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{]:¬)

ACTION ITEM! “I will not permit myself to be confused.”

Posted on 14 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Let me repeat…

Repetita iuvant! Repeated things help!

Repetitio mater discendi! Repetition is the mother of learning!

Changing the image a bit… Si vis pacem, para bellum! If you want peace, prepare for war.

A couple weeks ago in Rome I attended the presentation of Bp. Athanasius Schneider’s catechism entitled Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith published by Sophia Institute Press.

US HERE – UK HERE

At the end of his talk at the presentation, Bp. Schneider said:

Let us humbly ask the Lord to grant us through the intercession of our Lady the grace to be able to say, “I know my Catholic Faith. I will not permit to be confused. For the sake of this Faith I am ready to die.”

“I know my Catholic Faith.”

“I will not permit myself to be confused.”

Do you know your Catholic Faith?

If you are disturbed, confused by what you see going on in the Church and in the world, perhaps also in your smaller world of your family and other relationships, take steps. I wrote about this longer HERE. One of those steps must be to learn and review your Catholic Faith. Use can use any good, time-proven catechisms – Bp. Schneider mentioned the Baltimore Catechism – as well as new tools from reliable sources such as this new compendium.

Here’s a little challenge. Find someone to do this with. Find online the Baltimore Catechism and quiz each other. It is Q&A format. Once upon a time students had to memorize the answers. Perhaps you did! If you don’t get the exact wording right, okay. Did you get the concept right? Quick! Can you name the attributes of the Church? [Inspired by another post!]

Repetita iuvant! Repeated things help!

Repetitio mater discendi! Repetition is the mother of learning!

Si vis pacem, para bellum! If you want peace, prepare for war!

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Si vis pacem para bellum! | Tagged Athanasius Schneider
14 Comments

Peter’s Successor about cancelled priests and bishops.

Posted on 14 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I was sent this interesting quote from Pope St. Clement (+99 – 3rd Successor of St. Peter) , 1st Letter to the Corinthians, 44.

Note: We can use the term “Pope” legitimately for St. Clement as well as for St. Peter himself in view of the fact that the “papacy” as an institution also with monarchical elements would soon develop. It is really a bit anachronistic to apply “Pope” in a more technical sense to these very early “Popes”. See! I did it again!

1st Clement is one of the earliest of all Christian writings, along with the Didache. It is addressed to all the Christians of Corinth. The Bishop of Rome is already demonstrating his role to “strengthen” and he is exercising authority. In Corinth, some priests (presbyters, elders) had been unjustly deposed by their flocks. They had been “cancelled”, not from above so much as from below. However, the principle laid down by Clement would be the same were the priests cancelled from above, by the “bishop” in Corinth or a body of elders. The whole long letter, which has references to Paul’s letters, is a fascinating glimpse into the governance of the early Church.

In the course of the Letter, Clement is rather fluid with terms and uses “overseer” and “elder” (episkopos and presbyteros) which are pretty much interchangeable.

This passage pertains to both priests and bishops.

My emphases and comments.

Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ [a reference to the Apostolic Tradition, what Christ taught them and what was handed down through time], that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep [die… not retire… fathers don’t retire, husbands (to dioceses) don’t retire], other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ, in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest anyone deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that you have removed some men of excellent behavior from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour.

Translated by John Keith.
From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 9. Edited by Allan Menzies.
(Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm>.

Posted in Patristiblogging | Tagged Clement I
2 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 853

Posted on 14 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome registrants:
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Your use of my Amazon affiliate link is a major part of my income. It helps to pay for insurance, groceries, everything. Please remember me when shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE

Meanwhile, sometimes it’s “Stick a fork in yourself, ’cause you’re done!” White to move.

Meanwhile, here’s a real puzzle. White to move. Can you mate in two?

Thinking about your Advent Wreath? The sisters make candles.

I thought I’d share this shot of the deadly porcupine fish, also known as the “Jesuit Fish”.

Some species of porcupine fish use a neurotoxin which is 1200 times stronger than cyanide, but they have a nice smile

[? Gotzon Mantuliz]pic.twitter.com/lyLXXwvsDr

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) November 12, 2023

It’s the smile.

In Budva, Montenegro Poland and Germany are the only teams on a perfect 6/6 match points after three rounds of the Open section of the 2023 European Team Chess Championship. Showdown in round four. Not even Magnus can save Norway.

I am still sick with this cold. At least I think it is a cold. Remember those? Before everything was C****? Clogged up, runny eyes, runny nose, sneezing, tired. Appetite is okay, I guess. No fever. I wanted to get out today and play some OTB and get a hair cut, etc… but, nope. Not going anywhere.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

BALTIMORE – Wed – 15 NOV – NOON – Rosary with Bp. Strickland out USCCB meeting!

Posted on 14 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Lifesite story HERE

At noon on Wednesday, November 15, Bishop Strickland will recite the Rosary publicly at the plaza on the waterfront side of the Marriott Waterfront Hotel Inner Harbor East, where the bishops are gathered for their meetings.

Bishop Joseph Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Services, will also recite the Rosary at the plaza on Tuesday, November 14. The faithful are asked to join and to invite their own bishop to join Bishops Strickland and Coffey. For more information, Catholics may contact Jack Ames at (410) 961-2008 or JackAmesPE@Aol.com.

This is not a stunt.

NB: Bishop Strickland has regularly led the Rosary outside the bishops’ conference meetings in Baltimore in the past over such issues as protesting the giving of Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians, a subject that the bishops have wavered on for decades.

