You might want to check out The Catholic Herald, the UK’s best Catholic newpaper, and its take on Pope Benedict’s apostolic journey to the USA.
SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, come here first!
MASS INTENTIONS
I'm taking Mass intentions right now. Also, I regularly say Mass for my regular benefactors and special Roman Sojourn Donors. HERE for the form I use.About this blog…
“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
Fr. Z’s Podcasts RSS Feed
YOUR RECENT COMMENTS
oldCatholigirl on Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 1.: “I’ve been drowning my apprehensions in literate light fiction lately, and this fills the bill.”
RichR on ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?: “If the USCCB has said we can commute ordinary Friday Abstinence to another penance, why would an American Catholic have…”
ajf1984 on VIDEO: A Jesuit commentator hits it outta da park! Stark clear REALITY.: “I was privileged to know Fr. McTeigue (and to share a residence hall with him) during my time at Ave…”
ajf1984 on Daily Rome Shot 1379 – Relief… and beer: “The look of joy on the Holy Father’s face as he greeted, and was greeted by, all of these enthusiastic…”
kelleyb on ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?: “If I substitute another penance for Friday abstinence, I will use abstaining from using the internet for the period. I…”
monstrance on ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?: “My priest commented recently on Friday Solemnities. If you are going to celebrate the solemnity by eating meat, then don’t…”
Gregg the Obscure on Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 1.: “reminiscent of the late Christopher Johnson of the Midwest Conservative Journal, may he rest in peace.”
Chiara on Daily Rome Shot 1370 – A plea from a traditional group: “My admiration grows for our good Pope Leo by the day! I am still astonished that an American – and…”
exNOAAman on Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 1.: “I apologize for the less than useful comment; but I gotta say…Man, this is great! Skillful writing Fr Z.”
Imrahil on ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?: “Well, the Friday penance was never meant to be the utmost penitential sort of thing, as much as you can…”
Imrahil on ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?: “Well, the Friday penance was never meant to be the utmost penitential sort of thing, as much as you can…”
NancyWmichael on Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 1.: “Now this is good. Please please add a mug to your swag collection, saying “Try not to get any of…”
waalaw on Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost / Corpus Christi 2025: “At St. John Henry Newman Catholic Church, an Ordinariate parish in Irvine CA, the newly ordained deacon delivered a well…”
Venerator Sti Lot on This is important: “To take up Suburbanbanshee’s ‘aural reading’ and Imrahil’s learning-by-heart points together, I know some children who profitably had all of…”
maternalView on Daily Rome Shot 1378 – Heads up!: “Isn’t it interesting how Cardinal Cupich is so concerned that the practice of traditional devotions might lead the faithful astray…”
ABORTION PILL RESCUE NETWORK
- The most evident mark of God’s anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clerics who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds.
St. John Eudes
Federated Computer… your safe and private alternative to big biz corporations that hate us while taking our money and mining our data. Have an online presence large or small? Catholic DIOCESE? Cottage industry? See what Federated has to offer. Save money and gain peace of mind.
I am an affiliate. Click and join or at least explore! If you join, I’ll get credit.
“Until the Lord be pleased to settle, through the instrumentality of the princes of the Church and the lawful ministers of His justice, the trouble aroused by the pride of a few and the ignorance of some others, let us with the help of God endeavor with calm and humble patience to render love for hatred, to avoid disputes with the silly, to keep to the truth and not fight with the weapons of falsehood, and to beg of God at all times that in all our thoughts and desires, in all our words and actions, He may hold the first place who calls Himself the origin of all things.”
- Prosper of Aquitaine (+c.455), De gratia Dei et libero arbitrio contra Collatorem 22.61
Do you want to show some appreciation?
Polls
Loading ...
Your support is important. Thanks in advance.
To donate monthly I prefer Zelle because it doesn't extract fees. Use
frz AT wdtprs DOT comDonate using VENMO
GREAT BEER from Traditional Benedictine Monks in Italy
CLICK and say your daily offerings!
NEW OPPORTUNITY – 10% off with code: FATHERZ10
Fr. Z’s VOICEMAIL
Nota bene: I do not answer these numbers or this Skype address. You won't get me "live". I check for messages regularly.
WDTPRS
020 8133 4535
651-447-6265Good coffee and tea. Help monks.
