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{]:¬)

CQ CQ CQ: Ham Radio – #ZedNet reminder – 15 Jan ’23 – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Posted on 15 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here’s a notice about ZedNet for Sunday 15 Jan ’23 – evening at 2000h EST. (0100h ZULU Monday).

NB: During last week I had problems with ALLSTAR.

We took a break over the “holidays”.

Zednet exists on the…

Yaesu System Fusion (Wires-X) “room” 28598, and 83466 which is cross-linked to
Brandmeister (BM) DMR worldwide talkgroup 31429 (More HERE)
Echolink WB0YLE-R

Fellow hams who have access locally to a Yaesu System Fusion repeater, a repeater on the BM network, or a multi-mode hotspot registered with BM can get on and have a rag chew…. 24/7/365

Want to get involved? WBØYLE provided a Bill Of Materials, with links, for what you need. HERE THIS WAS UPDATED on by WBØYLE and Fr Z on 4 Dec 2022.

I created a page for the List of YOUR callsigns. HERE Chime in or drop me a note if your call doesn’t appear in the list.

For an image of what the Zednet “interconnections” are, click HERE.

We now have the site running: http://zednet.xyz I have to get that updated.

Posted in Ham Radio | Tagged CQ, Ham radio, ZedNet
Comments Off

Daily Rome Shot 635 and Action Item

Posted on 15 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome registrants:
jdgaus
Latinitatiscausa
LockPickingLou

Meanwhile,…

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout for 10% off!

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

Interested in learning? Try THIS.

WISE

3:16 isn’t just in John.The Tata Steel Tournament is on. This is one of the biggest of the year. From the stream before the games begin with commentary. You see toward the top lots of people all stacked up at a barrier. On the other side are the boards of the super GMs.

Magnus needs to win something like 9 games to gain rating, since most of the players are considerably lower. Except Ding, of course, whom you see above from yesterday. Magnus (2859) drew against Levon (2735). Ding (2811) defeated 16 year old Gukesh (2725).

I tuned into the stream of Round 1 yesterday at YouTube of chess24. Before the coverage began, near the beginning of the video (6:38 to be exact), there began an ad by aimchess. That ad literally ended (8:28) with a spectacularly offensive, blasphemous exclamation involving the Most Holy Name. It was breathtakingly offensive, so much so that I wrote a DM tweet (the only way I could find to write to aimchess). This morning I noted that there was a different add and that people in chat noticed that it was different.

If any of you have an inclination to tune into coverage of Tata Steel via the YouTube channel and if you see that ad, write a note to aimchess via Twitter… @Aimchessdotcom

P.S. Only M3GAN and Mittens remain.

I saw a trailer on YouTube for M3GAN… seriously creepy. I won’t be seeing that one.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
Comments Off

YOUR URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Posted on 14 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

PLEASE use the sharing buttons! Thanks!

In your charity would you please take a moment look at the requests and to pray for the people about whom you read?

Continued from THESE.

Let’s remember all who are ill, who will die soon, who have lost their jobs, and who are afraid.

I get many requests by email asking for prayers. Some are heart-achingly grave and urgent.

As long as my blog reaches so many readers in so many places, let’s give each other a hand. We should support each other in works of mercy.

If you have some prayer requests, feel free to post them below.

You have to be registered here to be able to post.

I ask prayer for myself. I’m dealing with TWO serious challenges right now. I also want to thank all of you who pray for me.

Posted in Urgent Prayer Requests |
20 Comments

What happens when there are bad, or no, sheep dogs?

Posted on 14 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is amazing.

I couldn’t help but think about the state of the Church while watching this, what happens when there are bad, or no, sheep dogs.

Genetics pic.twitter.com/zaHG9ds55R

— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) January 13, 2023

Posted in Just Too Cool |
9 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 634

Posted on 14 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome registrants:
two people… can’t put their nicknames here because they used email addresses. Not the best idea since bots can mine them. But welcome anyway! The more the merrier!