Also…

The First Bishop in the United States to stand with Strickland. The laity aren’t the only ones fed up with this abuse of power. Be in Baltimore if you can make it! pic.twitter.com/Qrx43Xe2J8

— DC Rosary Rally for the Latin Mass (@dcrosaryrally) November 14, 2023

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Daily Rome Shot 852

Posted on 13 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Photo by The World’s Best Sacristan™

Welcome Registrant:

Ave Crux Spes Unica

White to mate in a tricky way in two.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Please remember me when shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon, but, once in and browsing or searching, Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.

I am dealing with a nasty head cold. Lot’s of runny and sneezy. A prayer, please.

First time I’ve been sick in a long time!

You might augment your Thanksgiving meals by wine or beer from traditional Benedictines in, respectively, France and Italy.

Latin Phrase:

Utrum mavis de ala an de poplitibus? Which do you prefer, a wing or a leg?

UPDATE:

I have concluded my reading of this find book, which I warmly recommend:

No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men

US HERE – UK HERE

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
9 Comments

Looking at the state of the Church? Wondering what to do?

Posted on 12 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Looking at the state of the Church? Wondering what to do?

Are you thinking about going all Leeroy Jenkins and doing something stupid like leave the practice of your Catholic Faith?

Are you straining at the chain to bite someone’s head off? Lash out?

Are you frustrated with pretty much all our shepherds right now?

This is us who are trying to be faithful and in harmony with our Catholic Tradition.

Thanks to my friend Patrick Madrid.

Posted in Lighter fare |
21 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 851

Posted on 12 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Photo from The Great Roman™

Welcome new registrants:

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Meanwhile,… white to move and mate in TWO. Think fast!

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Interested in learning? Try THIS.

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout

I just learned that actor Michael Gambon died in September. He was a regular chess player. R.I.P.

Need to move? Want to move?

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
4 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 5th Sunday after Epiphany (N.O.: 32nd) 2023

Posted on 12 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Share the good stuff.

It’s the 5th Sunday Remaining after Epiphany in the Vetus Ordo and the 32nd Sunday of the Novus Ordo.

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Sunday Mass of obligation?

Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass. I hear that it is growing. Of COURSE.

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news? We really need good news.

I have some thoughts about the Sunday Epistle reading posted at One Peter Five.

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, an odd thing happens in the Church’s traditional calendar for the Vetus Ordo. The Sundays left over after Epiphany are finally dusted off, “resumed,” and prayed until the liturgical year is concluded. This is because of the vagaries of the Moon and shifting date of Easter and, therefore, Septuagesima, Ash Wednesday and, naturally, Pentecost itself. In some years the Sundays after Pentecost don’t take us all the way to Advent. Thus, we fill the gap with the post-Epiphany Sundays that we didn’t get to before Septuagesima Sunday. Get it? Even so, last week was the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. This week we have the formulary for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany. Next week will be the 6th Sunday after Epiphany. To bring the year to a close we have the 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost. After that is the 1st Sunday of Advent.

We have already seen our Epistle for this Sunday, the 5th Sunday Remaining after Epiphany – Colossians 3: 12-17 – way back for the Feast of the Holy Family.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Sunday sermons
7 Comments

“There is a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom up. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary.”

Posted on 11 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I spotted this and it made me think of the potential – perhaps more and more real – of the the burden of moral injury on the part of faithful, traditionally-minded priests.

On this day in 1885, George Smith Patton Jr was born in California.

Which makes it a good day to revisit one of his greatest quotes, on loyalty and greatness:

“There is a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom up. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary. One… pic.twitter.com/jmpaSDtscc

— The Chivalry Guild (@ChivalryGuild) November 11, 2023

Maybe they are cowards. Maybe they are ambitious. Maybe they are ideologues. Maybe they are entirely tuned-out.

It is a terrible thing to sense, and even worse to know, that those above you not only do not have your back, but they probably hate you.

Posted in Cri de Coeur | Tagged George S. Patton, moral injury
8 Comments

26 November 2023 – STIR UP SUNDAY

Posted on 11 November 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

26 November 2023 will be the 34th and Last Sunday after Pentecost, the last Sunday of this liturgical year. That means it will be

STIR UP SUNDAY!

Make your plans now so you don’t have to rush around or find that you can’t get certain ingredients.

The “stir up” comes from the first words of the traditional Collect at Mass of the Last Sunday of the Year.

Excita, [Stir up!] quaesumus. Dómine, tuórum fidélium voluntátes: ut, divíni óperis fructum propénsius exsequéntes; pietátis tuæ remédia maióra percípiant.

Many stir up the ingredients for their Christmas puddings on Stir Up Sunday, and steam it, so that it has adequate time to set before the big day.

What are YOUR pudding plan?

Find a recipe, make a plan with the family, and make a Christmas pudding (or two) this year!

You can help me with the ingredients and win my gratitude as well as remembrance among the benefactors I pray for at Mass.

Think about getting your Christmas shopping done early.

First, remember always… always… to use my links when you shop online on Amazon. US HERE – UK HERE

Thanks in advance!

Also, I might hit up a friend “up north” to send me some real holly.

In the meantime, here – once again this year – are images from a book I recall from my distant childhood, depicting “Max” preparing what I now – at long last – understand to be a Christmas Pudding! As an (American) kid I had always wondered what he was making.

Any resemblance to hamsters – once on sidebars – is entirely intentional.