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

HEY JOURNALISTS! HEY TV PEOPLE! Try pronouncing “papacy” correctly?

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

To journalists writing about Pope Benedict “the papacy”. PRONOUNCE IT PROPERLY!

Papacy is pronounced “pey-puh-see” not “pap-uh-see”. If you can’t get that, try IPA, which any self-respecting person which speaks often in public ought to know about: ˈpeɪpəsi

And if that is too hard, go HERE and click the little button that will actually let you hear it. Okay? PLEASE?

And while I am at it, friends, the spelling is “magisterium” not “magesterium”. ‘kay?

Moreover, “pastoral” is “PAS-ter-uhl” not “pas-TOR-uhl”. Got it? And there is no extra syllable in it, as in “pas-TOR-ee-uhl”. Right?

UPDATE:

And another thing!

The word for a man thought to be a likely candidate for the papacy (see above) is “papabile” (from Italian) and that is pronounced “pah-PAH-bee-lay”. Okay? Think Italian. The plural is “papabili” as in “pah-PAH-bee-lee”.

Posted in Throwing a Nutty | Tagged papacy
48 Comments

Of TEOTWAWKI, Your Black Unconfessed Sins, and You

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

People sometimes think, “Oh, those poor people. That could never happen here.”

And then it does.

The people in Russia who had the encounter with the bus-size exploding meteor, got up that day just like you did. Remember that video of the tsunami in Japan? HERE.

The End Of The World As We Know It… is coming for you.

One day, if the Lord doesn’t return first, and if you are not first struck by a meteor, a bus, or – in the case of members of the LCWR – a falling house, you are going to draw your last breath.

Your heart will cease to beat and you will die.

Are you ready to die today? Are you ready to go before your Creator and Judge?

A mortal sin kills the life of grace in the soul. You don’t want to go to your death and judgment – which could happen as you read this – with unconfessed mortal sins…. nay, rather sin.

GO TO CONFESSION.

There is nothing that we little finite mortals can do that is so bad that it cannot be, and will not be, forgiven by our infinite God who loves us.

His justice we are going to get whether we want it or not.

His mercy is there for the asking.

If you confess your sins to the priest – to whom Christ Himself through holy orders and the jurisdiction of the Church gives His own power to forgive all sins – they are not only forgiven, they are gone. You will have the memory of them. You will have to do penance for them. But they are taken from your soul and will not be held against you in your judgment.

Hell for those separated from God in sin. Heaven for those who die in God’s friendship and the state of grace.

Confess your sins. Confess ALL your sins. Confess them to the priest who has faculties to receive confessions. Confess your mortal sins, all of them in both kind (what they are) and number (how many times or some idea of frequency). Confess your sins soon. Confess your sins regularly. Confess your sins completely and with the sincerity born from the love of God, who is all good and deserving of all our love.

GO TO CONFESSION.

Death and judgment is a meteor out there with your name on it.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Four Last Things, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, TEOTWAWKI | Tagged confession, Four Last Things, mortal sin, reconciliation, sacrament of penance, sins
16 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I eat insect parts on Fridays?

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Since the topic came up elsewhere, I thought it a good idea to revive this question from a reader and repost it:

From a reader:

Do insect products count as meat products, and therefore prohibited on Fridays and other days of abstinence. I have heard of some instances where it may be used in artificial color products. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, Mr. Reinfield, they are not counted as meat products. You may eat all the bugs you can find, also on Fridays!

Even on days of fasting you should be able to eat lots of insects, since it takes quite a few to make even a small portion… depending on the insects, of course.

Some dyes were/are derived from bugs, such as cochineal. Muslims, I believe, avoid it because of its origins but Jews allow it.

Artificial food color, however, would be accidental to any food you would eat. It is an incidental element.

On the other hand, FD&C Red #5 has ever been one of my favorite ingredients in prepared foods, and so in penitential spirit I give those up for Lent.

So, now that people know we can eat bugs as we please, I expect to hear that you are asking for bug-out bags, not doggy-bags.

And, yes, we should be preparing bug-out bags and bugs might just keep some of us alive at TEOTWAWKI.

