Fr. Z's Blog | Catholic commentary by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

REVIEW: Movie “Persecuted”

Posted on 18 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is a public service announcement.

I prefer to be kind about Christian movies. That said, save yourself some irritation. The newly released “Persecuted” isn’t good.

“Persecution” addresses a theme which I think is real: there is/will be persecution of true Christians who don’t water down the Faith and compromise with the world.

This movie, however, is weird. It is as weird as its writing was bad.

I actually groaned a couple times, it was so bad.

I liked the fact that the flick is solidly against the “COEXIST” types… you know the bumper-stickers. The true baddies are the promoters of “indifferentism”, that all religions are equal, and all distinctions between religious need to be eliminated so that we can all just get along. Apparently, this is a government plot in order to eliminate religious terrorism.

Don’t get in the way of these baaaad government coexisters! They’ll open up a can of whupass on ya!

No! Really!

The plot is incoherent. There are numerous editing problems (I especially liked the moment when the main character presses the down button for an elevator and in the next shot we see him going up). Elements stretch credulity waaaay past the snapping point (the main character running about with a bullet in the center of his back for a looong time, even out-running various bad-guy government agents).

No no no. Just Don’t Go.

That said, the makers, clearly non-Catholic Christians, tried to get some Catholic stuff into the movie. For the most part, the Catholic stuff was treated with respect. I thank them for that. However, I suspect that nobody bothered to ask any Catholics anything about the Catholic stuff they put into the film. Actor (former Senator) Fred Thompson, who plays a priest, should have stuck with the re-mortaging commercials. Anyway, it is great that the makers treated the Catholic elements with some respect, as poorly executed as they were.

Another positive comment:

The movie made me ponder how easy it is/will be to entirely destroy the reputations of priests and bishops. Be careful, Fathers. When the real persecution comes, there is little that we will be able to do. They’ll get us, no matter how careful we are. But, in the meantime, stay frosty. Keep your heads on swivel. Watch your six. Develop situational awareness.

Meanwhile, here’s some COEXIST for ya!

Nah… that’s not provocative.

DECAL HERE
STICKER HERE

NB: NOT my design!

UPDATE

One of you readers sent this!

UPDATE:

Another option HERE:

Posted in REVIEWS, Semper Paratus, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged anti-Christian, movie, Persecuted, persecution
20 Comments

Malaysian Airlines 17, Death and You

Posted on 18 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The black boxes from Malaysian Airlines 17 might indicate that the pilots attempted a vain evasion. I doubt it. I suspect that exploding death was sudden. Who knows who may have survived the initial blast and remained conscious for some seconds that followed? Only God.

Adequate time for an Act of Contrition? For an Act of Charity?

Adequate time to say “Jesus!”, “Mary!” … “Forgive!” …?

We do not know when death will come.

It will come.

A sudden death can be a blessing.

If you are in the state of grace, sudden death can be a blessing.

A sudden death can be eternal disaster.

If you are not in the state of grace and sudden death strikes you down… eternal disaster.

Eternal, personal disaster.

When was the last time you examined your conscience thoroughly and went to confession?

When was the last time you heard the priest say the words, “I absolve you of your sins…”?

Catholics have for centuries prayed in the Litany:

“A subitanea et improvisa morte… From a sudden and unprovided death, spare us O Lord.”

What is an “unprovided death”? One by which you die – and you will die – without the Last Rites from the priest or a chance to repent of unconfessed sins even with a perfect act of contrition.

You want to have your temporal affairs in order. How much more should we have our spiritual affairs in order? You don’t know the place or the hour.

A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROMAN UNPROVIDED DEATH

Hear us, O God of our salvation! and issue not the decree for the completion of our days before Thou forgivest us our sins; and because penance avails not in hell, and there is no room there for amendment, therefore do we humbly pray and beseech Thee here on earth, that, giving us time to pray for pardon, Thou wouldst grant us also forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Take away, merciful Lord, all errors from Thy faithful people, avert from them the sudden destruction of the wasting pestilence; that those whose wanderings Thou dost justly chastise, Thou wouldst vouchsafe in Thy tender pity to cherish when corrected. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Antiphon: Sin no longer, O my soul! Think upon the sudden change from sin to endless woe. There, in hell, penance is not accepted, and tears profit not. Turn, then, whilst thou hast time; cry out and say: Have mercy upon me, O my God!

