In today’s Il Giornale, an Italian daily, there is a piece by the reliable Andrea Tornielli which speaks of a possible consistory to create new Cardinals in November.   We all know that has to happen, so it is not so interesting, unless some visible people are passed over (which I won’t rule out).

The interesting part is this (my translation):

Before that date [of the consistory] the Pope is preparing to announce some nominations.  Two of them are up close.  In fact, the Master of the Pontifical Ceremonies, Piero Marini, will change and one of his private secretaries, the Ukranian Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki (called “Mietek”).

Marini, long-time master of ceremonies of John Paul II, and named Archbishop by him, will become President of the Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, substituting Cardinal Tomko in that position.  Who will be the new Master of Ceremonies?  Marini’s replacement who will not be consecrated bishop, ought to be his number two man in the office for liturgical ceremonies, Enrico Viganò, of Como (Italy).

The following prayer was composed by John Carroll, Archbishop of Baltimore, in 1791. He was the first bishop appointed for the United States in 1789 by Pope Pius VI. He was made the first archbishop when his see of Baltimore was elevated to the status of an archdiocese. John was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

I became familiar with this moving prayer at my home parish of St. Agnes in St. Paul (MN) where it was recited after all Masses on civic holidays of the USA, such as 4 July and Thanksgiving.

Americans among the readership might print it and bring it to your parish priests and ask them to use it after Mass on national holidays.

This needs no translation for Catholics who love their country!

PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

In the 2002 Missale Romanum (but NOT in the 1962MR, btw) there is a Mass Pro christianis persecutione vexatis… For Christians harassed with persecution. Given the manifold liberties we enjoy in the United States, I thought it good to share this prayer with you.

COLLECT:
Deus, qui inscrutabili providentia
passionibus Filii tui vis Ecclesiam sociari,
praesta fidelibus tuis,
in tribulatione propter nomen tuum versantibus,
spiritum patientiae et caritatis,
ut promissionum tuarum
fidi inveniantur testes atque veraces.

LITERAL VERSION:
O God, who with inscrutable providence
desire the Church to be united to the sufferings of Your Son,
grant a spirit of endurance and of charity to Your faithful
experiencing tribulations on account of Your Name,
so that they may be found to be the true and faithful witnesses
of Your promises.

So we know the title.

Summorum Pontificum

... (Something or other) of the Supreme Pontiffs (something or other)...

Anyone care to speculate about the way the rest of the sentence continues?

Be nice.

Here is a snapshot from a few minutes ago of where some of you are.

Vienna, Virginia
Columbus, Ohio
Rimini, Emilia-Romagna
Saint Louis, Missouri
Mattawan, Michigan
Baltimore, Maryland
Ternat, Brabant
Irving, Texas
Toronto, Ontario
London, Ontario
Rome, Lazio
Australia
Fairfax, Virginia
Schiphol, Noord-Holland
South Bend, Indiana
Santo Tomas, Pampanga
Garland, Texas
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Louisville, Kentucky
Marlia, Sao Paulo
Kansas City, Missouri
Essen, Nordrhein-Westfa…
London, Lambeth
North Olmsted, Ohio
Madison, Wisconsin
Hagen, Nordrhein-Westfa…
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ipswich, Suffolk
Milton Keynes
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Lewis Center, Ohio
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Suffern, New York
Arvada, Colorado
Lynn, Massachusetts
Naples, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Paulo, Maranhao
New Baltimore, Michigan
Cricklewood, Redbridge
Kista, Stockholms Lan
Winter Springs, Florida
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Philadelphia, Pennsylva…
East Elmhurst, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen
Arlington, Virginia
Murdock, Kansas
Reston, Virginia
Fountain Valley, Califo…
South Bend, Indiana
Saint Louis, Missouri
Zagreb, Grad Zagreb
Rosedale, Maryland
Byron Center, Michigan
Salt Lake City, Utah
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Wexford
Berlin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cramlington, Newcastle …
Salt Lake City, Utah
Wexford
Berlin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dallas, Texas
Mattawan, Michigan
Osasco, Sao Paulo
Marietta, Georgia

In the South China Morning Post (4 July) there is another story on the ongoing joust between His Eminence Joseph Card. Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop of Hong Kong, and the layman who is vice chairman of mainland China’s government recognized Catholic Church, the Patriotic Association.

Card. Zen had participated in a pro-democracy march on the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s hand over to the mainland.  Liu Bainian reacted with accusations that Card. Zen is muddying the waters and undermining the "trust" necessary to work according to the Letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI to Chinese Catholics. 

Here is the article from the SCMP:

Hong Kong’s Catholic leader says he is considering asking the faithful to send their counterparts across the border copies of the Pope’s letter to them as Beijing has increasingly been blocking communications.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun also said he was mystified over why mainland church official Liu Bainian had criticised him for taking part in the July 1 democracy march, adding that Mr Liu was perhaps "ignorant" about the freedom of speech enjoyed in Hong Kong.

Many mainland Catholics have still not seen the letter Pope Benedict issued on Saturday, in which he called for reconciliation between the state-recognised and underground communities and expressed a wish for Sino-Vatican dialogue. The internet has reportedly been blocked and church officials have failed to distribute copies.

Cardinal Zen said he would consider encouraging the faithful in Hong Kong to send their mainland counterparts copies of the letter.

"If only 10 copies out of every 100 we send can reach the mainland faithful, it would still help spread the message of love by the Holy Father," Cardinal Zen said.

He called on Beijing to allow open distribution of the religious document, which carries new directives on pastoral affairs. He said the Pope was not sending a political message but only cared for the development of the faith on the mainland.

Cardinal Zen said he was mystified over the criticism made on Monday by Mr Liu, a vice-chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

"Perhaps Liu Bainian was ignorant about the concept of ‘one country, two systems’ and perhaps he should seriously study what Gao Siren said on Sunday.

"People in Hong Kong have freedom different from those on the mainland," he said.

On Sunday, Mr Gao, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said the July 1 demonstration proved freedom of speech was still vibrant. "It is normal for citizens to air their demands under the ambit allowed by law," Mr Gao said.

Mr Liu said the cardinal’s participation in Sunday’s march had harmed trust between Beijing and the Vatican, as it justified Beijing’s fear that Vatican-appointed bishops would be against the state on the mainland.

Cardinal Zen said he was glad to see Beijing had reacted "calmly" over the Pope’s letter, which showed that a sensible dialogue could begin. "The only person talking loudly was Liu Bainian," he said.

Check out this great post at Rorate!