Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)

SSPX claims about permission from Rome to ordain priests

SSPX Bishop and Superior Bernard Fellay recently made comments in a video interview which caught my attention. At about 15:20 listen for him to say: “Last year, I received a letter from Rome, telling me you can freely ordain your … Continue reading

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, SSPX | Tagged | 10 Comments

A young priest recounts his experience and aspirations

For decades priests have done all sorts of goofy things to Mass and bishops did little or nothing to safeguard our sacred worship. Almost a year ago Robert Card. Sarah called for priests to celebrate Mass ad orientem more often, where possible, … Continue reading

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , | 14 Comments

ASK FATHER: Is having a “straw subdeacon” for a Solemn TLM okay?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve been to Solemn High Masses where a seminarian (perhaps having been instituted as an acolyte) was acting as Subdeacon (a “straw” subdeacon, I think, since he’s not ordained). Other than ordained men, who can act … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Pope Francis sets date for Consistory for new Cardinals – short, odd list

At the English site of Vatican Radio we find the names of the soon-to-be Cardinals.  There is something rather odd in the list. (Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Sunday announced a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals. He made … Continue reading

Posted in The Coming Storm, The Drill | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes

Was there a good point made during the sermon you heard for your Mass of Sunday obligation?  Let us know what it was!  

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | 12 Comments

GOOD BOOKS: For LutherFest 500 and for the TLM

I get quite a few books for review. I can’t handle all of them, but this one, for sure, I will recommend even before I read it… and I will read it. This is timely. Luther and His Progeny: 500 … Continue reading

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, REVIEWS, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

WDTPRS – 6th Sunday of Easter: We are simultaneously risen, rising, and about to rise

Here is this week’s Collect, for the 6th Sunday of Easter in the Ordinary Form: Fac nos, omnipotens Deus, hos laetitiae dies, quos in honorem Domini resurgentis exsequimur, affectu sedulo celebrare, ut quod recordatione percurrimus semper in opere teneamus. This … Continue reading

Posted in EASTER, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, WDTPRS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z relates a brutal tale of sudden realization and horror

in S. California, in the exotic periphery of Bakersfield, a priest friend zoomed up to the door of where I was staying and gruffly said, “Get in the car!”. “Ralph!”, quoth I, “Is something wrong?” “Just get in the car!”, he … Continue reading

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged | 26 Comments

Latinists! A great opportunity in June

I’ve been in touch with the folks who are organizing Sermo Fidelium (Talk/Language of the Faithful). This will be a few days in a truly beautiful setting for Latinists and students of Latin to spend time together latine loquentes. The … Continue reading

Posted in Events, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , | Leave a comment

ASK FATHER: Am I obliged to do the strange penance Father gave during confession?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: When I went to confession the priest asked me to watch a certain movie for my penance. I have done a search for it but what I found (trailers) seems contrary to the faith, very progressive/liberal … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

A Pope in hell?

Today is the feast of St. Peter Celestine, Pope Celestine V, who famously resigned the papacy. One of the fascinating people in our Catholic family history. Pietro da Morrone, born c. 1215, in the Molise area of central Italy, came … Continue reading

Posted in Linking Back | Tagged | 6 Comments

Card. Burke calls for explicit consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart

In spite of official explanations of still hot topics concerning the Fatima apparitions and ongoing messages received by Sr. Lucia, I still have questions. Concerning one of those questions… At LifeSite I’ve read the following: BREAKING: Cardinal Burke calls for … Continue reading

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, New Evangelization, Our Solitary Boast | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Hate-filled lib liturgist attacks Benedict XVI for his praise of Card. Sarah

Recently Pope Benedict penned a short piece for a future re-printing of Card. Sarah’s splendid book on silence. Predictably, the liberal hate machine has lashed out at Benedict, just as they lashed out at Card. Sarah last year when he … Continue reading

Posted in Benedict XVI, Liberals, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Happy Anniversary Papa Ganganelli!

Everyone, make plans to party.  Today is the anniversary of the elevation of His Holiness Pope Clement XIV to the See of Peter in 1769.  His family name is Ganganelli. One good way to celebrate the glorious event of his election … Continue reading

Posted in In The Wild | Tagged , | Leave a comment

It’s confirmed: Never give up! Never surrender!

At RenewAmerica, Matt C. Abbot posted about an encouraging event: confirmations conferred in the Extraordinary Form.  The account is a good read.  It included the following with my emphases and comments: […] I discovered the Latin Mass in my early adulthood and … Continue reading

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , | 8 Comments