Linked to yesterday!

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout

Meanwhile,…

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

</a

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

Here’s a Vienna I played, not perfectly but I got the job done.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
Comments Off

UPDATED – Send Fr. Z your snail-mail 2023 CHRISTMAS CARDS!

Posted on 13 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE: 13 Jan ’23:

Another batch of cards has been forwarded. I’m grateful to those who check my old P.O. box.

Livingston, MT (OL Rockies!)
Okotoks, Alberta (amazing, kid art from each, and photos)
Brooklyn, WI (thanks, friends… what a year)
Hampshire, UK
Livermore, CA
Mission Hills, KS (lovely card!)
New Hope, PA
Norway? Wiesbaden? (yes, I did, but after I got home, and you would not believe what I have heard Roman tour guides say… ignorant bigots doesn’t even begin…)
Escanaba, MI
Kenai, AK
Fort Collins, CO (home of WWV)
Nashua, NH (nice)
Bend, OR (PERSEVERE!!!)
Ashford, Middlesex
Portsmouth, NH (your envelope was opened but I think it had KID ART!)
Atchison, KS (St. Philip Neri… great saint!)
Baldwin, NY (yes, we must PERSEVERE!)
Colorado Springs, CO (wow… quite a photo!)
Österlånggatan, Finland
Las Vegas, NV (thanks)

I’ll try to post some photos of kid art later… right now I’m watching U-MN hockey against detested Notre Shame (with 7 players from MN). ITE RODENTES!

UPDATE: 4 Jan ’23:

Another batch of your cards arrived! Whence?

Calabasas, CA
New Orleans, LA
Melbourne Beach, FL
Atlanta, GA (thank you)
San Mateo, CA (nice card!)
Appleton, WI (I like that St Joseph)
Wausau, WI (good luck!)
St. Paul, MN
Harrisburg, PA (thanks!)
Falmouth, NS
Menomonee Falls, WI (KID ART!)
Arlington, VA
Saint Mary, MO (yes, I remember you and many more in my Masses)
Lincoln, NE (KID ART!)
Philadelphia, PA (R.I.P.)
Singapore
Liberty Lake, WA (glitter… o{]>:¬( … but KID ART… I’m so conflicted… o{]:¬/ …)

UPDATE: 3 Jan ’23:

I have some new cards!

Cuhardy, NY (every year! LOL! love it)
Covins, CA (please do… go to confession)
NYC, NY (I hope to be back soon)
Savannah, GA
Wichita, KS (thanks)
McKenzie, TN
Fort Calhoun, NE
Shelbyville, KY (the CSC is GREAT! More Catholic sites should use it)
Thousand Oaks, CA
Manchester
Sidney (nice martini… I will)
River Ridge, LA (beautiful, I’m so glad)
Fairfax, VA
W. Fargo, ND (lovely)
Lod Angeles, CA
Marion, IN (thanks)
Flushing, NY (thanks! was there not long ago, alas my restaurant wasn’t as good)
Orlando, FL
Millersville, MD
Roselle Park, NJ
Montgomery, AL (thanks)
Bethesda, MD (great baby name!!!)
Alliston, ON (wow, thanks and thanks)
Kuna, ID
Kenosha, WI (thanks)
Fort Wayne, IN (my condolences and thanks)
Orlando, FL
Lost Nation, IA
Lake Side, CA (73 and agree)
Plano, TX
Tiverton, RI (thanks, friend)
Ave Maria, FL (I’ve thought about it)
Hanover, CT (thanks)
Carlisle, MA (ongoing thanks)
Mount Victoria, NSW (KID ART! Thanks, LIA! Thanks, J! And kudos.)
Windsor, ON (golly, of course, prayers! and thanks)
Upper Brookville, NY (lovely)

UPDATE: 25 Dec ’22:

I received more cards yesterday, which were a joy to open today. And there was kid art!

