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{]:¬)

QUAERITUR: Priests obliged to say the daily Office but not daily Mass.

Posted on 16 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

It is my understanding that those ordained to the priesthood are bound by canon law to pray the main hours of the Divine Office daily. I think by main hours, it is Matins, Lauds, Sext?, Vespers & Compline. However, how come there is no such stipulation for the celebration of Mass? Is there a reasonable answer for this???

I suspect the reasons for this are practical. At one point there was a strict rule against saying Mass alone. While it is ideal to have another person present this is not longer a hard and fast rule. Today, priests can say Mass without any human presence for a good reason, and a good reason can be simply that he wants to say Mass. Also, ideally priests should not say Mass in the state of mortal sin. It is not always easy or possible for a priest in some areas to find a confessor. In old manuals of moral theology authors suggested that a priest can say Mass but should seek a confessor within three days. This is a great deal easier in the age of automobiles, of course.

Moreover, I believe the old Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church obliged priests to say Mass a minimum of several times a year, not daily. Furthermore, in the new Code, as in the old, pastors with the care of souls in a parish were obliged either personally or by a proxy to make sure that on all Sundays and days of precept Mass was offered “pro populo”, for the intention of the people under his charge. There is also the case of the priest taking on the obligation of saying 30 Masses for a single intention for a deceased person on 30 consecutive days. He must say these Masses on these days without interruption.

Of course if a priest does not say Mass on a Sunday or day of precept, he is nevertheless obliged like every other Catholic under the obligation to hear Mass in order to fulfill the obligation.

The Office, on the other hand, is something that does not require the presence of another or that the priest be in the state of grace.

There is a strong moral obligation based on the priest’s state in life to say Mass daily, for the benefit of the living and the dead. However, there was and is no juridical obligation.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged daily Mass, Office, state of grace
16 Comments

Pope Benedict talks about “New Evangelization”

Posted on 16 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From CNA:

Pope believes secularized nations can become Christian again

Vatican City, Oct 15, 2011 / 03:24 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Today Pope Benedict XVI told over 8,000 Catholics involved in the “new evangelization” that he has every confidence they can return their respective nations to Jesus Christ. [Hmmm… I think I am involved in the “New Evangelization” in someway. Many bloggers are. Lot’s of notice about this event in advance, wasn’t there?]

“Seeing all of you and knowing the hard work that everyone of you places at the service of the mission, I am convinced that the new evangelists will multiply more and more to create the true transformation which the world of today needs,” the Pope said Oct. 15. in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall.

The Pope was addressing a conference entitled “New Evangelizers for the New Evangelization – The Word of God grows and spreads,” organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. [Ah yes, the office that didn’t have a computer when it was opened.]

Noting that the title of the conference was drawn from a phrase often used in the Acts of the Apostles, the biblical account of the early Catholic Church, the Pope suggested that modern society still yearns for God, just as it did 2,000 years ago.

“Modern man is often confused and cannot find answers to the many questions which trouble his mind in reference to the meaning of life,” said the Pope. [But Holy Father! But Holy Father! Where O Where could they find some of those answers? Where could they find others across the globe and engage them in solidarity while seeking those answers?]

And yet, he observed, man “cannot avoid these questions which touch on the very meaning of self and of reality.” Consequently, modern man often despairs and simply withdraws from “the search for the essential meaning of life,” settling instead for “things which give him fleeting happiness, a moment’s satisfaction, but which soon leave him unhappy and unsatisfied.”

It was with such people in mind, that Pope Benedict said he created the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization last year. The council is charged with spearheading the re-evangelization of traditionally Christian countries that have been particularly affected by secularization in recent decades.

As he spoke to the thousands of evangelists from around the world, the Pope gave them three reasons for hope in their mission.

