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

Prayer request: Archbp. Buechlein – Indianapolis

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the website of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis:

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein suffers

a mild stroke

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B. suffered a mild stroke on March 18 and has been admitted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

The archbishop is resting comfortably at St. Vincent. He is alert and talking with his doctors and has been visiting with a few priests of the archdiocese.

The archbishop became dizzy while at home on March 18 and called 911. After undergoing tests at St. Vincent, doctors determined that he had suffered a mild stroke.

The archbishop said the day-to-day operations and ministries of the archdiocese would continue as normal while he recuperates. He said he would appreciate everyone’s prayers.

Archbishop Buechlein has suffered a series of health problems over the past three years. In 2008, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The treatments were successful and he is cancer free.

In 2009, Archbishop Buechlein had shoulder replacement surgery and in 2010 he had surgery to remove a benign tumor from his stomach.

News may be updated on the archbishop’s condition as the archdiocese get more information.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Archbp. Buechlein
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QUAERITUR: Seminarian looking for Latin tools

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I want to get the readership into this with suggestions.

From a reader:

I’m a seminarian for ____. I’ve been trying to get hold of a good ecclesial Latin dictionary and grammar for awhile and haven’t had much luck. Do you perhaps know where I could find one or which ones are good?

Have at.

I think beginning students of Latin should use Classical tools.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick | Tagged Latin
34 Comments

Latin in the Ordinary Form, seminary. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am forever lamenting the sloppy, inaccurate term long used by many of the traditionalist camp, “the Latin Mass”, to describe older, pre-Conciliar form, Extraordinary Form, Usus Antiquior, “Tridentine” Mass, even Traditional Latin Mass or TLM.

The Latin Mass… ought to be the Novus Ordo, the Ordinary Form as well. Our liturgical language in the Latin Church is Latin and I don’t have to rehearse the why of that yet again.

I have long been concerned that the rise in the use of the older form, the TLM would drive the use of Latin out of the Ordinary Form entirely, would isolate the use of Latin in the ghetto of the traditionalists.

I read this in the Catholic Herald, the UK’s best Catholic weekly with my emphases and comments.

Why don’t we have more Novus Ordo Masses in Latin?

If you want a complete new rite Latin liturgy you have to go either to the very top or bottom of Britain

By Francis Phillips on Monday, 21 March 2011

A recent letter in the Catholic Herald has caught my eye. The writer, Susan Carson-Rowland, was raising the question of the new English translation of the Mass, which she described as a “true rendering of the definitive Latin text to replace the inaccurate version we have endured for 40 years”. [Let’s call it a “truer rendering”.] This situation has been lamented many times over during the last 40 years, both by traditionalists and those, like myself, who attend the Novus Ordo, and I have nothing new to add to the debate. What struck me about this letter was its author’s final question: “Why don’t we have Mass in Latin and avoid all this tiresome palaver?” [Do I hear an “Amen!”? Let there be more Latin. People can use the translation they prefer. A great solution to those who are whinging about the new, corrected translation.]

I only understood the full force of the question when I happened to attend an ordination to the diaconate at the Oxford Oratory last week. The Mass, sung in Latin according to the Novus Ordo, with the readings and rite of ordination in English, was celebrated magnificently. Bilingual service books were provided for those of us who had forgotten, or were unfamiliar with, the Latin. Of course, having a professional choir helped, though the congregation joined in singing the responses, the Credo and the Pater Noster. And it was a special occasion; I understand that generally Oratories celebrate Mass in the vernacular, while providing at least one Mass in Latin on Sundays and on solemnities. [Latin should not be relegated to “special occasions”, as if it were some aberration. What does it mean for our identity as Catholics if we never or only rarely hear the language of our Rite?]

My mole in the Association of Latin Liturgy tells me that the whole point of this association during the last 40 years has been to encourage the use of Latin (and the musical treasury of the Church, including plain chant) in the Novus Ordo, in an attempt to prevent Latin being swept away altogether. Their remit has been the document on the liturgy which stated: “The faithful must be able to say or sing together in Latin the parts of the Mass which pertain to them.” [It is the obligation of pastors of souls to see to that, btw. Liberals love to quote their bits and pieces of Council documents. They don’t like this bit from SC 54 very much.]

Have the aims of the association failed? Judging from the ordinary practice of almost all parish Masses it would appear so. There are only three Oratories in this country and, as my mole further points out, if you want a complete new rite Latin liturgy you have to go either to Pluscarden Abbey in Moray, Scotland, or to St Cecilia’s Benedictine convent in Ryde, Isle of Wight – either the extreme north or the extreme south of the country.

