Fr. Z's Blog | Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" – Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)

Synod notes – See Ed Pentin for 6 October roundup

Posted on 7 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You must read this from Edward Pentin (HERE). He gives a somewhat more useful roundup of things discussed in the Synod than the presser provided.

Also, Pentin shows how some can… skew the report of what was discussed.

Sample with my emphases:

Questions Raised Again About Official Synod Briefings

At a Vatican press conference on the synod yesterday, language attachés for the meeting highlighted a number of subjects that appeared to take precedent in the opening debates.
To take the English language attaché, Father Thomas Rosica, as an example, he placed a special emphasis on the need to end “exclusionary language” saying a synod father, (or was it synod fathers?) said the Church should “embrace reality as it is and not be afraid of new and complex situations.”
Father Rosica was particularly focused on “homosexuals or gay persons,” saying “we don’t pity gay persons, but we recognize them for who they are — they are our sons and daughters and brothers and neighbors and colleagues.”
He later returned to the subject of homosexual relationships, saying the subject “came up several times” and that a synod father asked, “How do we speak about them and offer a hand of welcome to them?”
It wasn’t clear who said what under the synod rules, but neither was it clear how many synod fathers addressed the issues Father Rosica, or the other language attaches, had mentioned.
In effect, this meant the public were left with a skewed interpretation of what was said at the opening debate, as happened throughout the last synod.
Thankfully, reliable sources have shared with me a few of the subjects covered by other synod fathers, helping to provide a more rounded picture of what was discussed:
* A number of synod fathers spoke in support of Cardinal Peter Erdo’s introductory speech, including one who underlined the importance of keeping fidelity to truth about marriage, the family and the Eucharist.
* A synod father asked “What are we doing here?” and stressed the synod is about the family, not other relationships such as homosexual ones. He also stressed that if the synod accepts the divorced-remarried issue, the Church effectively “supports divorce”.

[…]

There are more bullet points. Read the rest there.

And don’t forget…. HERE

And… “The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? An Investigation into Alleged Manipulation at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family”

Posted in Synod | Tagged Edward Pentin, Fr. Thomas Rosica, Synod, Synod of Bishops
35 Comments

Mass “of Belonging”. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 7 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

If you were in St. Petersburg, you could have attended a “Mass of Belonging”.

From The Tampa Tribune:

Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrates inclusion with ‘Mass of Belonging’

TAMPA — Frank Sammartino and Don Sullivan said they did not feel welcome at Catholic churches in New Jersey.

At first, the men, both 72, said they didn’t feel wanted at several churches after moving to Tampa. That changed in 2006, they said, when they first attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church on North Florida Avenue.

On Sunday, Sammartino and Sullivan were two of hundreds of parishioners who attended Sacred Heart’s “Mass of Belonging,” held at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

The event was held several days after the conclusion of Pope Francis’ widely-covered first visit to the United States.

A gay couple who have been together 45 years, Sammartino and Sullivan said they were grateful to have been accepted at Sacred Heart.

“By the time we reached here, I had just about fallen away from the Catholic Church,” Sullivan said. “I couldn’t find a parish where I felt I belonged.”

Sammartino nodded.

“From Day One, they opened their doors up to everybody,” he said.

Sunday’s mass — which saw members of each of Sacred Heart’s six congregations under one roof — celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Franciscan Friars at Sacred Heart Parish and the birthday of St. Francis of Assisi.

Father Kevin Mullen, provincial minister with Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province in New York, […]

What rubbish.

I don’t know a church anywhere that “excludes” anyone. At worst… or perhaps at best… there are places where nobody pays any attention to you at all. That’s not so bad, unless you are so used to being cooed over and affirmed in your wonderful just-the-way-you-are selfness that not being the center of attention makes you feel uncomfortable.

I fear that “welcome” is now code for “Even though you know you are in the state of mortal sin, go to Communion anyway!”

Reception of Communion has shifted in meaning.

