Our Lady of the Clergy

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Our Lady of the Clergy

O Mary, Queen of the Clergy,
thou who art the Mother of the Church,
the Queen of missions,
the fulfillment of all ecclesiastical virtues;
deign to sow in the pure hearts of our first communicants abundant graces for priestly and missionary vocations.
Prepare the souls of our seminarians for the dangerous duties of their future sacred ministry.
Fill our priests, thy favorite sons,
with a burning ardor of indefatigable zeal,
and grant them the holiness and knowledge
necessary for their glorious mission.

O Queen of priests,
thou who art the appointed patron of the Catholic hierarchy, enlighten and strengthen our bishops
so that they may be thy people’s vigilant pastors and zealous leaders.

Extend thy powerful protection
to our Holy Father the Pope,
that he may guide the ship of thy Church
with a firm and sure hand
through the storms and convulsions of the modern world to the port of eternity.

August Queen of heaven and earth,
O divine captor of my heart,
draw all souls to thee
and chain them to thy virginal heart by the unbreakable bond of a love so pure and so zealous that they may live only to love and please thee,
now in the darkness of exile
and soon in the splendors of our eternal home.
Amen

(Translated from the French Prayer:
Notre Dame du Sacerdoce.
P. Ignatius Mary OFM
Imprimatur: Fr Paulus, CP Metis, le 16 juin 1925. E. Emel, Vicaire Général)

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Hillary Clinton supports Planned Parenthood

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Just a reminder of what you all know.

The other day she said that the baby parts videos were disturbing. She now repeats that she supports Planned Parenthood, big business abortion, founded by Margaret Sanger to get rid of undesirable people.

Today the Senate votes.

sanger clinton

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Really long Elevation, Consecration – POLL

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

hand bellsFrom a reader…

QUAERITUR:

We have a new priest in our parish (not the pastor). He’s done a few Sunday masses so far.

He’s got a few quirks, the most noticeable of which are during the consecrations of the bread & wine — elevating the host for about 2 minutes, then kneeling before the altar for another 1-2 minutes, elevating the chalice for the same, kneeling after that for the same. It totals about 6-8 minutes added on to the consecration.

Is this simply unusual, or against protocol?

Of course, it’s always better to have a priest be extra reverent than not reverent enough. Still, this weekend I finally looked up while he was doing it and kids were antsy, a lot of teenagers were just looking around the church, etc. His extra devotion was so long that it was hard not to be distracted.

That’s certainly unusual.  I would say that it is, in a public Mass with a congregation, perhaps a little self-indulgent.  Private Mass is one thing, but Mass with lots of people is another.  I have no doubt that Father is deeply pious, but this sort of liturgical practice could refocus attention to himself, which is contrary to the essence of the moment.

The length of time I elevate the Host is, of course, ideal. If asked, your parish priest will say the same about the length he chooses.

One of the things I have been trying to is to break the altar boys of is long rings (i.e., this isn’t a fire alarm) or a specific pattern that takes no account of what the priest is doing for the elevation (i.e., altar boys don’t get to decide how long the elevation lasts).  They are to make crisp, brief rings, paying attention to what the priest is doing.

Keeping in mind that Mass is not the time for sustained adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as if Mass were Exposition, and keeping in mind that part of the genius of the Roman Rite is the deprivation of our senses of sight and hearing during certain moments, and keeping in mind that bells are secondary to the Blessed Sacrament, how long do you think the priest should extend the elevation?

Please give your best answer and then use the combox.  We had this poll once before, but it is worth posting again, anew.  Anyone can vote, but you have to be registered and approved to leave a comment.

ROUND 2: The Host and Chalice should be elevated during Mass for

View Results

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged ,
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ACTION ITEM! URGENT MONDAY – US Senate votes to DEFUND Planned Parenthood – CALL SENATORS

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Early Monday evening, the U.S. Senate will vote on S. 1881, to prohibit taxpayer funding of big biz abortion Planned Parenthood.

From Life News:

While most members of the Senate are strongly pro-life and support yanking taxpayer funding from the nation’s largest abortion business, there are seven members of the Senate — three Republicans and four Democrats — who are considered the most likely to support de-funding Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, some of them have already announced publicly they intend to back funding for Planned Parenthood despite the fact the abortion company sells the body parts of aborted babies.

Here are the seven senators who need to hear from you in the next 24 hours. If you live in their states, it’s time to pick up the phone and call now to ure them to vote to de-fund Planned Parenthood.

