Today was a terrific day, in that we – the Heartbeat International group – had a pleasure of visiting a center for women who need REAL health care to keep their babies. The volunteers explained the workings (and funding) of the place and told us about some of the great stories from their work since the 1970’s. At the center “the guys”, Floriani, sang the entirely appropriate “Est ist en Rose entsprungen” (in English), the imagery being perfect. The center itself uses the symbol of a primrose, which often blooms in cold, harsh conditions.
Remember… Heartbeat International provides a hotline for a network of doctors who can prescribe the REVERSAL of the “abortion pill” which is being handed out like candy for free even to underage girls. Surgical abortion is declining but this chemical thing is rising.
Meanwhile, we had a fast trip to the Cathedral of Genoa, where – though the Cathedral was closed off- I was allowed by the sacristan to visit to tomb of the late, great Cardinal Siri.
la
Moreover during the trip the question of the plural of “Gin and Tonic” has again arisen, as it inevitably does in intelligent and polite company. For genteel discussion, of course.
As you might guess, auctoresscinduntur. Inspector Morse, whom I believe to be an expert, says, “Gins and tonic”. He is certainly right… though don’t let me influence you…. ehem.
Years ago, Fr. Thompson said that Graham Greene in the second paragraph of Brighton Rock, has the character Hale drinking “gins and tonics.” Well…. we all know about Graham Green… but don’t let me influence your vote… ehem.
And not that it should make a difference that Sir Humphrey Appleby is a rather terrible misogynist and bureaucrat, he says “G &Ts”. I don’t imagine that that will influence anyone away from the glaring truth.
Someone suggested Latin, Iuniperi cum tonico, which seems right to me.
So, pick your best answer. Any can vote, but only registered and approved participants can post comments… and I hope you do. This is far too important a question not to have wide participation.
I was raised in the Novus Ordo, and now attend the TLM as often as I can (and it is the greatest gift!).
I was taught growing up that venial sins are blotted out at Mass. But it wasn’t until I got to know the TLM that I actually saw where venial sins are blotted out (the +Indulgentiam). [Not only!]
So, this got me thinking – since the “innovators” who created the Novus Ordo eliminated the +Indulgentiam prayer, are venial sins still blotted out at the Novus Ordo?
Here’s another subtle point of difference between the Vetus and the Novus: in the former, you don’t have to wonder while in the later there the situation is foggier.
In the NO penitential rite there are options. One of those options also includes an absolution (not of mortal sins, of course).
Mind you, there are various ways by which we can obtain forgiveness of venial sins. An Act of Contrition forgives venial sins, as does use of sacramentals such as Holy Water, the recitation of the Rosary, good reception of Holy Communion, etc.. These are ways by which we obtain forgiveness of venial sins.
During the older, traditional form of Holy Mass in the Roman Rite, there have been identified nine moments when forgiveness of venial sins is offered to one who participates with full, conscious and active, actual participation:
During the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, Father gives an absolution, which in truth has many intentions, including forgiveness of venial sins.
The priest says the Aufer a nobis as he ascends the altar steps: “Take away from us our iniquities, O Lord, we beseech You, that we may enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord.” and he says the Oramus te, Domine. In the Canon Father prays the Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis. At Communion time there are several prayers, including the Libera nos. Just before Communion we say the Domine, non sum dignus. After Communion the priest has ablution prayers which ask for forgiveness. For example, “May Your Body, Lord, which I have eaten, and Your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my very soul, and grant that no trace of sin be found in me, whom these pure and holy mysteries have renewed. You, Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.”
We can obtain forgiveness of venial sins in many ways. The Angelic Doctor is good on this. HERE However, mortal sins must be confessed in both kind and number.
Let’s all be clear about something. Venial sins are SINS. Venial sins are lesser offences against God and His laws. However, they are still offences. Venial sins offend God. They offend God, Mary and the saints and angels. They endanger our souls because they can lead to worse sins or the deadening of our minds and hearts about the true nature of sin’s horror. Moreover, as one goes more deeply into the spiritual life and successfully roots out serious faults, then the smaller sins take on more importance. St Teresa of Avila says that the first great obstacle she had to overcome in advancement of her spiritual life was carelessness about sin.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
CCC 1458 “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful”
So, for everyone out there reading this who has not gone to confession for a while, for whatever reason…
The cruel implementation of the cruel legacy document of the Francis’ era continues in these USA, this time in Jacksonville in the Diocese of St. Augustine.
The PDF has an absurd typeface, so I filtered it through Notepad. I cut out some blah blah…
Dear Parishioners and Friends of the Basilica.
As you may have heard at Mass this weekend or in conversations this past week, the Celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass also referred to as the usus antiquior & more commonly the Traditional Latin Mass, will cease at the end of June.
[….]
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI liberalized the use of the 1962 Roman Missal. Since then, Pope Francis has diverged from Pope Benedict in disposition toward continued celebration of this form of the Mass. Most recently these decisions were in part informed by a survey he’d sent out to the world’s bishops in 2020. Last summer Pope Frances [sic] issued a decree “Traditionis Custodes” to address his concerns and promote unity, [LOL] while giving each bishop — “as moderator, promoter and guardian of the liturgical life of the church” — limited authority within the confines of the document and subsequent letter of clarifications, to apply it based on their judgment and the character of their dioceses. In response to the decree Bishop Estevez established a committee to aide [sic] him as he discerned the best way forward for the people of the diocese while also being obedient to both the letter and spirit of the decree. He spent several months studying the pope’s decree, “Traditionis Custodes” (“Guardians of the Tradition”), listening to the people who would be most affected by any decisions he would make, surveying the responses of other Bishops in the country, and considering the input of committee members & affected priests. The Bishop sought to authorize the continuation of the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass and to that end made a proposal to Rome for particular exemptions. [He didn’t have to do that, of course. Can. 87.]
