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{]:¬)

ASK FATHER: Use of Novus Ordo Collect in the TLM

Posted on 21 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest:

This Sunday is the patronal feast of our parish, Sts Joachim and Ann. We have an extraordinary form Mass every Sunday. Do you know if there is a collect for the extraordinary form that mentions both Joachim and Ann that might licitly be used in the extraordinary form?

The present legislation indicates that the two forms (I think they are rites, but that’s another bowl of chowder) should not be mixed.

It seems to me that the best approach would be, on the Feast of St. Ann, to double your collect and pray also the collect for St. Joachim.

Yet another Planned Parenthood baby body parts video

Posted on 21 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Never has the label “Big Business Abortion” been more appropriate for Planned Parenthood. HERE

Another video is out, showing a PP exec negotiating the price of body parts of babies.

Planned Parenthood receives million of YOUR tax dollars.

A new undercover video shows a top Planned Parenthood official discussing “less crunchy” techniques to get “whole specimens” and haggling over the price of fetus tissue sales because she wants “a Lamborghini.”

The video released Tuesday morning, the second put out by the Center for Medical Progress, features a woman identified as Dr. Mary Gatter, who was president of the Planned Parenthood Medical Directors’ Council until 2014 and now works in a leadership and advisory capacity at the local and national level of the organization. Over drinks, Gatter and the undercover activists discuss “specimen” prices, eventually settling at $100 for “intact tissue.”

There’s more.

I suspect we are nowhere near the bottom of this chilling circle of Hell.

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, Sin That Cries To Heaven | Tagged Planned Parenthood
25 Comments

Signs in the Heavens: recent rare planetary and stellar conjunctions

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You might recall that I posted about the theory about the Star of Bethlehem. His arguments are pretty good.

I was sent a link to an interesting video in Spanish about another triple conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in Regulus in Leo. Because of retrograde motion, there will be 8 conjunctions over a period of 423 days. This is similar to what occurred some 2000 years ago.

He talks about a “sacred astronomy”. His suggestions extend to future events, which I am not so sure about.

There is one fast motion section where you can see the retrograde motion play out. It’s fun to watch the Moon go whizzing by, and the other planets drift through.

You decide.

Posted in Look! Up in the sky! |
4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Many languages in one Mass

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

Is it possible to say Mass in many languages? In example part in English, part in French or better part in English and Canon in latin?

Yes, this is possible in the Ordinary Form.

Is it a good idea?

I don’t think so.

If there is a group of people (who all belong to the Latin Church) speaking different languages, why not use everyone’s language, Latin? People can have their own translations.

(And, no, I am not fan of the multiple language papal Masses either.)

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged languages, Latin Church
21 Comments

ASK FATHER: Father says Mass in alb and stole

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

A new pastor to our church celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass dressed only in a white alb with a green stole this Sunday. It is my understanding a priest is always to wear proper liturgical vestments when carrying out his priestly function. The heat and humidity may have prevented him and I would like to give him the benefit of a doubt but he seems to be a maverick, if you get my drift, refusing even to purify the sacred vessels after communion or after Mass. Can the bishop give special dispensations for priests who may have health problems and simply can not bear the heat of wearing a chasuble?

No.

Put more money in the collection so that the parish can get – pace Francis – an air conditioner.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Francis, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged air conditioning, vestments
14 Comments

Banning kneeling violates religious freedom

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At HPR Fr. Regis Scalon, OFM.Cap. has a good piece which might be sent to ever parish priest who seeks to force people not to kneel during Mass.

Here is the introductory section:

Kneeling Ban: Good Liturgy or Loss of Religious Freedom?

Some religious leaders in the Latin Rite are pressuring Catholics not to kneel at the Consecration, or to genuflect at their reception of the Eucharist. This trend has gained a great deal of traction in recent years, and is causing alarm among those who see it as a restriction of religious freedom. As Catholics, we have come to expect that our secular government wants to restrict our religious freedom, but it’s a new and disturbing trend when it comes from inside the Church.