If people don’t feel welcome, it’s not because of the Catholic Church. If people feel “unwelcome” (whatever that means) it’s probably because of the guilt (even residual) they feel because of their sinful behavior. They know they shouldn’t go to Communion because of their own sinful behavior.

But no one is telling them that they are not welcome. On the contrary! Even the formally excommunicated are supposed to attend Holy Mass.

In more and more places, as catechism weakens and the acid marinade of shifting mores unbinds the fibers of our Catholic identity, Communion is not the reception with awe of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ the Savior, but rather “You’re okay!”

Communion has come to mean, “They put the white thing in your hand and then we sing the song!”

I will return to my cantilena.

The only true renewal in the Church will take place with a revitalization of our liturgical worship. If that isn’t at the heart of a program to renew the life of the Church, we are wasting our time and distracting ourselves from the true goal of heaven.

Posted in Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Sin That Cries To Heaven | Tagged welcome
26 Comments

6 Oct – Synod notes

Posted on 6 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A couple interesting points:

Yesterday, at the opening of the Synod, the General Relator (“president”) of the gathering, Hungarian Peter Card. Erdö of Esztergom-Budapest gave a speech (English HERE) to put the participants on their course for the gathering. He effectively defended the Church’s teachings and said that Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried and issues of homosexual sex were off the table.

The speech was a good one. A good sign that it was a good speech was the displeasure of the German Reinhard Card. Marx of Munich and Freising, President of the German Bishops’ Conference. When the German’s are unhappy, it is probably a good thing. It means that someone, somewhere is doctrinally sound.

Card. Erdö quoted Familiaris consortio! He mentioned Humanae vitae! Can you imagine?

That was yesterday.

Today the Holy Father jumped in with a rare intervention (a fancy word for “speech”). At Catholic World Report we find:

It seems as though Cardinal Péter Erdö’s presentation on the first day of the Synod, in which he reiterated the clear doctrinal content of the “Instrumentum Laboris,” struck a raw nerve among certain Synod Fathers, as well as among other participants, priests and laity alike, who favor a more progressive (and, dare I say, a more revolutionary!) approach to the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church regarding marriage and the family, especially as concerns divorce and remarriage and homosexuality.

Consequently, Pope Francis probably felt pressured to make his first direct intervention at the Synod in the course of the past two years.

In doing so, Pope Francis made clear two key points: the “continuity” between the work of the Extraordinary Synod and that of the Ordinary Synod; that thus far the only official Synod documents which enjoy full ecclesiastical approval are the two discourses he himself delivered at the opening and closing of the Extraordinary Synod last October, as well as the “Relatio Synodi” or final document of the Extraordinary Synod which he approved.

So… the Holy Father underscored the fact that only his involvement with anything having to do with any aspect of the Synod makes it weighty. His own speeches and any document he formally accepts have some standing. For the rest…. pffft.

In other words, Pope Francis thumped his chest like a little like he did at the end of last year’s Synod. And then he threw Card. Erdö under the bus.

I suspect that didn’t bother Card. Erdö.

Meanwhile (HERE):

Furthermore, this tension came to the fore when at the conclusion of the “Briefing” in the Sala Stampa? when a reporter from The Tablet (a left-leaning Catholic periodical published in England) asked if divorce and remarriage were still a firm doctrine for the Synod Fathers or just a matter of mutable discipline. In response to this pointed question, Archbishop Paul-André Durocher, President of the Canadian Episcopal Conference, ?astonished many in the room by proffering a very snide and imprudent remark that those interested in doctrine should consult Denzinger-Schönmetzer (a well-known and highly respected compendium of Catholic doctrine/dogma) while the Synod Fathers would continue to treat divorce and remarriage as an issue open to discussion, and—therefore—possibly open to change.

I wonder. When was the last time the Archbishop even saw a copy of Danziger, much less consulted one?

How was this spun in the official summary of the briefing?