He first reminded them that “the power of the Word does not depend primarily on our action” but on God. Secondly, he said that even in the modern world “there continues to be the good soil” into which the word of God will fall and produce “good fruit.” And lastly, he counseled the missionaries that despite “indifference, misunderstanding,” and “persecution,” there are still many people willing to “courageously open their hearts and minds to accept the invitation of Christ,” and become missionaries themselves. [Do I hear an “Amen!”?]

Those gathered in the audience hall heard testimony from those involved in various new movements, schools of catechesis and evangelizing projects.

“I felt it very important to be here today as a witness for our young people working in the new evangelization,” said 29-year-old Patrick Muldoon from Dublin, Ireland. He was at the Vatican gathering with 19 others from the Emmanuel School of Mission, a Rome-based project that prepares young people to be Catholic missionaries.

“We’ve all left jobs and studies to come to Rome for one year to spend that year for God and we really feel that in our own lives we can be great witnesses to other young people,” said Patrick.

Standing next to him was 22-year-old Haydi Koussa from Cairo, Egypt. She felt the meeting was “a great opportunity to learn new ways of carrying out evangelization, particularly in my home country.”

“The new evangelization is there,” Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, England remarked to CNA. He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

“It’s there in groups of young people who are already gathering together to witness to the faith with a new strength and a new courage,” the archbishop said, adding that this is particularly important “in those places where our young people can be influential – such as their places of work and study.”

Before imparting his blessing on the crowd, Pope Benedict asked them to continue to “be signs of hope, able to look to the future with the certainty that comes from the Lord Jesus, who has conquered death and gave us eternal life.” He entrusted them to the protection of the Virgin Mary, “star of the new evangelization.”

Apparently the New Evangelization hasn’t yet engaged the New Media.

Given the recent rioting in Rome, could here be a few opportunities locally to give their message a try?

Posted in Brick by Brick, I'm just askin'..., New Evangelization, Pope of Christian Unity |
7 Comments

QUAERITUR: Some people go to the Communion rail quite early.

Posted on 16 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

In my parish, some of the parishioners approach the Communion Rail at what seems to be too early a time. They go up as the second Confiteor is said by the servers, and are kneeling at the rail while the Ecce: Agnus Dei! prayer is taking place. Is this too soon, or are they on to something which I am unfamiliar with?

Maybe they just really love Jesus and can hardly wait to receive Him. Maybe they usually go to a TLM where the rubrics of the 1962MR are actually observed and the Second Confiteor is not recited. Maybe they are choristers. Maybe they just like to be first.

Friend, I wouldn’t worry about this.

Yes, it might be a little early as far as standard practice is in some places. I have seen this happen as well. Often people who are a little motion impaired will get a head start.

I don’t think we have to be too regimented about the Communion rail.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged communion rail
35 Comments

Pro-abortion catholic Nancy Pelosi, D-CA continues to give scandal

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Via CMR comes this truly scandalous piece.

On the House floor today Nancy Pelosi sank to a new low in criticizing pro-life Congressmen behind the Protect Life Act, which simply ensures that no funds from Obamacare may be used to pay for abortion or abortion coverage and also reinstates conscience protections for pro-life medical workers. Check out her despicable verbiage.

How disgusting is that? But that’s not even the worst part. Think about this. Pelosi is fighting to keep abortion funding in Obamacare after months of insisting that “there is no public funding of abortion.”

Horrible. Pray for her and that a bishop will act to correct the scandal.

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And this shocking piece of mendacious argumentation …

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Posted in Dogs and Fleas, Emanations from Penumbras, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill |
39 Comments

QUAERITUR: Saying “Amen” before Communion in the Ordinary Form.

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Is it required that a communicant say “Amen” in order to receive Holy Communion at the Novus Ordo?

I ask because we normally attend the Extraordinary Form, but last weekend we were traveling and attended the Novus Ordo. My 10-year-old went up the Communion and put out his tongue. The priest stopped, told him to say “Amen”, but my son did not hear/understand, and thought the priest was telling him to put out his hands to receive. This went back and forth a bit and my son finally realized what he was being told, in line, and said “Amen.” He was a little embarrassed, as the line was held up as he was being publicly corrected.