Due to the official denial of permission for the continuation of the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at the Basilica [ummmm…?] and the other restrictions having been put in place by the decree of Pope Frances, [sic] this past week the Bishop issued his decree as to how the Pope’s decree would be implemented locally. You can read the decree of the Bishop on the next pages.
Both the Bishop and I understand that the direction given by Rome will be very painful for some of our parishioners and friends of the Basilica. For those who attend regularly the Traditional Latin Mass, I know important and meaningful this form of the Mass is to you and I am sorry that it will no longer be available to you hear at the Basilica. Some of you will be angry. Others will be confused and feel abandoned. This will take us some time as a parish to process and to heal. [read: “too bad”] Trust that parishioners who attend other Masses here, will be praying for all of you, [Of course they will. Perhaps with one of the sometimes seemingly endless pre-offertory intercessions in the NO?] and of course we hope that you will continue to worship here and be a part of this parish family as registered parishioners or as ‘Friends of the Basilica’.
This parish has seen many changes in the past 175 years and will be here to see many more in the next century. Some, the people of God will understand and embrace, some will be difficult – As always, we must continue to trust God with His Church and engage all the challenges we face with firm faith and humble obedience to the will of God for ourselves and for the Church as discerned by those the Spirit chooses to lead His Church. Each of us are followers of Christ and together we are members of the Mystical Body of Christ the Church.
Sincerely;
Father Blair
The bishop’s decree. Note a few things.
Point 4. Readings can’t be done in Latin. This reveals a significant misunderstanding of the very nature of the readings during Mass. It also reveals kind of fearful animus.
Point 8: Not sure how that is consistent with TC. But, hey, impose whatever the hell you want when you know people and priests have no recourse.
Point 9: Insulting, much?
Point 10: Apart from being a cheap shot, what would those be, exactly? “Elements”. By the way, this “point” expresses nothing other than an opinion with which people are free to disagree.
Today San Fruttuoso, which is reachable mainly by boat. It’s an old monastery, alas, not any longer. The water is amazing.
We went off the track a bit to find a place that made that made the most amazing lasagne with pesto that I have ever had. So, light, delicate. It was the Platonic form of pesto and lasagne.
Plenty of mudbugs, including the illusive moscardini, just starting to be fishable.
Sea candy!
Bonus video still uploading…. grrrr
The Phoenix men’s choir Floriani joined us and they are doing “flash chants” in churches and squares.
Since I am traveling it is hard for me to update the list of bishops who have issued supportive statements about what Archbp. Cordileone did. Perhaps a reader or two might keep an eye and provide in the combox an updated list, which I could copy up to the top post?
___
CNA has a piece which lists the bishops with … wherewithal! to back up Archbp. Cordileone’s proper application of can. 915 for the sake of soul of Nancy Pelosi and for the further avoidance of public scandal.
Who are these MEN who have stood up with Archbp. C? (One of them surprised me.)
Diocese of Oakland – Bp. Barber
Diocese of Santa Rosa – Bp. Vasa
Archdiocese of Denver – Archbp. Aquila
Diocese of Springfield – Bp. Paprocki
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas – Archbp. Naumann
Monday, tomorrow, is “Feria Secunda in Rogationibus“.
Rogation Days have for centuries been on the traditional Roman calendar for 25 April (Major Rogation Day) and the three days before Ascension THURSDAY (Minor).
“Rogation” comes from rogo “to ask”.
For the Major days, the Greater Litanies were recited and there could be a procession and prayers for blessings on crops. Remember, people didn’t divorce prayer from the things which were critical for survival.
The Minor days included the Lesser Litanies. Again, there are prayers and blessings for crops, given that it is spring (at least in the northern part of the globe). There would be the ceremony of the “beating of the bounds”. The procession would go around the boundaries of the property, singing litanies and prayers.
The traditional Roman calendar more thoroughly integrates the mysteries of the Lord’s life and turning of the Earth into the passing days of our lives.
As part of this first part of my Italian Sojourn, I am will a good sized group of pro-life activists with Heartbeat International. We’ve been based out of a couple stable places and making day trips to interesting attractions. Yesterday, we went to Parma, a region where the famous cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano is crafted, and then to a small producer of cured ham, precisely the fiocco and the culatta portions of the leg are taken, otherwise known as prosciutto. It was both informative and delicious.
Heartbeat – among other activities – runs a nationwide network of doctors who can prescribe the abortion pill reversal protocol. Abortion Pill Rescue Network. One thing that the pro-life movement faces now is the fact of the rise of chemical, pill abortions taken at home. Women change their minds and don’t know what to do. EVERYONE should know about the safe and effective way of reversing the abortion. You should learn something about it so that you can tell others. It’s a race now.
The second part of the Sojourn will begin in another week or so, when I will head south to Florence and then Rome for the month of June.
Archbishop Cordileone tells priests that Nancy Pelosi Communion denial is ‘pastoral, not political’
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone took extra pains Friday to explain to priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco his decision barring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving Communion because of her advocacy of abortion.
In a May 20 letter addressed priests of the archdiocese, Cordileone explained that his instruction is nothing but the application of the Church’s teaching. The archbishop addressed a separate letter to the laity.
“There are those who speak of such actions as I am taking as ