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{]:¬)

A Friday incitement to stand firm and never to back down

Posted on 6 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Friends, it seems as if overwhelming forces are hijacking the Church, tying her hands and leading her to where she would not go. It is necessary that the Church go through her own Passion, just as Our Lord endured His.

And then there’s this goose.

Moreover, on my way back from a few days of R&R waaaaay up North, Tom Petty put a little iron back into my bloodstream.

We cannot back down. They can attempt all manner of slander, ridicule, persecution. But we cannot, will not, back down.

We will fight them on the beaches.

UPDATE:

Just for nice.

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Be The Maquis, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged goose, Johnny Cash, persevere, Tom Petty
4 Comments

Jesuit-run John Carroll University goes to the zoo over annual “drag queen” shows

Posted on 5 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From The Blaze comes a story about how some students at a JESUIT college are miffed because the annual – that was annual and since 2013 – drag queen show was cancelled.

Some of you might say, “Hey! At least the Jesuits cancelled it!”

To which I reply, “Hey? Why the hell did they have it in the first place? Annually?”

But wait for the reason why it was cancelled.

Because it was immoral? Because it was scandalous? Because it was disgusting? Because it is an insult to God?

No!

[To be read with the proper … inflections…]
Catholic college cancels annual drag show — and some students aren’t happy: ‘Having that taken away from us is so diminishing’

A Catholic college in Ohio has canceled its annual drag show after a student newspaper column against the event sparked controversy last year, Cleveland.com reported.

A John Carroll University spokesman told the outlet that “divisiveness” on the Jesuit school’s campus led to the decision. [So! They cancelled it because it was “divisive”! Not because it was disgusting, immoral, a wholesale betrayal of the Jesuit identity they claim (- well, that one…) and an offense to God.]

“We are working with our students on new and more extensive programming that will promote the expression, appreciation, and understanding of the many identities represented at John Carroll University,” the spokesman said. “We are also engaging with community partners, alumni, and experts to advance the understanding of different points of view related to sexuality, faith, inclusion and respect.”

[…]

B as in B. S as in S!

Here’s how these feckless sellouts at John Carroll University describe themselves on the “About” page. Read this and think about YEARS of sanctioned “drag queen shows”.

The University finds the source of its inspiration in the experience of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the centuries-long commitment of the Society of Jesus to academic excellence and service to the common good. [Yeah… I’ll be ol’ Ignaz would be over the moon about drag queens.]

The Jesuit Catholic character of John Carroll University is a single reality based on the integration of faith and culture. [What does that even mean? Their “character” is a “single reality”?] It represents a commitment to a church [“a church”… not to the “Catholic Church”] within the world, serving the human search for truth and value, and for justice and solidarity. [And… and… solidarity!] It also represents a reverence for the transcendent vision that Christ preached and lived as the ?nal best expression of human ful?llment. [See anything wrong with that? How about the fact that it is entirely inconsistent with the first part.]

This Jesuit Catholic character inspires and guides the intellectual, professional, and ethical labors that make John Carroll a university. [But apparently, not “moral”, or “commonsensical”.]

God save those students.

It’s time now for the usual Jesuits to swoosh in and arbitrate.

Posted in Jesuits, Pò sì jiù, Sin That Cries To Heaven, You must be joking! | Tagged homosexualist agenda, John Carroll University
15 Comments

Francis: ‘It is an honor when Americans attack me’

Posted on 5 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Catholic Herald:

Pope Francis: ‘It is an honor when Americans attack me’

The Pope’s spokesman later clarified that the Pontiff ‘always considers criticisms an honor’, particularly from ‘an important nation’

Pope Francis told a reporter that it is “an honor when Americans attack me.”

The pope made his comments to Nicolas Seneze, a reporter from La Croix, the French Catholic daily newspaper, during the flight Sept. 4 from Rome to Maputo, Mozambique.

Seneze is author of “Comment l’Amerique veut changer de pape,” which can be translated as “how America wanted to change popes.” Seneze gave Pope Francis a copy of the book during the flight. [The book is stuffed with rubbish from professional bomb throwers like Beans.]

Pope Francis said he had heard about the book, but had not been able to find a copy. The volume, currently available only in French, went on sale the day of the papal flight.

The book presents the long list of accusations against Pope Francis made in August 2018 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former nuncio to the United States, as one part of a concerted effort, led mainly by Catholics in the United States, to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Pope Francis’ ministry.

