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{]:¬)

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-07-06 – Poles

Posted on 6 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

July 6th, 2023

Dear Diary,

Fr. Janosh* over in the Black Duck diocese is definitely connected to the “Polish mafia” – all the Polish priests know each other! We asked him a couple of years ago if he could help find an extra priest for us, and he found one that was willing to help us out here in Libville for a few years. This Polish priest has a much less daunting name: Novak. A good American name. Juri Novak. He’s been here six months. I asked him if he’s had Juri Duty yet, but he just stared at me. Not sure he got that. I thought it was pretty good. But he says he’s settling in fine at St Cashmir. Thickest accent you ever heard! Kinda like Dracula, but that’s okay. He said last time, “Beeshop, I am fine here. I love America. I am happy you welcome me here. In rectory we have refrigerator, new, like one in your kitchen. All the time play Katy Perry! Polish people here get for me new car. Murano car like your. Maybe soon I be beeshop!” On second thought I wonder what his game is. I better watch him. Chester growls at him, but that’s not much of a compass.

Inner city parishes still problems. I gotta get a religious community and give them one, because there are not a lot of deep pockets there. That’s the best solution. Give these poorer parishes to the Orders. When its time for the draticum the Order chips in and makes up the difference! How clever is that? Franciscans maybe? After all, the Franciscans are richer than God! It’s like one of those things that not even the Holy Spirit knows. ~~What Jesuits really think… How much they really know. What Dominicans really think. How many…~~ Gotta ask Fr Tommy. Time to give him a call.

___
*Fr Janusz Włotrzewiszczykowycki-Brzęczyszczykiewic, Polish, is a priest of the Oratory of Mary Cause of Our Joy in the neighboring Diocese of Black Duck near the University. They say the Traditional Latin Mass and have a full house. When asked about his complicated name, he says he legally joined them, one his father’s and the other his mother’s, to annoy government bureaucrats.

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants | Tagged Bp. Fatty McButterpants
4 Comments

Nicaraguan Bishop chooses to stay in jail rather than compromise – “CARDINALE SUBITO!”

Posted on 6 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Reuters:

July 5 (Reuters) – Nicaraguan Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez was returned to prison on Wednesday after negotiations between the government and church representatives broke down over the terms of his possible release, according to local news outlet Confidencial.

Citing church and diplomatic sources, Confidencial reported that the talks stalled over whether or not Alvarez would consent to leave the country, as well as over the possible release of other jailed priests.

The bishop, a prominent critic of President Daniel Ortega, was sentenced in February to more than 26 years in prison on treason charges after he refused to be expelled to the United States.

The conflict between the Catholic church and Ortega’s government dates back to 2018, when church leaders were asked to mediate anti-government protests that turned violent, leaving more than 300 people dead.

So, Alvarez choses to stay in jail rather than betray his priests in jail with him.

From the Vatican…. CRICKETS.

And it’s not because there are “secret negotiations”.

The next step in the pattern is that he will start converting the guards.

I’d rather see a guy like this made a cardinal than the pathetic and somewhat creepy recent, inevitable appointment.

One of my correspondents wrote…

…he is kept in one of the worst prisons of the country (and that’s saying something) sitting naked in a 10 square ft cell, having to [relieve himself] on the floor and with a bottle of dirty water a day to drink, all at Fahrenheit 100 day and night.

He added…

That’s a ring I’d kiss without having to forget who wears it

Cardinale SUBITO!

But, no… the next guy they will announce is probably that guy in Benin who protests the use of plastic bags. HERE

In other news….

… yesterday Francis received in an unannounced private audience a delegation led by Bill Clinton, including the son of George Soros. Twitter HERE (I’m told you now have to have an account to view. Get one and FOLLOW ME @fatherz)

The video and photos show how happy everyone is to be there… not even a hint of “Grumpy Cat” face. Francis seems positively giddy. He was moving, however, with obvious difficulty and pain.

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Religious Liberty | Tagged Nicaragua
6 Comments

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-07-04 – Day off

Posted on 5 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Editor’s Note: Entries from the diary come in when our “mole” can get at them. Also, some aren’t appropriate to post for reasons of confidentiality etc. It’s a tough call.

July 4th, 2023

Dear Diary,

Had nothing on calendar. Asked Fr. Gilbert at breakfast about what we could do for the day. He perked up and almost yelped, “shopping!” A man after my own thing. We parked Chester with nervous Sr. Randi. Skipped the golf course. Went to the mall. Gilbert knows all the stores, which is a little strange, but he is young. I’m still p-o’d that Sharper Image isn’t there any more. Great gadgets. Sport Gate had great socks and tees, got a bunch. Got new sunglasses. Bought new stuff for Chester at Canine Cave: plush bed, plaid. He probably won’t use it. He’ll probably destroy it in record time. Oh well. Diocesan appeal of some kind. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factor. Gilbert ate even more than I did. How does he do it and stay so trim? That, and he’s always got something going on his phone, texts, etc.

