Category Archives: Mass

A Novel Argument in favor of Communion for the Divorced

Posted on 4 September 2019 by

I’ve not seen this point in any of the discussions about Amoris Laetitia, specifically the section that allows, in some limited cases, reception of holy Communion by the divorced and remarried. It is a solid theological argument, based not only … Continue reading →

Gallery | 7 Comments

Schismatics are not permitted to receive holy Communion

Posted on 29 April 2017 by

Catholics may faithfully disagree with the Roman Pontiff to a fairly wide extent: * When may a Catholic disagree with Pope Francis? * To what extent may we resist or disagree with the Pope? * Ten Ways to Respond When … Continue reading →

Gallery

Cardinal Burke’s hypocrisy on intrinsic evil and Communion

Posted on 28 March 2017 by

In a talk on 24 March 2017, at a parish in Springfield, Virginia, Cardinal Burke insisted the Pope Francis must answer the five dubia of the four Cardinals, or else the Cardinals “simply will have to correct the situation,” by … Continue reading →

Gallery | 5 Comments

The Failure of Canon 915

Posted on 21 January 2017 by

Before I discuss Canon 915, I want to dispel you of the notion that any discipline is so long-standing and so thoroughly established in Church practice that it is irreformable. The Old Testament disciplines were established by Divine Revelation, and … Continue reading →

Gallery | 2 Comments

Ad Orientem as a Chip on the Shoulder

Posted on 14 July 2016 by

Cardinal Sarah suggested that, beginning this Advent, all priests say Mass ad orientem (“to the East”), which often is not literally to the East, but symbolically, such that the priest faces with his back to the people: “It is very … Continue reading →

Gallery | 3 Comments

Should Persons Unrepentant from Grave Sin go to Mass?

Posted on 15 January 2016 by

My opinion is that they should not. The Pharisaical Catholic would answer that such a person is obligated to attend Mass, though they cannot receive Communion. Yes, but that type of answer treats the obligation as entirely exterior. You sit … Continue reading →

Gallery | 1 Comment

Reception of Communion and Parish Economics

Posted on 22 December 2015 by

The cry has gone out, across the face of the whole earth: No Communion for the divorced and remarried!! What if the couple is in good conscience? They are nevertheless guilty of the objective mortal sin of adultery. Prohibit them … Continue reading →

Gallery | 1 Comment

The Last Supper was the First Mass and Eucharist

Posted on 9 December 2015 by

Over at Vox Nova, Fr. Nathan O’Halloran, S.J., rejects the teaching of the Magisterium that the Last Supper was the first Mass and first Eucharist: Why the Last Supper was not the First Mass. He claims: “It would only lead … Continue reading →

Gallery

Toward Flexibility in Liturgical Form

Posted on 18 November 2015 by

Liturgical form refers to the words, actions, and vestments and other articles used in our expression of worship together, especially in the holy Mass, but also in other liturgical celebrations, such as funerals, baptisms, weddings, etc. Liturgical form falls into … Continue reading →

Gallery

Reply to Fr. Brian Harrison on Communion

Posted on 12 October 2015 by

The Church is headed for a great schism. The controversy that divides Catholics might not be Communion for the divorced and remarried. It might be the ordination of women deacons, or a new definition of doctrine on salvation for non-Christians, … Continue reading →

Gallery

Holy Mass is no place to fight about liturgical form

Posted on 12 March 2015 by

Katrina Fernandez wrote a blog post at Patheos.com about her experience at Mass visiting a liberal parish: Denied Communion on the Tongue at My Grandmother’s Funeral… She writes a number of criticisms of the liturgical form used in this particular … Continue reading →

Gallery

Most Catholics should not receive Holy Communion

Posted on 27 May 2014 by

In accordance with conscience, formed in the light of the teachings of Jesus and His Church, which persons should NOT be receiving holy Communion? This post is not on the topic of who may or may not receive Communion according … Continue reading →

Gallery | 2 Comments

Is Jesus Locally Present in the Eucharist?

Posted on 4 August 2012 by

Saint Robert Bellarmine maintains that our Lord can be locally present here on earth, in the Eucharist, even though He is also present in Heaven. He teaches that a body can be in two places at once. So, in the … Continue reading →

Gallery

Common Errors on Accidents, Substance, and the Eucharist

Posted on 10 June 2012 by

This article is a continuation of my previous article: Understanding Accidents, Substance, and the Eucharist. The division of any created thing into accidents and substance is a metaphysical distinction. It is not possible for us to physically separate the accidents … Continue reading →

Gallery

Five wounds inflicted on Christ’s Mystical Body through our liturgy

Posted on 20 March 2012 by

Here’s one view, expressed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan, and quoted by Fr. Z. 1. Mass versus populum [facing the people]. 2. Communion in the hand. 3. The Novus Ordo Offertory prayers. 4. Disappearance of Latin in the Ordinary … Continue reading →

Gallery | 2 Comments

The lesbian communion incident: Canon law versus the Eternal Moral Law

Posted on 15 March 2012 by

Fr. Marcel Guarnizo was in the sacristy, preparing for a funeral Mass, when the daughter of the deceased entered with another woman. The daughter, Barbara Johnson, identified the other woman as her lover. She made a deliberate disclosure to the … Continue reading →

Gallery | 4 Comments

The lesbian at a Catholic funeral incident

Posted on 3 March 2012 by

Here is an update on the incident from a Catholic who knows the priest, Fr. Marcel. The important new information is as follows: “The woman in question brought her lesbian partner into the vesting sacristy just before the funeral Mass … Continue reading →

Gallery

Is it a mortal sin not to fast or abstain from meat during Lent?

Posted on 18 February 2012 by

Is it a mortal sin not to fast on Ash Wednesday or on Good Friday? Is it a mortal sin not to abstain from meat on a Friday of Lent? Is it a mortal sin to miss Mass on a … Continue reading →

Gallery

Christ did not establish the Mass in immutable specifics

Posted on 14 February 2012 by

All seven Sacraments were established by Jesus Christ, during His Divine Ministry on earth. Before that time, there were no Sacraments. However, non-formal Baptism (by desire or by blood) was available to bring persons into the state of grace, for … Continue reading →

Gallery

Jimmy Akin’s new heresy on transubstantiation

Posted on 10 February 2012 by

On the “Catholic Answers Live” radio show of 26 January 2012, Jimmy Akin discusses the Protestant idea of consubstantiation. After correctly refuting consubstantiation, Akin adds his own heretical claim: “because what Jesus says is not ‘this contains my body’ or … Continue reading →

Gallery