GO TO CONFESSION – Fr. Z's Blog: Recent Episodes
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" - Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)
Some time ago I posted these but they are worth bringing out again into the light. In old prayer books intended for the use of priests there are glorious little gems. Here are two prayers in Latin for priests to … Read More →
From my friend Fr. McTeigue, one of the good ones. Excerpt: What 99.9999 percent of Catholics need to do is go to confession regularly. Unless you are living in China, being hunted down in Nigeria, or facing some comparable obstacle, … Read More →
I’m at the annual conference for priests held by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. They have these three times a year. I’ve been going for year and wouldn’t miss it. There is great fraternity and the presentations, on … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: During confession recently the priest told me I don’t have to confess venial sins, because receiving the Eucharist takes them away. He also said I don’t have to go to confession more than once a month … Read More →
At work in the Collect for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time are themes of divine adoption, the liberation of the children of God, the peril of error, and the splendor of Truth. Here is the Collect: Deus, qui, per … Read More →
Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this Easter Octave Sunday? Tell … Read More →
ALERT: A small percentage of orations from our Roman heritage survived the the scissors and paste-pots of Bugnini and his merry band of experts in the Consilium. This is one of them. Today’s Collect was in the ancient Veronese and … Read More →
While in Rome during a Jubilee Year. Many people – Rome is jammed – are coming to Rome for the experience such as entering the Major Basilicas through the Holy Door. That’s a perk and a novelty that most may … Read More →
From a reader… On the First Friday in August, my godson and I went to confession. We then went camping for a week. We found a lovely church to attend Mass on Sunday. Thursday we came home. Friday my beloved … Read More →
I nag you to… GO TO CONFESSION! I received a note today which made my day. Father Z, Today, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, I went to Adoration and Confession. It was my first time going … Read More →
For the last few years I’ve had a terrible inkling that the Church hit an iceberg and is taking on water faster than it can be pumped. It has ever been so, in cycles, since the Lord’s Ascension. The Church … Read More →
You’ve no doubt seen news by now about the shooter in S. Minneapolis (my native place) at Annunciation Church during a morning school Mass. first of the new school year. The killer – “trans” – killed children (8 and 10), … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father during confession said in his opinion, the Holy Spirit is a woman. “She gives us birth in baptism, she will help you.” [Jackass!] His other remarks were well taken but I was so appalled I … Read More →
Before anything else, allow me to remind you that the only thing Christ went back to explain when He taught the disciples how to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) was that if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I would like to offer an alternate point of view on Friday abstinence. The often referenced allowance by the U.S. Bishops, to do some other unnamed act instead of abstaining from meat, was agreed on in … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve been in a conundrum after confession today. The priest, a very holy yet elderly one was the confessor. At the words of absolution he said “and I absolve you in the name of etc…” and … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Long-time listener, first-time caller, as it were. I’ve followed your blog for years, and it has been a great source of knowledge and spiritual wisdom for me. I went to confession today in a cathedral. As … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: In Confession recently, a visiting priest went off script during the absolution and concluded with “I do absolve you in the name of the Father…” Do you think this is valid? I trust in God’s mercy … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Are security cameras allowed inside the confessional? I went to confession to a Novus Ordo parish and when I was done saying my sins something prompted me to look up and when I did, I saw … Read More →
At Crisis find a piece by Michael Ortiz which delves into the long term effect in the Church of the practice of frequent Communion. He reasonably points out what the intention of Pius X was and, in good circumstances, the … Read More →
From a cleric reader… QUAERITUR: I was wondering if I received valid absolution. The priest in confession said the entire formula correctly but at the very end he said “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and … Read More →
I asked several times for prayers for a friend and archconfrere in Rome, Giancarlo. He suffered from the complications of a terrible congenital malady of the liver. Giancarlo passed away a few minutes ago. He had received the last rites. … Read More →