Antiphon: In the midst of life we are in death: whom, then, O Lord, shall we seek to be our helper, save Thee, O Lord! although Thou art indeed angry with us because of sins? O Holy Lord, holy and strong, holy and merciful Saviour! deliver us not ever to a bitter death.

V. – Lest, overtaken by the day of death, we seek time for penance, and be not able to find it.

R. – Hearken! O Lord! and have mercy on us; for we have sinned against Thee.

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, receive in Thy fatherly pity Thy people flying to Thee from Thine anger; that they who fear to be chastised by the rod of Thy Majesty in the suddenness of death, may be made worthy to rejoice in Thy gracious pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, graciously to incline Thine ear to the assembly of Thy Church, and let Thy mercy prevent Thine anger in our behalf; for if Thou shouldst mark iniquities, no creature shall be able to stand before Thee: but in that marvellous charity, through which Thou didst create us, pardon us sinners, and destroy not the work of Thine own hands by sudden death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God! in Whose sight every heart trembles and every conscience is awed; show forth Thy mercy upon us Thy suppliants, that we, who trust not in the excellence of our own merit, may never know Thy judgments in the suddenness of our death, but may receive Thy pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Most merciful Lord Jesus! by Thine agony and bloody sweat, and by Thy death, deliver me, I beseech Thee, from a sudden and unprovided death. O most gentle Lord Jesus! by Thy cruel and ignominious scourging and crowning with thorns, by Thy cross and most bitter Passion, and by Thy goodness, I humbly pray Thee, let me not die unprepared and pass from this life without the Holy Sacraments. Jesus, my best Beloved, my Lord! by all Thy labours and sorrows, by Thy precious Blood, and by Thy most holy Wounds, and by those last words spoken on the cross by Thee: “Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquisti me?? – “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” and again: “Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum,” – “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit,” most ardently I pray Thee, save me from a sudden death. Thy hands, O Redeemer! have wholly made and formed me: ah! suffer not death to take me unawares; give me, I beseech Thee, time for penance; vouchsafe that I may pass from this life happily in Thy grace, that I may love Thee with my whole heart, and praise and bless Thee forever and ever.

Amen.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be To The Father…

My dear people… dear readers… GO TO CONFESSION.

Parents of small children… teach your children their Faith and make sure they are making good confessions and good Communions.

Give them a good example.

Reverend Fathers, please… go to confession and hear confessions.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged A subitanea et improvisa morte, De novissimis, death, Four Last Things, unprovided death
6 Comments

VIDEO Aurora: just… wow

Posted on 18 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I have been watching the news a lot over the last couple days. Given my mood, I can imagine also yours.

Here’s something very cool as a change of pace.

Real time – not time-lapse – video of aurora borealis.

Meanwhile, as I type, your Earth’s Yellow Sun is eerily quiet. No sunspots. None. Nada.

SUNSPOT NUMBER DROPS TO ZERO: Solar activity is very low. July 17th brought the first spotless day in nearly three years. The face of the sun was completely blank and the sunspot number dropped to zero. Now, however, two small sunspots are emerging, circled in this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory:

Are these new sun spots the harbingers of TEOTWAWKI?

Have I cheered you up?

Posted in Global Killer Asteroid Questions, Look! Up in the sky!, TEOTWAWKI | Tagged aurora borealis, sun spots, TEOTWAWKI
4 Comments

Are you Middle Aged yet?

Posted on 18 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Something lighter on a heavy Friday:

For those among you who are well-read, do you know about:

Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged Chaucer, Middle Ages
5 Comments

“Thanks for your blog. It saved this seminarian from a particularly mortifying purification.”

Posted on 18 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a seminarian:

Just wanted to say a big “Thanks” for your blog. I was sure glad for the liturgical minutiae I’ve picked up here when I found a fly in the Precious Blood tonight after Mass. Your advice about skewering the fly with a pin and then burning it saved this seminarian from a particularly mortifying purification of the vessels.

