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QUAERITUR: Good Friday prayer for the Pope during “Sede Vacante”

Posted on 18 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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When there is no Pope, priests and bishops have to pay attention during the Eucharistic Prayer to omit the name of the Pope.

I received a question today:

If we are still Sede Vacante on Good Friday, is the intercession for The Pope omitted?

I suppose it would be omitted, yes.

In the meantime, until 8:00 Rome time on 28 February, may I suggest that you all pray, even several times a day…

℣. Oremus pro pontifice nostro Benedicto.

℟. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.

Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Benedictum, quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.

℣. Let us pray for Benedict our pope.

℟. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged Benedict XVI, Good Friday, Oremus Pro Pontifice
14 Comments

QUAERITUR: Is it an insult for deacons to kneel during the consecration? (I’m not making this up.)

Posted on 18 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a deacon:

I was reprimanded today for kneeling at the altar during consecration and told there is an insult in the US church against this -I can find no documents that lead me to believe this is true. Any insight you can offer would be great!

Insult? That’s one of the dumbest…. No, wait… perhaps you meant “indult”? That is to say, in the USA there is a special rule that deacons don’t kneel during the consecration?

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal with the USA adaptations:

179. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands near the priest but slightly behind him, so that when needed he may assist the priest with the chalice or the Missal.

From the epiclesis until the priest shows the chalice, the deacon normally remains kneeling.

If several deacons are present, one of them may place incense in the thurible for the consecration and incense the host and the chalice as they are shown to the people.

Moreover, here is a view of the deacons for the Holy Father’s last public Mass for Ash Wednesday… during the consecration.

That takes care of that.

Next?

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged consecration, deacons, GIRM 179, kneeling
52 Comments

Cardinals and their doctorates… or not.

Posted on 18 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It was once customary for bishops to sport after their names the “D.D.” of the “Doctor of Divinity” degree. Whenever I see that designation I think of a limerick I learned from the late Msgr. Richard Schuler…

There once was a bishop named Fiddle
who refused to accept his degree.
“It’s hard enough being ‘Fiddle'”, he said,
“without being ‘Fiddle, D.D.'”

Richard Chonak did some gumshoe work to find out which cardinals hold which doctoral degrees. According to the Code of Canon Law, the men chosen to be bishops ought to have a doctorate. Can. 378 § 5 says, that the candidate should “hold a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred Scripture, theology or canon law, from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least be well versed in these disciplines.”

So, which cardinals hold which degrees? Read Chonak’s whole post there, but here is the list and final remarks.

Doctorates in canon law
Romeo (IT)
Coccopalmerio (IT)
Monteiro de Castro (PT)
Cafarra (IT)
Brady (IE)
Grocholewski (PL)
Rai (LB)
Vallini (IT)
Bertello (IT)
Tauran (FR)
Versaldi (IT)
Sandri (AR)
Piacenza (IT)
Gracias (IN)
Filoni (IT)
Burke (US)
Harvey (US)
Erdö (HU)*

Doctorates in theology
Amato (IT)
Dziwisz (PL)
Hon (CN)
Wuerl (US)
Scola (IT)*
Irosa Savino (VZ)
Rodriguez-Maradiaga (HN)*
Calcagno (IT)
Sepe (IT)*
Cipriani Thorne (PE)*
Onaiyekau (NG)
Ouellet (CA)
Ricard (FR)
Schönborn (AT)
Alencherry (IN)
Cañizares Llovera (ES)
Collins (CA)
Braz de Aviz (BR)
Scherer (BR)
Koch (CH)
Erdö (HU)*

Doctorates in moral theology
O’Brien (US)
Rodriguez-Maradiaga (HN)*
Pengo (TZ)

Doctorates in Sacred Scripture
Monsengwo Pasinya (CG)
Betori (IT)
Turkson (GH)

Other fields:

Doctorates in philosophy
Scola (IT)*
Rodriguez-Maradiaga (HN)*
Bagnasco (IT)
Sepe (IT)*
Cipriani Thorne (PE)*
Filoni (IT)*
Barbarin (FR)

Miscellaneous
Pell (AU): Church history
O’Malley (US): Spanish literature
Rylko (PL): Social science
Nycz (PL): Catechetics
Dolan (US): Church history

Which cardinals have the most academic accomplishments? Well, it’s a little hard to say, since I’m leaving out the licentiates here. But within this limited survey, the top is Oscar Rodriguez-Maradiaga of Honduras, with doctorates in theology, moral theology, and philosophy, plus a diploma in clinical psychology and conservatory studies in piano! What a guy!