Asked if the reception of the Eucharist by divorced and remarried persons was a “doctrine or a discipline” Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher of Gatineau, Quebec, replied saying that different people may see this differently and that it was part of the work of the Synod to discuss this.

Archbishop Durocher went on to say that the bishops were all united in acknowledging that there is a gap between contemporary culture and church teaching.

Here is the video of the briefing. Note about 1:16:00:

Also, apparently the issue of relaxing conditions for “General Absolution” came up in the context of the Year of Mercy. A ridiculous proposal, since it has nothing to do with the theme of the Synod. I doubt anything will happen with that.

Posted in Synod | Tagged Archbp. Durocher, Card. Erdo, Synod
45 Comments

NYC Day 3: Walk in the Park and Defeat of the Yankees

Posted on 6 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It was a lovely, relaxing day.

It was one of those days that you long for all year long. Perfect blue sky, slight breeze, warm sun but hot hot.

I was on my way to the Met… as is my wont…

… arrived at the Met…

… had lunch… made a QSO via Echolink using my iPhone…

… looked into the shop while waiting for a friend (who was late… as usual)… and discovered this fine corpus which I think I may have to get and then have a cross made for it….

… and this which I now want for my altar….

… and thought… “What on earth am I doing inside on a day like this?”

So, it was back out into the sun and a stroll in Central Park…

This now rare stand of elms reminds me of the street I grew up in in S. Minneapolis.

Then, to check off an item on my To Do List, we stopped at St. Patrick’s to see the effects of the restoration.

Something the builders could not have foreseen in their wildest dreams was the play of light reflected from the surrounding buildings.

Who can tell me which saint this is? Click for a larger version.

Look at that ridiculous chair.

Later in the evening I dined with another friend and an distinguished Italian gentleman who is deeply involved in the causes of saints. So, it was back and forth in Italian and English all evening.

Finally, at the rectory I watched the Yankees get knocked out of the playoffs by the Astros.

Yesterday was a walk in the park.

Posted in On the road, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged St. Patrick's
7 Comments

What to do if the Host disappears?

Posted on 6 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Yesterday I was in conversation with friends about De defectibus. There is a section in the front of the older versions of the Missale Romanum indicating which defects might make Mass invalid or illicit and/or how to correct them, etc.

In one place, the priest is instructed about what to do if, by some rare circumstance, he might lose the Host after consecration but before he has the chance to consume it properly.

Remember: For there to be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the priest must consume both the Host and the Precious Blood.

In the 1962 Missale Romanum we see (and thanks to my interlocutor for sending me snaps from the Missale):

What do we see here?

The priest is told what to do if the Host gets away from him either because wind blows it away (it happens), or it is snatched by some critter (it happens) and he can’t get it back.

That is in the 1962 version.

But what about earlier versions, such as pre-1955?

This version talks about if they Host disappears for any reason, such as wind or critter, or… if by a miracle!

Say, for example, the Host simply vanishes. What to do? What if it were to suddenly ascend into the air an hover where the priest couldn’t reach it? What it it were to miraculously float across the church or chapel and present itself as Communion to some saintly person?

What’s a priest to do?

Well, Fathers. If that happens while you are saying Mass, you are to consecrate another Holy beginning from the Qui pridie. Simple.

Also, this underscores the importance of the integrity of that whole “unit” of texts and gestures leading up to the words of consecration.

UPDATE:

I received a note with this:

Where the pre-1955 De defectibus leaves off, “facta ejus prius oblatione, ut supra.” The 1933 Dominican Missal continues:

“…ut supra; et illud animal, si capi potest, occidatur, et comburatur, et cineres ejiciantur in sacrarium, vel sub altari.”