My work here is done.

Yet another reason to wear a pin-on maniple.

Fathers! Just “tie one one”!

I have written about what to do when critters get into the chalice. HERE

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged chalice, fly, maniple, Tie One On
16 Comments

Compare and contrast: VIDEO – 1983 Pres. Reagan about Korean Air 007

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Pres. Reagan about the massacre of passengers on civilian aircraft Korean Air 007, blown out of the sky by the Soviet Union’s pilot.

Sure, there is a different between air to air and surface to air attacks. Sure, there is a difference between the Soviet Union and the Russian Republic…. I think.

Compare and contrast the reaction and the tone of Pres. Reagan and the present office holder.

Short version:

Full version:

What’s up with Russia, friends?

Is it possible that Vladimir Putin, a KGB operative and finally Lt Col from 1975 until 1991, having taken stock of the present locum tenens, has determined that he can act with impunity?

Please say prayers for the poor, innocent people who were slain today.

Let some good come from this monstrous wrong.

Posted in Semper Paratus, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged Korean Air 007, Malaysia, Pres. Obama, Pres. Reagan, Russia, Soviet Union, Vladimir Putin
Comments Off

“Are you still there? Did I do something wrong? I need to know…”

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For your intense consideration:

Posted in HONORED GUESTS |
12 Comments

Voice of America on Holy Innocents in Manhattan: a vibrant Catholic community

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There was another media story about Holy Innocents in Manhattan. This is the only parish in Manhattan which as daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form. It is a beautiful place with great people.

As you know a commission in the Archdiocese of New York has recommendation to Cardinal Dolan that Holy Innocents (which is reviving, thriving and paying its bills) be closed. Check this out at Voice of America News.

What’s really interesting is that this is on Voice of America.

VOA was established in WWII to provide accurate information for the peoples oppressed by tyrannical regimes trapped behind enemy lines. VOA really ramped up during the Cold War, to bring a message of freedom and news to those who suffered under Communism. I remember tuning into VOA on my little shortwave radio when I was first in Rome, huddled in my cold and squalid digs. I had sort of forgotten about it! (Similarly, I had listened to Vatican Radio when I was in seminary in these USA in the 80’s.) I digress.

Manhattan’s Catholic Churches Face Consolidation, Possible Closures

NEW YORK —
Some Catholic churches in Manhattan could be closed as the Archdiocese of New York implements a strategic plan to consolidate the churches. Shifting populations, limited resources and fewer priests are among the factors driving the consolidation. At one midtown church facing possible closure, parishioners pray for a miracle.

The Church of the Holy Innocents is the only church in Manhattan offering a high Latin Mass every day of the week. It is such a rarity that many travel across the New York metropolitan region for the daily 6:00 pm service.

Edward Hawkings makes the trek every day despite his disabilities, because the Mass inspires his soul.

“The Mass takes us to a different place. We concentrate at the Mass. It requires a great concentration. It lifts us up. It brings us to a different level, removes us from the world,” said Hawkings.

But this church, and others in Manhattan, are at risk. A program called “Making All Things New” by the Archdiocese of New York is evaluating the membership, ministry and fiscal solvency of the churches under its jurisdiction. Based on the results, some communities might see their churches closed as part of a consolidation.

The potential closure of Holy Innocents [It isn’t a done deal, officially.] signals a larger problem to Thomas Basile, who has been coming to this church since he was a child.

“It seems to me almost like someone is intentionally dismantling the Catholic patrimony of this city. This is basically a Catholic city with a Catholic history,” said Basile.

The parishioners in Manhattan once made up 25 percent of the Archdiocese’s population, but now they account for only 12 percent. That and the dwindling number of Catholic priests are just two reasons why the Archdiocese has to make hard choices, said communications director Joseph Zwilling. [What do you want to bet that priests could be found to cover Holy Innocents?]