Lately I have almost every day been adding orations from the Votive Mass “pro infirmis” during my celebration of Holy Mass. The orations from that Mass are poignant. Here is the Secret: Deus, cuius nutibus vitae nostrae momenta decurrunt: suscipe … Read More →
Looking back at some posts, I found this which (though from happier days in 2021, despite everything) bears repeating. Two recent email exchanges brought up the importance of the Apostolic Pardon (AP). It is also sometimes called the Apostolic Blessing. The AP … Read More →
Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which … Read More →
Today is the feast of St. Isaiah. Yes, that is Isaiah the Prophet. Many of you might not know that great figures of the Old Testament are considered saints by the Church, though they are not remembered at the altar … Read More →
Here is your Roman JASMINE REPORT! (No, not the Jesuit.) Thanks to The World’s Best Sacristan™. sigh I should’ve stayed a few more days. Welcome registrants: IzaJanina Spartan76 yorkvilleguy Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. … Read More →
Sunrise today was at 0606 and the Tramonta will be at 20:09. Today the Ave Maria bell changed to the 20:30 cycle yesterday, 28 April. Circumstances didn’t allow me to post. Welcome registrants: Madeleine Therese Gemma_Marie Wally54 Thanks you NE … Read More →
“Divine Mercy! Rah, rah, rah!” Right? Right. However… We have come to Low Sunday, Dominica in albis, the Octave of Easter. I reviewed something of what Fathers of the Church had to say about our Gospel passage on this famous … Read More →
From a reader… Dear Father Z, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul for your constant exhortations to “Go To Confession.” It has taken me quite a while (years) to step up to the … Read More →
The Parish™ 6 July 2023 4 April 2024 This beautiful sunny yet cool Roman day started by the sun’s rising at 06:45 and it will end at 19:42. The Ave Maria (which you know all about now) is at 20:00 … Read More →
Today, 3 April, Easter Wednesday, at 6:47 the sun rose over the Eternal City. The sunlight day will begin to end at 19:40. I got a little screwed up with my days in posting, so this is a sort of … Read More →
Please, in your goodness, stop and say a prayer for Card. Pell. One year ago, I was so sad to hear of the death of George Card. Pell at 81 years. I got along quite well with him years ago, … Read More →
Previous… HERE. I guess there is something in the air these days about the Sacrament of Penance. December 13th 2023 Dear Diary, I am pissed off at Fr. Tommy. I’m pissed at Vice. I’m pissed at the ST rector.* I’m … Read More →
There are enough emails in my box asking me my take on the resignation of Michael Voris from Church Militant to merit a post. CM issued a statement that Michael was asked to resign for breaching their “morality clause”. Michael … Read More →
You, dear reader, have an immortal soul. One of the most important things we pray in the Litany of Saints … those who know and use only the Novus Ordo perhaps have never heard this… is “A subitanea et improvisa … Read More →
I give full marks plus an extra kudo to Jesuit Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ. His article at Catholic World Report is OUTSTANDING. How many times have I here urged GO TO CONFESSION! Have I not again and and begged priests … Read More →
Given that I recently posted again, after a long time, about Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession (HERE) I had to share this from my friend Patrick Madrid. Pertaining to Tip 2: pic.twitter.com/RkltGEqFOY — Patrick Madrid ?? (@patrickmadrid) … Read More →
Many years ago I posted Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession If you are nervous about making a confession, or perhaps afraid, use these tips. I hope they will be helpful. I was recently contacted by a … Read More →
GO TO CONFESSION. There is no sin so bad that you can commit that God can’t forgive, provided you ASK for forgiveness. The way He wants you to do that is through the SACRAMENT he instituted precisely so that we … Read More →
This is a reminder to… GO TO CONFESSION! Taken from My Days With Benedict XVI US HERE – UK HERE
Feel like a castaway these days? Feel like those who should have the greatest care of you have sloughed you off for the sake of the ways of the world? You are not alone. With that as a preamble, if … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently got over myself and went to confession after being away from the sacramental life of the church for a number of years. I then realized that I had not confessed the fulfillment of my … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: In your very, very fruitful apostolic endeavors, might you please have a moment to a) correctly list the Imprecatory Psalms, and b) expound on them a bit Good God…why everyone isn’t praying them daily is a … Read More →
I received this note today: Let me share something with you as a note of appreciation on this Holy Vigil. You always write: GO TO CONFESSION! And I did. After thirteen years… When the session ended, my confessor, Father J, … Read More →
