UPDATE: 31 July
Proposed:
Every priest who possibly can on 1 August should celebrate Holy Mass for the intention of Card. Blase Cupich.
In private… in public… TLM or Novus Ordo…. pray that God provides him with exactly what he needs for his own best good.
So far… UPDATED : 1 August 17: 53 EDT
Vetus Ordo: 53
Novus Ordo: 23
There may be more priests who haven’t yet informed me.
Priests and laity alike, pray that what Cupich has planned may be averted.
Original post is HERE.
A note from a reader in Washington DC, where Card. Gregory has treated the faithful with great cruelty. My emphases:
Thank you for your reporting on the TLM situation out here in the DC area. I have written to you before about the situation out here, and I must say that the recent announcement from the Cardinal was indeed a cruel blow, though not unexpected. An interesting fact: the nearest diocesan chapel where the TLM will be offered is going to be only 15 minutes away, but with seating for only 75; we’ve regularly had that many children under 14 in attendance at just our DC parish TLM on Sundays…
We are obviously and deeply hurt by this decision by the Cardinal, but for the time being we’re committed to our current parish and to assisting our pastor (who is committed to celebrating as prayerful and reverent of a Novus Ordo Mass as he is allowed…what a strange thing to say) while he navigates through this cruel situation. It is a hard thing to be forced to choose between our parish and our preferred prayer. Nevertheless, I now must find ways by which I can explain these developments to my two eldest sons (of 6 sons), while also trying to figure how and when they will be able to still occasionally serve the TLM out here.
Amidst this sadness, I’ve got to say, Father, there is likewise a strange level of peace I have about this return to the “Good Old Bad Days”. I also have a sense that all the cruelty of the last few years (COVID interdicts, Traditionis Custodes, general breakdown of society etc.) will end up being some sort of preamble or advanced spiritual training for whatever other battle is coming.
All things considered, this is a really nasty blow for us, but we know Christ wins in the end. So our decision is that we will hold fast to The Faith of our fathers, and work towards growing in holiness as a family.
Please continue to pray for us here in DC. Please pray for Cardinal Gregory. We will continue to keep you in the intention of our daily family rosary. Once again, thank you for all you have done to educate and encourage us during these times. Keep The Faith!
Such faith. God bless and keep these good people.
UPDATE:
MEANWHILE…
Back to the catacombs of the 70’s as a family converts their living room into a chapel for the offering of the TLM. pic.twitter.com/QjCV3n31MX
— Father V (@father_rmv) July 25, 2022
Today is National Wine and Cheese Day!
10% off with code FATHERZ10
In Chess News… 50 years ago today in Iceland, Boris had white and Bobby had black. The Najdorf (pronounced “nai-dorf”) Sicilian was on the board. Fischer had the win, but blew it and Spassky fought back for a 49 move draw. Fischer had to go for a perpetual check to avoid getting checkmated. Spassky is down 3-4.
After the legendary Game 6 Fischer, still being a jerk about everything, had whined about the stone chessboard. He demanded that they go back to a wooden board that had been used in Game 3. There would be more board drama.
In OTHER Board Drama News… I am not making this up…
Via the NY Post:
Chess-playing robot breaks 7-year-old opponent’s finger in Russia
A chess-playing robot broke the finger of its 7-year-old opponent during a match at a tournament in Russia.
The boy was facing off against the robot when it mistakenly grabbed and broke the child’s finger at the Moscow Open last week, according to local Russian outlets.
“The robot broke the child’s finger — this, of course, is bad,” president of the Moscow Chess Federation Sergey Lazarev told TASS Thursday. [“This, of course, is bad.” D’ya think?]
The child reportedly made his next move on the chess board before the robot — a large, automated arm powered by artificial intelligence — had time to recalculate and mistook the boy’s finger for a chess piece, according to Lazarev.
“The child made a move, and after that we need to give time for the robot to answer, but the boy hurried, the robot grabbed him,” he told the outlet in Russian.
Footage of the incident published by the Baza Telegram channel [Yes, there’s video.] shows the mechanical arm latch onto the boy’s finger for several seconds before adults intervene and are able to pry it off his hand.
The young chess player, whose name is Christopher, according to Baza, returned to the tournament the next day and finished his matches with a cast around his finger, Lazarev said.
[…]
The VP of the Russian Chess Federation blamed the boy for violating the safety rules.
Many of you have dropped me a note about how you enjoyed my posts from Rome. I intend to return in October, which will also allow me to participate in the “Summorum Pontificum” pilgrimage, which I understand is still on. The first event will be in Santa Maria “ad martyres” (the Pantheon) on my birthday, 28 Oct. I’d like to be there for the whole month and then the first week of November for the sake of All Saints and All Souls, and maybe a quick trip to Milan for St. Charles Borromeo.
For this reason, I need to start a new fundraiser: airfare, apartment and chow. Another thing, the chalice and paten I had made for my ordination needs refurbishing. I want to take them back to the shop in Rome where they were made. I consulted them in June and they will be able to do it.
Hence, wavvy flag. Click.
The last time in Rome, I recorded the names of everyone who contributed and I very often said Mass for them, as my benefactors, several times a week depending on “emergency” intentions for the sick or dying.
I also remember the regular monthly and ad hoc donors and those of you who send items from my wish list. Many prayers were raised for you at the altars of saints in Rome.
It’s a tremendous boost to reflect on your care for me and to read your notes. Especially in these dark days.
UPDATE: Thanks!
Some donations come without email addresses, so I can’t write you a note in return or include you on my list for updates when I am in Rome. Just FYI.
MH, RO, DM, JL, JF, DD, DH, AT, AB, JK, DE, MF, JMcG, JD, CC, ER, DH, LD, AP, MR, MMM, BL, VF, AD, JA, HL, EG, BDB, KL, PV, HB, MM, AR, JL, SC, JP, CB, TO’R
Use your phone’s camera!
Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.
Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost (17th Ordinary in the Novus)?
Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass. I hear that it is growing. Of COURSE.
Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?
A few thoughts of my own, HERE.
Help the great Norcia Benedictines. GREAT beer. Try it with sausage and a sharp cheese.
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
50 years ago in the championship series in Reykjavík, the defender Boris Spassky and the “challenging” Bobby Fischer played the famous…
GAME 6.
Queen’s Gambit Declined: Tartakower Defense. Exchange Variation.
Fischer, white, played an opening he had never used before, and had been critical of. It morphed into the QGD. Move 20 e4! was the key.
Spassky resigned and then joined in applauding Fischer with the watchers.
This gentlemanly gesture from Spassky moved Fischer (who had been serious jerk to this point). It probably sparked what would be a long friendship with Spassky after the match. However, Fischer remained a jerk during the match. For the first six games, except for Game 3, they had used a stone chess board. He complained about the size of the squares. After Game 6 Fischer demanded that they change to the wooden board from Game 3. Spassky agreed, as usual, to the pesky demands. The board issue would return at Game 8.
Game 6 – an explanatory video HERE
1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 0-0 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 b6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Rc1 Be6 12.Qa4 c5 13.Qa3 Rc8 14.Bb5 a6 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.0-0 Ra7 17.Be2 Nd7 18.Nd4 Qf8 19.Nxe6 fxe6 (diagram) 20.e4 d4 21.f4 Qe7 22.e5 Rb8 23.Bc4 Kh8 24.Qh3 Nf8 25.b3 a5 26.f5 exf5 27.Rxf5 Nh7 28.Rcf1 Qd8 29.Qg3 Re7 30.h4 Rbb7 31.e6 Rbc7 32.Qe5 Qe8 33.a4 Qd8 34.R1f2 Qe8 35.R2f3 Qd8 36.Bd3 Qe8 37.Qe4 Nf6 38.Rxf6 gxf6 39.Rxf6 Kg8 40.Bc4 Kh8 41.Qf4 1–0 (Resignation)
The conference has wrapped up and every one has returned home… or… they aren’t there anymore. The Conference was terrific. I would go every year and I warmly recommend it to my priest readers. HERE BTW… many of the guys opined about how great it was to be with lots of priests and… no bishops. They also hold conferences in Texas and California.
Dr. John Bergsma spoke on Luke (because it is used in the N.O. Lectionary this year. He gave us his finest artistic renderings.
Mind you, that one is about half finished. But, I assure you, his lectures were every bit as good!
(Seriously, I learned a heck of a lot about Luke… and Paul!)
Bergsma and Brant Pitre created one of the best scripture resources I’ve ever seen.
He told me about their progress on the NEW TESTAMENT volume. Yay!
A more finished image from Bergsma’s stick-figure repertoire.
Fr. Cliff Ermatinger, exorcist, probably shocked and alarmed some men with his clear answers, often lacking more than one syllable.
If anyone is involved in “Centering Prayer”… STOP. Find a good priest and have him do a minor exorcism.
If there is anyone out there in SEMINARY FORMATION…
… you MUST MUST MUST provide seminarians with training in the basics of how people get into spiritual trouble with demons, what to look for, etc. This is on the rise.
Some values clarification from Ralph Martin.
In the evening there are receptions. Great fun. Some of the staff have their kids there. This is young Mr. Entropy, demonstrating with the over-sized chess set that Original Sin is at work in every human being waaaay before the age of reason. Those pieces simply had to be knocked, often kicked, over. He is setting up for another run.
Scott Hahn’s Bible parked next to my stuff as Scott parked by me for evening prayer before his evening talk. I’d really like to see inside that Bible. Do you think there might be notes?