Got home wiped out. Gilbert whisked it all the bags upstairs for me. His mom keeps dropping off food at the chancery. My fridge is full of leftovers. They’re delicious, but still a little annoying.

Found out that the Latin at the bottom of my new notes says, “What I have written, I have written.” Ain’t it the truth! Fr. Tommy made a great choice. He knows me well. Gotta nail down when he’s coming back.

Dear Diary,

Big firework display tonight over the lake. Even Chester sat still and watched. I had a nice cigar and remember being a kid, getting so excited about the 4th. Not anymore. Why is that? We had firecrackers when we were kids and we made stuff to blow up and had a great time. It was so exciting. But now, it’s just another day sort of. With nothing on the calendar I got out a lot today but something was missing.

Also, Fr. Gilbert left for me in my folder on my private study desk another letter about Fr. Mark [Rogers… whom +F.Atticus pretty much cancelled.] signed by a few priests. Really on his case. This is getting awkward. Who should I listen to? Jude still wants to help him.

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants | Tagged Bp. Fatty McButterpants
6 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 738

Posted on 5 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tourney in Zagreb will have live coverage. This is the third stop of the Grand Chess Tour 2023. Lots of big names. Meanwhile, Fabiano Caruana won the No Castling World Masters classical tournment in Dortmund beating Vladimir Kramnick.

Traditional French Benedictines make great wine. Get some. Sip some as you watch the Tour de France. 10% of with code FATHERZ10

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

White to play. Mate in 2.

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

On the stream for Mass today I had a little rant about Forty Hours Devotion. I believe that now, more than ever, we need Forty Hours Devotion and for the right reason and done in the right way.

UPDATE…

This came through chat. I couldn’t resist sharing it with one of the comments.

“An ideal titular church for an incoming cardinal.”

MEANWHILE… virtual retreat for priests!

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
3 Comments

4 July – Feast of Sts. Hosea and Haggai, Old Testament Prophets, et al.

Posted on 4 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Many figures of the Old Testament are honored as saints. Today, for example, in the older Roman Martyrology, is the Feast day of the prophets Hosea and Haggai.

Haggai was a prophet during the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. He is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. His name means “Festive, Festal”. Haggai was the first of three prophets after the Babylonian Exile of the House of Judah along with with Zechariah, and one hundred years later, Malachi.

In the updated 2005 Martyrology Haggae is listed on 16 December.

Hosea, meaning, “salvation”, prophesied especially again idolatry, calling the people to repentance. His personal life paralleled that of the the people with God. His wife, Gomer, committed adultery but he forgave her.

In the updated Martyrology he is listed on 17 October.

It is also the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (+1336). Rather like St. Monnica, the mother of St. Augustine, she was married to Denis, King of Portugal, a very difficult man. She spent years seeking his conversion and the reconciliation of him with their rebellious son. On the death of her husband she became of Poor Clare and still worked to bring peace between Portugal and Castile. She used her royal massive dowry and position to build a hospital where she herself took care of the poor.

There is a fine painting of her in the Prado by Zurbarán.

NB the roses in her cloak. Similar to another Elizabeth, of Portugal, she is associated with roses. On one occasion she was taking bread to the poor which she had hidden under her cloak. Her brother in law accused her of stealing treasures. She opened her cloak and she had roses instead.

Finally, if any of you are thinking about baby names, today is also the Feast of St. Namphanion, called the Archmartyr of Africa. He was a Carthaginian put to death with 27 companions. You could name your son Namphanion and called him “Archie”.

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols |
1 Comment

ACTION ITEM! URGENT PRAYER SUGGESTION! Archbp. Carroll’s “Prayer for Government”

Posted on 4 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today I said Holy Mass with a Votive of the Holy Angels and an added oration for the Holy Popes. The image for the stream:

I don’t know the provenance of this image, but it seemed apt.

Everyone, please PRAY for government officials. Please pray for the truth in electoral matters.

Fathers, on important public holidays you might have everyone pray this after Masses. This, and other prayers, are deeply needed.

The following prayer was composed by John Carroll, Archbishop of Baltimore, in 1791. He was the first bishop appointed for the United States in 1789 by Pope Pius VI. He was made the first archbishop when his see of Baltimore was elevated to the status of an archdiocese. John was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

For Catholics who love their country!

PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude N., that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

I became familiar with this moving prayer at my home parish of St. Agnes in St. Paul (MN) where it was recited after all Masses on civic holidays of the USA, such as 4 July and Thanksgiving.

Americans among the readership might print it and bring it to your parish priests and ask them to use it after Mass on national holidays.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
3 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 737

Posted on 4 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Sports.

The Tour de France is on. Will Mark Cavendish get to 35?

