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 25/10 – Day 37: fast food

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Morning broke in Rome at 6:43.

Night will fall… well… sunset is at 17:04.

The Ave Maria Bell should ring around the Vatican at 17:30. But it won’t.

It will ring at Ss. Trinità (aka The Parish™) at, I guessing, about 15:40. I’ll be there saying my three Masses. I’ll turn on my recorder and try to get it.

What’s up at the The Parish™ tonight?

The other day I needed some fuel and used left overs. I had some cold salmon, part of a tomato, and halves of lime and lemon, some basil.

A few noodles, and some panna with a splash of pepper.

Result. I also added a little chopped parsely.

Took about 10 minutes to make.

In chessy news, in Goa at the FIDE World Cup my guy highly-seeded Wesley So still had a open day while waiting for an opponent to reach his bracket.

We need more of this in France and a nothing at all of the other things going on.

??

Incroyable

Scouts of Europe entering the Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine in Vézelay for adoration pic.twitter.com/CpkNFtzu7v

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) November 3, 2025

Wow. The Torre de Conti, at the end of the Via Cavour, collapsed today. Note the amazing observation of the tourist at the end.

Shock in Rome as section of mediaeval landmark Torre di Conti collapses
pic.twitter.com/snGEnQN0L5

— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) November 3, 2025

Ambassador Burch joined Sebastien Lai, son of imprisoned Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, in a moment of prayer at San Bartolomeo in Rome. The basilica houses the Icon of New Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith of the 20th Century, a tribute to those who have died for their faith.… pic.twitter.com/XmblamTqVg

— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) November 3, 2025

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

ROME 25/10 – Day 36: The last days

Posted on 2 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The chariot of Helios broke the plane at 6:42.

Helios will take his steeds to rest at 17:05

The Ave Maria Bell is still in its 17:30 cycle.

It is normally on 2 November the Commemoration of All Souls, that is souls who died in the friendship of God but who are undergoing that final “detailing” before they can enter in entire purity of heart and will into the presence of the Triune God.

I’m not sure what they sell here. It looks like liberal nuns and traditional priests. Go figure.

Welcome registrants:

El tio Cura
ThomistInTheHills
Suzukisam

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance, utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

You saw the main course from yesterday. Some of my dining companions’ desserts.

Montblanc. Too sweet for me.

Fritelline di riso. I tried one. Very good.

From a distance and not good light. Pretty sure this is the Tortino caldo.

Sorbetto al limone.

And because I am now getting notes from the airline about my flight…

pic.twitter.com/QNKSwrQhmd

— Retro Toys and Cartoons (@toys_retro) November 2, 2025

pic.twitter.com/e8q2uhZbxz

— Papa Woof und Krampus und Bleaken (@woofknight) November 2, 2025

Yeah… this is a little different.

Proof that Prince was one of the greatest guitarists who ever existed pic.twitter.com/pipTjPHI55

— ? Rock History ? (@historyrock_) November 2, 2025

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
15 Comments

ROME 25/10 – Day 35: Rare photos

Posted on 1 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

On the Feast of All Saints, all could have viewed the sun rise at 6:41.

Quite a few did view it set at 17:06

The Ave Maria Bell would have run in the Curia at 17:30. It did ring at the English College at 17:29 to make way for the half hour bell.

It rang according to solar time at The Parish™

Members of the Archconfraternity praying before a collection of relics which the parish has in its treasury.

HEY! s*****41@nc.rr.com My thank you note was bounced back as undeliverable. New email?

Welcome Registrant:

DocV

Out wit da boyz tonight for supper.

Iberico!

?Steak, it’s what’s for dinner. ? pic.twitter.com/4wy80xtEv5

— truthache (@truthache68) November 1, 2025

A Gold Star to anyone who writes it in the combox. C’mon!

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

White mates in 2.

In Goa, the FIDE World Cup is on, but my guy had a by this round.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
11 Comments

Leo XIV proclaimed St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church – POLL

Posted on 1 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

NOW: Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church.

