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{]:¬)

The REDPOLLS are coming! The REDPOLLS are coming!

Posted on 3 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Indeed, the Redpolls have come.

Yesterday I spotted this new (to me) bird, flock of them actually, at the Sabine feeders.

You readers instantly illumined my mind by informing me that this is the Common Redpoll.

They are a bit more aggressive than other birds, and they so far have spent energy driving away the very similar Pine Siskin.

This Chickadee is doing his usual grab and dash, so the Redpole hasn’t gone after him… yet.

I am guessing that they have moved south from Canada in search of food during this already hard winter.

There scientific name is Carduelis flammea, for obvious reasons.

You can see the similarity to its cousin, Pine Siskin.

In other news… this American Goldfinch is hanging around, doing that flapping thing to stay on the perch on this windy day!

"But Father! But Father!", I can hear you saying. "Enough about the Goldfinch! What about that Navy Bean Soup you were making yesterday??"

With a slice of a dark rye, it’s pretty good.

Posted in Fr. Z's Kitchen, My View |
10 Comments

POLL: St. Blaise Day Blessing

Posted on 3 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am sure this is some sort of joke on the saint’s part, but whenever I get my blessing on St. Blaise Day within days I get a sore throat.

Still, it is a lovely custom which we should foster.

So… here is today’s WDTPRS POLL!

POLL CLOSED

Did you or will you have your St. Blaise Day throat blessing?

Yes (68%, 629 Votes)
No (32%, 292 Votes)

Total Voters: 921

Posted in POLLS |
60 Comments

Can you tell the difference?

Posted on 2 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Some years ago, when I was living in S. California, a priest friend showed up at the door saying gruffly, "Get in the car… I want to show you something."

He drove us to a supremely ugly building, which he admonished me to take in and think about.

It was a country juvenile correction facility.

Then off we went again!

This time we went into the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

To the Cathedral.

We went up into the plaza in front of the Rog Mahal.

My friend said: "What does it remind you of?"

This little preface leads me to a piteously amusing post at The Crescat.

"Can you tell the difference"

That is… between some modernistic churches and some correctional facilities.

Samples.

and

Friends, when people don’t know who Jesus Christ is, or who the Church is, or who they are as Catholic Christians, then their architecture will go wrong.

How often have you seen a church that looks more like a municipal airport terminal or drive-thru bank than a sacred building dedicated to God?

I’m just askin’

Sometimes they look like jails.

Posted in I'm just askin'... |
71 Comments

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Gregorian Chant Workshop 6-7 March

Posted on 2 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In the brick by brick department:

Hi Father,

Perhaps your readers would be interested in the following:

www.musicasacra.com/florida
Musica Sacra Florida is happy to announce:

Gregorian Chant Workshop
Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Church Music Association of America
in conjunction with the
Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences
at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale
Friday, March 6th – Saturday, March 7th, 2009

This two-day workshop will present both beginning and advanced musicians with rehearsals and lectures that will enrich their knowledge of Gregorian chant and its use in the Roman Catholic liturgy.

Led by a faculty of chant specialists from around the state, attendees will learn more about the history of Gregorian chant and its role in the liturgy as well as experience the chant in the context of both the Divine Office and the Mass. Beginning chanters will be introduced to the basics of notation and rhythm according to the Solesmes method. Experienced chanters will learn new repertoire and advance their understanding of rhythmic and interpretive nuance. Resources and practical methods for the cultivation of Gregorian chant in the life of the parish will also be discussed.

This workshop is ideal for choir members, parish music directors, music students, teachers, parents, seminarians and anyone who is interested in learning about the heritage of sacred music within the Roman Catholic Church.

Registration fees are $35 and include the price of instructional materials and instruction. Participants are responsible for all their meals and housing during the conference. Payment is due upon arrival at the conference.

Posted in Brick by Brick |
4 Comments

QUAERITUR: retreats

Posted on 2 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Last night in Z-Chat someone raised a question about good retreats.

This is a good topic for us to discuss.

I think tough times are coming. Knowing where good retreats are available could be very handy.

Too often people run into weirdos who suggest centering prayer focusing on their pet rock, or crystal, or doing the enneagram, and all that BS.

I have done retreats and I have heard from people what sorts of experiences they have had.

We really need concrete recommendations. Concrete. Not off hand comments.

Perhaps you readers can chime in.

We could use solid information based on experience about directed or guided retreats for individuals or groups (just men, just women).

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, The future and our choices |
60 Comments

A new visitor at the feeder and PENJING REPORT

Posted on 2 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It is a beautiful sunny day.

Today we have had some flurries and ice-crystals in the air.

This Pine Siskin is surrounded.

I have a new comer to the feeder!

These guys are unknown to me, at least in this plumage.

They have some pinkish feathers on their breasts and a bright red blaze on the top of their heads.

They are some sort of finch.

They are as picky as the others. Note how they throw their food around!

See the seed in the air?

The Chickadees are digging right now for their favorites, the black sunflower seeds.

Victory!