Republicans:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK) 202-224-6665
Sen. Mark Kirk, (R-IL) 202-224-2854
Sen. Susan Collins, (R-ME) 202-224-2523

Democrats:

Sen. Joe Donnelly, (D-IN) 202-224-4814
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, (D-ND) 202-224-2043
Sen. Bob Casey, (D-PA) 202-224-6324
Sen. Joe Manchin III, (D-WV) 202-224-3954

Friends… if you live in these states get on the phone.  If you don’t live in these states, get on the phone to your own Senators’ offices.  Be heard.

How to contact your Senator HERE

UPDATE:

From FNC:

The Senate failed Monday to advance a Republican-led measure to halt federal aid to Planned Parenthood, but leaders of the GOP-controlled chamber appear ready to continue the fight, galvanized by a series of unsettling videos about the group.

The vote to bring debate on the bill was 53 against to 46 in favor.

The measure had not been expected to get the 60 votes needed to move it toward a final vote because Republicans needed several “yeas” from Democrats, who largely support Planned Parenthood.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin was among the Democrats who voted to defund the group. Manchin, whose state has increasingly become more Republican leaning, was undecided until a few hours before the vote.

“I am very troubled by the callous behavior of Planned Parenthood staff in (the) recently released videos, which casually discuss the sale, possibly for profit, of fetal tissue after an abortion,” he said before voting. “Until these allegations have been answered and resolved, I do not believe that taxpayer money should be used to fund this organization.”

New York Sen. Joe Donnelly was the only other Democrat to vote yes. The only Republicans to vote no were Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He voted no so he could again bring up the measure.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Emanations from Penumbras |
17 Comments

ROME: “Shadow Synod” II September 10-12

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received word of a conference coming up in Rome.  The conference is clearly part of an organized effort to influence the proceedings of the upcoming Synod of Bishop on the family… and not in a good way.   This conference – like the recent “Shadow Synod” of 5 May last – is also to be held in the black shadow of the Jesuits.  It will be at the Gregorian University, like the last one.  It’ll be an after-glow of the burning City of God that was the “Shadow Synod”.

Happily, like good Northern Europeans, they are charging lots of money to attend, perhaps not knowing that in Rome no one pays anything. So, there will be 4 people at this.  But that’s not the problem.  They will have papers which will go into a book which will then be distributed to.

Let’s look at the brochure and make some comment.

Large images by clicking.

Note: Where you see Piazza della Pilota… that’s the Jesuit Gregorian University, even though the Greg isn’t mentioned.

An Opening Address will be given by our old friend Oscar Card. Rodríguez Maradiaga.

15_08_03_screenshot_0115_08_03_screenshot_02

Note the description of the conference. They are looking for

“fresh perspectives on … the relation between doctrine and pastoral practice, the sense of the faithful, an ethics of mercy, and indissolubility int he context of a contemporary theology of marriage.”

This is sponsored by INTAMS and Aldegonde Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn, Dutch.   She’s a wealthy liberal with close ties to the Jesuits.

Andrea Grillo, from the Rome’s liturgical institute Sant’Anselmo, is an enemy of traditional worship.

Eberhard Schokenhoff, one of the worst, was a speaker at the 5 May Shadow Synod.  HERE and HERE  For this guy, God doesn’t communicate truths to us.  No, we are in dialogue with God and we, somehow, shape God.  He’s for Communion for everything that breathes, it seems.  He is a heretic.

What could possibly go wrong?

This is part of an orchestrated effort to condition the environment of the Synod.

Posted in Liberals, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, Synod, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged , , ,
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Catholic League on the publicly funded hate speech in Milwaukee

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Catholic League:

Milwaukee Hate Speech Publicly Funded

August 3, 2015

Bill Donohue comments on the Milwaukee Art Museum’s anti-Catholic exhibition and its reliance on public funding:

Anti-Catholic art is always objectionable, but it is doubly so when it is publicly funded. Such is the case with the Milwaukee Art Museum: it is now showcasing a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI made up of condoms; it was supposed to be displayed in November, but they moved the date to July 30. I have already addressed this hate speech, disguised as art, for what it is, and the lame defenses that officials associated with the museum have offered (click here). Now it’s time to examine the museum’s funding.

At the federal level, the National Endowment for the Arts gave this museum an $80,000 grant during the period of August 2008 to April 2010. In addition, it received $212,500 in federal aid from other sources. Statewide, it receives monies from the Wisconsin Arts Board; it was given $17,500 in fiscal year 2015. At the local level, it receives funding from the Milwaukee Arts Board for some exhibitions.

The arts community typically defends itself by saying that not every controversial exhibition receives public funding. But money, being fungible, means the taxpayers are on the hook for contributing to institutes that sanction hate speech. Catholics in Wisconsin, and in Milwaukee, should not be forced to have their hard-earned dollars underwrite a museum that denigrates their religion. If Catholics are forbidden from erecting a nativity scene on public property, the state should be forbidden from funding speech that trashes Catholicism.