Cdl. Marcel Semeraro (prefect of Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints) repeated the formal request at Mass, prior to @Pontifex's declaration. pic.twitter.com/wasxejQk9b

— Michael Haynes ?? (@MLJHaynes) November 1, 2025

Let’s have a poll. Pick your best answer (don’t pick on the answers). Anyone can vote. Only registered and approve members can comment, and I hope you will, especially if your answer is “yes”.

Posted in POLLS | Tagged Doctor of the Church, John Henry Newman
30 Comments

Select ROME 25/10 – Day 34: what a mess

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

They seem to be getting it together.

Sunrise – 6:39

Sun other thing – 17:08.

The Curial Ave Maria Bell – 17:30.

Here’s the cool thing. I was alone in the sacristy at The Parish™ at 17:37 and the Ave Maria rang. I only caught part.

When I was walking home, I was passing the English College, next to which I lived for a long time. The Ave Maria sounded at 18:29! The half hour sounded a moment later. This is NEW for the College. I used to have an apartment directly across from their bell tower. BELIEVE ME. I know when those bells rang.

I think that people have been reading.

Welcome Registrants:

anmap
BluvsJesus
ckambach
Padua12

And now for some completely different “walking together”.

Make one or two substitutions and… that pretty much sums it up.

I walked over to Ghetto today.

Looks awful. Tuna.. capers… hot oil… cold Sauvignon.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
1 Comment

Here’s one of those puff posts

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Best movie credits.

For me between these two, so far as I can think of right now. I’m open to suggestions.

Captain America, 1st Avenger.

Queen’s Gambit.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

“Catholic Social Teaching For The Lionhearted” – BOOK ALERT

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The title on this post is taken from the subtitle of the new book – yes, it’s 10:30 on Friday, so there’s probably a new book – from Peter Kwasniewski. And since we are in the wake of the traditional celebration of Christ the King…

His Reign Shall Have No End: Catholic Social Teaching for the Lionhearted

Peter A. Kwasniewski

US HERE – UK HERE

What’s going on with that subtitle?

If you guessed it has something to do with Pope Leo XIII you would be right. As we find in the Preface:

He himself had the heart of a lion, and those who would follow him today must be no different, as they will find themselves resisting not only the unbelieving world but also the misbelieving and misbehaving world within the Church.

One need only think of the way that the Collect for the Feast of Christ the King was altered in the “reform” after Vatican II. No longer does the Collect stress the present, social Kingship of Christ, here and now, but rather the future, eschatological Kingship after Christ takes all things to Himself. That’s not a wrong thing to stress. It is a different thing. Hence, what we lose in the change to the Collect is a powerful reminder of Christ’s Kingship over all there is in this world here and now.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Pius XI’s social encyclical Quas primas. As the book blurb says, Quas primas is

“the master key to Catholic Social Teaching’s coherence and, more importantly, to the flourishing of nations no less than the beatitude of individuals. Wherever this kingship is ignored or denied, individuals, families, whole societies decompose like a body deprived of a soul; wherever it is welcomed in faith, Christian life revives and Christendom stirs from slumber. Divine Providence raised up Pope Leo XIII to guide the reconquest; his teaching is taken here as the unsurpassed guide to the thorniest political and economic questions that confront the human race at a time of tremendous upheaval.”

With a starting point in the Incarnation – where else? – this book serves an introduction – or a re-introduction – to traditional Catholic Social Teaching. These days Catholic Social Teaching is reduced to cliches about immigration and “the poor” and climate change. It will come as a shock to some that perhaps Catholic Social Teaching is deeper than they think and, in the case of some, deeper than they want it to be. For example, it is fundamental for marriage and the family.

It may be that when you see that tag “Catholic Social Teaching” your eyes roll up in your head and you either doze off or you swiftly change the channel. There is no doubt a lot of Social Justice fatigue out there because of the incessant left-leaning drumbeat about social issues. You might be tired of a certain sector of the Church ramming a particular twist down your throat, usually in concert with diminishing the right of people even to be born in favor of all manner of admittedly important, even urgent, but logically secondary issues.

