Fr. Z's Blog

Sunrise in Rome today was at 05:39 and sunset will be at 20:35 on this Feast of St. Gregory VII (+1085).

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KimMW

In the traditional calendar it is also the Feast of St. Urban I who got a commemoration.   His Collect is interesting

Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam, in apostólicæ petræ soliditáte fundátam, ab infernárum éruis terróre portárum: præsta, quæsumus; ut, intercedénte beáto Urbáno Mártyre tuo atque Summo Pontífice, in tua veritáte persístens, contínua securitáte muniátur.

O God, Who firmly established Your Church upon the rock of the apostle and delivered her from the dreadful powers of hell, grant, we beseech You, that through the intercession of blessed Urban, Your Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, she may remain faithful to Your truth so as to be always safe under Your protection.

That’s a mighty powerful prayer.   Can you imagine hearing such a prayer in any Mass of the Novus Ordo?  Doesn’t it seem out of step with our present day representation of the Apostolic See and College?

Something about Gregory VII (Hildebrand) is in order.  Here is Card. Schuster:

The story of this most valiant of the Popes (Hildebrand), at one time a most zealous Abbot of the monastery of St Paul at Rome, has many points of resemblance to that of the great Athanasius, for, if the latter in the fourth century was the invincible champion of the divine nature of the Word, in the eleventh, at a time, that is, when the Church lay degraded at the foot of the imperial throne of Germany, to which it had been enslaved by the ineptitude, the weakness, and the venality of many of its ministers, [Plus ça change,…] Gregory rose up fearlessly and, placing his trust in God, fought courageously, one against all, for the divine character of the mystical Spouse of Christ. Athanasius was forced to wander through the world with-out being able to find a safe spot to which to withdraw himself from the snares that the whole world seemed to have laid for him ; Gregory, in his turn, hated by his enemies, misunderstood by his friends, deprived of means and of all human help, rested calmly on the wings of his faith in God, and thus endured, unshaken, the burning of his pontifical metropolis, the anger of the populace, and even death in exile (1085). The last words of this determined Pontiff reflect the energetic temper of his mind : “I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile.” He does not regret the past ; on the threshold of eternity his judgement of men and of events does not differ from that which he had formed during his life. Gregory blesses those who bow to his pontifical position, but at the very moment when he is about to pass through the gates of heaven, he resolutely closes those gates in the face of the Emperor Henry IV and his ministers, and of all who refused to submit to his apostolic authority.

Breakfast this morning. Since I always think of donations in concrete terms, I’ll simply pick at random from one of yesterday’s contributors, 24thers, to thank. Thanks KC! Un cappuccio e un cornetto semplice.  So good.

Yesterday, the newly restored altar piece of the St. Philip Neri altar of Ss. Trinità dei Pellegrini was put back into place.

Before they reinstalled the painting, I thought I’d leave a little trace of my affection, in the style of the youths of Rome.   Can you find it?  I tried to be subtle.

And so it went.

One of the priests literally supervising.

What I would like to see next is a super hi def photo with professional lighting of that portrait of St. Philip made while he was alive.  The parish would be able to sell copies, I think, and make a little dosh.

Yesterday they were also fixing a space for a recently restored reliquary of the great Saint for his day.

On the way home I saw this sight at one of the butcher shops and couldn’t help but be impressed at the application of the old phrase agere sequitur esse.

Yeah, pal.  I know the feeling.

Speaking of which, the altar of St. Philip today in church was lovely.

My dear readers, my dear benefactors, donors.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible to be back here in situ, in my Roman environment.  If there are “rescue dogs” or “rescue horses” or whatever, there are also “rescue priests”.  Here is an example of my agere sequitur esse.

Yesterday in chess news, at the second leg of the Grand Chess Tour, the Warsaw Rapid and Blitz, now the Blitz phase, Magnus Carlsen won five straight games including one again the leader Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland. My guy Wesley So also did well. He beat Magnus with the Scandi opening.

People have asked why I like So so much. Firstly, he’s a devout and open Christian, whose past is, I believe Catholic, having grown up in the Philippines and having attended Catholic schools. He has a kind personality which comes out in his interviews. He lives now in my native place, the Twin Cities in Minnesota! He is also a super solid and consistent player. An admirable young man and super chess player. BTW… Magnus went on his winning streak after losing to Wesley.

Here is So V. Carlsen from yesterday (this has all the games so scroll down).  Animated GIF of the game HERE

Meanwhile, it’s white to move and mate in 2.  Can you find it?  This isn’t the easiest puzzle.