This trend, which is being fostered by serious religious groups and orders, [okay… I see what he is doing here, but how serious is a group that pressures people not to kneel or genuflect in the presence of God?] is being promulgated in both explicit and subtle ways. Whether it’s by making an actual rule, or by merely showing disapproval, participants in these liturgies are no longer free to “fall to their knees” in adoration. Instead, everyone must stand, sit, or bow—depending on the “rules” of that particular group. Deviation is not welcome, and in some cases, is forbidden.

What is behind this restriction? Is it a good thing? [No.] What does the Church say about the ways an individual may show adoration? The purpose of this paper is not to judge or condemn those who favor restrictions, but to show that such restrictive rules are incompatible with Church teachings, and even with the commonly accepted idea of religious freedom.

First, let’s be clear: the issue is not to stop anyone from standing, sitting, or bowing if their consciences tell them to do so during the liturgy. They should be free to do so! By the same token, those who wish to kneel should be free to do that as well.

Later, we will use Church teachings and documents to support the contention that a ban on kneeling is incompatible with our God-given religious freedom. For now, let’s examine the practical outcomes of such a ban: Under the “sit, stand, bow, or else” scenario, worshipers are being forced to think about “the community,” when they should be devoting their whole “body, soul, mind, and strength” to our Lord becoming truly Present in the Eucharist. [Do I hear an “Amen!”?] In a restrictive atmosphere, even when an individual feels called by conscience to kneel in adoration, they will wrestle with nagging questions: “Am I offending my fellow worshipers?” “Will I be seen as a religious fanatic?” “Will it hurt my ability to stay in the group?”

It’s wrong to force such uneasiness (for some, it could even amount to a troubled conscience) on anyone during what should be a moment of profound adoration of God! However, that’s the effect of this trend. Even though the motives of these “trendsetters” may be pure, the hope is, they will reconsider their direction. They may believe that conformity will provide a more pleasing communal experience. But that’s not the goal of Catholic liturgy. [Right!] The goal of our liturgy is to bring each individual into closer relationship with our Creator—not to please each other or the “group.” In short, it is wrong to coerce Catholics to act against a centuries-old tradition of “bending the knee” at the Consecration and Communion of the Eucharist. This is not a personal opinion, this is the position reflected in Church documents and teachings.

[…]

Read the rest there.

Posted in Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Religious Liberty, The Drill | Tagged Fr. Regis Scanlon, genuflecting, kneeling, religious freedom
41 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mass texts for St. Elijah, Old Testament Prophet

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Many of the great figures of the Old Testament are considered saints and have a day in the Roman liturgical book called the Roman Martyrology. I post about them on occasion.

The Martyrology says that when the day is clear on the regular calendar – id est there is not even an obligatory memorial – a saint of the day in the Martyrology can be selected.

Here is the entry for St. Elijah, prophet, in the Roman Martyrology:

2. Commemoratio sancti Eliae Thesbitae, qui propheta Domini in diebus Achab, regis Israel, Dei unici iura vinidicavit adversus infidelem populum tali animi robore, ut non modo Ioannem Baptistam, sed etiam Christum ipsum praefiguret; oracula scripta non reliquit, sed eius memoria fideliter servatur, praesertim in monte Carmelo.

In the older, traditional Roman calendar, I think we must use St. Jerome Emiliani. In the newer calendar, I think we are freer, since there is only an optional memorial for St. Apollinaris.

Problem: Where to find the texts for Mass for St. Elijah?

Since the Carmelites venerate him, they have Mass texts.

Could Fr. Sven O’Brien use them at the diocesan parish of St. Ipsidipsy in Black Duck?

He could probably ask permission of the local Bishop of Black Duck.