Back to the question raised in the letter to the Herald: why don’t we have Mass in Latin?

First, Latin Church clergy don’t know Latin any more. That is not their fault for the most part. It is the fault of those in charge of formation and of bishops of the past and present. The Code of Canon Law specifically says that seminarians must be very well-trained in Latin (c. 249). So, if they aren’t, why are the formators telling bishops that they are well-trained? When a man is ordained, someone must stand in front of the bishop and declare that the man is properly trained. They aren’t.

Is the solution more Latin in seminary? I guess so. Are we willing to add years to seminary training?

It strikes me that by the time a man reaches major seminary it is practically too late to give him a good working knowledge of Latin. So many things are already loaded onto seminarians, we would have to add a year or two to their formation to give them both Latin and Greek. Sometimes I have mused that before major seminary training begins in earnest, the men should have a propaedeutic year during which they do little else than learn Latin and Greek, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Baltimore Catechism aloud, and serve every kind of Mass and sing chant. Perhaps also be given a few little seminars on basic sewing, cooking, how to read spread-sheets and balance a checkbook, and small-engine repair. Enough for a first year. Build on that.

But I don’t think we should fall into a trap of thinking that major seminary is language school. Seminarians need the Latin before they start.

That said, they can at least learn enough to pronounce the words properly, know where the best tools and resources are found, and also learn that it is valuable and important for our identity as Catholic priests.

We need more Latin everywhere.

Thus endeth the rant.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged can. 249, Latin, SC 54
69 Comments

Thanks

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Many thanks to a reader, not sure who you are, who sent music CD’s of The Sixteen singing English polyphony. I have on right now Robert Fayrfax Missa Albanus. It is so beautiful it almost hurts.

And while I am thanking this unknown soul, I will thank everyone who has used the donation button or wishlist, and who has purchased anything from amazon using link here, who has bought coffee mugs and other things, or who has refreshed their coffee supply by patronizing Mystic Monk Coffee. I know those Carmelites in Wyoming appreciate it! You are helping them build their monastery.

I remember benefactors in pray daily and regularly say Mass for their intention. It is a duty and privilege. On Wednesday I have an open slot for intentions and I will once again say Mass for the intention of those who have been benefactors.

Furthermore, thanks for the voting in that Readers’ Choice award thing. Your support is a boost. Thanks for the participation in the Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict. Thanks for listening to the LENTCAzTs. Tell your friends about them, if you would.

Finally, while I cannot/do not answer every email with requests for prayers, sometimes for very serious things, when I read them I stop at that moment and say a prayer appropriate for the request and I remember them in my daily rosary and also at the Mementos for the living or dead in that day’s Mass or the next day’s. I especially ask in return prayers for an important intention of my own. Many hands make light work.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Brick by continuity brick in Macon, Georgia

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader about St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon, GA where Fr. Allan McDonald is building brick by brick. You will remember Fr. McDonald from his rodent wars and his efforts at true continuity in liturgical worship. Fr. McDonald has a blog called Southern Orders where you can see photos of the Mass described below.

This is to alert you to the solemn high TLM celebrated for the solemnity of St. Joseph by occasional WDTPRS commenter “southernorders” (Fr. Allan McDonald) who is the pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, GA.

Story dispersed in 3 posts here, here and here.

Two points:

Full deal with choir singing Schubert’s Mass in G Major, not in some fancy cultural center like London or NY or Chicago or Washington, but just an ordinary parish church in Georgia. No fancy professional musicians, just an ordinary parish choir.

Not some special one-shot occasion, rather the parish’s principal celebration of its patronal feast of St. Joseph.

Maybe an example of the use of the extraordinary form for the most special and solemn liturgical occasions in ordinary parish life.

Fr. McDonald is perhaps doing the most thorough job of parish liturgical reform that I personally know about, anywhere in the country. Monthly TLM, with all the principal parish Masses (OF and EF) sung and chanted throughout (including the Canon in the OF). His people take the roof off, both OF and EF. True Vatican II participation?

WDTPRS KUDOS to Fr. McDonald.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Fr. Z KUDOS, Just Too Cool, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged Fr. Allan McDonald, Macon
14 Comments

Mexico: Priests targets for extortion, kidnapping, murder

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Agenzia Fides:

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – Last year more than one thousand priests were victims of attempted extortions (for their “protection”, amounts ranging from ten thousand to two million Mexican pesos have been demanded). About 162 were threatened with death. Two priests were kidnapped and killed. In the last six years, the most violent of all time, 12 men religious were killed. According to an analysis by Catholic Media Centre (CMC), criminals are seeking money in exchange for protection, while pastors are being threatened with arson against their churches.