Seneze’s thesis is that “rigorist” Catholics, mainly wealthy, are opposed to Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy over clear rules, [B as in B. S as in S.] his teaching on ethical problems with the way the world’s economy is working, and his overtures to Cuba and China. [You mean the Chinese, who are now being crushed by the government?]

After telling Seneze that he had not yet read the book, the pope told him, “It’s an honor when the Americans attack me.”

And handing the book on to an aide, the pope commented, “It’s a bomb.” [Whatever that means.]

Shortly after Pope Francis returned to the front of the plane after greeting each member of the media, Matteo Bruni, his spokesman, came to the journalists with a statement.

“In an informal context, the pope wanted to say that he always considers criticisms an honor, particularly when they come from authoritative thinkers — in this case from an important nation,” Bruni said. [Uh huh.]

A couple things.

What would Francis say about someone out there who lumps huge groups of people into one category? “Argentinians are….”

There is an old phrase about politicians who accidentally tell the truth.

It could be that this phrase tells us something about what Francis really thinks about Americans.

Oh… and how many new cardinals did he select for these USA?

Okay, so this “I’m honored when Americans attack me” is just a passing remark.

Meanwhile, let all be reminded that we are duty bound to honor the Pope.

Among all the prelates of the whole Church throughout the world, the Pope has “primacy of honor”.

Let us continue to give him due honor.

Posted in Francis, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged Francis
44 Comments

ASK FATHER: Why not use “Unbound” for “deliverance prayers”?

Posted on 4 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest…

QUAERITUR:

On your post about exorcism of a parish you mentioned in the comments not to use “Unbound”. I know people connected to this. Do you know of a good article explaining why? I interested being able to explain to my friends.

He refers to my post HERE and HERE.

I consulted a trusted exorcist about this. He responded.

I’m unaware of any articles on the subject. But a reading of the book would tell you the following:

Although there are some important and proper elements that make up the method,

1.         Unbound is not meant as an exorcism of place

2.         Unbound speaks a lot about forgiveness, but I haven’t found a clear mention of sacramental forgiveness.

3.         It doesn’t distinguish between authority and power – not a small detail in these matters. In other words, it invites people (peers) to pray over others (peers), possibly arguing that if someone were to come to you asking for prayers of deliverance, then they give you authority over them. This is fallacious. It goes against natural law of authority. Parents have spiritual authority over their children, husbands over their wives, a priest over the faithful of his parish, and a bishop over his diocese, etc. In other words, a layman speaking tu a tu to an evil spirit sets himself up to get taken to the woodshed if an evil spirit is truly present.

If you publish something critical of Unbound, you be assured that their hyper-sensitive authors will hound you.

Yes, sometimes the hypersensitive – especially those with moral problems compounded with cowardice – do choose to hound, an anonymously. I am not easily hounded.

I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot aspergilum.

Traditional Rituale Romanum and a priest who is capable.

That’s the way to go.

REMINDER: I have recordings of the Latin for the rites of exorcism. They are available for priests and bishops. That’s it. Period. HERE

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Si vis pacem para bellum! | Tagged deliverance, exorcism, Unbound
15 Comments

Jesuits. Corruptio optimi pessima.

Posted on 4 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a book entitled On the Suppression of the Society of Jesus: A contemporary account. US HERE – UK HERE I was so hoping that by “contemporary” the title meant our days. However, it results from the 18th century, when Papa Ganganelli, Clement XIV of happy memory, suppressed the Society. The book, published by Loyola Press, is by Guilo Cesare Cordara, SJ (1704-1785). It is his contemporary account. I’m looking forward to reading it, even though it will be defense of Jesuits and the Society.

Meanwhile, at Crisis I found an article by Michael Warren Davis:

Scrap the Jesuits and start over

Been there, done that.

Could it be done today?

Consider that the Superior of the Jesuits denies that the Devil is a personal, evil being. The Devil is some sort of nebulous forces in structures. Think about guys like Reese and Martin. Think about the Jesuit who gave a guy, so he says, in Seattle a blessing to kill himself.

The old phrase in Latin is made concrete in the Jesuits today: corruptio optimi pessima… the corruption of the best thing is the worst kind of corruption.

There were truly great Jesuits. There still are! I know and respect some, and they are not all elderly.

The Jesuits need a massive reform from top – especially from top – to the last and most recent of their ranks.

It was a huge mistake not to dismantle the Legion entirely. It could have been refounded in a new way later. It would be a mistake not to rethink the Jesuits from top to bottom and then refound them.