I use this when I travel both in these USA and abroad. Very useful. Fast enough for Zoom. I connect my DMR (ham radio) through it. If you use my link, they give me more data. A GREAT back up.
Help support Fr. Z’s Gospel of Life work at no cost to you. Do you need a Real Estate Agent? Calling these people is the FIRST thing you should do!
Don’t rely on popes, bishops and priests.
“He [Satan] will set up a counter-Church which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, whom he nevertheless refuses to adore, modern man in his loneliness and frustration will hunger more and more for membership in a community that will give him enlargement of purpose, but at the cost of losing himself in some vague collectivity.”
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”- Fulton Sheen
Therefore, ACTIVATE YOUR CONFIRMATION and get to work!
Send Snail Mail to Fr. Z
Fr John Zuhlsdorf
Tridentine Mass Society of Madison
733 Struck St.
PO BOX 44603
Madison, WI 53744-4603
For email HERE
- “The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for every one else the proper pleasure of ritual.”
- C.S. Lewis
This blog has to earn its keep!
PLEASE subscribe via PayPal if it is useful. Zelle and Wise are better, but PayPal is convenient.
A monthly subscription donation means I have steady income I can plan on. I put you my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I often say Holy Mass.
In view of the rapidly changing challenges I now face, I would like to add more $10/month subscribers. Will you please help?
For a one time donation...
To donate monthly I prefer Zelle because it doesn't extract fees. Use
frz AT wdtprs DOT comAs for Latin…
"But if, in any layman who is indeed imbued with literature, ignorance of the Latin language, which we can truly call the 'catholic' language, indicates a certain sluggishness in his love toward the Church, how much more fitting it is that each and every cleric should be adequately practiced and skilled in that language!" - Pius XI
"Let us realize that this remark of Cicero (Brutus 37, 140) can be in a certain way referred to [young lay people]: 'It is not so much a matter of distinction to know Latin as it is disgraceful not to know it.'" - St. John Paul II
-
Recent Posts
- Daily Rome Shot 1379 – Relief… and beer
- Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 2.
- ASK FATHER: July 4th is on Friday… what about meat? BBQ? We can eat meat, right?
- Tracer Bullet and the Smoke of Libville. Part 1.
- Daily Rome Shot 1378 – Heads up!
- This is important
- Your Sunday Sermon Notes: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost / Corpus Christi 2025
- News of the Church 16 – 22 June 2025
- From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 06-15-25 – Parish Festival
- Daily Rome Shot 1377 – Is this true?
- Wrapping it up at Fishwrap?
- Daily Rome Shot 1376
- New recording from the London Oratory Schola boys choir – Terrific!
- 19 June 325 – Adoption of the Nicene Creed
- Starlink
- Pope Benedict XVI on Corpus Christi processions and a rant from Fr. Z
- CQ CQ CQ: #ZedNet – Leo XIV pays a visit
- VIDEO: A Jesuit commentator hits it outta da park! Stark clear REALITY.
- Daily Rome Shot 1375 – Roast PIG
- Daily Rome Shot 1374
- Viewing oppression in the Archdiocese of Detroit through the lens of a video
- Daily Rome Shot 1373 – Dedication
- 1st Sunday after Pentecost: Soul Food
- News of the Church 15 – 15 June 2025
- Daily Rome Shot 1373 – TRINITY!
- “O vos omnes sordidi mementote retrorsi…!” More joy in Detroit.
- Your Sunday Sermon Notes: Trinity Sunday 2025
- Diocese of Charlotte and the “Salt March to the Sea”
- Here we go again! Comments on forcing table altars and forbidding Mass “ad orientem”.
- Why reverent, traditionally-oriented Novus Ordo Masses may soon come under attack.
Let us pray…
Grant unto thy Church, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, that She, being gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may be in no wise troubled by attack from her foes. O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people making supplication unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of Thine anger which we deserve for our sins. Almighty and Everlasting God, in whose Hand are the power and the government of every realm: look down upon and help the Christian people that the heathen nations who trust in the fierceness of their own might may be crushed by the power of thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
PLEASE RESPOND. Pretty pleeeease?
Loading ...
WDTPRS POLL
Loading ...
Great WINE USE COUPON CODE: fatherz10
Benedict XVI can not even mandate to put the altar rails back into churches to let people kneel and receive communion on the tongue without having to say Amen before putting the tongue out.