Appropriate on the very day a big asteriod is buzzing your planet. HERE. (As I write, in just a few minutes, as a matter of fact. 19:24 UTC (2:24 p.m. EST/11:24 a.m. PST. And let’s not even start in on Russia!)

Which, as Preserved Killick would add, I am reminded by a scene in Patrick O’Brian’s The Fortune of War in which the Captain and officers have a little fun with Dr. Maturin.

“Two weevils crept from the crumbs. ‘You see those weevils, Stephen?’ said Jack solemnly.

I do.’

Which would you choose?’

There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are the same species of curculio, and there is nothing to choose between them.’

But suppose you had to choose?’

Then I should choose the right-hand weevil; it has a perceptible advantage in both length and breadth.’

There I have you,’ cried Jack. ‘You are bit – you are completely dished. Don’t you know that in the Navy you must always choose the lesser of two weevils? Oh ha, ha, ha, ha!”

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Linking Back, O'Brian Tags, Our Catholic Identity, Preserved Killick | Tagged abstinence, Capt. Aubrey, Dr. Maturin, friday, Friday abstinence, insects, LENT, Patrick O'Brian, wevils
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Re-Elect Pope Benedict SWAG!!

And just for nice…

Some recent posts, since things are happening fast.

And also…

Many thanks to the people who have sent Kindle books from my Kindle wishlist. Inter alia … I got some material about exorcism that I have been wanting to read for a while now.

I am deeply grateful for contributions through the donation button on the side bar and to those of you who subscribe to give every month. My income took a big hit last month, so the donations are now a bigger percent of my budget. I remember you in prayer and at the altar. On that note, I will say Mass for benefactors on FRIDAY 15 Feb (in the late afternoon). The list of donation button users so far:

As of 15 Feb 21:39 GMT:

RB, CBM, MF, DM, MH, DP, MJC, Fr. LT, DP, AM, HE, TD, MF, JDK, AM, MMcG, AMacB, LL, AP, ER, LS, CO’C, SJS, SA, GC, JMcG, JF, JB, RMcE, JEM, MF, EA, JW, BB, MK, MH, BD, SM, KB, TM, CL, AT, PK, JB, NMM, JW, MC, JEJ, NF, LV, PP, DM, PAL, AN, KS, JP, LL, AM, JN, BB

And thanks to the kind soul who sent the Leatherman and the spiffy rear slide cover plate! Veritas et aequitas! Your name wasn’t included on the packing slip, alas. [I just received a note that it was from TS and his wife and daughters.]

I have another list for books and things from the wishlists, which is not at the moment at hand. Also, some things come in without any indication of who sent them. But the angels and saints know who you are!

I am going to have to go to Rome, sooner or later. This papal resignation and the impending conclave may change my life around a bit. I will put here, again, the waving flag button for donations I will earmark for travel, though I will probably issue a plea soon.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Thinking about Pope Benedict – a lenten Friday papal musical interlude

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

One of the last complete works that Wolfgang Mozart wrote was his Clarinet Concerto in A (K. 622).

There is a lovely symmetry in this being one of Pope Benedict’s favorite works of his favorite composer.

Since I was a bit down this morning, and since some of you may be too, I thought this would be an uplifting treat. If you have never heard this concerto before, you really need to take 28:31 and listen. Everyone ought to know this work. How does one get through life not knowing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto?

Posted in Benedict XVI, Lighter fare | Tagged clarinet, W.A. Mozart
14 Comments

Lent, Alligators and You

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Someone sent me a copy of a letter written by the Archbishop of New Orleans to a member of his flock about eating alligator during Lent. The answer is “yes”. You may eat alligator during Lent.

This is old news to readers of this blog, of course. Last year I posted this, which ought to have settled the whole thing:

QUAERITUR: Abstinentia de carne lacertina aut crocodrillina

Ex lectoris e-pistulis extractum:

Reverendo patro Ioanni Zuhlsdorfo discipulus C. salutem et commemorationem in precibus suis. Gratias meas, sivis, ob opum tuam tibi agere volo. [Acceptae.] Mihi, catholico iuveni et discipulo in collegio liberalum artis et liberalum (aut impudicarum) mentum, scripturae tuae magnam auxilium fuerunt. Mox Ludovicianam meabo. Quaeritur: Sineturne corpus alligatoris feria VI in Quadregesima sine violando abstinentiam Quadragesimae edere?