One could weep. I cannot imagine the pain of the faithful men in the Society.

I fear that no one has the guts to act like a real Jesuit and do what has to be done. Rose bushes need to be hacked down in order to flourish again.

Pray for a new St. Francis Xavier to rise up. Can you imagine what he would say, looking around? We need Jean de Brébouf, not Jasmine the Poof. When the Iroquois were torturing St. Jean to death, they drank his blood because they wanted to have his courage. We need new Edmund Campions, Robert Southwells, John Gerards. We need Rupert Mayers, not Daniel Berrigans. We need John de Brittos, not Roger Haights. We need Peter Clavers, not Thomas Reeses. We need Walter Ciszeks not George Tyrells. We need Peter Fabers, not Jon Sobrinos. We need Robert Bellarmines, not Daniel Maquires. We need Alfred Delps, not Robert Drinans. We need William Doyles, not Ernesto Cardenals. We need Aloysius Gonzagas, not Jacques Dupuis. We need John Hardons, not John Dears. We need Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez, not Antonio Spadaros. We need Jean Pierre de Caussades, not Pierre Teilhard de Chardins. We need Francis Borgias, not Pedro Arupes. We need Claude de la Colombieres, not Carlo Maria Martinis. We need Peter Canisius, not Karl Rahners.

Are you out there?

Meanwhile…

Clement XIV (Ganganelli) swag that is available.

>>HERE<<

Posted in Jesuits | Tagged Corruptio optimi pessima, Jesuits, Society of Jesus
11 Comments

Of St. Moses – Old Testament Lawgiver, Prophet and Prof. Camille Paglia – Feminist, Provocateuse

Posted on 4 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I have a very begrudging respect for Camille Paglia. I disagree with most of what she holds, but I admire her writing and her bluntness. I’m especially fond of how she calls out the cheerleaders of stupid brands of feminism (most of them).

More about Paglia and Moses in a bit.

Today, 4 September, is the feast of St. Moses, lawgiver and prophet in the Old Testament.

Many people do not realize that may Old Testament figures are considered by Holy Mother Church to be saints. Many of them are listed in editions of the Roman Martyrology, both pre-Conciliar and post.

Here is today’s entry for Moses.

1. Commemoratio sancti Moysis, prophetae, quem Deus elegit, ut populum in Aegypto oppressum liberaret et in terram promissionis adduceret; cui etiam in monte Sina sese revelavit dicens: “Ego sum qui sum”, atque legem proposuit, quae vitam populi electi regeret. Ille servus Dei in monte Nebo terrae Moab coram terra promissionis plenus dierum obiit.

Anyone want to take a crack at What The Martyrology Really Says?

Enjoy some Mystic Monk Coffee, or refresh your depleted supply, and get out that dictionary if necessary.

Also, a question/request to readers:

Have any of you ever seen a stained-glass window of Moses at the cleft in the rock in Exodus 33?

I would like a good photo.

Back to Camille Paglia. Really, there is a connection.

A few days ago in the Wall Street Journal, there was a piece about how idiot students (most of them) at the university where she teaches want her outsed. Camille, you see, is not politically correct, or “woke” enough, or something. And since the idiot students (most of them) are now entitled to be offended by everything they don’t understand (most of it), therefore Paglia has to lose her job. See the line of thought? It’s rather like how Madame Defarge at Fishwrap wants Chad Pecknold to be fired every time Chad writes something.

Back to the WSJ piece. Here’s the horrifying link with Moses.

[…]

By contrast to her flaming public persona, Ms. Paglia is positively conventional in the classroom. “As I constantly stress,” she says, “my base identity is as a hard-working, no-nonsense schoolmarm—like the teaching nuns of global Roman Catholicism.” Despite her avowed atheism, she confesses to keeping a Mass card of St. Teresa of Ávila in her den at home. [I often wonder how much of an atheist she really is.]

This fall semester, she will teach two classes, “Art of Song Lyric” and “Style in Art.” She asks me to “stress that I do not teach ‘my’ ideas in the classroom.” Instead, she teaches “broad-ranging” courses and considers herself responsible for her students’ “general education—in which there are huge and lamentable gaps, thanks to the tragic decline of public education in this country.”

