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{]:¬)

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 18th Sunday after Pentecost (N.O.: 25th) 2024

Posted on 22 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this 18th Sunday after Pentecost, or the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time?

Tell us about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?

A couple thoughts about the sign of the cross: HERE A taste…

Context. In Matthew 8 Christ is east of the See of Galilee in Gentile territory where He exorcizes demoniacs. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) differ in some details in their parallel accounts. In Mark and Luke there is just one poor naked energumen who, with his demonic-fueled strength cuts himself and breaks chains. The demons possessing him are called “Legion”, which is a unit of the Roman army numbering some 7000 with cavalry. In Matthew 8:22ff Jesus sends the demons into a herd of swine who rush suicidally into the sea. Try to imagine the scene of squealing and thrashing around as they walked together… er um… rushed (Greek hormáo) into their final synodal meeting. It was so terrifying that people begged Him to leave.

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Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
5 Comments

St. Michael the Archangel Novena – Day 3

Posted on 22 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

St. Michael the Archangel Novena – Day 3

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, we honor you as a powerful protector of the Church and guardian of our souls. Inspire us with your humility, courage and strength that we may reject sin and perfect our love for our Heavenly Father.

In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may be protected from the snares of the devil, that we may avoid all occasions of sin.

St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike Satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility.

It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions…

(state your petitions)

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged novena
1 Comment

ASK FATHER: “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”… invalid?

Posted on 21 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a cleric reader…

QUAERITUR:

I was wondering if I received valid absolution. The priest in confession said the entire formula correctly but at the very end he said “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” but didn’t say “in the name of”. It’s a strange nuance. Normally they don’t get absolution and say I forgive you or they make something up entirely but this was basically all there, absolution and trinitarian formula but curious on validity. Thank you

Yet another priest going off on his own. Perhaps this is rash judgment but, if he was of a certain age, I wonder if he doesn’t make the Sign of the Cross with his palm outward.

You were validly absolved. Validly, but not licitly.

The Sacrament of Penance is a liturgical rite of the Church. It has actual RULES to be followed and WORDS to be said!

The essential form is “I absolve you from/of your sins”. The Trinitarian part is not strictly necessary for validity. The words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” are not demanded by Christ or because of the juridical aspect of the form. Words before and after the form might be omitted but only for a serious reason. In fact, the manualists say that one could (one shouldn’t except for a burning grave motive) omit the “you” as in “I absolve your sins” or else could say, “I absolve you” because “your sins” is implicit in what is being absolved. This is clearer in Latin, than in English. However, that is highly theoretical and not to be fooled around with.

This is the proper Novus Ordo form, which you can print and give to Fr. Jackass when he stumblebums around with the words of absolution.

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest should be urged to say the entire formula, properly, without deviation lest anyone be left in the slightest doubt… as you were… and you have had some training.

It is cruel clericalism to alter forms of sacraments.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
8 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1128 – “What Attracts Men to the Sacred Liturgy”

Posted on 21 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I’m finishing up a batch of Mass intentions right now. I’ll have room in my register for more while I am in Rome. Also, I regularly say Mass for my regular benefactors and special Roman Sojourn Donors. HERE for the form I use.

The late Giancarlo (yesterday, RIP), extraordinarily learned in matters liturgical and excellent MC, surveys the action.

When the late Card. Heenan of Westminster saw the soon-to-be imposed Novus Ordo celebrated, he quipped that he thought men would not want to attend it.

I’m just starting to get into this.

What Attracts Men to the Sacred Liturgy–And Why by Jesse Romero

US HERE – UK HERE

Hey Fathers! How about a clerical Guayabera shirt for the hot summer days?

In chessy news…. HERE

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
5 Comments

St. Michael the Archangel Novena – Day 2

Posted on 21 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

St. Michael the Archangel Novena – Day 2

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may have the grace to see the image of God in the least of our brothers and sisters.

St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility.
It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions…

(state your petitions)

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Posted in PRAYER REQUEST | Tagged novena
2 Comments

Novena to St. Michael the Archangel – Day 1

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

St. Michael the Archangel Novena Prayers

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may be blessed by God with the zeal to live our lives in accordance with Christ’s teachings.

