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{]:¬)

ROME 23/04 – Day 02: Palm Sunday

Posted on 2 April 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Sunrise in Rome was 6:50 and sunset 19:38. The Ave Maria rings at 200o.

It was Palm Sunday.

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Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – Palm Sunday 2023

Posted on 2 April 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.

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.

Did you have a procession with palms or olive branches?

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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1987: Faithful Catholics locked out of their church on Palm Sunday employ a battering ram

Posted on 2 April 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Over at Ann Barnhardt’s place you will find a video of something that happened in France in 1987. Catholics who desired the Traditional Latin Mass were locked out of the parish church on Palm Sunday… much like what now-incredibly-Cardinal Cupich once did in 2002 to people in Rapid City on Good Friday. At the time that was called an “invitation to unity” and painting himself as the victim: “I would ask them, ‘Why do they find it so difficult, on the day of the Lord’s death, to celebrate with their bishop, who is the sign of the Lord’s unity?'”

Indeed, why?

These folks in France had Mass outside the church and then used a battering ram to go in while singing “Christus Vincit“.

Just 10 years before, in 1977, a large group of people with their priest commandeered the Parisian church St-Nicholas du Chardonnet. After some years, the SSPX took the place over. They still have it now and it is hardly to be doubted that it is the single most vibrant Catholic “parish” in the city.

Sometimes “pastors of souls”, perhaps not clearly holding in mind that they are servants, drive their flocks to strong measures.

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Just Too Cool, The future and our choices |
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ROME 23/04 – Day 01: Arrival

Posted on 1 April 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At last I – we (I am with friends) – are in Rome.

It is April 1 and a 1st Saturday. The Roman Station was St. John at the Latin Gate. The sun rose at 6:52 and set at 19;37. The Ave Maria is supposed to ring at 20:00

Flying in… Lago di Bolsena. You can see how early in we were. That makes this first day really hard.

Mass was for Roman Donors. Donations are still welcome, for they will help me keep my US phone online more often.

Lago Bolsena, north of Rome.

At this hour… no one.

Waiting for my bags.

Very early yet for the little strawberries.

Here they come! Also a little early.

There are little signs in the streets indicating that someone is not appreciated across the board.

Which drink is mine,

Palms and branches for tomorrow.

Supper. Guesses?

Posted in On the road |
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From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-04-01 – Reconciliation service

Posted on 1 April 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

April 1st 2023

Dear Diary,

Lenten reconciliation service at the cathedral. Different stations for reconciliation set up with six priests and me. We used one of the old “box” confessionals for the people stuck in the past! God love ’em. I guess those boxes weren’t so bad. A lot of people came back then. Those old priests were always saying “Go to confession!” And they DID! There were lines out the door, as I recall. Different times, before the sunshine. Hey! Some 25 people showed up tonight! It was great. One couple came up to me together, holding hands, and smiled at me before I could say anything and they said “we don’t have anything to confess we just want a blessing!” They looked so happy. I blessed them, of course. No sins? “Impressive”, as Fr. Tommy would say! But people are so good. They mean well. And at least they showed up tonight. Not nothing.

Great music by our contemporary group. Frisky guitar playing. I was still humming the tune after I got home! “To be alive and feeling free, and to have everyone in our family. To be alive in every way oh how great it is to be alive! Every day there’s newness something else to do, the dawn of something something is something… that’s where I run out. But isn’t that the whole thing right there? What memories. That song really brings back the memories of when everything started to get better. I emailed Sr. Randi and she found a link to the very song! [As editor I’ve inserted the link.] It was great! I played it over and over again on the computer speakers really loud and felt like I was young again. Music has a lot of power, doesn’t it.

On an other note: Talk to Fr. Tommy about slamming his door. He did it several times tonight.

We should talk with the music director and see if we can’t get more Rapp music in the parishes. HA! See what I did there, Diary? Just a Ray of Hope!

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged Bp. Fatty McButterpants, Ray Repp, reconciliation
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My View For Awhile: ROMANES EUNT DOMUS!

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

And so it begins; the second leg.

This morning brought bagels and schmear with lox and black coffee.

The morning was dedicated to updating my electronics and playing some blitz against an engine. After a super fast trip into JFK and rapid passage through the check in and security thanks to being able to use quicker lines a brief triage eventually got me into the lounge.

Meanwhile folks I’m to meet in Rome are lunching in another terminal.

A bit of soup. They’ll feed us in the air.

I think it will start to get real when I’m seated.

More later.

Posted in On the road |
5 Comments

From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-03-31 – Meeting with clergy

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

March 31st 2023

Dear Diary,

Had an all afternoon meeting with the clergy yesterday. I’ve decided it’s time to redo our diocesan policy book so we’re tackling the question of whether the diocese should be divided into deaneries or vicariates. Maybe both! A few of us had a nice lunch first at the steakhouse. I had Fr. Tommy pick up subs and water for the rest of them. I overheard one of the guys complaining that we had this meeting during Passiontide, saying he had all sorts of stuff to do at the parish and called this “busy work.” Huh! I never remember things getting all that busy during those six months I was pastor of a parish. I suppose, to be fair, I only had one parish, and these guys each have two or three, but still, how hard can it be? Anyway, we didn’t come to any conclusions, but I did name two new subcommittees to study the issue and report back in a couple months. That should make the nuncio realize that I really am doing my job here.

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants | Tagged Bp. Fatty McButterpants
1 Comment

1993 – 30 years ago when Mother Angelica declared war

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am stretching back into my memory for how this all worked.

In 1993 John Paul II went to Denver for World Youth Day There were Stations of the Cross, mimed, in which a woman depicted Christ. Mother Angelica of EWTN had a long and frosty cold melt down which was tantamount to a declaration of war.

That was then. Then it became impossible to get that video, which was deep-sixed for a long time. Eventually, a priest friend got hold of a copy (I don’t know how) and he sent it to me, saying, “I can’t post this, but maybe you can.” I did. Then that version got yanked.

In any event. Enough people got it so that it wasn’t a secret.

I challenge you to watch this and think about our own times. Today the “inclusive language” B as in B S as in S is still going on but not like it was. Enneagrams? Still around. Centering prayer? Still summons demons. Etc.

Posted in Liberals, Linking Back, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Women Religious | Tagged Mother Angelica
13 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 706

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

GO TO CONFESSION!

Meanwhile,… white’s move.

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

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Daily Rome Shot 705 with additional thanks

Posted on 30 March 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The traditional monks of Le Barroux in France are making fine wines. Why not check it out? You help them and you get wine! Use FATHERZ10 at checkout for 10% off.

Meanwhile,

Black to move and inflict pain.

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

I received an interesting email from a reader who sent a screen shot of a conversation in some social app. It was about how playing chess is exploding among high school students. They’re on their phones playing incessantly on chess.com.

Speaking of chess.com, I am an affiliate now. They use House of Staunton I’ve order things from HoS and they come promptly and very well packaged.

I want to send out an extra “Thank you!” to my Roman Donors. I am in NYC today, but I fly to Rome tomorrow, arriving, no fooling on 1 April. You are all going with me, in a sense, since while I am there I will be saying numerous Masses for your intention.