April 1st 2023 Dear Diary, Lenten reconciliation service at the cathedral. Different stations for reconciliation set up with six priests and me. We used one of the old “box” confessionals for the people stuck in the past! God love ’em. … Read More →
Daily 5 minute podcast to help you in your Lenten discipline. Roman Station: Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti Collect: Santi Quirico e Giulitta TODAY: We hear about the widow of Naim is a figure of the Church and her … Read More →
I had an exchange this morning via texting with a friend who was wondering about the validity of an absolution. I suspect that priests who screw around with the words of absolution aren’t purposely trying to be cruel… but that’s … Read More →
Daily 5 minute podcast to help you in your Lenten discipline. Roman Station: Ss. Marcelino e Pietro Collect: San Clemente TODAY: Some notes helpful for confession Fr. John Zuhlsdorf · LENTCAzT 2023 – 18: Saturday 2nd Week – Confession notes
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am from a town where the SSPX has recently established a vibrant chapel and has been extremely generous in providing Traditional Latin Mass and other Sacraments in the traditional rite. The local diocesan parish has … Read More →
As of ASH WEDNESDAY – 22 February 2023 – the Novus Ordo form of absolution in English is to change slightly in these USA. There has been an official tweak of the English translation of the Latin. In 2021 the US Bishops … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello Father , I am in need of confession and I feel to embarrassed to speak to my church face to face. I am asking for a chance to rid myself of these thorns that won’t … Read More →
I saw this photo on Twitter. I post just the photo and not the link because of the off-color remark that accompanied it, surely motivated by disgust. I’m not precisely sure what motivated the off-color remark about this sign. Several … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have recently learned I believe several years ago then when going to confession one must confess mortal sins by kind and “x” times #. Well, I don’t think I’ve ever done that until I found … Read More →
I’m getting a lot of questions about something that Francis said to seminarians from Barcelona. Story at the Catholic Herald HERE. As the tale goes, Francis delivered profanity-studded “off the cuff” remarks to seminarians, including “not to be clerical, to forgive everything”, adding … Read More →
A the beginning of a new civil calendar year, quite a few people are moved (at least for a while) to assess their lives and resolve (at least for a while) to make some changes. These changes are mostly about … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: After a number of years away from the faith of my childhood, I made the decision to return to the Catholic church. After attending a few masses, my heart longed to receive the Eucharist, so I … Read More →
I was privileged to have known him well before his election. His loss is a personal loss. Apart from his contributions as a priest, prefect and theologian, two of his accomplishments as Pope stand out for me. Summorum Pontificum – … Read More →
I received this email. First, let me say… GO TO CONFESSION! That means PRIESTS too! Next, use my tips for making a good confession. HERE Now… I received this email. Good afternoon, Father. In the middle of a recent confession, … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession and the words said by the priest for absolution were “I absolve you from these sins” etc. Would this absolution be valid? Thank you for going to confession. KEEP GOING. This is … Read More →
Because I continue to get question in my email about bizarre things that priests do to the FORM OF ABSOLUTION, it is good to remind everyone that in 2023 the Novus Ordo form of absolution in English is to change. There … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr, I went to confession at a Catholic church in France that gets pilgrims from around the world. Because of the many languages of the penitents there was a checklist in the confessional with a wide variety of sins translated … Read More →
Last night I had the plan of making a “Cornish Game Hen” (aka CGH aka little chicken) for supper. Hence, I brined it and determined that I would spatchcock it and put it on the grill. Did you know that … Read More →
From my old neighborhood and near where I stay in Rome in Rione Regola. Via Caritatis Wine GIFT CARDS HERE Meanwhile, black to move. NB: I may hold comments with puzzle solutions a little longer than others so there won’t … Read More →
In Rome today the sun rose well after I did, at 6:43 and it will set at 17:04. I, however, unlike the sun, may have a nap: there will be no eclipse today… at least visible from Rome. If there … Read More →
7:29 was the moment of overcast sunrise in Rome and 18:19 is alotted for its setting. The Ave Maria Bell should be rung at 18:30. It is the 20th Sunday after Pentecost and the Feast of St. Severinus Boethius. He … Read More →
