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{]:¬)

If Harry Knox is anti-Catholic, why is he at the White House?

Posted on 4 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From CNA with my emphases and comments:

White House ‘comfortable’ with controversial faith-based council appointee

Washington D.C., Jun 4, 2009 / 06:15 am (CNA).- The White House spokesman has said that President Obama is “comfortable” with the makeup of his faith-based advisory council despite protests alleging anti-Catholic bigotry from one appointee who characterized Pope Benedict as a “discredited leader” and called the Knights of Columbus “foot soldiers” in an “army of oppression.”

Harry Knox, the controversial appointee, is a former licensed minister of the United Methodist Church and a leader with the homosexual activist group Human Rights Council.

Before being appointed to the president’s advisory council on faith-based partnerships, Knox had attacked Pope Benedict and some Catholic bishops as "discredited leaders" because of their opposition to same-sex "marriage." [So, apparently the Catholic Church does not have a right to its own teaching.]

Knox was also critical of Pope Benedict’s comments on condoms and AIDS in Africa. Writing on the Human Rights Campaign’s web site, Knox claimed the Pope’s statement was a “blatant falsehood” which was “morally reprehensible to spread.” He also suggested the Pope was further harming “the marginalized and the downtrodden.”

Though granting that the Knights of Columbus had done good works, he nevertheless has characterized its members as "foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression" because of the Catholic charitable fraternity’s support for the successful California ballot measure Proposition 8. [So… this person seems to filter everything through his homosexual hermeneutic.]

Proposition 8 restored the definition of marriage to being between a man and a woman.

A group of twenty Catholic and conservative leaders wrote a letter to President Obama protesting Knox’s appointment, characterizing him as "a virulent anti-Catholic bigot.” Lamenting what they said was the president’s “failure to act,” they called for Knox’s removal from the council. [Of course the President wants this man on that Council!]

CNSNews.com on Tuesday asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs if President Obama disagreed with Knox’s characterization of the Pope and if the president would take any action regarding requests for Knox’s removal.

“I haven’t seen that letter, but the president is comfortable with the makeup of his faith advisory council,” Gibbs said. [So… this is the sort of reasonableness and dialogue we heard about at Notre Dame. This is the civility we can expect. Didn’t Pres. Obama call for an end to name calling? Let’s review his appointee’s characterization of Catholics such as Pope Benedict and the KoC.]

This marked the White House’s first response to the Knox controversy, CNSNews.com reports.

Knox responded to the letter protesting his appointment in statements to the news site Newsmax. Professing his love for the Catholic Church and his Catholic “brothers and sisters,” he said he has “tremendous” respect for the Catholic Church and “all the good that it does.” [Yah… right. So long as they don’t mention or adhere to Catholic teaching.]

“I do think that we have a real disagreement about the role of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, both in the role of the church and in the role of public service,” he added. [This is his preferred hermeneutic.]

Imagine a person saying those sorts of things about Jews or Muslims.

Then try to imagine a President, of either party, appointing such a person to any position in the administration.

If you can imagine that, can you then imagine the rage that would well up and the attack on that appointment in the press and from Jews and Muslims?

I’m just askin’

But it the object of the appointee’s derision are Catholics… no problem!

They’re comfortable with that.

Let’s be reasonable.

Posted in I'm just askin'..., The Drill |
17 Comments

PODCAzT 87: Veni Sancte Spiritus – The Pentecost Sequence dissected

Posted on 3 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I started this one thinking that I could make a fast audio project and then move on. Ha!

In this PODCAzT I dissect the Pentecost Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus, also used during the Octave of Pentecost in the traditional Roman calendar.

I give you some background on what a sequence is, what an octave is and then we start drilling.

First we hear the Latin text and a good translation. Then see start looking at the structure of the prayer.

That is when things get interesting. I found a few things I had never noticed.

This is a profound glimpse at mystery, folks.