I will feel much the same when my Navy Bean Soup is ready.

It isn’t yet.

PENJING REPORT

Profound health, as far as I can tell. Glossy deep green leaves and new growth.

There are even little flowers coming.

There it is!

Candlemas proceeds through the day.

Posted in Fr. Z's Kitchen, My View |
14 Comments

QUAERITUR: Did Rome say “versus populum” is “the norm”?

Posted on 1 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest reader:

I thought I read, when Mother Angelica opened her new shrine, there was somewhat of a dispute, because she wanted Masses said "ad Orientem" and others said she couldn’t. The matter, I think, was appealed to Rome, and the decision came down that "the norm for Mass was facing the people." I interpreted that as Sunday and Holy Day Masses had to face the people, but other Masses of devotion were open for discussion.

Am I wrong? Has Rome made a declaration such as this establishing the norm of orientation for Mass, or is it up to the celebrant, or whatever the local ordinary allows? Would love clarification if you can get around to it.

I don’t think Rome would ever have said that versus populum was the norm in such a way that ad orientem worship was or could be forbidden.

I am pretty tired right now, so I will let readers cope with the documents and citations to help you out.

But allow me to commend you for your interest in this matter. Thank you!

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests |
37 Comments

Springfield, IL – TLM returns

Posted on 1 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

At least 150 were in attendance [At Blessed Sacrament Church] assisting in offering the sacrifice (counting by Communion) at 7 am at Blessed Sacrament church. After decades of waiting, it is altogether fitting that God so directed that the Mass of the Ages return to a people who long suffered it’s absence on the feast of St John Bosco.

We are so blessed to have Bp Lucas as our shepherd. His generosity, orthodoxy, concern for his people, and pastoral dedication are an inspiration, and all dioceses would be blessed to have a bishop cut from his cloth.

The picture isn’t much (not even the iPhone can capture the greatness of the major elevation), but I counted several others taking photos with superior cameras.

You’ve gotta wonder about the guy with the pink hair.

After all… it’s a big Church!

Well… maybe it isn’t pink…

Brick by brick folks!

Posted in Brick by Brick |
8 Comments

PODCAzT 78: A Vespers hymn dissected “O Lux Beata Trinitas”; Fr. Z on the SSPX

Posted on 1 February 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It has been a while since I did a PODCAzT, but I figured it was time to plunge back in.

Today we will drill into a hymn sung by Holy Church in the Liturgia horarum for Sunday Vespers every other Sunday, on weeks II & IV. It is called O Lux Beata Trinitas, and it is very ancient.

I dissect this hymn, sing it in the Gregorian chant tone, and we hear different translations and many other musical versions.

Once again I ramble a great deal while digging into the meaning of the hymn.

Also, there is no way that I cannot comment on the recent lifting of the excommunications of the four bishops of the SSPX, the Priestly Society of St. Pius X. I talk about some misconceptions, through a little Q&A and then give my opinion on what must be done to bring about greater unity.

Sing along with the hymns! Buy a Liber Hymnarius!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Along the way you might hear these versions of O Lux Beata Trinitas:

“O Lux Beata Trinitas” – Becky Baxter – Album: O Lux Beata: Renaissance Harp Music
“O Lux Beata Trinitas” – Choir of Clare College, Cambridge – Album: Light of the Spirit
“O Lux Beata Trinitas” Choir of New College Oxford – Album – The William Byrd Edition, Vol. 4: Cantiones Sacrae 1575
“O Lux Beata Trinitas” The Cardinal’s Musik – Album: Fayrfax: Missa Tecum Principium
“O Lux Beata Trinitas” – Liber unUsualis – Album- Flyleaves: Medieval Music In English Manuscripts

We are usually available on iTunes … though who knows since the whole Google/Feedburner thing went down

O lux beata Trinitas, et principalis Unitas, iam sol recedit igneus, infunde lumen cordibus.	O Light, Blessed Trinity And the very first Unity, now the firey sun is receding, put light into our hearts.
Te mane laudum carmine, te deprecemur vespere: te nostra supplex gloria per cuncta laudet saecula.	In the morning we sing a song of praises, In the evening we beseech you: May our supplicant glorification praise you the all ages.
Deo Patri sit gloria, eiusque soli Filio, cum Spiritu Paraclito, et nunc, et in perpetuum.	Let there be glory to God the Father, and to His only Son, with the Consoler Spirit, both now and forevermore.
OR: Christum rogamus et Patrem Christi Patrisque Spiritum unum potens per omnia fove precantes Trinitas.	OR: Let us invoke Christ and the Father and the Spirit of Christ and the Father, O Trinity, sole power in all things, assist us who are praying
	J. M. Neale (1818-1866) O TRINITY of blessed Light, O Unity of sovereign might, as now the fiery sun departs, shed Thou Thy beams within our hearts. To Thee our morning song of praise, to Thee our evening prayer we raise; Thee may our glory evermore in lowly reverence adore. All laud to God the Father be; all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee; all glory, as is ever meet, to God the Holy Paraclete.