Comparing the figures, during the administration of Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000) three priests were murdered. During the government of Vicente Fox (2000-2006) there were four assaults against priests, but under the present government of Felipe Calderón there has been the highest number of murders of priests: 12. The states with the highest incidence of crimes against priests and religious are the Federal District, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Michoacán, Hidalgo, Aguascalientes, Coahuila e Puebla.

The report prepared by the Research Centre of the CMC on violence against priests across the country, is divided into two parts, and goes back to 1993. This report not only presents the data collected, but it also gives a series of answers to the question: “Why are priests in Mexico persecuted and killed?”. The different responses outline a neo-persecution of priests for what they represent in the community. They try to intimidate, to harass or to limit their freedom because the priests, in the end, perform a public function that generally disturbs criminal acts. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 18/03/2011)

And the Obama Administration was/is considering trying fund efforts within Mexico to undermine present values and impose new values. Here.

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice |
7 Comments

Priests, holiness, and avoiding a spiritual peril

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am getting a lot of email and phone calls about something in the news recently about accusations made against a priest.

I don’t know enough about the case in question to offer anything other than my sincere hope with prayers that this will soon pass and that the priest in question will be demonstrated to be innocent of any wrong-doing. That is my hope and prayerful expectation.

What disturbs me in this the most, however, is the disillusionment I have picked up from people who contacted me. Some of them are devastated by the mere accusation. Leaving aside that the accused shouldn’t be condemned by the mere fact of being accused, some people who have expressed themselves to me have done so in pretty dramatic terms. They have, it seems to me, idealized the priest in question. Now that he is simply accused, they are at sixes and sevens.

Without any suggestion that I think the priest is question is guilt of anything untoward or criminal – let’s not be naive… there are people who will level an accusation at a priest to make a buck or shut him up – I think it is a good idea to remind people that priests and bishops are sinners just like everyone else and that they, just as everyone else, need a Savior in the person of the only true Holy One of God.

Something that may be helpful in this matter is a talk by Fr. Robert Dodaro, OSA given to a group of priests in Rome for a joint meeting of confraternities of clergy from the United States and Australia. Dodaro is one of the best working theologians today in the sphere of Patristics. His talk addressed the problem of the scandal caused by clerical sexual abuse, reframing it in view of the 4th century conflict with the Donatists in N. Africa. I’ll compress Dodaro’s observations here together with my own.

In the 4th century, a group of fundamentalist/radicals broke away from the Catholic Church to found their own Church. Their beef was that during a persecution by the Emperor Diocletian some bishops had acquiesced and had handed over sacred books to imperial officials. The radicals, called Donatists, concluded that because the bishops sinned they were tainted and could never again confer valid sacraments.

In the face of this theological and ecclesiological challenge St. Augustine helped the Church clarify that sacraments do not depend on holiness of the priest or bishop. Christ is the true minister of every sacrament.

At the core of Donatist beliefs was the notion that they were the sole remnant of the Church, which according to St. Paul was “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). The Donatist position was that God was more concerned with the purity of consciences of priests than the words they said and that a damaged conscience, “blood-stained” in the words of the Donatist Petilian, could actually be transmitted collectively to the whole body of Catholic priests. For Petilian and the Donatists, a person is cleansed in the sacrament of baptism by the conscience of the minister of the sacrament. No Catholic, sharing in the collective damaged conscience that had been handed along, could administer a valid sacrament.

This materialistic view of the sacraments at the center of Donatist sacramental theology and ecclesiology lead to the Donatist obsession with the appearance of holiness. In the midst of a world which is evil, the Donatist follower depended on the transference of holiness to them from the priest who had to remain entirely free from sin or the appearance of sin.

Augustine observed that such a view could be spiritually dangerous. It lead to a destructive fantasy about the person of the priest. It could produce spiritual envy. It could, more seriously, lead to a marginalization of God, God’s holiness and God’s intervention, in favor of that of the priest or bishop who is, materially, right there.

To counter the Donatist materialist approach and obsession with the sinless, Augustine counters that the only true holy one is Christ. Only Jesus is the true High Priest free from any stain of sin. Only Christ’s sacrifice atoned for sin. The bishop and the priest are themselves pardoned sinners. Priests must not be seen as being entirely apart but as standing together with people as they also strive for holiness. But they should not be imagined to be holier than a mere human being can be.