Obviously “Amen” is not said in the EF, and my son was not used to it. Should the priest have done this?

Hmmm. “Should the priest have done this?”

That’s one way to frame this. I’ll track back to that.

Let’s first look at the rubric in the new, corrected English translation of the Missale Romanum:

134. After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:

The Body of Christ.

The communicant replies:

Amen.

And receives Holy Communion.

Say the black and do the red, right?

Yes, the proper thing to do is to say “Amen” and then receive. And yes, that is not how we do it in the Extraordinary Form. Parents who take their kids to the Extraordinary Form exclusively might want to run through this with kids in case they do go to the Ordinary Form sometimes.

I think it is good to do this according to the book. One reason is that, if you don’t say anything during the Ordinary Form, you might give the priest (or … who knows who) the impression that you don’t know what to do because you aren’t a Catholic. In that case, the minister of Communion might hesitate to give you Communion.

Also, “Amen” is an entirely appropriate response, since it expresses belief in and consent to what has been said: “Corpus Christi“.

Should the priest have done what he did in that moment?

I can’t say for sure, but it seems to me that he had some justification. I am supposing that virtually all the people presenting themselves in his Communion line are Catholics who attend exclusively the Ordinary Form and, therefore, they know to say “Amen”…. unless they are not Catholic, as happens during weddings, funerals, etc. It strikes me that the priest was making sure the communicant in front of him was a Catholic who could receive.

So, should the priest have done what he did?

Let’s think about this.

10-year-olds who have only been to the Extraordinary Form shouldn’t be expected to be psychic or have infused knowledge about what to do at the Ordinary Form any more than 10-year-olds who have never been to the Extraordinary Form should know when brought for the first time. And the priest doesn’t usually have psychic powers about 10-year-olds who only go to the Extraordinary Form. Perhaps writing on their foreheads would give him clue.

Parents must see to it that their children know how to receive the sacraments to which they are admitted. This includes both sides of the Roman Rite.

It also includes knowing a regular formula for how to make a good confession.

Parents should make sure that their children know what to do so that they are not uncertain or overly nervous or put off so that they next time they might not want to do it.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity |
35 Comments

Benedict XVI’s new liturgical movements – WDTPRS POLL!

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I picked this up from the intrepid Andrea Tornielli.

Apparently from tomorrow onward, Sunday, Pope Benedict will start using the moving platform used by John Paul II when it became hard for him to walk. He will do this in the Vatican Basilica tomorrow for a Mass he will celebrate.

The papal spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, says: «Non c’è nessuna malattia o indicazione di tipo medico … There is no malady or suggestion of medical nature.» Thus, we are not supposed to read too much into this. Lombardi said that this is just to alleviate some of the fatigue the octogenarian pope feels when walking long distances, particularly in heavy vestments.

What immediately occurred to me is that it might also give him a little more protection in the case of an aggressor. Sure enough, Lombardi mentioned that as well.

If they want to alleviate fatigue, make the Holy Father more visible to people and keep people from jumping out at him as has happened a couple times already, I have a similar idea.

Remember the POLL we had in 2009? The plugin for that poll is long gone, though comments remain. Let’s have another WDTPRS POLL!

Chose your best answer and then leave a comment in the combox, below, about this new development for Pope Benedict, Popes in the past, and/or the Sedia Gestatoria.

UPDATE:

From the Holy Father’s Mass this morning:

Not exactly the Sedia Gestatoria. Since the Holy Father is not very tall, this will help him to be more visible.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, POLLS, Pope of Christian Unity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged Benedict XVI, Fr. Lombardi, sedia gestatoria
38 Comments

Bp. Aquila predicts US Govt may try to silence the Catholic Church

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I noted this on CNA.

Bishop Aquila predicts state attempts to silence Catholic Church
By David Kerr

Rome, Italy, Oct 8, 2011 / 03:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An American bishop has predicted that government authorities may one day attempt to silence the Catholic Church in the United States.