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

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

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

This post has the purpose of making visible several items that have recently been flung over the transom and into my cluttered space.

First, I had a note from an old friend who is back in the traditional Catholic tour business.   He asked me about being chaplain for a traditional Mass trip to Poland in August 2024.   I thought I might test the waters. Anyone interested?

Second, some great guys who formed a music group will have a

Summer Sacred Music Collegium
August 6th – 12th, Boston, MA
Presented by Floriani
www.floriani.org

Join Floriani for a 5-day training intensive for young adults in Boston this August, aimed at forming intermediate-level musicians to become leaders in the liturgical renaissance of sacred music. You will get to sing and conduct chant and polyphony, apply what you’ve practiced in the context of awe-inspiring Extraordinary and Ordinary Form liturgies, sing daily from the Liturgy of the Hours, participate in seminars on liturgy and music, and enjoy communal meals and mirth.

Learn more and apply here.

You might remember these guys from my time in Italy last year during pro-life pilgrimage singing in different places.  For example, here we were at a women’s health care center in Genoa.

Here we were at San Fruttuoso:

On another note, I received this. It’s a tough situation they face.   The one who sent it is entirely reliable.  He and I have visited the Benedictines of Gower many times.  I’ve known him since the early 90’s.  I added some emphases.

Dear Father,

You have often said, “If you never ask for a miracle, you will never receive one.” We are asking for one.

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish is a small but growing suburban parish and school in Kansas City. We have grown nearly 300% in the past dozen years, not because we are in a growth area of town, but because we are unapologetically Catholic. Not long after our current pastor arrived, he installed an altar rail and made other improvements. Long story short, our aging parish of a few hundred families is now a rapidly growing parish of 1400 families that currently has five men in seminary. Our school has a waiting list and our small church is overflowing into an adjoining room at every mass. When we decided to build a new church a couple of years ago, we wanted to build something that not only offered appropriate glory to God but made a statement to the world that Catholics can still build magnificent parish churches like our ancestors did that draw people to God and inspire holiness. And we miraculously raised all the money to do it. But like the road to sainthood, we need a second miracle.

Our 1400 families raised more money than any fund appeal in the history of the Diocese. Enough to pay for the original estimated price of our generational church and new classroom space – $26 million. We even did it without a professional fund-raiser so that those significant sums of money could go to God as well. We then helplessly watched as each set of drawings came back from the architect and construction manager with millions in increases. We’ve chosen to defer some pieces and have managed to re-engineer some things without sacrificing the sacred, traditional Roman Catholic expression of the church. Still, though, we are now millions short, and our 1400 families can’t afford the loan it would take to bridge the gap and also maintain the quality of the school we’ve built that is having to turn kids away due to lack of space.

As you can see from the online renderings and photos of a restored 34′ century-old baldacchino,  this is indeed an unapologetically Catholic statement church. We did everything and more that was asked of us. Our timing was lousy. Had we outgrown our current church 2 years earlier, we would likely be consecrating the new church this fall. And frankly, with normal inflation, we would still have been able to do it. But the recent disruption to supply chains and the construction industry was and remains unprecedented. The hand of Satan has appeared often in this journey. He does not want this church built.

We are praying that your community of readers can provide the second miracle.

In about a year, we have gone from having enough to “pay cash” to about $10 million short. Somewhere in your readership may be blessed people who can themselves or collectively with friends, bridge our gap. They share our vision. They share our frustration. They share our unapologetically Catholic faith and hope for what this church can be. Not for the parish that will build it, but for the world that will see it. For the bishops in America who will see it. For those in Rome who will see it. We seek the angels bearing the miracle for which we are desperately praying.

And our time is about up.

Our pastor, who personally phoned and got pledges for this project from 125 families while in bed with Covid, is exhausted and feels he has exhausted all of his options. He has announced the project is being shut down. It’s not yet dead but it’s on life support. In about a week, they are planning to announce a process for returning or reallocating pledges. Between now and then, there is a window for any angels to make their presence known so we can call a time-out. Even a chunk of the number above may be enough to breathe the needed life back into this generational effort for the glory of God.

In addition to your comments over the years about asking for miracles, you have also frequently pointed out that of all the moments and places in history, God has chosen to place us in this moment and in this place to do His most holy will. That has been our theme for this campaign. We think we have done what He has asked us to do. Now we need a miracle to bring that work to completion.

We thank you for hearing our plea.

If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.

Today is, aliquibus locis including Roma, the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians.

It is also the Feast of St. Vincent of Lérin, whose name has been lately instrumentalized to lie about the role of tradition and progress in ecclesial matters, chief among which is sacred liturgical worship.