What is needed is a recovery of a deeper view of Catholic Social Teaching. That’s what this book sets out to provide.

Posted in REVIEWS, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged Catholic social teaching, Peter Kwasniewski
3 Comments

ROME 25/10 – Day 33: When Titans Walked The Earth

Posted on 30 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The calendar says sunrise was at 6:38.

The sunset was at 17:09.

For Curia the Ave Maria Bell would have been at 17:30.

However I was in the sacristy of The Parish™ tonight because I had presided over a ritual washing of feet by the Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims and Convalescents, going back to the mid-16th century as founded by St. Philip Neri. In the sacristy, before Mass, I heard the Ave Maria ring at about 17:38. I want to get a clean recording for you.

Meanwhile…

I’ve been WAITING!!!!

The Jetson ONE personal air vehicle.

Price: $128,000pic.twitter.com/qrlTipWFqm

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) October 30, 2025

And….

Preparativi#Newman #DottoredellaChiesa #Vaticano pic.twitter.com/U4vRQgBCgQ

— Vatican News (@vaticannews_it) October 29, 2025

When Titans Walked The Earth… both acting and the script.

From a recent meal….

You’ve seen it before, pizza bianca and sliced tongue with a lovely green herbal sauce and homemade mayo. A nice starter to share.

This is rib-sticking.

Risotto with saffron topped with ossobuco. ka’BLAM

Dig that marrow!

A lot of chess is being played. Can I have a day off, please?

Buy beer. And then PLEASE remember to use my links.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
5 Comments

New document forthcoming from the DDF(CDF) about Marian Titles

Posted on 30 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

New document forthcoming from the DDF(CDF) under Fernandez about Marian Titles.

Gronchi is a presenter. This bodes not well.

My counsel. Stay CALM. Don’t knee jerk. And DON’T be a jerk in writing.

Look carefully at what is released.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
15 Comments

ROME 25/10 – Day 32: “a quick bite”

Posted on 29 October 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The calendar says the sun rose at 6:37.

It also says that it set 17:10.

It fixes the Ave Maria bell at 17:30.

However at The Parish™ I was pleased to hear the Ave Maria at 17:37. Nice.

Welcome registrants:

anmap
BluvsJesus

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

I was out with a friend for a cocktail after Mass at my usual watering hole. I was persuaded to “get a quick bite”.

Caponata to share.

Ravioli. Maybe a little too much sauce.

This is pretty good.

Our area lost power and my sister sent me a text.
I felt pretty good about my reply. pic.twitter.com/Fukh51QEn1

— Fr. Joseph Krupp (@Joeinblack) October 29, 2025

HA HA HA HA HA!! It’s BEANS! He’s back.

This is fantastic because it is one of the most notorious progressive Catholic theologians saying what we all say, that the new Mass implies a new Theology. He thinks it’s a good thing but we don’t. https://t.co/wtYAAIiXrB

— Henry von Blumenthal (@PaulinusOfTrier) October 29, 2025

Hey… wait a minute….!

Amazing. A chanted Mass in traditional vestments and in an ancient tongue not currently in everyday use and with a priest facing east, you say? @holysmoke https://t.co/OrNiFKqW7b

— Paul Keeley (@drcrouchback) October 29, 2025

White to move and win.

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

Big surprise… Magnus is winning in St. Louis.

And this… appropriate…

This is a great analysis, but this excerpt from a 1965 article by OSV editor Dale Francis about the changes to the Mass was heartbreaking.

"What bothers them most is that they believe their failure to gain satisfaction [from the new Mass] is somehow their own fault." https://t.co/p9MTgZbbpu pic.twitter.com/mcxt641V6U

— Clovis Trahan (@SeamusNua) October 29, 2025

BTW… tonight I was approached by a young cleric as my friend and I were walking to supper. “Are you Fr. Z?” We had a nice chat. He is a Jesuit living here in Rome. In honor of the occasion, I share this…