That sounds exactly right. Some time ago I wrote (HERE)

Once you get the basic principles (just about everything winds up burned and going down the sacrarium), you can extrapolate all sorts of solutions to scenarios not covered in the Missal. At a very clerical supper one night we mused about the possibility of a mouse dashing across the altar after the consecration and making off with a Host. Our solution was to bless a cat, put a white stole on it, send it after the mouse, and when the cat came back, burn the cat and put the ashes down the sacrarium.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Pray For A Miracle, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged de defectibus, host, sacrarium
21 Comments

Welcome Aboard New Registrants!

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

To participate in the combox here, you must be registered and approved (by me).

Since the blog is under constant attack by spammers and nefarious ne’er-do-wells, I use the “about you” field in particular to screen registrations.

Welcome aboard recent registrants! (I think I got everyone.)

Neocat
Lego
sw
Mary_M
mom8
J Butler
victoria.estevan@gmail.com
anrando
Dr. Alfred
Sri_Sriracha
downesfam
Plotinus
GLarry
Anthony of Padua
jkjk
mtocalcutta
scarroll
Dino Baldini
Peter.johnson
VonOrigen
caroleann
tlnels03
eva warchal
Froggie2
Stevetop815
roberthorwath
Gianetta
Caritas in veritate
LeoXIII
Walter
heart
Wise Men Seek
santanna
gryanusn
Jerome MacEachin disciple
Layne64
aprons
ignatius13
belovedcatherine
bobh
awshep
Yukonjess101
sorengard
george07
semper_paratus
whitey359
ps200306
Eldo
tccc1015
Honesty
gjf2a
moxenford
maybelle
Joanne Clough
Ben Sirach
kavana

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
Comments Off

NYC Day 2: Seminaries and Spaghetti

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The day began with a Solemn Mass for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. I got to be a deacon for the Mass, which is rather rare for me. It was sacred fun. I don’t believe there are any photos.

Later in the afternoon we sang Vespers and had Benediction. It is a wonderful way to sanctify your Sunday. Major churches and all Cathedrals should have Vespers on Sundays. Isn’t there an Instruction from the CDW that says that? Musicam sacram? I wonder why it is almost never implemented.

Anyway, after Vespers it was off to Yonkers. I visited Dunwoodie Seminary (St. Joseph’s) for the first time and had a brief tour of the highlights.

The chapel.

Look what I saw in the sacristy!

After that, I cooked supper for about 10 young priests and seminarians. It was a great time. There were quite a few photos, as it turns out, but here are two which will give you a hint about the evening.

I am encouraged by my meetings with these men. They are impressive. Pray for vocations! Pray for more vocations to the priesthood. Pray for seminarians. Pray for the newly ordained (especially that they survive the the pastors of their first assignments).

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
22 Comments

ALERT! ‘Laudato si” now available in the Church’s official language

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Do your best to suppress exuberant outbursts in your workplace cubicles!

I am informed that, months after its release, the encyclical Laudato si’ is now available in Latin.

Yes, the official version (that no one has yet quoted) is now on the Vatican website. HERE

For your reading pleasure… here’s one paragraph:

55. Nonnullae Nationes paulatim magni ponderis prae se ferre possunt progressiones, auctas inspectiones efficaciores atque adversus corruptionem apertiorem dimicationem. Apud populos oecologicus sensus maior est, etiamsi non sufficit, ut perniciosi mores immodice consumendi mutentur, qui auferri non videntur, sed potius amplificari augerique. Quod accidit, ut unum tantum supponamus exemplum, per crebrum augescentemque usum atque vim instrumentorum aëri temperando: mercatus, quippe qui subitaneum beneficium persequantur, plus plusque quaesita concitant. Si quis extrarius mundi societatem inspiceret, prae tali agendi ratione obstupesceret, quae nonnumquam sui videtur nex.

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged Latin, Laudato si
8 Comments

The Synod begins – a few notes

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I admit to having Synod Fatigue™ already. I am so sick of it already, that even now I force myself to write this.

I hereby commit myself to use my irritation and concern to my advantage. I will force myself to pay attention and to mutter prayers as I go about my business in the following days.