It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions…

(state your petitions)

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Posted in PRAYER REQUEST | Tagged novena
1 Comment

Daily Rome Shot 1127 – Mass intentions

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I’m finishing up a batch of Mass intentions right now. I’ll have room in my register for more while I am in Rome. Also, I often say Mass for my regular benefactors and special Roman Sojourn Donors. HERE for the form I use.

Today is, along with being Ember Friday, the feast of Saint Eustace, Sant’Eustachio. We saw his church yesterday through the street view. Hadrian old his general Eustachius to sacrifice to the gods. He refused. Trajan had him and his family sent ad bestias, to the lions, but they just lay down at their feet. Hadrian ordered them to be killed in a heated bronze bull. Constantine probably built the first oratory here, which is near the Pantheon. Across the way there is a famous coffee shop. I lived in this zone for several years and we could smell the coffee roasting…. not in a bronze bull.

I can take some Mass intentions right now. HERE NB: right now I can only receive stipends electronically (Zelle (preferred), Venmo, PayPal, Wise) because of upcoming travel.

Thank you SS for switching monthly donation over to Zelle.

Welcome registrant:

ambroseschoolSEO

In churchy news…

Gavin Ashenden has some observations at the UK’s Catholic Herald about a old chestnut. HERE

The CDF…. er um… DDF… made a ruling on Medjugorje. HERE My view remains unaffected.

Pres. Trump was going to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, but the visit was cancelled. HERE I’ll never forget seeing a video of Duda chasing down a Sacred Host which the wind had caught at an outdoor Mass.

One of the strongest chess players for Poland right now is Jan-Krzysztof Duda (2732). Duda seems to be a common Polish surname, originating from “bagpipes” or “bad musician”. Maybe a bad bagpipe player in his ancestral line?

Here’s a bonus shot from inside Sant’Eustachio. Given that the billboards were removed…. and that today we begin a Novena to St. Michael!

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

In chessy news… HERE

Support the wonderful Benedictines of Le Barroux, who are making excellent wine from the ancient vineyards of the Avignon Popes in S. France.

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Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

R.I.P. Giancarlo

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I asked several times for prayers for a friend and archconfrere in Rome, Giancarlo. He suffered from the complications of a terrible congenital malady of the liver.

Giancarlo passed away a few minutes ago.

He had received the last rites. He had his brown scapular on. Members of the Archconfraternity of Ss. Trinità were present as was one of the priests of the parish. He died, “nelle braccia di Jacopo… in James’ arms”.

Two hours ago, he sent a message to us members of the Archconfraternity via WhatsApp:

“Affido le mie preghiere a San Giancarlo Cornay di cui ricorre oggi il die natalis … I entrust my prayers to St. Giancarlo Cornay, whose “anniversary of death” is today.”

I now ask for your prayers for his eternal rest.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Consider, reader, as you pass by this page, your own inevitable death.

Humble yourself before the loving Sacred Heart of Jesus. Examine your conscience.

GO TO CONFESSION!

Posted in Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, Urgent Prayer Requests |
7 Comments

19 September 1846: Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

On this day, 19 September, in 1846 Our Lady appeared to two young shepherds at La Salette in France. She appeared seated on a rock, weeping, with her face in her hands. She wore a headdress like a bright crown with a band of roses, a dress with beams of light, slippers edged with roses. Around her neck hung a golden crucifix. On one end of the cross beam was a hammer and nails. On the other, a tongs for extracting the nails. On her shoulders was a large chain. In tears, she stood and spoke in their local French dialect.

She said, “The Church will be in eclipse, the world will be in dismay.”

Great saints have been devoted to Our Lady of La Salette, including St. John Bosco, St. John Vianney, and St. Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Secrets were given to the two shepherd children, Maximin and Melanie. Neither told the other what they were. They sent them to Pius IX in 1851. In October 1999, Fr. Michel Corteville discovered the original secrets buried for more than a century in the Vatican archives.

Maximin’s Secret HERE

Melanie’s Secret HERE

Posted in Our Solitary Boast, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices |
3 Comments