Ossificatus manualista impoenitens respondeo de paginis Compendii Theologiae Moralis (Sabetti-Barrett) n. 331, :

CLICK TO BUY

Nomine carnis veniunt omnia animalia in terra viventia ac respirantia, ut communiter admittunt theologi ex regula tradita a S. Thoma vel, ut S. Alphonsus innuit, n. 1011, animalia quae sanguinem habent calidum; vel illud quod consuetudo regionis ut carnem habet; vel, si nec consuetudo praesto sit, dubium solvi potest considerando mentem Ecclesiae in sanciendo delectu ciborum, ut comprimendae ac minuendae carnis concupiscentiae per salutarem abstinetiam consuleret; examinetur, an huiusmodi animal simile sit aut dissimile iis quorum esus interdictus est et an illius carnes humano corpori validius nutriendo et roborando idoneae dignoscantur; et si ita appareat, ista caro inter vetitas est ponenda. Benedict XIV., De syn. dioec., lib.11, c. 5, n. 12. Haec quatuor multum deservient omni dubitationi solvendae.

Crocodrilli et lacertae inter reptilia sunt et amphibia.

Edi ergo possunt feriis sextis et tempore Quadragesimae.

Omnibus tamen diebus ab eis edimur.

So, there you have it.

You can eat alligator and crocodile on Fridays of Lent.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Linking Back | Tagged abstinence, alligator, crocodile, Friday abstinence, Fridays, LENT
32 Comments

Putting the Pope and Church bashers in perspective

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I understand that the execrable Garry Wills – who is capitalizing on the papal news to sell another book full of distortions and lies – had an interview somewhere in which he predictably bashed Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church.

What sort of judgment will descend on those who make a living by hating on the Pope and the Church?

Yesterday I read something from the Catholic League which puts quislings like Wills in perspective.

Assessing the Pope’s Record

February 14, 2013
• Garry Wills [ex-seminarian]: “What we really need are no priests.”
• James Carroll [ex-priest]: The pope “has seen only a solemn obligation to defend the church.” [Italic added.]
• Richard Sipe [ex-priest]: “Certainly, he did a lot, but it was all reactionary.” [Italic added.]
• Daniel Maguire [ex-priest]: The “scandal of the papacy [is] one of the last absolute monarchies in a democratizing world.”
• Ronald Lauder, president, World Jewish Congress: “The papacy of Benedict elevated Catholic-Jewish relations to an unprecedented level.”
• Abraham Foxman, national director, ADL: “He [the pope] was good for the Jews.”
• Rabbi Yona Metzger, Israel’s chief Ashkenazic rabbi: Benedict’s papacy exhibited “the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate.”
• Imam Hassan Qazwini, Islamic Center of America: “I have so much admiration for the pope, for being honest and humble.”
• Nihad Awad, national director, Council on American-Islamic Relations: “We offer the American Muslim community’s best wishes to Pope Benedict XVI.”
• Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general, World Evangelical Alliance: “I appreciate his [the pope’s] courage of ideas…and his boldness in warning us of the dangers of moral relativism….”
• Rev. R. Albert Mohler, president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: “Pope Benedict has offered a brave and intelligent defense of truth against a relativist tide.”
Bill Donohue, who put this together, opines: “I could offer many other examples, but the point is obvious: embittered ex-seminarians and ex-priests suffer not only from profound anger—ultimately directed at themselves—but their perception of Catholicism makes them look twisted in comparison to the sentiments of Jews, Muslims, Protestants, and others.”

Posted in Benedict XVI, Liberals | Tagged anti-catholicism, catholic quislings, Garry Wills
24 Comments

Another way to destroy the Church where you are.

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Hell’s Bible has a piece about one way some people are trying to “revitalize” the Catholic Church in Brazil. Rather, this is how Hell’s Bible and those who work for the enemy against the Church want the Church to try to revitalize the faith. Such a path would enervate the Church, not revitalize her.

A Laboratory for Revitalizing Catholicism

RIO DE JANEIRO — At one new megachurch in São Paulo, a Roman Catholic priest who was a personal trainer before joining the clergy energetically belts out songs, rock-star style, before 25,000 worshipers. Other Brazilian priests are donning cowboy hats and crooning country tunes at Mass or writing best-selling advice tomes emblazoned with heartthrob photographs on the cover.

If there is any place that captures the challenges facing Catholicism around the world it is Brazil, the country with the largest number of Catholics and a laboratory of sorts for the church’s strategies for luring followers back into the fold.

Reflecting the shifting religious landscape that Pope Benedict XVI’s successor will contend with, Brazil rivals the United States as the nation with the most Pentecostals, as a Catholic monolith gives way amid a surge in evangelical Protestant churches.

[…]

Then there is the array of singing priests who belong to what is called Brazil’s Charismatic Catholic Renovation, a movement seeking to invigorate Catholic services with the kind of liveliness that parishioners often find at other churches. These priests have been embraced by the Vatican, but only to a point.

The most famous among them, the Rev. Marcelo Rossi, a 45-year-old former personal trainer, has sold more than 12 million CDs and has celebrated Mass in a soccer stadium filled with tens of thousands of worshipers. Still, he complained about feeling “humiliated” during Benedict’s visit to Brazil in 2007 when Catholic leaders prevented him from even getting close to the pope.

In an extension of the charismatic practices, some Catholic priests now perform “liberation Masses” resembling group exorcisms and welcome congregants who speak in tongues. While such aspects may be frowned upon by some in the Roman Catholic establishment, the charismatic movement has clearly struck a chord among many worshipers.

“Through this movement, many people are finding themselves again inside the church,” said Almir Belarmino, 53, a technician at a sewage treatment company who was one of 1,200 people attending a retreat here over the Carnival holiday for people in the charismatic movement.

“Why not dance in the place where the presence of God is so great?” Mr. Belarmino asked. “Joy and excitement are part of the worship we do.”

Catholic priests’ blending of new practices into their services is nothing new in Brazil. Many people, for instance, say they are Catholic while practicing African-derived religions like Candomblé, which merges the identities of Roman Catholic saints and African deities. “Religious practice in Brazil is often highly hybridized,” said Stephen Selka, an expert on African diaspora religions at Indiana University.

[…]

When people start talking about S. American candidates for the papacy, remember this article.

Maranatha.

Posted in Liberals, New Evangelization | Tagged Benedict XVI's resignation, Brazil, Hell's Bible, papacy, S. America
81 Comments

Z-Swag “in the wild”!

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a nice photo of some Z-Swag “in the wild”! His blog is HERE.

Click HERE for swag!

In the meantime, perhaps the Holy Father needs something:

Posted in In The Wild, Just Too Cool | Tagged In The Wild, Z-Swag
5 Comments

A dialogue of Our Lord and the editior of the National Schismatic Reporter

Posted on 14 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

My friend Fr. Martin Fox, distinguished priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, on his blog The Bonfire of the Vanities has today an instructive dialogue between Our Lord and the editor of the Fishwrap, the National Schismatic Reporter, Tom Fox (Greek ἀλώπηξ – alōpēx).

Read his worthy intro, but here is the dialogue:

Jesus: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” [Luke 9:23-25]

Tom Roberts, editor of the NCR: “Um, Rabbi, that won’t sell. That’s not where people are today.”

Lord Jesus: “What? Won’t sell?”

Roberts: “That taking up your cross business. Don’t you think you should adapt your message to the way people live today?”

Jesus: “I didn’t come to adapt the Word of God to the world; I came to call the world to the Word of God.”

Roberts: “Well, the Jesus I know and serve loved people and didn’t impose a lot of rules on people!”

Jesus: “OK, well, there are many who claim to speak for God. The Father sent me. I have come to testify to the Truth.”

Roberts: “What is truth?”

Jesus: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Roberts: “Huh. That’s pretty pre-Vatican II stuff there, Rabbi. People won’t like it.”

Jesus: “What are you talking about? ‘Won’t like it’? Dude, they’re gonna crucify me. Have you been listening to anything I’m saying?”

Roberts: “Hey, this has been nice, but King Herod’s having a “sensual spirituality” seminar this afternoon, so I’ve gotta book out of here. But seriously, you’re gonna need to rethink all this. I’ll be happy to help you, let me know.”

Jesus: “Hm? Sorry, I was just praying. For you.”