Brick by Brick – 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{]:¬)

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Roman sunrise was at 07:23. The sun will set at 17:24. The Ave Maria Bell is in the 17:45 cycle. In the older calendar, today is the Feast of St. Francis de Sales. He was transferred to 24 January in … Read More →

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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 →

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Because I didn’t post yesterday, I had a few notes asking if I was okay.  I acknowledge that it is rare for me not to post at least something.  Yesterday, however, I wound up pretty busy and hampered by a … Read More →

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UPDATE 9 July: You might go over to The Remnant and watch Peter Kwasneiwski’s talk at the Roman Forum on the issue I treat, below, and a lot more.   One of the important points he makes is the ever-increasing ultramontanism … Read More →

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I found this very encouraging at the Catholic Herald. If only more bishops remembered not to forget the Extraordinary Form. Bishops back live-streaming of Extraordinary Form Holy Week The Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) in Warrington will provide a … Read More →

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I am daily bombarded with “Please promote my book!”, “We need to raise funds to replace our convent’s roof.”, “A seminarian needs to pay off debts.”, “Advertise our liturgy conference!”… to which I haven’t been invited. Folks, as much as … Read More →

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German-born Martin Mosebach in an award-winning author who has penned works in many genres, novels, poems, and even opera libretti.   He is an eloquent defender of our Catholic traditions and patrimony.  If you haven’t yet read his exquisite The Heresy of … Read More →

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A friend in England sent a short video which I feel compelled to share. We are at the little parish of St. Mary Magdalen in a rough area of greater London, Wandsworth, in the Archdiocese of Southwark. I’ve been there … Read More →

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I have now read Philip Lawler’s recent book The Smoke of Satan: How Corrupt and Cowardly Bishops Betrayed Christ, His Church, and the Faithful . . . and What Can Be Done About It.  US HERE – UK HERE Here … Read More →

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This is impressive by anyone’s standards. The wonderful Lyceum school in Cleveland, has a great choir.  They sang for a Pontifical Mass with Card. Burke and then a Divine Liturgy with Bp.Milan Lach. Read about it HERE. I want to … Read More →

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There’s a first time for everything. First times rarely encompass all that can be encompassed. But, they are a beginning. After that, brick by brick. From a reader… Father, I’ve been reading your blog for a few years, and thought … Read More →

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Some (enlightened) bishops have asked the faithful in their dioceses to observe the traditional Ember Days as times of penance in reparation for sins. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Dear Fr Z, I wish you would do a “how to” post … Read More →

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Here is some great Brick By Brick news from the City of Angels. Archbp. Gomez official set up a traditional parish, staffed by the FSSP, exclusively for the traditional Roman Rite.  Fr. James Fryar, a fine priest whom I met … Read More →

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This is the season of First Holy Masses.   For example, on Saturday 30 June, I will be helping as Assistant Priest with the First Mass of a newly ordained priest to be celebrated in the presence of the bishop (coram … Read More →

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There are entirely understandable reasons why not every church can be grand and beautiful.  For example, sometimes a church is needed quickly and the means are slim.  In many cases, however, a little creativity and a touch more patience – … Read More →

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I am hearing about this sort of thing all over the place. The first Traditional Latin Mass by this priest at this parish drew 120 people! This text is from the bulletin of St. Francis Church in Purceville, VA: About … Read More →

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At the newish blog LAJ, Shawn Tribe has a good post about boldness in regard to some traditional vesture and other items of yore. In the 60s Paul VI abolished quite a lot of good things. That was a mistake. … Read More →

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When I find an organization or cause that I like or that I use, I try to support it. For example, I really like Our Lady of Hope Clinic, about which I have written. I like Team Rubicon. I really … Read More →

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You know about the BIRETTAS FOR SEMINARIANS PROJECT.  I reminded you of it the other day. I had a note from a seminarian in these USA: First, I wanted to thank you on behalf of my seminarian brothers and myself for … Read More →

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This from the inimitable Fr. Hunwicke at his always gratifying page with my Usual Treatment™: How to introduce the Vetus Ordo to a country church overnight “For weeks before my induction I had been in the parish seeing people in their … Read More →

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Though some of the Rorate folks have waged a bit of a war on me, I have tried occasionally to acknowledge their good contributions.  I was sent a link to one contribution which I would like to endorse. Fr. Richard Cipolla, … Read More →