Mesa, AZ
Ashburn, MA (stamps!)
Hollister, CA (good!)
Hudson, MA (thanks!)
Billerica, MA
Ashburn, VA (thanks for the kind words)
Kingston, ID (kid art variant)
San Juan, PR (thanks and prayers)
Dorchester, MA
Louisville, KY
Huntington, WV
Buca Raton, FL
Appleton, WI
Calais, VT (congrats!)
Irving, TX
Bottesford, Leics. (I’ll try to remember)
Deptford, NJ

Keep them coming! They take a while to get to me since they are collected and forwarded. If there is something pressing, drop me an email.

UPDATE: 20 Dec ’22:

Another batch of your cards arrived! Alas, only one piece of kid art. I believe it is the Bugatti I mentioned in the first post.

Newport, NH (ha ha)
Washington, DC* (octogenarin convert!)
Story, WY (fancy card)
Brea, CA (great news! It helps to know that.)
Olathe, KS
Balham, London (thanks, Father!)
Indianapolis, IN
W. Warwick, RI
Watervliet, NY
Malone, NY (thanks)
Rochester, MI (Masses, thanks)
Albuquerque, NM (thank you very much)
Fort Washington, MD (12 kids!)
Bowie, MD
Valdosta, GA (73!)
York, PA (23 grandchildren!)
OVerland Park, KS
W. Warwick, RI
Atlanta, GA* (thanks – prayers for that priest, RIP)
Brooklyn WI* (thanks!)
Bowling Green, MO* (thanks)
Ocala, FL
Chula Vista, CA (masses, thanks)
Loganwille, GA* (thank you)
Wokingham, UK
Fort Worth, TX
San Antonio, TX
Wading River, NY
Kent, England
Independence, KY (glad to be of help)
Stamford, CT
Lubec, ME
Dillsburg, PA (cute)
Dayton, OH
Rapid City, SD
Berkey, OH* (thanks)
West Salem, WI (finally! kid art!)
San Francisco, CA* (thanks)
Beaumont, TX*

UPDATE: 12 Dec ’22:

I am delighted to report that I received a first wave of forwarded Christmas cards. Here are the locations I could figure out.

Windsor, ON*
Gravesend, Kent (still enjoying Patum)
San Diego, CA
Dearborn, MI (I love that about your 97 year old grandmother’s hand missal – and fun stamp)
W. St. Paul, MN
Vero Beach, FL
Livingston, MT*
Frisco, TX*
Staten Island, NY (you are welcome)
Reeseville, WI* (many thanks)
Arbor Vitae, WI (nice grandkids)
San Antonio, TX*

No kid art yet, but I am hopeful.

I look forward to the next round.

Originally Published on: Nov 27, 2022

I always enjoy your Christmas cards. The notes and letters which describe the year people have had are interesting and, often, moving. I read them all.

And drawings by kids are great! I’ve included two from last year.

If you would like to send me Advent/Christmas greetings or cards, please send by snail mail (if possible with really cool stamps).

Remember mail?

As I have done in years past, I’ll try to post all the places whence they were mailed from around the world. Keep in mind that if you don’t include your address, at least your city, I can’t easily do that.

I have a US PO BOX address.

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
733 Struck St.
PO BOX 44603
Madison, WI 53744-4603

That is the P.O. Box of the Tridentine Mass Society of Madison

Someone will regularly check the P.O. box for me and forward everything. NB: That will add a little time to how long it takes to reach me… but they do reach me.

If you want to send something time sensitive, or perhaps expensive – like keys to a Bugatti – contact me. HERE We might be able to find you a much faster address! If you’ve been a regular benefactor and we’ve had contact, you might consider that option.

Please DO NOT send perishable food items. I am sure they would be wonderful but, please, just don’t.

If you put glitter in the card, I’ll recite the Maledictory Psalms against you.

If I receive something threatening or illegal, I will immediately turn it in to law enforcement. I’m sorry I have to write that under such a cheery topic, but this is the world we live in, especially in this dreadful craziness going on.