Perhaps the most unusual field one of the cardinals has studied is industrial engineering. Cdl. Cipriani was an engineer working for W.R. Grace before he entered priestly studies.

To summarize: of the 67 cardinals in this age range, 18 have doctorates in canon law; 21 in dogmatic theology; 3 in moral theology, 3 in Scripture.

And 24 do not have that top-level degree in one of the sacred sciences required by the canon — which really surprises me.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Drill | Tagged bishops, can. 378, cardinals, degree, doctorate
65 Comments

Bp. Morlino (D. Madison) – super sermon to converts about “moralistic therapeutic deism”

Posted on 18 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, gave a super sermon to converts who will enter the Church at Easter. It was for the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent.

Here is a phrase that you should pound into your heads: moralistic therapeutic deism.

That is the religion of our time.

And, he tells the converts that they are going to enter the Barque of Peter… which is a ship… a battleship, not a cruise-ship.

He talks about the Enemy, the Devil. He never gives up.

“There’s no such thing as a Catholic who is pro-choice, or pro-gay marriage, or pro-restriction of religious freedom.”

Here is the audio:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Biretta tip to From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary.

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Year of Faith | Tagged Bp. Morlino, D. Madison, moralistic therapeutic deism
12 Comments

Thank You Pope Benedict Car Mag “in the wild”

Posted on 16 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I got one of my car mags today.

They are really clear!

Posted in Benedict XVI, In The Wild, Just Too Cool |
6 Comments

Garry Wills getting it wrong in Hell’s Bible

Posted on 16 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Hell’s Bible published something by the execrable Garry Wills, who hates the Church and the Pope.

His opinions are what you would expect from an angry Irish ex-Catholic. Blah blah blah. But, in case you bother to read him, don’t let him have a pass on bad history. For example, he wrote:

In 1859, John Henry Newman published an article that led to his denunciation in Rome as “the most dangerous man in England.” It was called “On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine” and it showed that in history the laity had been more true to the Gospel than the hierarchy. That was an unacceptable position to Rome. It still is.

No, Garry. Newman’s point was restricted to the Arian heresy. You would have us think this lay faithful v. bishops thing was across the board. Moreover, Newman was wrong.

Wills gots Newman wrong, and Newman got 4th and 5th century Church history wrong.

So, Wills is either ignorant or he is fibbing. Which is it? This might be a both/and rather than either/or choice. After his book about Pius XII I think we can apply the Mary McCarthy dictum to him: Every word he writes is a lie, including “and” and “the”.

Read the NYT piece, if you have a few minutes to waste. If this is the level of thought that pervades his new hate-on-Catholics book, we have nothing to worry about.

Posted in Patristiblogging, The Drill | Tagged Garry Wills, Hell's Bible, NYT
49 Comments

REQUEST TO PRIESTS (or others… maybe carpenters) about confessionals

Posted on 16 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest:

I hope you can help me out. I’m seeking this for those I know…

I’m looking for detailed plans to construct a traditional, screen only, soundproof confessional, priest in the middle, a penitent on either side, with doors that are heavy, but can be opened with one arthritic finger, both sides having kneelers and chairs that, with use, would change indicator lights outside from green to red. And there should be room for a wheelchair on one side, and the ability for the priest to flip the light from green to red for that side in that circumstance. There can be no steps. There would have to be ventilation, but without losing soundproofing. The sliding doors for the screens should also be soundproof, yet easy to slide back and forth.

Surely some of your priest readers have revamped some awful confessionals and even built new ones that are more appropriate for the encouragement of confessions.

Help?

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged confession, confessionals
60 Comments

HEY JOURNALISTS! HEY TV PEOPLE! Try pronouncing “papacy” correctly?

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

To journalists writing about Pope Benedict “the papacy”. PRONOUNCE IT PROPERLY!

Papacy is pronounced “pey-puh-see” not “pap-uh-see”. If you can’t get that, try IPA, which any self-respecting person which speaks often in public ought to know about: ˈpeɪpəsi

And if that is too hard, go HERE and click the little button that will actually let you hear it. Okay? PLEASE?

And while I am at it, friends, the spelling is “magisterium” not “magesterium”. ‘kay?