She recalls a “horrifying” example from her classroom a few years ago. She was teaching “Go Down, Moses, ” the famous Negro spiritual. “The whole thing is about antiquity,” she says, “but obviously it has contemporary political references.” She passed out the lyrics and played the music, “and it suddenly hit me with horror—none of them recognized the name ‘Moses.’ And I thought: Oh my God, when Moses is erased from the West, what is left of Western civilization?”

Judging by last semester’s protests against Ms. Paglia, today’s college students seem better versed in the polemics of gender identity than in Judeo-Christian history.

[…]

Posted in The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged Camille Paglia, Moses
11 Comments

Lunch with Dante in Florence. The Poet comments on consistories.

Posted on 4 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Dante can provide wisdom on most of the troubles of our lives. His wisdom pops up just about anywhere and in timely fashion.

Thus, a wise and respected friend was lunching in Florence in the shadow of the Duomo today and, lunching, captured this image which, in advance of the upcoming Amazonian Synod – or, perhaps a future consistory or even conclave? – provided food for thought together with the darn good food for the body.

What’s going on here?

Dante is in the Sphere of Mars in the Fifth Heaven. He is conversing with Cacciaguida, related to Dante’s family, about the situation in Florence. Cacciaguida blames several families for the corruption of Florence. When you go about in Florence, by the way, you occasionally spot these plaques from the 1920s with Cacciaguida’s thoughts about these corrupting families at the places where they once lived.

With a substitution or two, it’s apt.

Così facieno i padri di coloro
che, sempre che la vostra chiesa vaca,
si fanno grassi stando a consistoro.

L’oltracotata schiatta che s’indraca
dietro a chi fugge, e a chi mostra ‘l dente
o ver la borsa, com’ agnel si placa, …

“So did the fathers of those
Who, when a vacancy comes in your church,
Fatten by stalling in the consistory.

“The overweening breed that plays the dragon
To one who runs off, but to one who shows
His teeth — or purse — is docile as a lamb….

For the record, the lunch included vitella tonnata and Vermentino. A good combination, well chosen.

If you have never read the Divine Comedy, you should. You could start with Anthony Esolen’s excellent translation (Part 1, Inferno US HERE – UK HERE) or perhaps with Dorothy Sayer’s fine version (Part 1, Inferno, US HERE – UK HERE). There are many renderings to choose from. I would very much like to teach on Dante someday. Maybe it’ll happen.

When you make the life-changing choice to read the Divine Comedy, here are a couple tips. First and foremost, make the decision that you will read the whole thing. Don’t read just the Inferno. The really great stuff comes in Purgatorio and Paradiso.

Also, read through a canto to get the line of thought and story and then go back over it looking at the notes in your edition.

Dante was, perhaps, the last guy who knew everything (with the possible exception of Erasmus). Each Canto is dense with references. You will need notes to help with the history, philosophy, cosmology, poetic theory, politics, theology, etc. Really. You will need help.

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Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged dante, Divine Comedy
5 Comments

Comprehensive Sexuality Education – A demonic agenda targeting children

Posted on 2 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Horrible “sex ed” agenda aimed at children.

This is pretty bad. Get children out of the room before watching. Really.

I won’t post the video on this blog, but GO HERE.

See what the United Nations and Planned Parenthood, etc. have in store for children.

Big Business Abortion and Big Business Sex.

Hook children on sex. They are future customers.

This is also tied into demonic gender identity propaganda.

Posted in The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged Planned Parenthood, sex education, United Nations
19 Comments

ACTION ITEM! East Coast BISHOPS, PRIESTS: Pray the Litany against Hurricane #DORIAN

Posted on 2 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please retweet and share around.

Hurricane Dorian is out there. My mother lives along the eastern coast of Florida. Hence, I’m paying attention to the track. It’s hard to say where it’ll go, but it isn’t going to be fun even if it doesn’t make landfall.

So, I have an action item for you believing priests and bishops out there. With confidence we can pray the prayers which the Church has designated against storms.

I believe what the Church believes. Do you?

Therefore….

BISHOPS OF THE EAST COAST: Stand on the steps of your respective cathedral churches, dressed in cope and miter and, surrounded by clergy, with crosiers in hand, pronounce from the traditional Rituale Romanum the Litany of Saints with the deprecatory prayers against storms. [below] Ring the cathedral bells. You all talk to each other: perhaps coordinate your timing.

I know that in every chancery at least one person reads this blog, probably more. Readers, especially if you know your bishops personally, ask them to do this.

