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{]:¬)

Daily Rome Shot 357

Posted on 11 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Use your phone’s camera

Posted in Going Ballistic | Tagged Rome Shot
1 Comment

A rabbit ran under the wheels of my car. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 11 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The other day I was on my way home from a social engagement and a rabbit ran under my wheels.

I did not mourn for the rabbit. I wasn’t happy about it, but I wasn’t especially sad either. I couldn’t have avoided it. Too bad.

The incident did, however, remind me to go to confession.

That rabbit’s time was up.

Rabbits don’t have immortal souls.

You, dear reader, have an immortal soul.

We don’t know when our time will be up.

It could be soon. It could be unforeseen.

It will happen.

If you have your own rabbit moment, and you have unconfessed mortal sins and no access to the last sacraments, you are probably going to go to Hell.

STOP!

Try to imagine for a moment, those first few moments of a soul which has newly been consigned to Hell. Try to imagine the shock of dawning realization: “This can’t be happening to me!”

But it is.

Dear readers, it is not my job to watch out for imprudent rodents, but it is my job to strive to keep as many of you out of Hell and in the Heaven lane as I can.

I can’t shove you into a confessional. I can’t hear your confessions and absolve you via the internet.

Therefore, I will use this blog, my force multiplier, to get you to go.

I implore you.

GO TO CONFESSION.

Confess ALL your mortal sins in both kind (what they were) and number (how many times, even if you have to guesstimate). Never never never purposely hide a mortal sin of which you are fully aware. Even if seems terribly embarrassing, just say it without mincing words. The priest will not think badly of you. He will probably be impressed by your sincerity.

I wonder sometimes if laypeople understand how their good confessions help the priest himself to make a good confession. I wonder if that is why some lib priests don’t hear confessions: they don’t want to be reminded of… you know.

A note to some out there who seriously dislike me
and who have done me harm.

I know will surely read this.

I forgive you. I often add prayers at Mass for you. I have the names of a few of you – along with friends, loved ones, benefactors – on a list for whom I pray at every Mass at the Memento of the Living. For those who have died, I pray with hope for them at the Memento of the Dead.

What I write here is every bit aimed at you – who have done me harm – as it is at all those anonymous readers out here with whom I’ve never had any exchange. My great hope and literal prayer is that you will, with the help of grace, or by the spur of calamity if that’s what it takes, to have a change of heart. For the love of God, reflect on your death and the goal of Heaven. Examine your conscience and go to confession. I want to you be happy in Heaven.

To close, perhaps that rabbit’s violent end – which prompted me to write this – served the greatest possible of all goods for which God created it in the first place. Will the manner of its demise, recounted here, serve to move a person to go to confession?

If even one person goes because of this, that rabbit couldn’t have had a better end.

A more glorious reason for this blog I cannot imagine: one good confession by someone who really needed to go.

Some tips for making a good confession HERE.

GO TO CONFESSION.

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, Classic Posts, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged rabbit, reconciliation, sacrament of penance
14 Comments

10 December: Feast of the Translation of the House of Loreto

Posted on 10 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In the Vetus Ordo, there is an indication that today is the Feast of the Translation of the House of Loreto. In the Novus Ordo 10 December is an optional memorial (Memoria ad libitum) for Our Lady of Loreto.

There was a decree a few years ago from the Congregation for Divine Worship which had the Latin of a Collect for the memorial, which had a glaring Latin error.

Can you find it?

De Communi beatae Mariae Virginis

Collecta

Deus, qui promíssa Pátribus adímplens
beátam Vírginem Maríam elegísti,
ut matrem fíeret Salvatóris,
concéde nobis illíus exémpla sectári,
cuius humílitas tibi plácuit,
et oboediéntia nobis prófuit.
Per Dóminum.

Who are the yokels writing this stuff?

This must be the same team that screwed up the Preface composed for the Novus Ordo Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. HERE

In any event, it might be nice today to make a gingerbread house and move it from place to place. Perhaps it could be a family affair wherein your dear little angels move it around.

