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{]:¬)

Fun! “iConfess”

Posted on 27 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

With a biretta tip o{]:¬) to my friend John Sonnen of Orbis Catholicus…

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Posted in Lighter fare |
9 Comments

“Curiosity”

Posted on 27 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is fun!

NEWS RELEASE: 2009-089 May 27, 2009

NASA Selects Student’s Entry as New Mars Rover Name

PASADENA, Calif. – NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory rover, scheduled for launch in 2011, has a new name, thanks to a sixth-grade student from Kansas. Twelve-year-old Clara Ma from the Sunflower Elementary school in Lenexa submitted the winning entry, "Curiosity." As her prize, Ma wins a trip to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., where she will be invited to sign her name directly onto the rover as it is being assembled.

A NASA panel selected the name following a nationwide student contest that attracted more than 9,000 proposals via the Internet and mail. The panel primarily took into account the quality of submitted essays. Name suggestions from the Mars Science Laboratory project leaders and a non-binding public poll also were considered.
"Students from every state suggested names for this rover. That’s testimony to the excitement Mars missions spark in our next generation of explorers," said Mark Dahl, the mission’s program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Many of the nominating essays were excellent and several of the names would have fit well. I am especially pleased with the choice, which recognizes something universally human and essential to science."

Ma decided to enter the rover-naming contest after she heard about it at her school.

"I was really interested in space, but I thought space was something I could only read about in books and look at during the night from so far away," Ma said. "I thought that I would never be able to get close to it, so for me, naming the Mars rover would at least be one step closer."

"Curiosity is an everlasting flame that burns in everyone’s mind. It makes me get out of bed in the morning and wonder what surprises life will throw at me that day," Ma wrote in her winning essay. "Curiosity is such a powerful force. Without it, we wouldn’t be who we are today. Curiosity is the passion that drives us through our everyday lives. We have become explorers and scientists with our need to ask questions and to wonder."

The naming contest was conducted in partnership with Disney-Pixar’s animated film "WALL-E." The activity invited ideas from students 5 – 18 years old enrolled in a U.S. school. The contest started in November 2008. Entries were accepted until midnight Jan. 25.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures supplied the prizes for the contest, including 30 for semifinalists related to "WALL-E." Nine finalists have been invited to provide messages to be placed on a microchip mounted on Curiosity. The microchip also will contain the names of thousands of people around the world who have "signed" their names electronically via the Internet. Additional electronic signatures still are being accepted via the Internet.

"We have been eager to call the rover by name," said Pete Theisinger, who manages the JPL team building and testing Curiosity. "Giving it a name worthy of this mission’s quest means a lot to the people working on it."

Curiosity will be larger and more capable than any craft previously sent to land on the Red Planet. It will check to see whether the environment in a selected landing region ever has been favorable for supporting microbial life and preserving evidence of life. The rover also will search for minerals that formed in the presence of water and look for several chemical building blocks of life.

The Mars Science Laboratory project is managed by JPL for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information about the mission and the contest winner, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/msl .

To send your name on the rover microchip, visit: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/sendyourname .

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare | Tagged Mars, NASA, rover
2 Comments

QUAERITUR: Latin version of a Spiritual Communion prayer

Posted on 26 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I need help from readers for a question sent via e-mail.

I cannot find my copy of The Raccolta with Latin and English texts of prayers which at one time had been conceded indulgences.

Someone asked my for a Latin version of a prayer for making a Spiritual Communion.

I know of this prayer, which had once had the approval of the Holy See:

"O Jesus I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come nevertheless and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

This had been approved with an indulgence by the S.C. Indulgences on 24 Nov 1922 and I found a reference to Raccolta #129.

There should be a Latin version of that prayer somewhere.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box |
24 Comments

QUAERITUR: taking Communion with Precious Blood out to the sick

Posted on 26 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest reader:

Have you ever come across a vessel designed for bringing the Precious Blood to the sick? I have a parishioner to whom I regularly bring communion, but she is now on an absolutely no gluten diet, so even low gluten hosts are out of the question.

A friend of mine said he had seen a priest with the kind of vessel I am looking for, so I know they exist. Do you know where I might find one?

If such a vessel exists, don’t know about it.

It usually is forbidden to reserve the Precious Blood. I understand that some of the Precious Blood may be reserved for Communion for the sick only. In 1967 there was an instruction Eucharisticum Mysterium as a heading "Communion under the Species of Wine Alone". There we find that

41 … If, however, Mass is not celebrated in the presence of the sick person, the Blood of the Lord should be kept in a properly covered chalice and placed in the tabernacle after Mass. It should be taken to the sick person only if contained in a vessel which is closed in such a way as to eliminate all danger of spilling. When the sacrament is administered, that method should be chosen from the ones given in the Rites for Distribution of Communion under Both Kinds which is most suited to the case. When Communion has been given, should some of the precious Blood still remain, it should be consumed by the minister; he will also carry out the usual ablutions.

I don’t know how this would be done, except perhaps with a small glass vial designed to be sealed very tightly. The Precious Blood would then be administered directly by the priest from that vial, rather than transferred yet again to another vessel.

I would be happy for correction on this if I got it wrong.

It seems to me that this could open up the possibility of all kinds of abuses, first through simple accidents on the part of priests or deacons and then by laypeople helping with the sick. This should be rare indeed and ad personam according to circumstances and done only by priests, if possible.

I believe the best solution is occasionally to celebrate Mass in the sick room and give Communion with the Precious Blood on the spot.

UPDATE:

Note that a priest posted below on his experience. He also used an eyedropper.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests |
23 Comments

Pres. Obama and the Supremes

Posted on 26 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Pres. Obama announced his nomination to replace Justice Souter on the SCOTUS:

Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

From what I am hearing and reading, she seems pretty far to the left. She is certainly not an originalist. There are indications that she sees the role of judge at these higher levels as activist. Also, she seems to view the work of judges from the view of identity politics.

Will/does she interpret law or attempt to legislate from the bench?

What is the role of a judge/justice?

As things stand now, there is almost no chance that she will not be confirmed.

Her appointment will not really change the composition of the court, as I understand Sotomayor’s record.

The confirmation process must therefore shape what will happen in the next round of nomination/controversy/confirmation.

This may be a good opportunity for the opposition to define themselves and learn how better to communicate how they differ from the dominant left.

Justice Souter is leaving the Court at 69 years of age, perhaps young for a Supreme Justice to retire. Judge Sotomayor is only 55 years of age.

NB: Pres. Obama, when he was a Senator, voted against Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito.

Posted in The future and our choices |
60 Comments

New blog for video reflections in Mandarin

Posted on 25 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Eternal Light is a new blog, originating from the Holy Land. It provides reflections in Mandarin Chinese.

Posted in Just Too Cool |
1 Comment

REVIEW: TLM training for priests in Chicago

Posted on 23 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A priest reader sent the following about a TLM training seminary for priests in Chicago.

Dear Fr. Z,

Here is a synopsis of my experience for the Extraordinary Form Workshop conducted by the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius.

We were 10 Priests, 2 Transitional Deacons and 5 seminarians. (Not including the Priests and Brothers from St. John who trained us).

We arrived on Monday for lunch and no time was wasted. Fr. Scott Haynes began the week with a welcome and introduction. We were immediately divided into groups with an instructor for the Demonstration and Explanation of the Rubrics and Ceremonies. The first session was made up of three, one hour sessions. We then broke for dinner. Following dinner, the bookstore was open each day and a time for Confessions. After a short break, we were divided up once again between those who wanted to work on Latin Pronunciation of the Mass or Tutorial in Gregorian Chant. I went with pronunciation and worked with a Brother one-on-one. This session lasted for 45 minutes. The night concluded with Missa Lecta-Low Mass.

Each day was very similar. Morning started with Mass in the EF. and ended with Mass in the EF. In the morning we had Workshop (demonstration and practice) for two hours, followed by Latin Pronunciation or Gregorian Chant. After lunch, daily Confessions and book store. Some time for personal review and practice and another workshop with out Mass teacher. In the evening we had talks on various aspects of the Extraordinary Form.