Moreover, “pastoral” is “PAS-ter-uhl” not “pas-TOR-uhl”. Got it? And there is no extra syllable in it, as in “pas-TOR-ee-uhl”. Right?

UPDATE:

And another thing!

The word for a man thought to be a likely candidate for the papacy (see above) is “papabile” (from Italian) and that is pronounced “pah-PAH-bee-lay”. Okay? Think Italian. The plural is “papabili” as in “pah-PAH-bee-lee”.

Posted in Throwing a Nutty | Tagged papacy
48 Comments

Of TEOTWAWKI, Your Black Unconfessed Sins, and You

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

People sometimes think, “Oh, those poor people. That could never happen here.”

And then it does.

The people in Russia who had the encounter with the bus-size exploding meteor, got up that day just like you did. Remember that video of the tsunami in Japan? HERE.

The End Of The World As We Know It… is coming for you.

One day, if the Lord doesn’t return first, and if you are not first struck by a meteor, a bus, or – in the case of members of the LCWR – a falling house, you are going to draw your last breath.

Your heart will cease to beat and you will die.

Are you ready to die today? Are you ready to go before your Creator and Judge?

A mortal sin kills the life of grace in the soul. You don’t want to go to your death and judgment – which could happen as you read this – with unconfessed mortal sins…. nay, rather sin.

GO TO CONFESSION.

There is nothing that we little finite mortals can do that is so bad that it cannot be, and will not be, forgiven by our infinite God who loves us.

His justice we are going to get whether we want it or not.

His mercy is there for the asking.

If you confess your sins to the priest – to whom Christ Himself through holy orders and the jurisdiction of the Church gives His own power to forgive all sins – they are not only forgiven, they are gone. You will have the memory of them. You will have to do penance for them. But they are taken from your soul and will not be held against you in your judgment.

Hell for those separated from God in sin. Heaven for those who die in God’s friendship and the state of grace.

Confess your sins. Confess ALL your sins. Confess them to the priest who has faculties to receive confessions. Confess your mortal sins, all of them in both kind (what they are) and number (how many times or some idea of frequency). Confess your sins soon. Confess your sins regularly. Confess your sins completely and with the sincerity born from the love of God, who is all good and deserving of all our love.

GO TO CONFESSION.

Death and judgment is a meteor out there with your name on it.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Four Last Things, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, TEOTWAWKI | Tagged confession, Four Last Things, mortal sin, reconciliation, sacrament of penance, sins
16 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I eat insect parts on Fridays?

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Since the topic came up elsewhere, I thought it a good idea to revive this question from a reader and repost it:

From a reader:

Do insect products count as meat products, and therefore prohibited on Fridays and other days of abstinence. I have heard of some instances where it may be used in artificial color products. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, Mr. Reinfield, they are not counted as meat products. You may eat all the bugs you can find, also on Fridays!

Even on days of fasting you should be able to eat lots of insects, since it takes quite a few to make even a small portion… depending on the insects, of course.

Some dyes were/are derived from bugs, such as cochineal. Muslims, I believe, avoid it because of its origins but Jews allow it.

Artificial food color, however, would be accidental to any food you would eat. It is an incidental element.

On the other hand, FD&C Red #5 has ever been one of my favorite ingredients in prepared foods, and so in penitential spirit I give those up for Lent.

So, now that people know we can eat bugs as we please, I expect to hear that you are asking for bug-out bags, not doggy-bags.

And, yes, we should be preparing bug-out bags and bugs might just keep some of us alive at TEOTWAWKI.

Appropriate on the very day a big asteriod is buzzing your planet. HERE. (As I write, in just a few minutes, as a matter of fact. 19:24 UTC (2:24 p.m. EST/11:24 a.m. PST. And let’s not even start in on Russia!)

Which, as Preserved Killick would add, I am reminded by a scene in Patrick O’Brian’s The Fortune of War in which the Captain and officers have a little fun with Dr. Maturin.

“Two weevils crept from the crumbs. ‘You see those weevils, Stephen?’ said Jack solemnly.

I do.’

Which would you choose?’

There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are the same species of curculio, and there is nothing to choose between them.’

But suppose you had to choose?’

Then I should choose the right-hand weevil; it has a perceptible advantage in both length and breadth.’

There I have you,’ cried Jack. ‘You are bit – you are completely dished. Don’t you know that in the Navy you must always choose the lesser of two weevils? Oh ha, ha, ha, ha!”