This is the Roman Rite at her finest.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

https://zuhlsdorf.computer/podcazt/09_06_03.mp3

086 09-05-30 Year for Priests; Pius IX on priests, Mass and Holy Days of obligation
085 09-05-03 Gregory the Great on the Good Shepherd
084 09-04-30 St. Pius V and Quo primum
083 09-04-19 St. Augustine on the challenge of remaining faithful
082 09-03-19 St. Joseph: a hymn dissected & sermon of Bernardine of Siena
081 09-03-13 Benedict XVI’s Letter on SSPX excomms; your voicemail

Please VOTE for WDTPRS in the Catholic New Media Awards. WDTPRS is nominated in many categories.

Posted in EASTER, Just Too Cool, PODCAzT, WDTPRS | Tagged Holy Spirit, Octave, Pentecost, podcast, PODCAzT, prayercazt, Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus
12 Comments

waste not want not

Posted on 3 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest reader:

Finally, a good use for a glass chalice.

Thanks, Father! And Cheers!

Posted in Brick by Brick, Lighter fare, Mail from priests |
21 Comments

Dropping the Pentecost petals

Posted on 3 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I had posted about the dropping of rose petals through the oculus of the Pantheon on Pentecost Sunday.

A few people alerted me to other places where this custom is observed.

This is from a reader, with photos of St. John Cantius in Chicago:

Posted in Just Too Cool |
23 Comments

Chickadee-mail

Posted on 3 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received this fun e-mail from a reader:

Dear Fr. Z.,

The brood of black-capped chickadees in our bird box fledged on Pentecost Sunday. Four of them fledged within a 10 minute period. The fifth and last one delayed another 25 minutes before embarking upon the world outside of the nest box. I was able to catch a few snapshots of the grand event, which my family and I have looked forward to with great anticipation.

In one shot I’m sending the little guy is getting ready to make the big leap. In the other shot I captured the fledging’s first flight on his way to a nearby tree in the backyard.

It strikes me that there is a message for us in the fact that the Lord sent these little creatures forth on Pentecost Sunday.

I really enjoy the chickadees. They are fearless! They will often flutter down nearly on top of me as I refill the feeder. I have learned to imitate their contact call and, in the morning and evening, I can whistle them in. Sometimes I can get a little group to follow me around as I walk, if I don’t go too far from their zone.

Anyway… here are the photos sent with the e-mail:

Posted in Just Too Cool |
10 Comments

WDTPRS roast

Posted on 2 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

I received a link from a reader in California who alerted me to some light-hearted ribbing, or would "roasting" be more appropriate, on Monterey TLM:

What Does the Blog Really Say?

Now is the time at MTLM when we do pale imitations!*

Here is one dish that was prepared with Cous-Cous, and at least two different types of pasta.

Minnesota may have a rich variety of birds, but we have chickens at San Juan Bautista!

The Night sky over San Juan Bautista from Fremont Peak State Park.

Paisano has no comment on the above, as he is in Salinas, and was not invited to the Potluck.

*With many, many apologies to Fr. Zuhlsdorf.

LOL! Thanks for that!

Posted in Lighter fare, Linking Back |
27 Comments

More on the DVD from Le Barroux – NLM’s take!

Posted on 1 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You will remember that I was enthusiastic about the DVD about the life of the monks at Le Barroux in France.

I wrote about the DVD here.

I see that our friends at NLM have posted their take on the DVD. Check them out!

This DVD needs some attention.

It can be a source of income for the monks. And you will not be disappointed!

One of NLM’s screen captures.

UPDATED ORDER INFORMATION: HERE.
Here is a PDF the monk sent me with order information in English.

If you are having a hard time figuring out how to order the DVD you can get help via e-mail by writing to Dom Edmund. vpc [AT] barroux [DOT] org

Posted in Linking Back, REVIEWS | Tagged Le Barroux, NLM
6 Comments

QUAERITUR: Communion in the time of Swine Flu

Posted on 1 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I haven’t been hearing too much about Swine Flu these days… but I suppose it is still around.