At 05:40 was the rising of the sun while, at the other end of the day, its setting is proposed by the Maker of All Things at 20:34.

Those who are not the makers of all things and who, these days, are the destroyers of much that is true, beautiful and good, will not in the Roman Curia ring the Ave Maria Bell at 21:00.

In the mornings I walk by the little P.za della Quercia (Oak Square) close to the little church which is the home of the Confraternity of the Butchers.  There is attached to that church a palazzo which they decorated with their favorite things.

Here are Mother and Child sitting in an oak tree… what else… with a moo-cow and baa-sheep beneath (aka money on the hoof).

In St. Trinità there is much revving up for the Feast of St. Philip Neri on the 26th (also my anniversary).   There’s a lot in this pic, including the beloved image of St. Philip, painted while he was alive, the Madonna Help of Wretches, and the painting of St. Giovanni Battista de Rossi, whose feast was just celebrated, thus the “bunting” on his altar rails.

There’s always something great going on at the parish.  It’s a lively place, so unlike the vast majority of churches scattered over the center of Rome.

The flowers, by the way, lovely lilies come form my florist at the Campo de’ Fiori.  One of the priests at Ss. Trin is very diligent with the flowers.   There are three large flower stands at the Campo and the middle one is the one he and I use (I’ve used them for many years).  “Pippo” is the florist (like St. Pippo Bbono aka St. Philip Neri).   He is a real florist, too, certified, trained etc., a fiorista.  Otherwise, a guy who just sells flowers is a fioraio.

I thought that, perhaps, once in a while, I might prompt some of you to his PayPal to send flowers to Ss. Trin for some event or other.  What think you?   Even just to say hi to them at their email, which I will hunt up.

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.

This is what properly made Carbonara looks like.

This is what today’s puzzle looks like.  White to move.  Mate in 2.

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

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

Wine from the traditional monks of Le Barroux in S. France, from the revived vineyard of the Avignon Popes.  FATHERZ10 gets you 10%off.

In chess news, Jan-Krzysztof Duda took the lead in his bid to defend his 2022 title of the Warsaw Rapid and Blitz. Alas, my pick Wesley So was knocked off the summit by MVL. Magnus Carlsen got some wins and goes into the Blitz portion with momentum. He still needs a hair cut. Badly. He is only three wins out of the lead, having come back from 7th place. The guy can play. Poland Rapid & Blitz continues today with rounds 1-9 of the Blitz on Wednesday, May 24, at 0800 EDT / 1400 CEST.

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In other chess news, there is now going to be a joint FIDE and Indian tech giant Mahindra (which will please the nuns at Gower Abbey because they have a nice red Mahindra tractor) called the GLOBAL CHESS LEAGUE. Dubai, 21 June 21 to 2 July. OTB! (Over The Board.) There will be teams consisting of six players, including a minimum of two women per team. That’s great news. Women need their own space in chess to complete, but it is necessary that they have chances to play against the male players too. Chess.com says:

Six franchises will compete in the GCL. The format will be a double round-robin, with each team playing a total of 10 matches. The winner of each match will be determined using a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously. The top two teams will advance to the final on July 2, where they will compete for the title of World Champion Franchise Team.

Big names involved. Magnus Carlsen, plus India’s five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand and the world’s top-ranked female player, Hou Yifan. Indians are on the rise in chess and they will be solidly represented by Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Raunak Sadhwani, Humpy Koneru, and Harika Dronavalli. More! Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Leinier Domínguez, Alexander Grischuk, Teimour Radjabov, Yi Wei and Yu Yangyi of China, Ding’s world championship second Richard Rapport, Kirill Shevchenko, Salem Salah, and Daniil Dubov. I didn’t see my guy, Wesley So’s name. Hmmm. I’d like to see the young Alice Lee, too.

And there’s more!

On cable TV there will be a Chess programs: Chess Moves. A prime time chess show.  It’ll be on Game+, which I don’t know.   Apparently, they also cover professional pickleball.  Who knew?

I keep telling people that chess is EXPLODING. They look at me like I have a leg growing out of my neck, or like I voted democrat. NO! IT’S TRUE! Chess is exploding! You parents out there MUST get your kids into chess. It’s a lifetime gift.

On this 143rd day of the year the Roman sun appeared at 05:41 and will slip away at 20:33, the Ave Maria ideally sounding at 21:00.