In Cricket, the Aussies did something legal but “not cricket” in a match at Lords. It has ignited a huge contróversy. I’m trying to get my mind around it, looking for an equivalence in American baseball: do something legal that you just don’t do in order to win, which outrages people because it violates the spirit of the game. Something “unfair” took place. Australia won against England in the Ashes Test match when the wicket-keeper stumped out the batsman who thought play was dead. In baseball, could an equivalent be something like the 1st baseman pretending to throw the ball to the pitcher while really keeping it in his glove and then tagging out the guy on base? In cricket, it seems, what happened “isn’t cricket”.

A puzzle. White to move and mate in 2. Fabi found it. Can you?

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

Interested in learning? Try THIS.

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.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
10 Comments

Save The Pizza – Save The World?

Posted on 3 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I’m unsure how to proceed with this. My head tells me not to get involved, but my heart tells me otherwise.

I heard recently a news story that the gummint idiots in New York City are trying to implement some sort of clean air thing that would serious hamper, if not wipe out some food businesses, for example pizza makers.

Mind you, I personally wouldn’t care about the loss of New York’s pizza, which has in general left me unimpressed. It’s not that I dislike it, as I do the Yankees and most modern art. My experience of pizza in NYC… meh… yawn. Where’s the pastrami?

With that in mind, I received this note, slightly redacted…

Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Gent.mo Reverendo ‘Z’!

I have written before (I hope you don’t think I’m a nut), and before going further I renew invitation up to Northeast Italy when you return to Italy! Fr. ___ would enjoy you immensely, and maybe you’d like him too (for references you could ask Fr. ___)! ….
But my message is about something else. Maybe you have seen already the enraged ‘pizzaiolo’ [a pizza maker] throwing slices of pizza into New York City Hall on account of stupid ecology laws. Well, maybe you will like this idea and know a Priest there who can organize it in a truly Catholic spirit. Sant’Antonio Abbate is the Patron Saint of Pizza or Pizzaioli rather. It’s not just pizza that’s at stake but the whole sanity of that poor city–and the world. [Save The Pizza – Save The World?] And maybe if this thing is done in N.Y., it will be copied around the world and we will finally get free of the ‘reset’ mafia. Every Borough needs to have a procession (parade) with banners, flags, statues of Sant’Antonio. [I’m for that.] These can be made in most copy shops that do color printing on material. The best image of S.Antonio is with a bonfire (“representing” the pizza oven), and him holding a staff with a bell and he has a pig. He’s also always pictured with farm animals. [One feast of Sant’Antinio I stood outside the church and blessed pigs and horses.] He’s the perfect Saint for “taking out” all these nuts who want to eliminate real live-stock and give us fake beef instead! The pig is very important (here in the land of prosciutto they’re trying to get rid of pigs!!!) and I would encourage participants in the Procession (singing the Litany of Saints and reciting prayers as for the Rogazioni) to have little pigs on leashes, and even horses, dogs, chickens, mules–whatever is allowed in city ordinances. The event must be a solemn liturgical function (how wonderful if done by traditional Priests) (and in the most glorious vestments, lots of incense, etc.) but still, there ought to be euphoric festivity with lots of food booths like for San Gennaro.
Stalin saved Russia from Nazi destruction because he listened to a monk who had had a vision of the B.V. Maria who said (among other things) that Stalin must make public processions with Her image in order to save Russia from the Nazis. And Stalin did what She said! To the letter! [This is not something that I have heard before.] This is what we need to do in these crazy times: processions, processions, processions! May God bless you! I hope we might see you in October! Devotedly in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Meno chiacchiere! Più processioni!

Perhaps we could enlist also the help of the legendary Pizza Rat, so determined to save its slice.

Posted in ACTION ITEM! | Tagged pizza, Pizza Rat
9 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 736

Posted on 3 July 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This will sub for a shot of Rome since it is … wonderfully Roman Catholic. It came with this note:

We attend a Novus Ordo ad orientem mass. This was in the pew in front. Absolutely Awesome. Although St. Joseph is not known to have said anything, this kid seems to be convinced that his reply was “SURE”!

Kid art!

Yesterday the final matches to determine the 1st champions of the Global Chess League were held. There were 6 players on each team, therefore six boards, from highest rated to lowest with two board played by women and one by juniors. They played two rounds of Rapid (15+10), switching colors in the matchups. There was a tie, so they went to two rounds of Blitz (3+2). There was a tie! They went to sudden death going pair by pair drawn by lot, using playing cards. First game, draw. Second game, draw. Third game, draw. Fourth game …

Here’s the end before the the final moment which I bookmarked. These are the most junior players on both teams, the last Board, 6. From the beginning of the game HERE. NB: 3 minutes on each clock with only 2 second increment, so this goes pretty fast. Watching the whole thing is advised. But the end. Wow. The Indian commentators get a little screechy as they get excited.