Meanwhile, here’s a great image, sure to make some non-Catholics and Jesuits squirm.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Solitary Boast | Tagged O.L. of Loreto
6 Comments

A new way to look at the “status” of the SSPX. Wherein Fr. Hunwicke bowls a wicked googly.

Posted on 10 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

With great respect to Fr. John Hunwicke, I reproduce here, entirely, his recent comments about the ecclesial “status” of the SSPX. This is a theological curve-ball thrown for a strike on the inside. In terms Fr. H would perhaps be more inclined to accept.. quidquid recipitur and all that – it’s a wicked googly.

I’ll add a some links, emphases, and comments for the uninitiated. What follows, the aforementioned excepted, is the venerable Fr. H’s.

Spoiler: He’s right.

SSPX: Status.

It seems hardly respectful, with regard to a body as admirable as the SSPX, for an outsider to discuss its ‘status’. I write what follows aware that it may seem arrogant to the point of being infuriating; and with very real apologies to readers who find that I am simply making them angry.

The status of the SSPX has, in my reading, always or usually been treated in canonical terms. Thus, ‘states of necessity’ become points of discussion. I cannot help wondering whether it might be more realistic to discuss it in terms of Ecclesiology.

In the CDF document Communionis notio of 1992, there is a chapter “De Communione Ecclesiali et OEcumenismo”. It affirms the existence of a “Communio quaedam etsi non perfecta” [a certain communion although not perfect / albeit imperfect] with separated Christians. It then goes on to discuss the status of “Ecclesiae orientales orthodoxae”, explaining that, although seiunctae a Sede Petri [separated from the See of Peter], they “cum Ecclesia Catholica coniunctae esse pergunt” [remain joined / united to the Catholic Church].

The reason for this is that they possess “successio apostolica et valida Eucharistia” [apostolic succession and valid Eucharist], and, because of this, deserve (merentur) the ‘titulus Ecclesiarum particularium’ [title of particular Churches]. Quoting Vatican II, the CDF assures us that “per celebrationem Eucharistiae Domini in his singulis Ecclesiis, Ecclesia Dei aedificatur et crescit” [through the celebration of the Eucharist of the Lord in each of these individual Churches, the Church of God is built up and grows]; and then adds to the conciliar wording this interesting and thought-provoking phrase “quia in quacumque valida Eucharistiae celebratione vero praesens fit Ecclesia una, sancta, catholica, et apostolica.” [because in whatsoever valid celebration of the Eucharist the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church becomes truly present.]

I am not suggesting a precise identity between Separated Byzantines, and the SSPX. But the principles which apply in the favour of one can hardly be denied to the other.

The defences often advanced for the position of the SSPX state or imply that it is has the same status as organisations such as, for example, Opus Dei or the Dominican Order. It seems to me that, given the decades which have followed the Écône consecrations, this description no longer ticks the necessary boxes. Indeed, at a human level, one might wonder whether it is appropriate for Roman Pontiffs to fawn upon Separated Byzantines (and even Separated non-Chalcedonians), sometimes (literally!!!) groveling before them, while maintaining a disdainful distance from a community which is theologically closer to the full Magisterium of the Catholic Church than are the Separated ‘Orientals’.

The curious action of PF in not granting formal faculties to absolve to SSPX clergy, while ‘giving permission’ to the laity to go to them for Confession, seems to me to express perfectly (if unintentionally!) the ecclesiological analysis which, I argue, is offered by Communionis notio.

How ‘ecclesial’ is the SSPX? I suggest that one litmus-paper here might reside in the Chrism Mass and the use of the Oils of Chrism and of the Catechumens.

If a bishop … say, Bishop Fellay … makes available to a presbyter the oils which he has consecrated, and if that presbyter receives and uses them, then the Episcopal Ministry of that bishop becomes most intimately internal to all the rites of Christian Initiation performed by that presbyter.