This question is from a reader:

I attended an Ordination Mass at ___ in ___ this past Saturday. Prior to Communion, the Pastor made an announcement that the Bishop has mandated Communion only be distributed in the hand, due to the Swine Flu. The Pastor stated that no person would be allowed to receive Communion on the tongue.

During Communion, a number of people (including myself) refused to present their hands, and were eventually given Communion on the tongue. In other parishes in the area, however, the priests are refusing to give Communion other than in the hand.

People are being turned away from the Communion line, without receiving the Blessed Sacrament, because they will not receive Our Lord in the hand. [The priests might say it is because they are obeying the bishop and people are not obeying.]

Is it in the local Bishop’s authority to mandate that Communion only be given in the hand? If I am not mistaken, I thought that the reception of Communion on the tongue was the norm, and that the option to receive on the tongue would always be given to communicants.

Do you have advise for those of us in ___ who are being asked to receive Communion on the hand or not receive Communion at all?

I will refer you to what I wrote before on this topic, here.

After consultation with a friend in the Congregation for Divine Worship, I am more convinced than before that Redemptionis Sacramentum 92 cannot be rescinded or overridden by local authority.

Keep in mind what the Holy See’s document Redemptionis Sacramentum 92 clearly states, namely:

Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.

You may also receive in the hand if you so choose.

In some places/parishes someone who dislikes Communion on the tongue may try to take advantage of the situation and attempt to say that people are forbidden to receive on the tongue.

No one may be prohibited from receiving on the tongue. A lower authority (e.g., bishop, pastor) cannot amend the legislation issued by the Holy See. They can recommend, but they cannot forbid.

At the same time, people should carefully consider their circumstances and consider what is best to do in charity.

Try to determine if the recommendation is reasonable and don’t freak out.

ADVICE: If you cannot obtain from the local authority an explanation of Redemptionis Sacramentum 92, then you have the right to seek a clarification from the Congregation for Divine Worship.

[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

His Eminence
Antonio Card. Canizares Llovera
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and
Discipline of the Sacraments
Palazzo delle Congregazioni
P.za Pius XII
00120 VATICAN CITY

It helps to have written documentation of everything that happened.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Linking Back |
39 Comments

Both old and new

Posted on 1 June 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

PENJING REPORT

Penjing has been outside and is doing very well.. lots of new growth.

"But Father! But Father!", some of you are saying… gesticulating at the screen. "Wasn’t there another tree? It had a funny name… Did you … kill it?"

I am glad you asked.

You will recall that I had a Japanese Maple, Irohamomiji. Last autumn, I was a little worried about this tree when all the leaves went nasty and dropped. "Beh!", quoth I. "It is a maple, after all."

During the whole of the long winter a friend made fun of me for diligently watering this twig.

Now… I can report that Irohamomiji’s little buds are finally moving and changing. Some seem to be getting moist and a little sticky, The maple sap is running!

I don’t think I’ll tap it.

There is life after all. Let this be a lesson to us all.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

In the meantime, a kind reader sent me a very nice addition.

This is a Chinese Elm, Ulmus parvifolia.

This is to be known as Penzai.

Posted in My View | Tagged bonsai, Irohamomiji, Penjing, Penzai
11 Comments

Oldie Post: Pentecost at the Pantheon – rose petals falling through the oculus

Posted on 31 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here is an oldie post. Take a look also at what my friend John Sonnen post over at his place Orbis Catholicus here and here.

_________

In Rome on Pentecost, in the Pantheon, now a minor basilica called S. Maria ad martyres there is a beautiful custom.

Rose petals are dropped through the circular oculus opening at the top of the dome, which is the widest is all of Rome, for all its antiquity. The petals fall to the crowds below, reminiscent of the coming of the Holy Spirit like tongues of flame.

I posted photos taken over two different years here. Some show the event from the inside of the Pantheon, and some show the mechanics from the outside. My room in room is perfectly situated to see the dome of the Pantheon.

Here is how they get it done! Notice the fire truck parked in front of the Pantheon.