“Any kind of change is always difficult. We understand that it’s difficult especially for people in their parishes who love their churches, who love the way things are, who don’t want to see any change. And we understand that. But we also realize that if that church is going to effectively meet the needs of the people, it has to meet the needs of the people as they exist today,” said Zwilling. [The needs of the people as they exist today… such as… Mass, confessions, spiritual conferences, works of mercy. At Holy Innocents you find all these things. They even have a discount clothing store in the basement, in cooperation with businesses nearby. Holy Innocents is in the Garment District, which is on the upswing.]

But some Manhattan Catholics fear that their historic, city churches – built on valuable real estate – are only on the chopping block to improve the Archdiocese’s finances.

“The financial condition of the Archdiocese somehow may be corrupting decisions to make decisions to sell churches,” said Hawkings.

Zwilling denied that claim. He said the Archdiocese spends $30 to $40 million dollars a year to subsidize churches that cannot pay their debts, an amount that is unsustainable. [My understanding is that Holy Innocents pays its bills and also exceeded their quota for the annual capital campaign for the Archdiocese.] The sale of a church will be the last resort, Zwilling said, and even when that happens the proceeds will be used for the parishioners.

The Archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, is currently evaluating the program’s final recommendations and is expected to announce a decision in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the parishioners of Holy Innocents pray for the future of their church. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, an annual celebration of the Eucharist, they took their faith to the streets as proof that the city is still home to a vibrant Catholic community.

There is a good point at the end. Holy Innocents is a vibrant place. You can sense it when you go into the church and watch Manhattan coming in and out in a constant stream, to pray, light candles, be in the quiet, participate at the reverent Masses.

You might check something I wrote about Holy Innocents, HERE and HERE.

And NYT, NRO, Rod Dreher, National Catholic Register.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Be The Maquis, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Pò sì jiù, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Olympian Middle | Tagged Archd. New York, Holy Innocents
23 Comments

UPDATE: 2013 Scalfari Interview now BACK on the Vatican website. Why?

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Originally Published on: Jul 16, 2014 @ 11:36

17 July: The interview has been removed. More below.

____

Can someone explain to me why the first Scalfari Interview from October 2013 is once again back on the Vatican’s website under the official category of the Holy Father’s speeches? HERE

It had been on the website. There are problems with that interview. The interviewer says he didn’t take any notes or record it. Nevertheless he put “” around the Pope’s words.

How does that work, especially when the interviewer is an inveterate and notorious left-leaning atheist?

The interview was taken down. HERE

Now it is back.

Why?

Is that interview to be considered now in some respect part of the Holy Father’s Ordinary Magisterium?

UPDATE:

I remind the readership that I recommended the riveting book

UPDATE 17 July:

It seems that the interview has been – once again – removed from the Vatican site, at least from under the Holy Father’s official “speeches”:

Posted in Francis, I'm just askin'..., Linking Back, The Drill | Tagged Eugenio Scalfari, interview, Ordinary Magisterium, Pope Francis
44 Comments

Great article in FIRST THINGS: Correcting Catholic Blindness. ACTION ITEM!

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I must alert you to a piece at First Things by Sam Gregg: “Correcting Catholic Blindness”.

Alas, it is behind a paywall. Alas, they made some other less worthy pieces available for free.

That said, we have the option of buying this article for $1.99 and it is worth every penny and the inconvenience.

Gregg gives examples of globalization and free markets that work, and he points out problems as well while underscoring that the fastest way out of poverty for people is this not that. It is fair.

For example, Gregg contrasts Chile and Uruguay with Argentina. They both come out of the same sorry mess and have a lot of the same issues. Argentina is going down the toy-toy while Chile and Uruguay are not.

Do we want to get people out of poverty or do we just want to talk about it? Do you want to score points by bloviating or do you want to help them?

Thus, it is good to have a thoughtful and well-informed article about these issues – for a change.

Here’s what I suggest.

Since this article is entombed in First Things (journal of record for the choir), and in the August edition no less, when everyone is at the beach, we have do some of the lifting for them. Perk up some people at FT, which has had some struggles over the last few years.

Purchase the article, print, read, and share. Yes, buy it. Stick the crow-bar in your wallet and give up some of that stuff that you can’t take with you. It’d be great if about 2000 of you regular readers here spent the $1.99 and then got to work. Just do it.