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: Can we obtain indulgences and pray for Holy Father’s intentions if there is no Holy Father?

Posted on 27 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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Many people have sent email asking about obtaining indulgences during the time when the See of Peter is empty, as will happen from 8 p.m. Rome time on 28 February until a new Bishop of Rome is elected.

To obtain some indulgences we are to pray for the Holy Father’s intentions (that is, the intentions that the Holy Father designates that we pray for).

QUAERITUR: If there is no Pope, how do we pray for the Pope’s intentions?

This question came up in 2005, after the death of John Paul II.

First, YES! The faithful are able to obtain plenary indulgences during the “Sede Vacante” time, where there is no Pope.

As a matter of fact, the Church holds matters of internal forum and of indulgences to be so important for the faithful that the office of the Major Penitentiary (who oversees these matters for the Apostolic Penitentiary) is one of the few that does not cease when the Pope dies or resigns. I digress.

So, yes, you can obtain indulgences during the “Sede Vacante” period.

Moreover, back in 2005 the Apostolic Penitentiary responded to a question about these matters, saying:

Even though the Apostolic See is vacant, the conditions of praying for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff are fulfilled (by reciting once the “Our Father” and the “Hail Mary” once; nevertheless, the opportunity is also given to the individual faithful to recite another prayer which pleases them according to the piety and devotion of each one), even if he has fulfilled the duty of his life, since the ends of the Pope’s intention, the ends for which one must pray–undoubtedly the spiritual good of the whole Church — persist.

So, continue to pray for the intentions designated by Benedict XVI for March 2013, which were issued at the beginning of the year, namely,

GENERAL – Respect for Nature. That respect for nature may grow with the awareness that all creation is God’s work entrusted to human responsibility.
MISSIONARY – Clergy. That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

If, quod Deus avertat, there is still no election by the end of March, then pray for the intentions Benedict XVI designated for April, etc.

Furthermore, while it is possible, it is unlikely that the next Pope will scratch Benedict’s designated intentions for the rest of the year. More than likely they will persist until the end of the year when he will draw up and issue his own.

[UPDATE]

To emphasize the postive point, above, Vatican Information Service published on 28 February, as usual, the Holy Father’s intentions for March 2013. HERE.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Benedict XVI, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged Benedict XVI's resignation, Holy Father's intentions, indulgences, plenary indulgences, pope, Sacred Penitentiary
12 Comments

WaPo and lefty, pro-homosexual advocacy “journalism”

Posted on 27 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There is an interesting piece at The American Conservative which illustrates an obvious problem in the mainstream media. Rod Dreher nailed this one.

Dreher looks into WaPo‘s commentary an exchange between an editor, a journalist, and a concerned reader. The point made is that WaPo has assumed a pro-homosexual position. WaPo then falls firmly into the trap. WaPo holds that pro-homosexual, advocacy reporting is about justice and fairness.

Replied the reporter: “The reason that legitimate media outlets routinely cover gays is because it is the civil rights issue of our time. Journalism, at its core, is about justice and fairness, and that’s the ‘view of the world’ that we espouse; therefore, journalists are going to cover the segment of society that is still not treated equally under the law.”

Get that?

More of the exchange:

The reader: “Contrary to what you say, the mission of journalism is not justice. Defining justice is a political matter, not journalistic. Journalism should be about accuracy and fairness.

“Good journalism also means not demeaning conservatives as ‘haters.’ ”

The reporter: “As for accuracy, should the media make room for racists, i.e. those people who believe that black people shouldn’t marry white people? Any story on African-Americans wouldn’t be wholly accurate without the opinion of a racist, right?

“Of course I have a bias. I have a bias toward fairness,” the reporter continued. “The true conservative would have the same bias. The true conservative would want the government out of people’s bedrooms, and religion out of government.”

NB: “religion out of government”. This could have been written by the White House. Oh… right…. this is WaPo.