This, it seems to me, is ecclesial and sacramental.

I think, and I’ve consulted Those Whom I Know, Fr. Hunwicke is right.

Click his link, above, and boost his stats.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA, SSPX, The Drill | Tagged ecumenism, Fr. John Hunwicke, SSPX
17 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 356

Posted on 10 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Photo by The Great Roman™

Today’s Fervorino.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Rome Shot
2 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 355

Posted on 9 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Rome Shot
2 Comments

Card. Müller on Traditionis custodes: “questionable assertions and evaluations in content and form”

Posted on 9 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received an interesting press release today which points to a serious problem that arises from the incoherent and intentionally cruel Traditionis custodes, the legacy document of Francis, his Plessy v. Ferguson.

My emphases:

Cardinal Müller criticizes restriction of the Traditional Roman Liturgy

Bad Schmiedeberg/Campos/Rom, 9.12.2021. The Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Gerhard L. Cardinal Müller, has criticized Pope Francis’ motu proprio Traditionis custodes.

According to Müller, the document contains “questionable assertions and evaluations in content and form.” Consequently, he said, “there is no rupture between the previous tradition up to the Council of Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II.” With the document, the Pope has severely restricted the use of the form of the liturgy as it had been in use before the Second Vatican Council and allowed again by Benedict XVI.

The former curia cardinal points out that ecclesiastical authority does a disservice to the Church with “with rigid insistence on blind obedience, which contradicts the reason of the Christian faith and the freedom of a Christian.”

Criticism of the style of office of individual Popes or bishops and of the technical-theological quality of their decisions and texts is thus not in conflict with “the unbreakable loyalty of a true Catholic to the Pope and the Bishops,” the cardinal said in the preface to the German edition of “Tradition and Living Magisterium” by Brazilian Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan.

The most urgent task of the pope and all bishops today, he said, is “to overcome the senseless opposition and power struggle of so-called traditionalists and progressives and, instead of pouring oil on fire, to prove themselves mediators of peace and servants of unity in the Church.”

[…]

About the author

Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan has long been close to the Society of St. Pius X. Convinced that the current ecclesiastical situation can only be correctly assessed on the basis of the constant teaching of the Church, the priests of the diocese of Campos (Brazil), who were associated with the ancient Roman Mass, returned to ecclesiastical unity under his decisive influence. Pope John Paul II established the Apostolic Administration of St. Johannes Maria Vianney. Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos consecrated Bishop Rifan on August 12, 2002 as Coautor Bishop Licinio Rangel, who was succeeded by Rifan a few months later..

Bibliographical information
Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan, Tradition und lebendiges Lehramt. Pastorale Wegweisung
Bad Schmiedeberg 2022, 1st edition, 156 pages,
ISBN 978-3-95621-155-3, 15 Euro,
Translation by Rv. Paolo D’Angona. Preface by Gerhard L. Cardinal Müller

I invite you all to sign on to be a Custos Traditionis.

HERE

Posted in The Coming Storm, The Drill, Traditionis custodes | Tagged Bp. Rifan, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Traditionis custodes
2 Comments

Happy Birthday Blog! Sweet 16.

Posted on 8 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Happy Sweet 16th birthday to this blog.

I cannot say adequately how grateful I am to you, especially long-time readers. It’s like a parish which has developed over the years.

To my benefactors, those who have been sending ad hoc or monthly donations by subscription or items from my wishlist:

Lately I have been saying daily Mass pretty much exclusively for your intention everyday. The way I figure it, since I now rely on you more than ever, more than ever I raise your intention to God at the altar and I do so with great pleasure and gratitude.

That first post, 16 years ago.

It was a cold winter evening in Rome…

… I posted this photo, taken from my apartment window.

Here is a shot across the City on the night that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was elected to succeed the late Pope John Paul II as Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ. It is not very often that the Apostolic Palace is also illuminated in the manner we see in this photo.

Now I have to deal with the blog wanting that driver’s license, staying out later, looking at potential schools. Sigh.