“We could see the possibility of it within the United States where we are no longer free to preach the truth from the pulpit or to present Catholic teaching,” Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota, told CNA on an Oct. 7 visit to Rome.

“It will then become important for us to take a very strong stand, as we have done with human life and the unborn child, to continue to speak the truth and to speak it clearly and with charity.”

Bishop Aquila cited two recent examples where he believes religious liberty is being undermined: the closure of Catholic adoption agencies in states that have legalized same-sex “marriage” [I suspect that will be the main issue for persecution of the Church, rather than abortion.] and the new government health mandate requiring private insurers to provide women with coverage for contraception and sterilization.

“It’s very, very important for us to realize that we are in a very real clash between the culture of death and a culture of life,” said Bishop Aquila, summing up the former culture as one where “rights are eroded and where lies are being presented as truth.” [Do I hear an “Amen!”?]

Bishop Aquila said he doesn’t know how the present stand-off between Church and state will be resolved, but he is certain that Catholics “will have to stand for the truth” and “speak clearly to the truth no matter what the cost.” He doesn’t rule out the possibility of civil disobedience. [Why should we rule it out?]

“Either we’re going to have to enter into conscientious objection and say we won’t do this or we will need to cooperate – which we cannot do and still be faithful,” he said.

And he worries that the preaching of the faith may also eventually face legal sanction in those states where the practice of the Catholic faith in areas such as adoption and foster care has been declared illegal.

“I tell our seminarians: you must be prepared to enter into this battle because it’s a battle we need to enter into and speak the truth,” he said.

Bishop Aquila was in Rome for the ordination of one of those seminarians to the diaconate, one of four new deacons for the Diocese of Fargo this year. His words of congratulation to them, though, have also been mingled with words of warning.

“There will be people who will hate you because of the stand which you take, there will be people who ridicule you, yell at you,” he said. “And they did all the same things to Christ when he proclaimed the truth and we can expect no less in the times in which we live.”

I think he is right. And I think the “gay agenda” will bring the most vicious attacks on the Church.

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged anti-catholicism, Bp. Aquila, homosexuality
29 Comments

About Bp. Finn in Kansas City – St. Joseph

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I was sorry to read that His Excellency Most Rev. Robert Finn, Bishop of Kansas City – St. Joseph is facing an indictment for the misdemeanor of not reporting to police a suspicion that one of the priests of that diocese was engaged in improper behavior towards children.

I am sorry for Bp. Finn, whom I know a little bit, and who has struck me as a good and humble man trying to be a good bishop in difficult times.

I am also sorry that the press in Kansas City, as some of my friends there have been telling me, are doing their darnedest to to make every aspect of the case sound as lurid and horrible as possible.

I have a few requests to the readership.

First, you can stop sending me emails telling me that Bp. Finn was indicted. I know.

Second, in your charity please say a prayer for Bp. Finn, perhaps asking the Holy Angels to guard him in a special way while this is going on.

Third, when you read stories about this case, carefully attend to the language of the reporting.

The judicial system will now grind away at everyone in this matter until a verdict is reached, lots of people will be hurt even more, and the liberal press will sharpen their knives on the Church in Kansas City.

It grieves me to have to watch this vivisection take place.

We must entrust all this to the Lord.

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Clerical Sexual Abuse | Tagged Bp. Finn, D. Kansas City-St. Joseph
Comments Off

Some photos and comments and thanks

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

CLICK

Here are some photos I have pulled out of my phone, in no special order.

I visited Greenwich the other day and, coming up from the Thames into the great quadrangle I saw this in the pavement. The birthplace of a monstrous fellow.

On a better note, I had a very nice look around Westminster Cathedral with a friend. I had no idea that on the back of the great Crucifix in the sanctuary there was a Stabat Mater.

Here you can see the altar from the side. The little wall behind was actually moved at huge expense before the Holy Father’s visit last year precisely so that he wouldn’t say Mass ad orientem.