The Herald ahve a link concerning the music at the Mass and the link brings me to back to your website Father and isplays the folowing:
??????????, ?? ???? ???????, ????? ?? ????????? ?? ?????? ????????!
Any idea what that menas?
With regard to yesterday’s papal Mass, I can’t help but be reminded of Sr. Lucia’s comment regarding the 3rd Secret when asked if it(the secret) was good or bad. She replied that it was good for some and bad for others. Yesterday’s Mass was good for me. It further confirmed me in my love for, and adherence to the Tridentine Mass as the form of Catholic worship pleasing to God, a thoroughly vertical, God-centered form of worship.
The same Mass will be “bad” for others – for those who have lost their Catholic ethos. They continue on the road to perdition.
God bless you, Tom. I enjoy reading your comments.
hmm that didn’t display properly for some reason here is the link to the page:
https://wdtprs.com/2008/04/blogs-i-look-at-react-to-the-washington-dc-mass/
From there I found this link to a little FAQ on Papal vestments:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/04/17/fashion-file-pope-style.aspx
Father Zuhlsdorf, if you could direct us to any in depth coverage of the Pontiff’s meeting with Catholic educators, it would be appreciated. That coverage is getting lost as the secular press leads with “the abuse angle” every day.
Thanks for your great work in pulling together so many good articles on the trip thus far.
Yesterday’s Papal Mass demonstrated is that the Latin Church, not only in the United States, is simply not ready to return to Her great Roman liturgical tradition.
That is the case even if the New York Papal liturgies prove, at least musically, superior to yesterday’s liturgical debacle at Nationals Stadium.
Many conservatives bloggers and posters yesterday absolved Pope Benedict XVI and Monsignor Guido Marini from any degree of responsibility for the Papal Mass debacle.
The fact is that nobody dictates to the Pope. When he wishes to promote his ecumenical vision for the Church, he does so in grand fashion (as did Pope John Paul II).
When Pope Benedict XVI wishes to promote his interreligious vision for the Church, he prays publicly in mosques and synagogues.
The Holy Father could easily have promoted his liturgical vision for the Church by having insisted that his Nationals Stadium Papal Mass would be offered in accordance to his teachings.
We know, particularly as the result of yesterday’s Mass, that the Latin Church in the United States is not remotely ready to restore liturgical sanity and beauty to our parishes.
Yes…here and there parishes will offer fairly traditional Novus Ordo Masses.
But yesterday’s Papal Mass demonstrated beyond doubt that by and large, it will be liturgical business as usual for the “American Church.”
Even more upsetting is that Pope Benedict XVI refused yesterday to promote yesterday his liturgical vision for the Latin Church.
Therefore, the Pope demonstrated that he is willing to tolerate liturgical business as usual regarding the Novus Ordo.
Yes…His Holiness’ New York Masses may prove superior to yesterday’s Papal Mass, at least regarding musical selections.
But we are left with the Nationals Stadium Papal Mass, which many American bishops, priests, and laymen will point to as being perfectly acceptable liturgy.
The “American Church” will be able to declare…”that style of Mass was good enough for the Pope…therefore, that style of Mass is good enough for us.”
Again…no matter how “traditional” the New York Papal Masses may be, the “American Church” diocesan and parish types who, in reality, control the Mass in America, will be able to point to the Washington Papal Mass as being “good enough for the Pope…good enough for us.”
The unfortunate reality is that the Latin Church, at least in America, is simply not ready as a whole to return to liturgical sanity.
Traditional Latin Mass communities will prosper in America. A relatively few parishes will offer decent Novus Ordo liturgy.
But by and large, it will be liturgical business as usual in America…and the Latin Church in the United States will remain in Her state of liturgical collapse.
We must pray that Pope Benedict XVI returns to the Traditional Latin Mass — the Mass that he was ordained to offer.
We must pray that the Holy Father promotes the Traditional Latin Mass to the hilt — most powerfully so by offering the TLM publicly.
Pax.
Martha wrote: “With regard to yesterday’s papal Mass…It further confirmed me in my love for, and adherence to the Tridentine Mass as the form of Catholic worship pleasing to God, a thoroughly vertical, God-centered form of worship.”
What wonderful remarks by Martha.
Certain conservative bloggers attacked Traditional Catholics yesterday when they claimed that Tradtionalists supposedly had a grand time bashing the Novus Ordo.