At the heart of this particular issue, advocacy of re-defining marriage to include homosexual unions, is that it is NOT a civil rights issue!

These reporters and commentators and liberal wonks have confused the issue of homosexual desires with the color of someone’s skin. They seem not to have the reasoning skills to see the difference between the issues.

Posted in Liberals, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, Religious Liberty, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged advocacy journalism, journalism, WaPo, Washington Post
29 Comments

Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father for 2014

Posted on 27 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father entrusted to the Apostleship of Prayer for the Year 2014

2013-02-27 L’Osservatore Romano

January

Universal: That all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples.

For Evangelization: That Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ.

February

Universal: That the Church and society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people.

For Evangelization: That priests, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity for evangelization.

March

Universal: That all cultures may respect the rights and dignity of women.

For Evangelization: That many young people may accept the Lord’s invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel.

April

Universal: That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources.

For Evangelization: That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those who are being tested by pain and sickness.

May

Universal: That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace.

For Evangelization: That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations.

June

Universal: That the unemployed may receive support and find the work they need to live in dignity.

For Evangelization: That Europe may rediscover its Christian roots through the witness of believers.

July

Universal: That sports may always be occasions of human fraternity and growth.

For Evangelization: That the Holy Spirit may support the work of the laity who proclaim the Gospel in the poorest countries.

August

Universal: That refugees, forced by violence to abandon their homes, may find a generous welcome and the protection of their rights.

For Evangelization: That Christians in Oceania may joyfully announce the faith to all the people of that region.

September

Universal: That the mentally disabled may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life.

For Evangelization: That Christians, inspired by the Word of God, may serve the poor and suffering.

October

Universal: That the Lord may grant peace to those parts of the world most battered by war and violence.

For Evangelization: That World Mission Day may rekindle in every believer zeal for carrying the Gospel into all the world.

November

Universal: That all who suffer loneliness may experience the closeness of God and the support of others.

For Evangelization: That young seminarians and religious may have wise and well-formed mentors.

December

Universal: That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will.

For Evangelization: That parents may be true evangelizers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith.

From the Vatican, 1 February 2013

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Benedict XVI, Holy Father's intentions
1 Comment

Coarse and duplicitous anti-Catholic piece in The Washington Times

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The other day there was a particularly tasteless and mendacious article in the Washington Times (I thought better of them) entitled “Is ‘bad Catholic’ the new Catholic?” written by Nicole Pandolfo.

This piece is so bad that she does not deserve a pass.

Let’s have a look at a few points.

“I am, no doubt, at the top of the papal naughty list. But what would Jesus say? While I’m no saint, I’m certainly not the worst of the sinners. I try to be kind and generous to others, give to the poor, be accepting of my fellowman, fight for what I believe to be good, and generally do unto others as I would have done unto me, which explains the progressive viewpoints I listed above. If Jesus could speak for himself, he might just say us “Bad Catholics,” are doing something right.”

In early Christianity pagans made the same arguments as this woman. They were basically good to their neighbor (though in favor of infanticide). They gave to the poor (when they were wealthy). They fought for what they believed was good. But they didn’t call themselves Christians and didn’t want to be.

She continues,

“Sure, all those years of CCD taught me to obsess over guilty feelings, but it also taught me to love thy neighbor and help those many less fortunate than myself in any way I could.”

Are you kidding me? Where was that CCD class? I ‘d like to send the teachers an award.
Is there anyone who believes a word of this woman’s tripe? In the last 30-40 years NO ONE who has done CCD was “taught to obsess over guilty feelings.” That era ended long before this young woman was born.

This thing about Catholic guilt is a “locus communis” (for Nicole that’s a “cliché”). It hasn’t been true in anything like the last 40 years, especially not in these USA. Anti-Catholic catholic writers revert to this “Catholic guilt” line when they are pouring out their anti-Catholic feelings in articles like this one.

They wouldn’t know Catholic guilt if it bit them in the … ankle.