This Rolls Royce has little wipers on the headlights.

Meanwhile, back at Greenwich, Fr. Finigan is still standing at attention.

The uniform Admiral Nelson was wearing when he was killed.

There are splendid models of ships at the museum in Greenwich. In my opinion they are the best thing to see there.

Yesterday was a glorious, beautiful day. It is hard to imagine more splendid weather.

Of interest to art historians. I spotted this after visiting the gang saying the Rosary at Bedford Square for Forty Days For Life.

Don’t know why this image is smaller. Oh well. It was a really nice day.

Just coming out of the National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing where the older stuff is. I spent a couple happy hours comparing Sienese and other Tuscan Mary and Child paintings.

On the way home, I grabbed a couple of trout of the shelf at a Tesco. They had an interesting package, nicely vacuum-packed, which accounts for the little ridges on one side. The ridges didn’t affect either the cooking time or the flavor.

So far so good. My trip is winding down to an end soon… sniff. I should have made it longer.

Thanks to all of you who have sent donations! Here are some of the kind people’s initials, whom I always note down and whom I remember in prayer. I will soon again say Holy Mass for the intention of benefactors which is my pleasure and duty. Your kindness is always appreciated and my spirits are lifted each time I get a notification that a donation has come in. I hope I got everyone…. if not, your names are noted down elsewhere.

LS, AR, LR, MH,
LL, JB, JP, RB, WH x 2,
MH, RB, MR, CS, MK,
DG, MH, PK, MR, DP,
MC, AN, SS, LT, KB,
AO, HE, KA x 2, AB, RD,
TB, AR, AKP, MG, ED,
JK, MR, JP, J&GG,
DT, LL, CW

Posted in Just Too Cool, On the road |
8 Comments

Winnipeg: Catholic school principal faces dismissal for promoting 40 Days for Life

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Life Site:

Catholic principal faces dismissal for promoting 40 Days for Life
BY PATRICK B. CRAINE

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, October 13, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The principal at a Catholic elementary school in Winnipeg faces possible dismissal after he considered allowing students to count the 40 Days for Life vigil towards community service hours.

Principal David Hood of Christ the King School advertised the local 40 Days campaign in a recent newsletter and then told the Winnipeg Free Press on Tuesday that he was considering allowing students to join the vigil to satisfy part of the 10 hours of community service required of grade 7 and 8 students.

The comments led to a media firestorm with calls for the school, which is independent and under the auspices of the Archdiocese, but receives 50 percent funding, to lose its public funding for promoting “political” activism.

Now Principal Hood’s employment is under review by the school’s board of directors, the CBC reported Thursday afternoon. Hood was asked to stay home Thursday.

After the Winnipeg Free Press broke the story Tuesday, the Archdiocese, headed by Archbishop James Weisgerber, immediately distanced themselves from Hood’s actions, insisting that “Catholic Schools in Winnipeg do not give community service or academic credit for participation in prayer vigils.”

“There are no Catholic schools in Winnipeg that give academic credit for political activity,” Robert Praznik, the Archdiocese of Winnipeg’s director of education, told the Winnipeg Free Press. “We’re very careful, we’re not a political organization. None of this is part of the curriculum, and none of this is done on school time.”

In an interview with LifeSiteNews, Praznik insisted the Winnipeg Catholic schools strongly uphold the right to life, but said they “would never give credit to people for attending a prayer service,” just like they “wouldn’t give credit to people for attending Mass.”

“We respect the sanctity of human life. It would be individual parents, families that would make those decisions,” he continued.

Asked if the schools would organize a group to attend a pro-life event, like the Catholic schools in Ontario do by sending students to the Ottawa March for Life, he said, “We would have difficulty if it happened during school hours because of our funding.”

“It’s not that we’re not supporting pro-life activities, but we’re also politically sensitive to the political environment,” he said. “In terms of government regulations in terms of school hours and so forth. We walk a fine line.”

[…]