I read Martha’s post and find that the claim in question is ridiculous.
Martha, and her brothers and sisters who love the Traditional Latin Mass, understand that the TLM is fully God-centered…it’s vertical worship…God is always front and center at the TLM.
What transpired during yesterday’s Papal Mass could not possibly have transpired had the Traditional Latin Mass been offered at Nationals Stadium in place of the Novus Ordo.
Martha understands why the TLM is vital to Catholics and the life of Holy Mother Church.
Frankly, based upon their remarks yesterday, many conservative bloggers do not understand why the Traditional Latin Mass is, compared to the Novus Ordo, the superior Mass.
Conservatives yesterday fired at Traditionalists when they stated that the TLM can be “mumbled” by priests.
Nobody said that a priest could not “mumble” through the TLM.
Nobody said that Novus Ordo cannot be offered in proper fashion. The fact is that yesterday’s Papal Mass was offered free of liturgical abuses and in proper fashion by the Holy Father.
But yesterday’s Novus Ordo Papal Mass was a debacle. The watered-down, ecumenically-flavored prayers remained in place.
Communion in the hand remained in place. Nobody knelt to receive Holy Communion.
The Papal Mass was offered properly and in complete adherence to Church teachings…and it was a debacle.
That is the Novus Ordo’s inherent weakness. Even when offered properly, it remains a man-centered Mass.
The men who formed the Novus Ordo constructed the Mass to be man-centered…and that cannot change…even when offered free of liturgical abuses and in proper priestly fashion.
Conversely, as Martha indicated, the Traditional Latin Mass is God-centered worship…and will remain always a God-centered vertical Mass.
That is why the Traditional Latin Mass, compared to the Novus Ordo, is the far superior Mass.
Martha understands that.
I pray that our conservative brothers and sisters in the Faith will grasp the reality that the Novus Ordo can not possibly reinvigorate Catholic identity.
Pax.
Comment by Martha
Our Holy Father desires that Catholics in America reject hedonism.
His Holiness wishes that Catholics in America leaven America’s me-first, look-at-me, man-centered society.
How on earth does the Holy Father expect Catholics in the U.S. to leaven society and reject selfish, hedonistic attitudes when yesterday’s Papal Mass featured preening, look-at-me, hedonistic attitudes?
One aspect regarding yesterday’s Papal Mass debacle that had gone unnoticed is the ecumenical ramifications that the debacle will have with the Eastern Orthodox.
A number of Catholic Churchmen have linked the need to restore sanity and beauty to the Roman Liturgy to ecumenical relations with the Eastern Orthodox.
The idea is that as long as Latin Church liturgy remains in a state of collapse, ecumenical relations with the Eastern Orthodox will remain all but dead in the water.
With the emphasis that the Eastern Orthodox place upon grand liturgy, they will certainly view yesterday’s Papal Mass as an unmistakable sign that the Latin Church is incapable of recovering Her liturgical and even spiritual sanity.
The Papal Mass debacle yesterday sent a clear and extremely unfavorable message to the Eastern Orthodox and could not possibly have advanced ecumenical relations with the East.
That said, imagine what Eastern Catholics must think about yesterday’s Papal Mass.
What a debacle…all the way around.
Tom: What about Catholics who love and attend solely the TLM but at the same time is full of hope and trust in the promises of Christ to his Church? Who also believe that the Holy Father has wisdom and grace given to him by the Holy Spirit as Successor to St Peter? Who believe that as faithful Catholics – dictating to the Holy Father what he has to do (e.g. must ban the NO, publicly rebuke his bishops, etc.), does not demonstrate the humility that the Vicar of Christ demands?
We go on and on about how the Holy Father should stamp his authority. How about we begin with ourselves as self-proclaimed faithful Catholics who swear unswerving fealty and loyalty to the Pope, obedience and total humility before the Supreme Pontiff chosen by God to lead his holy Church?
Many of these comments underscore a point Father Z has made recently: a lot of thoroughly well-meaning dedicated advocates of the Extraordinary Form do it a great disservice by their incessant griping. Chronically bad-tempered people don’t present an interesting and inviting picture to the eyes of Catholics who may never have been to a Mass celebrated in the EF, but who might be open to learning more about it. For Heaven’s sake, smile a little once in a while. If you don’t remember how much worse things were thirty years ago, I do.