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged Christmas Cards
6 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 633 & adversarial developments

Posted on 13 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome new registrants:
nopremx
Urszula
MSCatholic

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout for 10% off

Meanwhile,…

Black’s King is exposed.

White to move and force mate.

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

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.

The traditional Benedictine monks of Le Barroux are making wine at the ancient papal vineyards near Avignon. You can order it! In doing you help them.

The code “FATHER10” get’s you 10% off.

At chess.com the narrative grows. There’s a kind of chess Hunger Games going on between the bots.

There are now only two bots left. Mittens, the soul crushing kitten, whose ELO is listed as 1, but it really playing at about 3500 (at least), and M3GAN whose ELO was 1250.

Her avatar now has become rather more sinister, replete with tell-tale flames licking up in the black background. I played again M3GAN several times yesterday with time control and won earlier in the day. Then something happened. Her ELO went from 1250 to 3000, where it is as I write. It looks like Mittens is in the cross-hairs.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
8 Comments

The Demos Memo… written by the late Card. Pell

Posted on 12 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In Lent of 2022, at the time of the rare consistory of Cardinals in Rome, a “memo” emerged penned by the pseudonymous “Demos” in the style of yesteryear. The Memo was about the state of the present pontificate. It offered also points for future corrections. The overall assessment of major aspects of the pontificate and the state of the Vatican City State and Roman Curia were decisively negative. It wasn’t just a list of assertions. It was backed up with reasons and numbers. The Demos Memo was circulated among the Cardinals and others.

The Demos Memo, post at the website of longt-time vaticanista Sandro Magister makes for engaging reading and pondering. HERE

It is strongly assert now that Card. Pell was Demos. This was his assessment and these were his suggestions about the future.

The revelation of Card. Pell as Demos has provoked hysterical reactions from the usual suspects, probably because it is clear, convincing and spotlights heterodoxy, suppression of traditional worship and, above all, the problem of homosexuality.

It doesn’t take long to read and it bring to the fore quite a few points for consideration at both the larger Catholic level as well as the local.

Posted in The Drill | Tagged Card. Pell
18 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 632 and a new adversary

Posted on 12 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Photo by The Great Roman™ (He has a great eye.)

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout

Meanwhile,… get chess stuff. Do you have a good set?

White to move.

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

3:16 isn’t just in John.

I’ve also added a new B16 mug to the store with a magnificent quote about the purpose of creation.

Meanwhile, in the saga of chess.com’s evil feline, the soul annihilating Mittens has a new colleague who has replaced “Scaredy Cat”, “Angry Cat” and “Grumpy Cat”.

I’m not quite sure what this is about. Perhaps a shot at a thoroughly unlikeable “royal”? The scarf suggests the Union Jack.

UPDATE: I had a bit of a rag chew on ZedNet today. One in PA one in GA.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
6 Comments

A new decree in a US Archdiocese seeks to limit “ad orientem” worship, but it is based on a FALSE translation. Here we go again.

Posted on 11 January 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Yesterday I received a PDF of a new “Decree” from the Archbishop of Cincinnati, Dennis Schnurr.

HERE

The Archbishop has introduced a new “policy” on ad orientem worship.

There must be in every parish or “cluster” (they say “family”) of parishes at least one public versus populum Mass.

Also,

1. When a freestanding altar is present the celebration of Mass – whether versus populum or ad orientem – may take place ONLY on said altar, NOT on the older “high” altar.
2. If the freestanding altar is dedicated, but not fixed (and thus “moveable”), it may NOT be moved from the sanctuary for the purpose of using the older altar.

Here’s the kicker.

The “decree” is based on GIRM 299 and the Responsum of 25 Sept 2000 of the Congregation for Divine Worship about GIRM 299.

