Fr. Z's PODCAzTs

I offer some thoughts, and a brief reading from, the prolifically indefatigable Peter Kwasniewski, a copy of which recently arrived: Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass Also, I answer here a question from a reader... QUAERITUR: How do we know for certain that a Novus Ordo Mass (done well) is not evil?

Today is the Easter Octave Sunday, or Dominica in albis, for the white baptismal garments of those who were recently baptized.  It is sometimes called “Thomas Sunday” because of the Gospel reading about the "doubting" Apostle.  It is also famously called “Quasimodo Sunday” for the first word of the opening chant, the Introit (cf. 1 Peter 2:2-3). It is called “Low Sunday” probably in contrast to th...

Today is Easter Saturday! The Roman Station is St. John Lateran.  We were here one week ago for the Vigil of Easter. I rant a little and then share something related to my rant from Fr. Troadec's books.

Today is Easter Friday! The Roman Station is Santa Maria ad martyres, once the ancient temple to all the pagan gods, the Pantheon. I rant a little, and do not exclude my observations about Pachamama on the altar of St. Peter's Basilica. The wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey take us in and out… toward the Ascension.

Today is Easter Thursday! The Roman Station is Santi Dodici Apostoli, the Twelve Holy Apostles.  The relics of the Apostles James the Lesser and Philip are here.  Also, find the tomb of Pope Clement XIV, who suppressed the Jesuits. Card. Bacci gives us a sobering thought in the midst of our Easter joy.  Fr. Patrick Troadec of the SSPX presents Mary Magdalene and her great love for Christ. Today I'...

Today is Easter Wednesday! The Roman Station is St.  Lawrence outside the walls.  I talk about what it is like to be a convert.  Also, we hear about the 7 Pilgrimage Churches in Rome. Fulton Sheen gives us a look at the human heart. Today is the sad anniversary of the burning of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, a horrible sight.  We hear music from their great choir, the huge "bourdon" bell r...

Today is Easter Monday! The Roman Station is St. Paul's outside the walls.  A few years ago, the tomb of the Apostle was rediscovered.   I am happy again to read today from the new English translation of Fr. Patrick Troadec’s work Toward Easter.  I don’t have to translate from the French original now. He talks about real peace, Christ's peace.

Today is Easter Monday! The Roman Station is St. Peter's Basilica. I am happy to read again today from the new English translation of Fr. Patrick Troadec’s work Toward Easter.  I don’t have to translate from the French original now.

Today is Easter Sunday! The Roman Station tonight for the Mass of the Day on Easter Sunday is St. Mary Major. Card. Bacci speaks of the personal impact of "resurrection".  Fulton Sheen about what is really important. One of the pieces today, the first part of the Introit for Easter is from my home parish in St. Paul, St. Agnes. I'm in the schola that made this recording way back in the 1980s. I al...

Today is Holy Saturday in the Triduum. The Roman Station tonight for the Vigil Mass is St. John Lateran.   Card. Bacci gives us a note about what we ought to live for.  Fulton Sheen about Mary... simply wonderful. The wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey take us out… toward Easter Sunday.

Today is Good Friday in the Triduum. The Roman Station is Santa Croce in Gerusaleme. We were here on the 4th Sunday of Lent. This is where St Helena placed the relics of the Passion which she had brought back from the Holy Land. Card. Bacci offers pointed thoughts about the thorns and our thoughts.

Today is Holy Thursday in the Triduum. The Roman Station is St. John Lateran. Today we hear a reflection on priesthood by Pope Benedict XVI in his sermon for the 2006 Chrism Mass.

Today is Spy Wednesday of Holy Week.  It's the last full day of Lent. The Roman Station is Santa Maria Maggiore. We were here five weeks ago. Ven. Fulton J. Sheen talks about how Christ borrowed things from time to time and what that can mean for us. The Benedictines of Gower Abbey sing to us.

Today is Monday in Holy Week.  Closer day by day.   The Roman Station is Santa Prassede all'Esquilino, one of the original parish churches of Rome. Here is kept part of the pillar at which Christ was scourged, brought back to Rome by St. Helena. Today Cardinal Bacci gives us another beautiful meditation, this time on Christ's Cross and, consequently, your cross.

Today is Tuesday in Holy Week.  Closer day by day. The Roman Station is Santa Prisca. We aren't sure who she was, but there is a really cool tradition about her. Fr. Troadec reflects on the Passion according to Mark, which we hear today in Holy Mass in the Traditional Roman Rite. Fulton Sheen gives us an image of unhappy souls. In these podcasts I sometimes use snips from this lovely disc of music...

Today is Palm Sunday.  Holy Week begins. The Roman Station is San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cathedral of Rome. We are today one week from Easter.  Almost there. Today I rant a little with practical tips about how you might beneficially participate from afar in the sacred rites of this most Holy Week.

Today is Saturday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  It's the last day before Holy Week. The Roman Station is San Giovanni a Porta Latina, where the pagans tried to murder St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. We are today one week from the Easter Vigil.  Almost there.

Today is Friday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  The Roman Station is Santo Stefano Rotondo in Monte Celio, the round basilica. We are today one week from Good Friday.  As such it is the feast of our lady of Sorrows.

Today is Thursday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  The Roman Station is Sant'Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine near the Piazza Navona. I am happy to read again today from the new English translation of Fr. Patrick Troadec's work Toward Easter.  I don’t have to translate from the French original now.  Today we hear about Mary Magdalene.

Today is Wednesday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  The Roman Station is Santa Marcello. Today St. Bernard helps us to an understanding of Christ's most agonizing physical wound during His Passion. The Benedictines of Gower Abbey sing to us.

Today is Tuesday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  The Roman Station is Santa Maria in Via Lata. I am excited to read today from the new English translation of Fr. Patrick Troadec, SSPX, work Toward Easter.  I don't have to translate from the French original now.  Father talks about how we should be ready to suffer for Christ but also about being prudent.

Today is Monday in the 5th Week of Lent - Passiontide.  The Roman Station is San Crisogono in Tratevere. What we must do when we realized we have sinned.

Today is 1st Passion Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent.  The Roman Station is St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Hill. This podcast intends to help you get ready to die... liturgically

It's Saturday in the 4th Week of Lent. The Roman Station is San Nicola in carcere. I have a personal connection to this church from my time in seminary onward. Alban Goodier helps us to see what a seemingly small gesture of kindness made to the centurion at the foot of Christ's Cross.

It's Friday in the 4th Week of Lent. The Roman Station is Sant'Eusebio. Joseph Ratzinger gives us a reality check in one of his meditations for the Stations of the Cross.