She continues,

“It’s not easy being religious in a city like New York, where ashes on my forehead at lent elicits the type of gawking one would expect if I had excrement smeared across my face.”

Like she went to Mass on Ash Wednesday. Surrrrre she did. And from what I know about NYC, seeing the ash Cross on people’s foreheads wouldn’t elicit even a second glance.

Finally, juxtapose these two statements in her piece:

“My mother raised me as a single parent, and in my writing both for the stage and page I’ve exploited my past sexual experiences for artistic purposes.”

and…

“Visitors to my apartment see several art pieces relating to Our Lady of Guadalupe and a crucifix nailed firmly above my bed.”

Riiiight.

Posted in Green Inkers, Liberals, Our Catholic Identity, The Last Acceptable Prejudice, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged anti-catholic, Catholic guilt, Nicole Pandolfo, Washington Times
49 Comments

Your Excellencies! Fathers! Plans for 28 February? Masses for the Pope? For the Election? Bells? Processions? Prayers?

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

To all bishops and priests out there….

Do you have any special plans for 28 February? After?

His Holiness ceases to be Pope, Bishop of Rome, and becomes “Pontiff Emeritus” at exactly 20:00 Central European Time on 28 February. Have you worked out what time that is where you are?

Perhaps there is special “thanksgiving” Mass to be celebrated?

Perhaps you will ring the church bells for, say, 10-15 minutes before the hour itself?

What’s up?

I wrote about the Mass and procession at Mater Ecclesiae parish in New Jersey HERE.

In the Diocese of Madison, where I am, His Excellency Most Rev. Robert Morlino has issued a decree giving priests permission (according to GIRM 374) to say (Ordinary Form) Masses for the Pope in white vestments on weekdays of Lent and, after the resignation is in effect, Masses for the Election of a Pope or a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit on weekdays of Lent. And then, after the election of the new Pope Masses for a Pope on weekdays of Lent (if there are any!). And, of course, mutatis mutandis, this would apply to the Extraordinary Form.

What has your diocese determined?

Also, the bells at the chancery in Madison will ring for a few minutes leading up to the moment of the resignation’s effect.

When great needs press us, and this will be a great need, we turn to prayer and fasting and to our sacred liturgical worship.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Benedict XVI's resignation, Bp. Morlino, D. Madison, Pro Eligendo Summo Pontifice
33 Comments

A woman’s report on wearing a veil in church for the first time – Fr. Z POLL!

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The subject of chapel veils, mantillas, whatever, comes up occasionally. It always excites conversation.

My view is that this custom should be revived. According to the Church’s present law, women are not obliged to cover their heads in church. I would be pleased if they did, but… hey…

That said, at the blog Conversion Diary, we read of a woman’s experience of wearing a veil in church for the first time. It is interesting to see this from a convert.

Converts in many ways seem more open to the traditional elements of the faith than many “cradle” Catholics. No?

Let’s see the first part:

Notes from beneath the veil

I wore a chapel veil to church for the first time ever yesterday. It’s something I’d wanted to/felt called to do for years, and I finally committed to doing it during Lent. I didn’t make it to Mass last week because, you know, snakes on a plane, so this Sunday’s Mass was my first shot at it.
My biggest concern was not drawing attention to myself. Though a few women at my parish do wear scarves, hats, or veils in church, they’re a small minority, and I didn’t want to feel like I stood out. So when we arrived I slipped into the pew discreetly, which was made easier by the fact that I only had my five-year-old daughter with me (the one of dragon-defeating fame) since Joe had taken the others to vigil Mass the day before. After the first Scripture reading I finally began to relax, and by the end of the Gospel I felt confident that I was just an anonymous face in the crowd.
And then Fr. Uche began his homily. The Gospel reading was about the Transfiguration, and when he introduced the topic, he mused, “What did Jesus go up the mountain to do?” I jumped when a voice beside me shouted at the loudest possible volume:
“TO PWAY!!!!!”
That would be my sweet daughter’s pronunciation of “pray.” She’s so excited about Jesus and was so delighted to know the answer that she just had to scream it at the very top of her lungs — and, wow, who knew that a young child’s voice could fill an entire huge building like that? The church was packed with about 1,100 people, and I am pretty sure that every single one of them looked over at us in that moment. I had already felt like THE WOMAN IN THE CHAPEL VEIL!!!!, and now I felt like THE WOMAN IN THE CHAPEL VEIL WHOM WE’RE ALL NOW STARING AT BECAUSE HER KID YELLS AT THE PRIEST DURING MASS!!!!
Anyway.
I’ve gotten a lot of comments and emails from women who said that they were interested in covering their heads but had never tried it, so I thought I’d share my experience in case others find it helpful. And yes, there is definitely something ironic, and possibly a little lame, about undertaking a practice that’s all about humility and hiddenness and then writing about it on your blog. I get that. But I’m going to go ahead and crack open that can of worms anyway, because I know that it’s something a lot of us have thought about, and I think that at least a few folks might find a discussion about the practice to be fruitful.
First, a bit of background:

[…]

You can go over there and read the background and other comments about dress, reactions, etc., which as a man – frankly – made me look quickly for an article about new electronic gadgets or baseball or movies with aliens and explosions.

But I am glad she posted about this.

Now I’ll back out of the room, as I always do when posting on this…. See ya!

One more thing….

Here’s a little POLL. Just pick your best answer. Anyone can vote, but you have to be registered to comment.

Posted in Brick by Brick, Our Catholic Identity, POLLS | Tagged chapel veils, mantillas, poll
117 Comments

Benedict XVI to be called “Pontiff Emeritus” or “Pope Emeritus” and some other end-of-Pontificate details

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From VIS:

BENEDICT XVI WILL BE POPE EMERITUS

Vatican City, 26 February 2013 (VIS) – Benedict XVI will be “Pontiff emeritus” [would that be “Roman Pontiff Emeritus”?] or “Pope emeritus”, as Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, reported in a press conference on th final days of the current pontificate. He will keep the name of “His Holiness, Benedict XVI” and will dress in a simple white cassock without the mozzetta (elbow-length cape). [The elbow-length cape is a sign of jurisdiction, it isn’t just for warmth or decoration. I once ran into an SSPX bishop at a Roman clerical tailor and asked him what the little shoulder cape meant (of course I already knew)… he got pretty mad. But I digress…]
More than 50,000 tickets have already been requested for the Pope’s final general audience tomorrow morning, 27 February, but greater attendance is expected. Except for the trip around St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile and the exclusion of the “bacciamani” (brief personal greetings that take place after the ceremony), the audience will take place as usual. On its conclusion, the Pope will go to the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Palace to meet with some of the civil authorities who are present in Rome or who have travelled here to wish him farewell. Among these dignitaries will be the presidents of Slovakia and of the German region of Bavaria.
On the morning of 28 February, the last day of his pontificate, the Pope will meet with, again in the Clementine Hall, the cardinals what are present in Rome. At 4:55pm, in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Vatican Apostolic Palace and before a detachment of the Swiss Guards, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary of State of His Holiness, and and other members of that dicastery will bid him farewell. The Pope’s helicopter will land at Castel Gandolfo at 5:15pm, where he will be received by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello and Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, respectively president and secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State along with Bishop Marcello Semeraro of the Diocese of Albano, and civil authorities of the locality.
Benedict XVI will appear at the balcony of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic Palace to greet those who have gathered in the square to wish him well. The Sede Vacante will begin at 8:00pm and the Swiss Guards assigned to him at Castel Gandolfo will take their leave, as their corps is dedicated to the safe-guarding of the Roman Pontiff. Instead, the Vatican Gendarmerie will take over the Pope emeritus’ safety detail.
Fr. Lombardi also explained that Bendict XVI will no longer use the “Fisherman’s Ring”, which will be destroyed along with the lead seal of the pontificate. This task falls to the cardinal camerlengo and his assistants. Likewise, the Press Office director announced that the Pope will no longer wear the red papal shoes. [How disappointed the liberals will be. They like to focus on that stuff.]
Regarding the beginning of the Congregations of Cardinals, the dean of the College of Cardinals will send a letter to all the cardinals on 1 March, calling them to Rome. “It is likely, therefore,” Fr. Lombardi added, “that the congregations will begin starting next week.” [Shall we say… March 4? Then they will have to fix the date of the conclave. They probably won’t get through the immediate business on the first day, so let’s guess they’ll fix the date of the conclave on the second day of the Congregations, perhaps 5 March? And I’ll bet they’ll move it forward a few days. These are suppositions, of course.]
The congregations will be held in the new Synod Hall. The prelates will not be housed in the Casa Santa Marta residence until the eve of the beginning of the Conclave for various reasons, including the fact that rooms are to be assigned by lot during the congregations.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI | Tagged Benedict XVI's resignation, conclave, Pope Emeritus
45 Comments