I have written often and extensively about GIRM 299, which deals with posture or position of the celebrant and the construction of the altar. GIRM 299, which is authoritatively IN LATIN, was MISTRANSLATED in the USCCB’s documents about liturgy. The MISTRANSLATION gave the impression that versus populum celebration was the most desirable posture for Mass. That is NOT what the Latin says. And if there were any doubt about that a dubium was submitted to the CDW, which in a Responsum debunked that falsehood and went on to explain the Latin to those who were incapable of dealing with the Church’s official language (99% percent of bishops).

The “Decree” of Cincinnati quotes GIRM 299 as being (and this is a FALSE translation):

In regard to the arrangement of the sanctuary, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: ‘The altar should be built separate from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible.” (GIRM 299)

Since the celebration of Mass versus populum (facing the people) is “desirable wherever possible”, this should be the regular practice in churches, oratories, and chapels of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, nearly all of which have a freestanding dedicated altar.’

Again, this is a FALSE translation of GIRM 299.

The writer of this decree, who put it in front of the Archbishop to sign, must have known that this is a FALSE TRANSLATION because he also cited the Responsum that explains the Latin.

So, what is the accurate translation?

I cannot believe that after all these year I have to deal with this incompetence again. For example HERE

GIRM 299 actually says that what is desirable, when possible, is that the altar be separated from the wall, not that Mass be versus populum.

299. Altare maius exstruatur a pariete seiunctum, ut facile circumiri et in eo celebratio versus populum peragi possit, quod expedit ubicumque possibile sit.

The main altar should be built separated from the wall, which is useful wherever it is possible, so that it can be easily walked around and a celebration toward the people can be carried out. (Emphases added)

THAT’s what the Latin really says.

On 25 September 2000 the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments issued a clarification (Prot. No. 2036/00/L) regarding 299 in the Latin GIRM. That clarification, Responsum, says:

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has been asked whether the expression in n. 299 of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani constitutes a norm according to which the position of the priest versus absidem [facing the apse] is to be excluded. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, after mature reflection and in light of liturgical precedents, responds:

Negatively, and in accordance with the following explanation.

The explanation includes different elements which must be taken into account. First, the word expedit does not constitute a strict obligation but a suggestion that refers to the construction of the altar a pariete sejunctum(detached from the wall). It does not require, for example, that existing altars be pulled away from the wall. The phrase ubi possibile sit (where it is possible) refers to, for example, the topography of the place, the availability of space, the artistic value of the existing altar, the sensibility of the people participating in the celebrations in a particular church, etc.

Expedit refers to a suggestion about the construction of the altar. It is suggested that, where possible (depending on the topography of the sanctuary, etc.) there he an altar that can be used from either side, that can be used for versus populum Masses. It does NOT day that versus populum is preferable. PERIOD.

So, this “Decree” from Cincinnati is based on a FALSE translation. GIRM 299 is forced to say something it does not say. Moreover, whereas the Responsum is cited… giving the writer the benefit of the doubt let’s assume he read it… and whereas the Responsum explains the Latin…. therefore the “Decree” is based on a lie.

It is sad that draconian ideological micromanagement is taking over the Church, a positivism which is, ironically, simultaneously antinomian.

The “Decree” does not place an outright ban on ad orientem worship. However, it does impose, on priests who have more than one Mass – and many priests are alone in parishes – one versus populum Mass. That means that someone has to rearrange everything.

Furthermore, it means that what a pastor has done to move worship ad orientem has been undermined.

The question is raised. QUAERITUR: What there an outbreak of ad orientem worship that provoked complaints? And instead of the Archbishop supporting his priests, he dumped them in favor of the complainers? (That’s usually how things go, which is borne out by studies and interviews which reveal that priests have less and less confidence in their bishops and worse and worse rapport.) Or else… one priest started saying Mass ad orientem and that prompted diocesan-wide decree?

Either way, all the canonists I have consulted with over the years agree that bishops cannot forbid or restrict ad orientem worship, which is assumed to be the case in the rubrics of the LATIN edition of the Missale Romanum.

But bishops do what they want.