It is the Feast of St. Giovani Battista de Rossi who is a beautiful saint, much involved with the parish Ss. Trinità, reknowned for his work with the poor.    His body was here until the 50’s when a new church in his honor was built and his relics were translated.  However, you still see the inscription on the tomb beneath the altar.

Today several relics of St. GB were out and on the altar for Mass.

Would be the 112th birthday of my old mentor, boss and friend the late great Paul Augustin Card. Mayer, OSB.  The holiest man I’ve ever known well.

Here is a Mass being celebrated at the altar of S Giovani Battista de Rossi this morning.

The book held by the smaller angel says, Infirmus eram, et visitasti me.

The parish sacristan and I went to Gammarelli today to start the RED VESTMENT project, now that “pledgers” have said they have sent checks.

One thing we had to do was select the color for the lining.  Perhaps you can guess which one it will be.

This would have been a nice color for vestments, rather like the Roman purple and even more like paonazza.

While we were at Gammarelli there was some discussion about a privilege for those ordained in San Pietro by the Pope.

In one version, the priest can have the black cassock with paonazza buttons (not with the trim).  In the other, it was one button only.  I think the first version is more accurate.  We must find out the truth of this.

Meanwhile, here is an extremely important tool for earlier days, and sometimes today, for visiting a church.  After Gammarelli we had a walk about, including Sant’Ignazio.

Yeah.

Here is another marvel.   Fresh mozzarella di bufala, several kinds of ripe tomatoes, basil, pizza bianca.    This was lunch today.  Stupendous.  Thank you Roman donors.

In chess news, the fight continues in Warsaw, the last day of Rapid games. My favorite, Wesley So, and Polish GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda lead after six rounds. Wesley had a win yesterday but at the end played inaccurately and wound up with a draw against Duda. Rats.

White to move here.  Mate in 2.

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.

Beer from Norcia. Get some for your priests!

Rome’s sunrise: 05:42

Rome’s sunset: 20:33

Rome’s Ave Maria Bell: 21:00 (NB: It changed!)

In your kindness, please say a prayer for my mother.  Thanks to all who, in past days, said that they have.

Welcome registrants:

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Yesterday lunch included – at the new place which is turning out to be a gem – tongue with green herb sauce and housemade mayo.

There’s a bowl of the green sauce on the side.

The tongue was so tender that it dissolved as you ate it.  Good bread.  Cold white Lazio wine.  Good conversation.   Hard to beat that.

Once upon a time it was obligatory for several weeks to post or to announce from the pulpit the “banns” for marriages.  That was how another way was sought to ascertain the freedom of individuals to marry.  At the parish, one such notice is on the board in the entrance way.

Here is the posting of a different “ban” rather than a “bann”.

An enterprising Roman put up a copy of a “mondezzaro” sign coincidently from 22 May 1761, precisely 262 years ago today.

PER ORDINE DI MONSIGNORE
PRESIDENTE DELLE STRADE SI PROIBI
SCE DI FARE IL MONDEZZARO IN QUESTO
LUOGO SOTTO PENA DI SCUDI QUINDICI
ET ALTRE PENE IN CONFORMITA DEL EDIT
TO EMANATO LI 22 MAGGIO 1761

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The original is in the Via di Montoro, near my place.

As Er Belli put it:

Pagà dieci scudacci de penale
io pover’omo che nun ciò un quadrino!
Io che nemmanco posso beve er vino
antro che quanno vado a lo spedale!
Eppuro me toccò a buttà un lustrino
pe famme stenne drent’ar momoriale
le raggione da disse ar Tribbunale
de le Strade, indov’è quell’assassino.
Je ce dicevo: “Monsignore mio,
quanno lei trova er reo, voi gastigatelo:
ma er monnezzaro nun ce l’ho fatto io.
E sai che m’arispose quer Nerone?
Questo nun me confinfera: arifatelo,
ch’io nun vojo sentì tante raggione.

Only 10 scudi!   He got off light!

This is me not littering.  I wrote these a while back but am just getting around to mailing them to donors who were especially generous (and whose address I could find).

Day 2 of the Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz 2023 in Warsaw saw three rounds of rapid. Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Levon Aronian, and Wesley So (YAY!) share the lead on 2.5/3.0 with five points after the first day. Pole Radoslaw Wojtaszek beat Magnus Carlsen WHO NEEDS A HAIR CUT. The battle continues with rounds 4-6 in rapid today, Monday, at 14:00 CEST. Go Wesley!  As I write thing (perhaps not as I post this, which could be later, they are about to begin hostilities.)

Here’s a puzzle.

White to move. Mate in 2.

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

Interested in learning? This guy helped my game.  Try THIS.