How about some photos of your parish church’s decorations?
SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, come here first!
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
PLEASE donate using VENMO!
CLICK and say your daily offerings!
Do you want to show some appreciation?
Do you have a faithful Catholic website that needs competent and reliable tech support?
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
651-447-6265YOUR RECENT COMMENTS
Mariana2 on VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 5: “Thanks for re-posting. I had forgotten about the blood and water from the temple. Amazing.”
Mariana2 on LENTCAzT 2021: 10 – Ember Friday 1st Week of Lent: Patience in suffering: “Thanks, Father!”
EC on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “St. Thomas gives a very hard take on using the sacraments and ceremonies of the Old Law (I-II q. 103…”
JTH on ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!): “Hopefully many priests read this blog and follow through with proper blessings.”
Semper Gumby on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “Sid Cundiff in NC and Ages: Good points. In Acts chapters 6-7 we read of St. Stephen, the first Christian…”
Gregg the Obscure on ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!): “i am put in mind of the saying by the late Fr. Foster (for whose soul i pray daily) along…”
JakeMC on Priest weeps at irreverence for Eucharist, tells people to receive on the tongue. Wherein Fr. Z rants.: “Life gets really interesting when you live in a city neighborhood where there are six (count ’em, SIX) Catholic parishes…”
Ages on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “That is not a one off insult. St. John preached a number of sermons Adversus Judaeos, against Christians who would…”
Ages on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “Is it not strange that those who worship the Crucified keep common festival with those who crucified him? – St.…”
Elizium23 on ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!): “These discussions make me quite sad. I usually seek out the services of a newly ordained parochial vicar for blessings.…”
PostCatholic on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “Nice new template, congrats. I know how much work it is to revamp a big site like this one. Your…”
Sid Cundiff in NC on ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?: “Thank you, Father, for honoring the Elder Brother.”
catholictrad on ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!): “Once again I see how God has poured His blessings upon my unworthy soul. My beloved priest since Summorum Pontificum…”
Semper Gumby on Terrific podcast at Crisis with Scott Hahn. Don’t delay.: “Fr. Z, if I could partially repost a comment from your 2019 Abp. Carroll Prayer Suggestion post linked above. ____…”
happyCatholic on ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!): “Well, now I’m totally confused. Almost every blessed item I have was blessed in English, even down to the Nativity…”
Books which you must have.
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.
Get ready…
Don’t rely on popes, bishops and priests.
“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.
That way I have steady income I can plan on, and you wind up regularly on my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I periodically 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...
As 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
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 5
- STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Audio from Fr. Z
- ASK FATHER: “If a priest blesses something without following the ritual, is it really blessed? (BAD NEWS!)
- ASK FATHER: Can we Catholics observe Jewish feasts like Purim?
- LENTCAzT 2021: 10 – Ember Friday 1st Week of Lent: Patience in suffering
- Priest weeps at irreverence for Eucharist, tells people to receive on the tongue. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
- Rome Shot 87
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 5
- Rome Shot 86
- ASK FATHER: “Any tips about a Last Rites “kit”?”
- LENTCAzT 2021: 09 – Thursday 1st Week of Lent: “The only choice is between fervor and sin.”
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 4
- LENTCAzT 2021: 08 – Ember Wednesday 1st Week of Lent: “A prayer on the way to Mass”
- Rome Shot 85
- Rome Shot 84
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 3
- LENTCAzT 2021: 07 – Tuesday 1st Week of Lent: “Lord, Jesus teach to pray better in all circumstances”
- WDTPRS 22 Feb – Feast of the Cathedra of Peter (2002MR): Antioch or Rome or… somewhere else?
- LIVE VIDEO – 22 Feb 2021 – 1200 NOON CST – Traditional Latin Mass – Cathedra of Peter
- “Gregorian Mass” match ups: available priests with people who have requests
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 2
- LENTCAzT 2021: 06 – Monday 1st Week of Lent: “It had to happen to me!”
- VIDEO PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land: Day 1
- Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 1st Sunday of Lent 2021
- LENTCAzT 2021: 05 – 1st Sunday of Lent: “Our Sire God being first served.”
- Rome Shot 83
- 20 Feb – Feast of Sts Francisco and Jacinta of Fatima – We need their intercession now more than ever.
- CQ CQ CQ: Ham Radio – #ZedNet reminder – Sunday 21 Feb ’21
- Daily Rome Shot 82
- WDTPRS – 1st Sunday of Lent (TLM): our season of transforming mystery
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.
Yes, Fr. Z is taking ads…
Be a “Zed-Head”!
CHALLENGE COINS!
My "challenge coin" for my 25th anniversary of ordination in 2016.
Want one? I do exchanges with military and LEOs, etc.
PLEASE RESPOND. Pretty pleeeease?
Loading ...
This is really useful when travelling… and also when you aren’t and you need backup internet NOW! I use this for my DMR “Zednet” hotspot when I’m mobile. It’s a ham radio thing.
If you travel internationally, this is a super useful gizmo for your mobile internet data. I use one. If you get one through my link, I get data rewards.
Please use my links when shopping! I depend on your help.
WDTPRS POLL
Loading ...
Fr. Z’s stuff is everywhere
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!
GREAT causes to support
My home parish is St. Francis Xavier’s in Parkersburg, W.Va., a truly beautiful and traditional church. If anyone has Christmas photos plese post one. I proposed to my wife in front of the Nativity scene at St. Joseph’s altar.