In any event, here is the spiffy preface which a reader sent:

Preface of Our Father, S. Elijah the Prophet: Right indeed it is and just, proper and for our welfare, that we should always and everywhere give thanks to you, holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God; and that we should triumphantly praise, bless, and proclaim you on this solemn feast of blessed Elijah, your Prophet and our father: who, at your word, arose like fire, closed the sky, raised the dead, smote the tyrants, killed the impious, and laid the foundations of the monastic life; who, fed with bread and drink by the ministry of an angel, walked in the strength of that food as far as the holy mountain; who was carried off in a whirlwind of fire, to return as a herald of the second coming of Jesus Christ our Lord; through whom your majesty is praised by the Angels and the Archangels, by the Cherubim too and the Seraphim, who lift up their endless hymn, day by day, with one voice singing: Holy… [Not my translation.]

Finally, the mention of Elijah and Carmelites prompts me to remind you to refresh your coffee supply with

[CUE MUSIC]

… Mystic Monk Coffee!

When you’ve hard a hard week of searching for Mass texts for Old Testament prophets until you look like Gandalf in the archives of Minas Tirith, you can still save the world from Sauron, and find your Mass formulary, by drinking lots of …

Mystic Monk Coffee.

Do you not care about finding that long-lost parchment?

Do you not care about … about the liturgy?

Is it possible that you don’t care about saving the liturgy and saving THE WORLD?!?

What would Gandalf do? Would he order iced tea?!? Actually, that sounds pretty good today. The monks have tea, too.

Anyway…

Mystic Monk Coffee!

It’s swell!

CLICK TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM EVIL

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged St. Elijah
9 Comments

Catholics can respectfully disagree with Pope Francis on economics

Posted on 20 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

My friend Fr. Gerry Murry has a good comment on Laura Ingraham’s new site, LifeZette (don’t ask me about that name, I’m not sure either). My emphases and comments.

Can Capitalists Be Good Catholics?
Pope Francis warns of ‘subtle dictatorship’
by Fr. Gerry Murray

Pope Francis’ recent scathing criticisms of capitalism and the free-market have left many American Catholics scratching their heads, wondering if they have to hit the confessional next time they go out to buy a new car. [Not to mention turning on the air conditioner. Laudato si’ 55.]

“Once capital becomes an idol and guides people’s decisions, once greed for money presides over the entire socioeconomic system, it ruins society,” said the pontiff at a global gathering of popular movements in Bolivia. [We can all agree that both making anything into an idol and greed are bad.]

In this scathing critique of the modern economic system, he warned about “the evil effects of this subtle dictatorship” that “destroys human fraternity” and “sets people against one another.”

In a passionate delivery, he cautioned about the spoils of greed: “The economy should not be a mechanism for accumulating goods” but requires the “fitting distribution of its goods among all.”

Francis described the global financial system as “the new colonialism,” and decried “the imposition of measures of ‘austerity’ which always tighten the belt of workers and the poor.” [“austerity” measure… as in Greece? BTW… isn’t Argentina the Greece of the Americas?]

[NB] This brings us to the inevitable question: Does being a good Catholic mean being “anti-capitalist” or “anti-free market?” Are Catholics obliged to agree with the pope’s critique? The answer to both questions is no.

One can be a devout Catholic and disagree thoughtfully and respectfully with Francis’ economic-political outlook. Moral and ethical conclusions about the actual functioning of domestic economies, international banking, and global largely fall in the realm of prudential judgment. [Exactly.] Should American investors buy foreign bonds? Should corporations build factories in poor countries? Should governments sign free-trade agreements with neighboring states? All of that is up for free discussion and debate.

On the plane back from Paraguay, Francis admitted his distaste for the subject of economics.

He said, “On Greece and the international system, I have a great allergy to economic things, because my father was an accountant and when he did not manage to finish his work at the factory, he brought the work home on Saturday and Sunday, with those books in those day where the titles were written in gothic. When I saw my father I had a great allergy and I didn’t understand it very well. Certainly, it would be all too simple to say that the fault is only on one side. If the Greek government has brought forward this situation of international debt, also they have a responsibility.”