AND… speaking of chess… thanks to the reader who sent the superb travel set.
AND… speaking of chess, one of the group challenged me to a game. I was black. This is viewed from the “a1” corner where I had queened a pawn a few moves back. I opted for a more elegant mating net without the queen. He started very strong and I was wondering if perhaps this was going to get really ugly. I eventually managed to gain the upper hand and, badda bing. Thanks! Good game!
When undertaking a journey, a priest should say his prayers.
Happily, my first flight was upgraded. However, I don’t think I have ever had a flight in or out of PIT that wasn’t late.
The second leg was pretty awful. We were stuck on the runway for about an hour and, while I am nearly always able to nap, the screen thingy wasn’t available to me. Instead I had…
Anyway… it’s done. GREAT CONFERENCES.
From a reader…
QUAERITUR:
Given that Traditionis has prevented the faithful in some areas from continuing to experience the old ritual forms for the Sacraments, the question arose; what is the approved Latin for the Ordinary Form prayer of absolution the priest says in confession? I suspect there’d be some people out there like me who’d ask their pastors to consider giving it in Latin.
The Latin for the post-Conciliar form:
Deus, Pater misericordiarum, qui per mortem et resurrectionem Filii Sui mundum Sibi reconciliavit et Spiritum Sanctum effudit in remissionem peccatorum, per ministerium Ecclesiae indulgentiam tibi tribuat et pacem. Et ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Recently a new translation of the prayer of absolution, to be implemented next year. was released.
NEW VERSION:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and poured out [Latin: effudit] the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church may God grant [Latin: tribuat] you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, [sign of the cross] and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
And here’s what the prayer was now/before:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, [sign of the cross] and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
If a priest says, “poured out” and “grant” now, it is valid.
If, later, a priest says, “sent” and “give” it will be valid.\
I’ll now ask the big question.
When was the last time you heard these words, in English, Latin or any other language?
GO TO CONFESSION!
We read today at Acistampa that Opus Dei which has been a “personal prelature” will no longer be able to have a bishop as its prelatial head.
Instead, the head of the Opus Dei will be a Protonotary Apostolic Monsignor (the highest sort). In fairness, a PA Monsignor is a “prelate”.
Implications:
First, despite the early talk about decentralizing power from Rome, what we have seen again and again is concentration of more and more control in Rome. If this reign of Francis is about anything, it is about centralizing control.
Second, the structure of the “personal prelature” was often thought of as a solution for traditional groups, including the SSPX. This, therefore, does not bode well for any traditional group. In other news, water is still wet.
Third, this could also smack of caudillo-like revenge: more and more it seems that members of Opus Dei are not entirely thrilled with all that Francis does.
Fourth, if there was a suggestion in the texts of the Council that there could be structures like Opus Dei, it seems that the “spirit of Vatican II” disagrees. But you have to have gnostic-like secret knowledge of the “spirit of V2” to manuver through the special accompaniment that Opus Dei is receiving.
We are all walking together now toward a new springtime.
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
hwriggles4 on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 33: All Souls: “Like many others I have some family members that I disagree with on several issues. However, one thing a few…”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 35: Penultimate: “Safe travels to your destination. Let us know how +Atticus is doing. Saw an interview of the CEO of United…”
on Germans… “for many” in the Consecration formula, rather than “for all”: “Jesus, save your Church.”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 35: Penultimate: “The illumination is a fun one. It literally shows Christ the Pharmacist, which is not a title you read every…”
on ASK FATHER: “Why isn’t the Male Only Holy Orders a Dogma?”: “TonyO: Don’t you realize that the “spirit of Vatican II” only speaks in one direction can can only be discerned…”
on ROME 26/10-11 – Day 33: All Souls: “Whoever thought it was a smart idea to link the refrigerators and freezers to the Internet should have to thoroughly…”
on ASK FATHER: “Why isn’t the Male Only Holy Orders a Dogma?”: “@TonyO Well, you don’t listen to the voice of the spirit^tm by listening to the vox populi. The hoi polloi…”
on WDTPRS: A charming translation for the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo – 4 November: “Dear Fr. Z. Thank you for your wonderful mention of John, Marquess of Bute (+1900), whose translation of the Roman…”
A Daily Prayer for Priests
They find you a pro-life agent in your area who commits to giving a portion of the fee to a pro-life group!
PLEASE subscribe via PayPal if it is useful. Zelle and Wise are better, but PayPal is convenient.
A monthly subscription donation means I have steady income I can plan on. I put you my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I often say Holy Mass.
In view of the rapidly changing challenges I now face, I would like to add more $10/month subscribers. Will you please help?
For a one time donation...
Help Monks in Wyoming (coffee – UPDATED LINK) and Norcia (beer) and the wonderful "Soap Sisters" of Summit, NJ!
Please follow me on Twitter!
Visits tracked by Statcounter
since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
