrection and the Rising Sun

Posted on April 22, 2019 by

In my homily for Easter Sunday (PDF download) I reflected on the theme of “memory” in connection with Resurrection faith. As part of this I told the story of the Church in Japan, “the Land of the Rising Sun” — … Continue reading →

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The Mothers of Lu

Posted on April 18, 2019 by

On this Holy Thursday we consider the two sacraments our Lord instituted this day: the Holy Priesthood and the Holy Eucharist. They are intimately connected – no priests, no Eucharist; no love and reverence for the Eucharist, no priests. In … Continue reading →

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The Realism of Moral Manuals

Posted on April 4, 2019 by

84. Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight. That norm, from the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, implies that the prayer of Vespers (Evening Prayer) shall … Continue reading →

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The Priests’ Sabbath Rest

Posted on April 3, 2019 by

The concept of a “day off” for a priest is not foreseen in the Code of Canon Law. From there, one can find many reasons against it: “one doesn’t get a day off from being a father”, “you’re just buying … Continue reading →

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