When this Sunday comes around, with its snappy Collect, I am minded of the early 4th c. martyr St. Expeditus. Here is the Latin and my own slavishly literal version. Omnipotens et misericors Deus, universa nobis adversantia propitiatus exclude: ut … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: At my parish, we have a new pastoral administrator…. Don’t know the whole story, but suffice it to say that Fr. W does not really seem to want to be in parish ministry. Our parish has … Read More →
For the second time today I choked up a little. The first time was this morning during Mass. The profundity of the moment, place, act smothered me and I could barely breathe. Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O … Read More →
Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost (26th … Read More →
Chaos is spreading. Synods loom on the horizon. Some aspects of the Church’s governance, teaching and worship are hardly to be recognized any longer as authentically Catholic, in continuity with what our forebears received and handed on. Shepherds at the … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have often felt used and abused spiritually, psychologically and emotionally by bitchy, nosy, petty, likely psychopathic/narcissist church people. What was once a naive and blind trust and obedience was crushed by the sadistic cackling of … Read More →
1926-2022 Queen from 1952 for 70 years and 7 months. Requiescat in pace. Remember your own mortality. Go to confession.
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession the other day to get back into the state of grace with the plan to get my spiritual life back in order after slacking and falling into habitual mortal sin during the … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Given that Traditionis has prevented the faithful in some areas from continuing to experience the old ritual forms for the Sacraments, the question arose; what is the approved Latin for the Ordinary Form prayer of absolution … Read More →
UPDATE 15 July: It seems that, again, there are those who cannot keep things to themselves. I had hoped to build a prayerful barrage regarding this really bad news, in the hope that, perhaps, there were still some chances that, … Read More →
NCReg: The Prayer of Absolution Will Change for US Catholics in 2023. Here’s How […] The Catholic bishops of the United States in 2021 voted in favor of the new translation of the prayer, with 182 votes in favor, 6 … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve confessed to a particular priest twice, and both times, he didn’t use the exact formula of absolution. Both times, he did the following things: 1) he omitted the line “and sent the Holy Spirit among … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was raised in the Novus Ordo, and now attend the TLM as often as I can (and it is the greatest gift!). I was taught growing up that venial sins are blotted out at Mass. … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, if the confessor forgot say “IN THE NAME” in absolution formula, is the sacrament VALID? But, the confessor makes the sign of the cross. Again we have some jackass who doesn’t use the proper “form” … Read More →
Let us look at the Collect for the upcoming 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Novus Ordo. Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut, semper rationabilia meditantes, quae tibi sunt placita, et dictis exsequamur et factis. Note the spiffy separation of et dictis…et … Read More →
I’ve probably had half a dozen emails about this disaster today, so I will post on it and comment. It is reported at lib outlets CNN and NPR, that a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix ordained in 1995, 27 … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a Catholic receive the Apostolic Pardon if he/she dies without a priest present. I read somewhere that, even in the absence of a priest, the Catholic Church grants a plenary indulgence to all Catholics at the moment … Read More →
The other day I was on my way home from a social engagement and a rabbit ran under my wheels. I did not mourn for the rabbit. I wasn’t happy about it, but I wasn’t especially sad either. I couldn’t … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently made a confession (of mortal sins) where the priest used the full absolution formula, EXCEPT, he said “I absolve you OF your sins” instead of “I absolve you FROM your sins.” Do I need … Read More →
One of the direct assaults of Hell on the Church is the undermining by the state of the Seal of Confession. At the Italian La Nuova Bussola, there is a report on the disaster in FRANCE over the abuse scandal … Read More →
Firstly, animi caussa, 1st Vesper for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost from the Breviarium Romanum. Try HERE More for the brethren. Here is something I haven’t posted for a while. It’s from an old prayerbook for priests which I’ve had since before … Read More →
Take in this photo from APOD. These are hurricane paths mapped from 1985 to 2005. A few really bad ones are in there. Disasters always happen to other people… until it’s your turn. You should have plans and backups, especially … Read More →