We had the opportunity to experience the EF in various forms of Low Mass and High Mass.

For any Priest, Deacon or Seminarian who wants to learn to offer Holy Mass in the EF or come to a better understanding of our heritage – this is an experience that they should not miss.

The retreat house was also very clean and the food pretty good (seeing that I’m very fussy).

I must say, I was deeply moved and feel the EF is truly, "The most beautiful thing, this side of heaven."

Posted in Brick by Brick, Mail from priests, REVIEWS, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged St. John Cantius, TLM, training
16 Comments

Apiculae Sabinae Benedicendae

Posted on 23 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As the Sabine trees flower, the bees are getting busy!

The Sabine chapel apple is emitting a low mmmmm.

Miss Honey.

We have Sabine hives. I will be blessing them soon.

O Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth! Thou didst create all living things for man’s use. Moreover, thou didst order by the ministry of thy holy Church that candles made from the industry of bees shall burn during the Sacred Mystery in which we consecrate and consume the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, thy Son. Send thy holy blessing + upon these bees and this beehive to make them numerous and productive, and to preserve them from harm, so that their yield of wax can be turned to thy honor, and to the honor of they Son and Holy Spirit, and to the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

There is a Sabine bear, these days, so I will probably bless the hives soon.

I don’t know the exact strain of bee, but they are really busy these days.

Miss Bumble.

It is always a pleasure to see them gracefully blundering around.

Posted in Just Too Cool, My View |
28 Comments

Perciatelli with mussels and red peppers

Posted on 23 May 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I found some mussels on sale yesterday! I have done very little interesting cooking for quite a while, so I was delighted at the price and the look of these critters.

Time for one of my favs… spaghetti, or in this case perciatelli, with mussels, tomato and red peppers. It is a dish I learned in Venice, on the Giudecca gazing across the bacino at the amazing view of San Marco.

Start your guests with a sturdy Campari and Soda on ice with generous paper thin strip of just the yellow zest of the lemon.

I like to give the mussels a good wash and look them over. Some will be slightly open. You can tell if they are alive by tapping them a few times or tickling inside. You want to remove the bit of seaweed or "beard" by tugging it out. If the mussels are wild caught they may have some sand. You can soak them for a while in cold water.

Start a basic sauce with tomatoes, whole canned or fresh, but instead of using mostly tomatoes try just a little tomato and use mostly red peppers, preferably roasted first. Lots of garlic, a little sweet onion, really good olive oil. Not too much salt. I like to brighten up sauces for seafood with a little lemon instead. I used some basil and oregano also. You can add heat to this too! I did. Use little thai dragons or what Italians call pepperoncino. If you want a little fusion action, try adding some Sichuan style chile infused oil to give it real fire.

When your pasta is about half cooked, add it to the sauce, which you should have reduced. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. I like the big fat pasta, such a this perciatelli or bucatini. Linguine works well with this, but probably not fettucine or the shorter cut pastas like elicoidali.

When the pasta is nearly done, put half a glass of dry white wine, give it a stir and turn the heat up to high to get it going. Grind in some strong black pepper. Then add your mussels and put on a tight cover. Holding the lid down, give it a nice shake to get everything settled. Stay close to the stove.

Having a glass lid helps. You don’t have to cook them too long until they open.

When they do, take off the lid and let it cook down just a bit.

Serve in a wide shallow bowl, rather than a plate.

If you are doing this as a first course, think per person 1/2 lbs of mussels and 75g of pasta for men. Otherwise, as your primary course think 1 lbs per person and 100g of pasta for men. Women, poor things, generally eat less pasta. Check with them first, but you can usually cut their portions nearly in half and they are content. Sorry, ladies, that is usually what goes on.

They utter little shrieks of horror against my hovering serving spoons.

So, four priests, think in terms of a half a large can of whole tomatoes (get San Marzano) and a four red peppers, four pounds of mussels. You will need at least two bottles of wine.

Last night I garnished with cilantro, gave it a last drizzle of the really good olive oil and then squeezed more lemon over it.