On the one hand, I am not worried that the Synod will attempt to change God’s and the Church’s teaching. It can’t. The Synod can’t order pizza unless the Pope says so. On the other hand, I am worried that the widely reported antics that might take place at the Synod will create an atmosphere of expectation that God’s and Church’s teach can change and that, based on that expectation, people will start doing whatever the hell they want.

Some of you are no doubt saying, “But Father! But Father!” People are doing whatever the hell they want right now! Isn’t that great?!? This is the age of mercy! You hate Vatican II, don’t you!”

I don’t think it’s great, no. I think souls are in deep jeopardy and that many will be lost because of our feckless leadership and fuzzy teaching and aimless liturgical worship.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln…

But back to my theme: the Synod.

I saw an interesting observation at the blog St. Corbinian’s Bear which merits a little of your attention. He makes a point about the papal style. Popes tend to begin with positive and affirming points before they weigh in with their true agenda, often correctives. The writer of the blog post trots out a Latin adage which is rather pointed. He begins with a personal viewpoint from his own experience as a lawyer. When judges would rule against him, they would start by praising his arguments, while waiting to the end to go against him. Thus the phrase in Latin, in cauda venenum… the poison is in the (scorpion’s) tail, that is, the stuff you don’t want to hear, the bad news, comes at the end of a discourse. It’s a pretty common technique.

He applied this to the Holy Father’s speech at the opening of the Synod.

You might check out his post.

BTW… during the Synod you will probably see endless repetitions of the groan-inducing cliche that Synod, made up of the Greek preposition syn and (h)odos means “walking together”. No. It means “meeting”. Sorry.

Here an example from VIS:

Over at The Catholic Thing Robert Royal (who I believe will also be providing some coverage of the Synod (not “walking together”) on EWTN with my friend Fr. Murray) provides some tips for your own sifting of news about the Synod. Here are the tips, but you have to go there for their explanations.

Principle No.1: Be Cautious About Drawing Large Conclusions.
Principle No. 2: But Don’t Be Too Cautious.
Principle 3: Look out for claims of a false sense of freedom in the Church. Principle 4: Stay focused on how that false freedom is corrupting concepts like love, mercy, charity.
Principle 5: So, Increase Your Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

That last one is what I have more than once pushed you to do.

I recently gave a couple talks to two different groups about the Synod (not “walking together”). I confess that I painted a grim picture. I confess also that I wanted to scare them all a little and make them a little angry.

Why?

To help them (you) overcome Synod Fatigue when it inevitably sets in and keep them (you) focused on praying and fasting, asking God to protect the Church and her people (one might add… “from their pastors”).

This is not a time for endless happy talk. Some years ago I asked an American bishop what he thought was the state of the Church in these USA. “Terrible!”, he said. I asked, “What can we do to turn things around?” He responded, “The first thing we have to do is stop blowing happy gas!”

Meanwhile, I will recommend a few books.

First, don’t forget the game (Synod) changing book last year, the Five Cardinals Book™. This book scared the organizers of the Synod (not “walking together”) that the copies that were sent to the members were boosted from their mail boxes. Remaining in the Truth of Christ: Marriage and Communion in the Catholic Church contains five essays of cardinals, of the archbishop secretary of the Vatican congregation for the Oriental Churches, and of three scholars on the ideas supported by Walter Card. Kasper in the opening discourse of the consistory in February 2014. Also available now in the UK! HERE

There is now also the Eleven Cardinals Book™. Eleven Cardinals Speak On Marriage and the Family and also Christ’s New Homeland – Africa, the Ten Africans Book™. And to have a look at what the organizers of the Synod (not “walking together”) are capable of, see Ed Pentin’s new Smoking Gun Book™ about last year’s chaotic Synod.

Finally, here is a book that is being hailed as the “Ratzinger Report” for our time.

God or Nothing: A Conversation on Faith by Robert Card. Sarah

He is the real deal. UK HERE