We are contacting public officials in the executive and legislative branches of both the state of Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee. Because officials from the Milwaukee Arts Museum refuse to act responsibly, the time has come to deny public funding to this establishment.

Perhaps Governor Scott Walker can prod the state legislature to act.

Contact Governor Walker’s office: govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Posted in The Coming Storm, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , ,
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ACTION ITEM! “Officer Down!” – Memphis officer slain

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

rom Fox News:

Authorities identify suspect wanted in fatal shooting of Memphis police officer during traffic stop

A suspect has been identified in the search for a gunman who shot and killed a Memphis police officer during a traffic stop, the city’s police director said Sunday night.

A warrant for first-degree murder has been issued for 29-year-old Tremaine Wilbourn, who is believed to be the shooter, Police Director Toney Armstrong said at a Sunday evening press conference.

Wilbourn is currently on supervised release for a 121 month sentence for robbery of a banking institution, Armstrong said.

Officer Sean Bolton, 33, may have interrupted an illicit drug transaction when he encountered a Mercedes-Benz illegally parked on a Memphis street Saturday night, according to Armstrong.

After Bolton illuminated the Mercedes with his spotlight, he approached the vehicle and was confronted by its passenger, who allegedly shot Bolton multiple times after a struggle, the director said.

Armstrong told reporters that 1.7 grams of marijuana was found inside the vehicle.

[…]

Armstrong said police are using all available resources to find the shooter and that officers are grieving, adding that “this is just a reminder of how dangerous” the job is.

“Sadly to say, we’ve been here before,” he said.

Bolton is the third Memphis officer to be fatally shot in slightly more than four years.

[…]

“The men and women in blue have certain rules of engagement that they have to follow, but at any given minute in a 24-hour day they’re dealing with folks who have no rules of engagement.

Meanwhile… God help you if you defend yourself from terrorists.

 

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
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Your Sunday Sermon Notes

Posted on 3 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Was there a good point in the sermon you heard for your Sunday Mass of obligation?

Share it here.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
13 Comments

2 August until midnight: “Portiuncula” Plenary (or Partial) Indulgence

Posted on 2 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From midnight tonight to midnight 2 August, you can gain the “Portinuncula” Indulgence.

Catholic Encyclopedia

St. Francis, as you know, repaired three chapels. The third was popularly called the Portiuncula or the Little Portion, dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels. It is now enclosed in a sanctuary at Assisi.

The friars came to live at the Little Portion in early 1211. It became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscans. This is where St. Clare came to the friars to make her vows during the night following Palm Sunday in 1212 and where Sister Death came to Francis on 3 October 1226.

Because of the favors from God obtained at the Portiuncula, St. Francis requested the Pope to grant remission of sins to all who came there. The privilege extends beyond the Portiuncula to others churches, especially held by Franciscans, throughout the world.

A plenary indulgence is a mighty tool for works of mercy and weapon in our ongoing spiritual warfare. A plenary indulgence is the remission, through the merits of Christ and the saints, through the Church, of all temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.

To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or one’s parish church, with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father and pray for the Pope’s designated intentions. You should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make your sacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.

BTW… the faithful can gain a plenary indulgence on a day of the year he designates (cf. Ench. Indul. 33 1.2.d). You might choose the anniversary of your baptism or of another sacrament or name day.

UPDATE:

My friend Fr. Finigan, His Hermeueticalness, has some excellent points and suggestions in his post about the Porticumcula indulgence.  HERE

He talks about a way to understand indulgences better, and provides links to his posts which explain how it is possible to obtain plenary indulgences, and also which days have special indulgences.

Posted in Just Too Cool, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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Las Cruces, NM: Bombs set off at Catholic and Baptist churches

Posted on 2 August 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From WSPA.com:

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Officials say there have been reports of explosions at two Las Cruces churches.

Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office say they have bomb squads at the scenes of the two churches.

At the time of Sunday mass, two explosions were reported going off at Calvary church and at Holy Cross church according to Las Cruces Sun News. Sun News reports that police immediately started evacuating people.

Las Cruces police say the explosion at Calvary church came from a bomb in a mailbox and the explosion at Holy Cross church came from a trashcan and shattered windows.

Sun News reports that an explosion happened in a mailbox near Calvary Baptist Church Sunday morning with church members inside.

There is no word yet on what started the explosions or if the incidents are connected.

KRQE News 13 will provide updates as they become available.

More HERE

Posted in The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice |
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