PRIESTS OF THE EAST COAST: Ditto. Also, if you have blessed bells, ring the bells of your churches against the storm. Bells are sacramentals. They are “baptized” and given names. They speak. In valleys of mountainous countries, as storms approached, people would ring the bells and pray the Litany. That’s one of the reasons why we have consecrated bells!

PEOPLE OF THE EAST COAST: Get on your priests about this. The prayers of priests and bishop are powerful. Also, ask your holy angels to protect you and to help you make prudent decisions.

Fathers, Bishops…

Use the old Roman Ritual (yes, the traditional book – you can do it! – it’s the real deal!) and pray the Litany with the deprecatory prayers against storms. A procession could be done around the grounds of the cathedral or even indoors… even with a very few.

You don’t have to be directly in the line of the storm to pray for others!

PROCESSION FOR AVERTING TEMPEST [Better in Latin, but here is the English from Sancta Missa.]

The church bells are rung, and all who can assemble in church. Then the Litany of the Saints is said, during which – at the right moment, namely, after the invocation, “That you grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, etc.”, the following invocation is said twice:

From lightning and tempest, Lord, deliver us.

At the end of the litany the following is added:

P: Our Father (the rest inaudibly until:)
P: And lead us not into temptation.
All: But deliver us from evil.
Psalm 147
P: Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise your God, O Sion.
All: For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; * He has blessed your children within you.
P: He has granted peace in your borders; * with the best of wheat He fills you.
All: He sends forth His command to the earth; * swiftly runs His word!
P: He spreads snow like wool; * He strews frost like ashes.
All: He scatters His hail like crumbs; * the waters freeze before His cold.
P: He sends His word and melts them; * He lets His breeze blow and the waters run.
All: He has proclaimed His word to Jacob, * His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.
P: He has not done thus for any other nation; * He has not made known His ordinances to them.
All: Glory be to the Father.
P: As it was in the beginning.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: Lord, show us your mercy.
All: And grant us your salvation.
P: Help us, O God, our Savior.
All: And deliver us, O Lord, for your name’s sake.
P: Let the enemy have no power over us.
All: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm us.
P: May your mercy, Lord, remain with us always.
All: For we put our whole trust in you.
P: Save your faithful people, Lord.
All: Bless all who belong to you.
P: You withhold no good thing from those who walk in sincerity.
All: Lord of hosts, happy the men who trust in you.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

Let us pray.
God, who are offended by our sins but appeased by our penances, may it please you to hear the entreaties of your people and to turn away the stripes that our transgressions rightly deserve.

We beg you, Lord, to repel the wicked spirits from your family, and to ward off the destructive tempestuous winds.

Almighty everlasting God, spare us in our anxiety and take pity on us in our abasement, so that after the lightning in the skies and the force of the storm have calmed, even the very threat of tempest may be an occasion for us to offer you praise.

Lord Jesus, who uttered a word of command to the raging tempest of wind and sea and there came a great calm; hear the prayers of your family, and grant that by this sign of the holy cross all ferocity of the elements may abate.

Almighty and merciful God, who heal us by your chastisement and save us by your forgiveness; grant that we, your suppliants, may be heartened and consoled by the tranquil weather we desire, and so may ever profit from your gracious favors; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.
He sprinkles the surroundings with holy water.

Bishops, priests!

You don’t have to advertise this or call in the TV cameras (though that would be great, too). JUST DO IT.

‘CMON! What do you have to lose?

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, Semper Paratus, The Coming Storm | Tagged hurricane, Litany of Saints, storms
8 Comments

2 Sept 1859: The Carrington Event

Posted on 2 September 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

On this date, 2 September 1859 your planet was struck by a massive solar storm which caused the Carrington Event.

Read about it. A powerful solar wind struck the Earth. The “Northern Lights” were visible in the Caribbean. You could read by them at night. Telegraph wires melted.

Life was not affected much at that time, because so few things used electricity.

But, today?

One of these days, once again, there will be a huge coronal mass ejection from your planet’s yellow star that strikes your planet square on. The result will be a vast electromagnetic pulse which fries almost all your electronic stuff. You will be plunged in an instant back to something like the 19th century. Within months, the larger part of the world’s population would probably be dead in the horrifying aftermath.

Will you have what it takes to survive?

On the other hand, perhaps there will be nuclear attacks that cause EMPs, or perhaps there will be a pandemic or other natural events which brings down the world’s economy, resulting in much the same.

Here are a few books you can try out, just to scare the stuffing out of you.

Lights Out by David Crawford