REVIEW: St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal for the Traditional Latin Mass – WOW!

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

One of the fruits of Benedict XVI’s pontificate has been the freeing of the older form of Holy Mass. His Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum was like an “emancipation proclamation”. Slowly but surely the use of the older Roman forms is spreading.

With that growth come new resources.

One such is the new St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal for the Traditional Latin Mass.

I had received a review copy some time ago, but hadn’t the energy or time to dig into it. Then I received a note from one of the long time readers here about this hymnal. He wrote:

I believe the appearance of this new TLM missal & hymnal–reflecting as it does the beauty of the TLM itself–to be a significant post-Summorum Pontificum event, particularly for TLM newcomers not having a prior hand missal devotion.

Our TLM community is selling copies to individuals, and has not been able to keep up with demand. Ordered 25 copies, then 50 more, then 100 more. Virtually everyone who sees one, wants one.

Upon a first look, it immediately occurred to me that only the TLM could inspire such beauty in a missal or hymnal, just as the Novus Ordo as we know it would never have inspired such beautiful vestments as befit the TLM.

And I’ve seen its effect on others at first look. We’ve been showing it after Mass, and I’ve not personally seen anyone look at one without wanting to buy it, right then and there. Which is why our multiple re-orders, trying to keep up.

Which convinces me of its significance for the TLM, especially its appeal to TLM newcomers without a traditional hand missal devotion. Its appearance is a significant event for our own community that embraces growing TLM groups throughout our diocese.

I like the observation about “a traditional hand missal devotion”. In yesteryear, people would receive a hand missal perhaps for first Communion or Confirmation, they might upgrade to a full, adult version later and then keep it all their lives, stuffed with holy cards and memorial cards and ordination cards, holding it closed with a rubber band.

The new St. Campion hymnal/missal isn’t in that same small format, but it has advantages that the older, traditional hand missal, such as those now produced by Baronius Press and Angelus Press, don’t have.

With those things in mind, here are some pics, which will give you a sense of what he is talking about.

First, this is a hard cover book, the size of a hymnal, rather than a hand missal. That means the print and everything else is larger.

You can see the sections. I am a little concerned that the angular corners will get worn quickly.

It would be helpful to have a couple ribbons.

Sorry about the fuzzy, but you get the sense.

And there is the art work!

In the back there is a Kyriale… a section with the basic chants for the Ordinary of Mass… meaning that the congregation can sing. SHOULD sing in more cases!

It is not light-weight.

Side by side with the Baronius Press hand missal.

Okay, let’s have more interior shots… ’cause it is quite spiffy.

There are two sections for the Ordinary, for Solemn Mass and for Low Mass.

This was interesting. They included some images of ancient manuscripts which demonstrate the antiquity of what we do as Catholics during Holy Mass. This, below, is the beginning of the Roman Canon in the “Stowe Missal” which dates to about 750 AD.