I’ll have to see if some of the photographers floating around the church during Midnight Mass will send me any pictures (I am the webmaster of the parish site, after all).
I can explain it rather shortly, though; I never knew that many poinsettias existed.
I’ll go first…http://summorumpontificumak.blogspot.com/
And have yourself a very Merry (and Fontanini) Christmas.
Sincerely,
Dominus Vobiscum
I will send some once I get them off my camera. Do yo want them embedded or attached as an email?
I took this picture in the dark of church with an 8 second exposure:
I tried to embed with no luck!
here is the link:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/SurfBuddha/Christmas2008118.jpg
I put my pics on my Face book page
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77797&l=1f3ee&id=737588464
Check this one out!
http://www.stpeterrcc.com/
Wasn’t sure if this was a link post or if Father wanted them mailed in.
So, here goes, with more to be posted when I get through editing them:
Christmas 2008 – Midnight Mass in Extraordinary Form at Grotto: Photopost 1
Christmas 2008 – Midnight Mass in Extraordinary Form at Grotto: Photopost 2
I e-mailed Father Z. with mine this morning. It wasn’t until I read these posts that I remembered my little-used myspace page, and realized that I did have somewhere to post/link it and not drain Father’s resources! Maybe my brain will come back to me in the new year! ;^)
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=346993627&albumID=935873&imageID=9770956
This was some time in advance of our Christmas Eve Mass, with two or three dozen in early to pray.
I stopped in back to snap this and a couple more up at the manger. I’m only starting to experiment with the camera function on my new phone. Entirely too many options, so I was having problems with light and holding still enough. The exposure actually works out well with this scene, though.
This is from Christmas Day 2008 :
Christmas Day 2008
Christmas 08
St. John Cantius in Chicago:
http://www.cantius.org/go/news/detail/the_splendor_of_christmas_at_st_john_cantius/
If you click my name below, you can see pics of our altar, which I decorated myself.
Are you talking about the decorations in my Virginia Beach parish, St. Gregory the Great? You know, the parish that took the opportunity to move the tabernacle behind a brick wall to make way for the Holiday Tree forest up at the altar a few years ago (in hopes that nobody would notice that the tabernacle remained BEHIND the brick wall and was NEVER moved back to it’s original and more visible location in the sanctuary after Christmas. No explanations for the permanent hiding of the tabernacle were ever given to parishioners. Now, every advent season is a reminder of the time of year that our Lord was taken and hidden from us by our pastor and parish leaders. I guess theology and liturgy can be confusing and at opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum sometimes…if you follow the south eastern Virginia model of Catholicism. My parish even earned itself a feature on one of our local blogs for this unnecessary and unfavorable action and the tabernacle remains behind the wall with no explanation:
http://annalsdesire.blogspot.com/2007/12/holy-liberace-o-tannenbaum-but-where-oh.html
Christmas Trees should never be used for sinister activities like permanently moving and hiding tabernacles from unsuspecting parishioners.
Re: above story
That’s not only a sad and stupid action, but cowardly too. Sigh.
Re: Christmas trees
Loved the Holy Father’s line from the Psalms in his Midnight Mass homily, about “the trees of the wood come forth to Him and exult”!
I took some pictures today after Mass. I down sized the pictures and posted them at Flickr.
http://flickr.com/photos/17104318@N04/sets/72157611748450151/
If anyone wants a high-res picture let me know at bd55 -AT- pacbell.net
The church has been “semi-wreckovated”, but it does have the potential to be a great parish church.
Posted some good Christmas pics of my parish on my seldom used blog, ( I hope to get back to it this year) the folks put a lot of work into the nativity display every year, enjoy
http://germanegyptian.blogspot.com/
P.S. add a comment if you drop in, just curious if anyone will look
Thanks
These are from my parish. Our church is actually pretty simple, but elegant in it’s own way. I forgot to get a picture of the nativity, but it’s truly lovely and may try to get a shot on Thursday. I attended Midnight Mass at our Cathedral Basilica but didn’t get pictures of the church.
Maria from Santa Fe.
I guess I’m a bit late, but only had a chance to post some pictures to our parish website today. Anyway, you can find them here if you like: http://holyghostcc.org/?page_id=310&show=gallery
God bless,
Fr. Jay
http://joysthoughtsfromnemo.blogspot.com/
First Christmas at Shrine of St Rose of Lima in Quincy IL.
Merry Christmas. Our Lady of Victory’s sanctuary was beautifully decorated for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord.
OLV, Floral Park, NY
fxr2, holy cow! What is that church? Awe-inspiring musical intro/message. I read a few of the bulletins. Strange words that seem vaguely familiar like “mortal sin” and “CCD” and “Ordinary”….I am assuming (sadly) this is not actually a Catholic parish, but SSPX? Can anyone clarify?
http://www.stpeterrcc.com/
Ann,
St Peter RCC is indeed a Catholic parish belonging to the Diocese of Camden, NJ.
Here are some pics from St Stephen in Pensacola, FL.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198236&l=145f4&id=565125436
Late to the party, but hopefully the photos will be pleasing … St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Dallas, Texas.
Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church
Springfield, Oregon
http://laptopluddite.blogspot.com/2009/01/christmas-2008.html