An American reporter pressed the pope on his critique of the “global economic system,” which many see as directed at the United States. He replied, “I heard that there were some criticisms from the United States. I must begin studying these criticisms, no?” he said. “Then we shall dialogue about them.”

[NB] So Catholics are invited by the pope himself to disagree with his conclusions on matters that are under discussion. In matters of economics, he admits his lack of interest and hence invites qualified persons to criticize his positions. He has promised to study those criticisms.

He wants to dialogue with those who disagree with him. That is all to the good.

Hopefully the Holy Father will take some time to study and absorb some of what has been offered as a criticism of some of his statements on markets and the global economy.

Posted in The Drill | Tagged capitalism, Fr. Gerald Murray, Pope Francis
34 Comments

My View For Awhile & NYC – Day 4: Hot and Sticky Edition

Posted on 19 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

When I headed out for parts north today it was about 95° and really humid. Add to that black clothing (aka solar panels)

It was just about then that a priest friend sent me a photo of himself in his new white cassock with black trim. Gotta get me one.

This is the little church in Sleepy Hollow. I did not see anyone running around without a head.

I went to the a Missa Cantata of a newly ordained priest. He acquitted himself well, but it was quite warm in that church, I must declare. I’m glad I didn’t have all that gear on.

Then it was off to Flushing for Chinese! I’ve been hearing that the really good Chinese is in Flushing and now I have experiential knowledge and not only theoretical knowledge.

Indeed, the food at the (recommended) place we went was stupendous.

First, we went primarily for the xiao long bao. Well, they can take a bow for their bao, which were, I do hereby declare, the best I’ve ever had. I’ve eaten these in a lot of places. These are the best so far.

These were hot and sticky, too. They were scorching hot, as a matter of fact, and tenacious. But… WOW.

Next, chili peppers with shredded potato. This stuff is super addictive. You can barely stop eating it.

A standard, shredded pork in garlic sauce. It was very good, but I’ll be game for something else the next time.

There followed another round of xiao long bao.

The people were very friendly (not at all the case usually in most Chinese restaurants). I really liked their polo shirts: a xiao long bao doing kung fu!

I am both glad and sad that this place is so hard to get to.

The meal included an amusing water spilling incident. The tactical clericals proved their worth as the water simply rolled off. I almost wish it hadn’t: it must have been over 100 in the restaurant. When we went outside, it felt cool at 93.

And so the adventure continues.

Off we zipped past the alien spaceships, to LGA.

I arrived to find that my flight was/is (as I write) delayed so its now the “red eye”.

Security took about 5 minutes, even though the pre-check line was closed. Since I had pre-check, however, they had an “expedited” pass, so I didn’t have to fiddle with my shoes. I was still, however, instructed to “divest” my laptop from my bag. I’m not sure how the laptop felt about being undressed in public, or otherwise be dressed down in public.

Who writes that stuff, anyway?

The lounge is nearly empty, but there are still a few people here who seem to think that it is their private living room.

Really?

Posted in On the road, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged xiao long bao
4 Comments

NYC – Day 3: 9/11 Memorial

Posted on 19 July 2015 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Down the island I went to meet friends for lunch at a favorite place: Veselka.

My view for awhile.

I was rewarded with cold borscht. That’s chopped dill.

Ruben.

The staff wear shirt with festive beets!

Then it’s Uber time to the tip of the island.

The 9/11 Museum … I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleased with what I found. A lot of thought went into the design.

One of the first things you encounter is what everything looked like just before it happened.

A bit of the iron structure into which one of the airplanes slammed.

The quote from Virgil is: Nulla dies umquam memori vos eximet aevo. I am not sure that the people who chose that did a lot of research.

Where that twisted iron was.

And the other.

A relic of the attack.

On a less solemn note, after the visit to the museum and memorial, we went uptown and parked ourselves in a “bar” on Bryant Park (yes, Romeo and Juliet were playing again and, yes, Mercutio was still screechy).

Which drink is mine? And what is it? Keep in mind that it was 90+F° and really humid.