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare |
22 Comments

A chessy post not without obiter dicta – UPDATED (more pics)

Posted on 8 December 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 9 Dec 21:

One of you wrote:

“But Father! But Father! You showed interior of the finished board and some pieces, but you didn’t show a photo of it set up! Inquiring minds…”

Okay, that’s fair. Scroll to the bottom of the post for more pics.

Originally Published on: Dec 8, 2021

I’m working on my bucket list. One of this list’s items is a return to playing chess halfway decently.

As I compose, the e4-e5 Round 10 of the World Championship is winding to a draw. Magnus, who lives up to his name, is up 6.5.-3.5 over Nepo, who got rid of his dopey “man bun” wayyyyy too late. In the press conference yesterday, a reporter asked Nepomniachtchi, if, like a dishonored samurai, he had cut off his top-knot in shame for his pawn blunder in Round 8. Given the even more spectacular b7 bishop blunder… a phrase which somehow goes together easily these days – he might have to shave his head.

If only more bishops could be dealt with this way, after the USCCBs astounding 27… c6.

I have a history with chess. I learned very young, and played a lot, without a man or boy bun, and won a lot.

Here is an relic of childhood, recently recovered after years of storage.

Not for tournaments, of course.

In short, my maternal grandparents made this, my grandmother all the ceramics (the white are pearlescent with infinite cracks), my grandfather the cabinetry (it has a drawer beneath with individual slots).

And here’s another interesting item, a 1950’s era Soviet tournament board and monstrous bakelite clock. It works.

I use board in tournament back in old day of Cold War? I not say.

The shelf, by the way, was a gift from a reader via my wishlist! Thank you, BA.

The same clock appears in an episode of Queen’s Gambit.

Now to the point of this post…

Along with other chessy things that emerged from storage was an old clam-shell wooden board, pretty dinged up. I figured I could spruce it up a little.

The hinges are pulled.

Let the sanding begin.

Sanding having been completed, I applied tiny vinyl numbers and letters.

But wait! There was a problem. The humidity, being high, started to curl up some of the squares.

Happily, in my kitchen I have various syringes for treating meats and one of them was great with wood glue.

After which, I clamped and set lots of weight. This took a couple weeks to solve in stages.

Then the shellacking began. There were some nicks and holes and dings but I only filled in the bigger ones, without much attempt at matching color.

Coats. And then polyurethane (the kind that can go on shellac).

Then another stage. I figured I would line the thing with green felt, because that rough wood was sorta kinda awful and felt would dampen the sound of something moving inside.

Sooo, I gave it to my mother who did the honors with the felt.

I put new latches on the outside and new hinges. I had to widen the slots. And should have put the hinges in before the felt stage.

Meanwhile, I got a couple of lightweight nesting wooden trays for pieces. Alas, these are only single-weighted and without extra reginae. I could load them, I guess. Back in the day, if we promoted a we would use an upside-down turris (if there was one available, which there usually is at pedes promotion stage).

So, on this last day of the Year of Joseph, a little woodworking project is complete.

It was banged up and never fancy. Now it is somewhat enhanced and it has a personal, and maternal, touch.

It does occur to my that as I now have chessy “heirlooms” with grandpaternal and maternal touches, and now maternal, they really aren’t heirlooms at all, are they, since I have no one to leave them to. C’est la vie. For now, they are pleasant visual features.

Did you know that Latin for castling is adrochatio?

UPDATE 9 Dec 21:

Continuing the update from the top, I decided to set up the newly spruced old board with my lovely Lewis chessmen, sent by one of you long-time readers from my wishlist. They are spiffing. Thank you, MH!

In play and practice I prefer Staunton, but these are so nice I thought it a shame for to leave them languishing in a box. One of the reasons why is that these 12th c. chessmen have “warders” rather than “rooks”, crazy looking berserker guys with swords who, in their frenzy, are biting the tops of their shields.

I’ll keep them out for a while and enjoy their company.