When Augustine comments on how the Lord washed the dirty feet of the Apostles, he explains that Christ was pardoning the Apostles for what they had done wrong in their ministry. When Peter then asks that Christ wash not only his dirty feet (i.e., the sins he committed in ministry) he asks Christ to wash also his whole body. Christ responds that his whole body had already been washed and he had no need for it to be washed again, a reference to baptism. The washing of feet represented forgiveness of post-baptismal sins committed by the Apostles, Christ’s priests, in ministry.

In other words, post-baptismal sins can be forgiven and the one forgiven can still minister.

Augustine connects to this episode of the foot washing, verses from the Song of Songs (5:2-3), interpreted allegorically to mean that some men with ecclesial vocations are reluctant to get out and get their feet dirty, as it were, in the Lord’s service. “I had put off my garment, how could I put it back on? I had bathed my feet, how could I soil them?” They are afraid to commit sins in the Lord’s service which, being human, they will inevitably commit. Augustine counters among other things that even the Apostle James states that everyone makes mistakes in the Lord’s service (cf. James 3).

It is a great concern today that many people are deeply shaken in their faith because of the sins of a very small number of priests and bishops. It is right and proper to be angry about their crimes when they are proven to have committed them. It could be that an idealization of priests and bishops leads to a disproportionate disillusionment when they are revealed not to be perfect, especially when they are shown to be sinners of the gravest sort.

We have to be reminded constantly what Augustine stressed in that controversy with the Donatists: Christians who left the Church because they were disillusioned with its outward appearances of perfection and holiness. Priests and bishops are sinners in need of a savior. Augustine said to his flock, “I am a bishop for you, I am a christian with you.”

Turning priests or bishops into idealized icons of holiness is fraught with spiritual peril. Admire the admirable, of course. But we need a necessary corrective in our admiration, namely, that the sole Holy One of God is Jesus Christ, the only perfect High Priest and actual minister of all graces which Holy Church’s ministers have the honor to mediate.

An accusation leveled at a priest is a horrible thing, because it is nearly impossible today for a priest to have a fair hearing. There is no perfect justice or charity in this world, but these days falsely-accused priests don’t get anything like even the world’s “justice”. But even when priests are guilty of that by which they are accused, it doesn’t surprise me that priests are sinners or in the worst cases commit bad crimes. Yes, priests and bishops should be held to high standards. After all, even the devil holds them to high standards. The devil hates priests and works tirelessly to trip them. Holy Orders doesn’t make a man less human. Should I be surprised that priests are sinners? I am a sinner.

The bottom line is that you cannot depend on the personal holiness of priests or bishops for your own personal holiness. The only true Holy One is the Lord.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, Wherein Fr. Z Rants |
53 Comments

Brick by brick in London

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a note from the Latin Mass Society in England about a fine celebration of St. Joseph’s Day in Westminster Cathedral. A few lines and a photo…

Fr Andrew Southwell, the LMS’s National Chaplain, gave the Morning of Recollection at St Vincent’s Convent, Carlisle Place, close to the cathedral. Nearly 60 people attended the event, exceeding the seating capacity of the meeting room so that extra chairs had to be brought in for those who arrived slightly late.

Many aspects of St Joseph and the Season of Lent were covered in the hour-and-a-half talk which concluded with the Litany of St Joseph in Latin and several people commented afterwards that they very much appreciated the insights given by Fr Southwell on Our Lady’s husband and foster-father to Our Lord.

Father Southwell was also the celebrant at the High Mass in Westminster Cathedral in the afternoon. Father Martin Edwards was deacon and Fr Patrick Hayward was sub-deacon; the Mass attracted a congregation of some 300 people.

Music was provided by members of the Cathedral Choir, which centred on Mozart’s Coronation Mass.

Posted in Brick by Brick, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM |
5 Comments

Lent: the silly season in some places

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As a preamble.

From a reader:

Here is a a picture I took, instead of Holy Water, or the sand, its a purple cloth. This is not my home parish, but I happen to be in that town this weekend and decided to go to the nearest church.

I was surprised to see this and also that the Mass was packed. I am not sure that anybody has said anything to the priest about it.

However there was a lady that asked one of the ushers where the water had gone and he just smiled with a nod. She exclaimed “this is the time when we need it the most”.

Lent: the silly season in some places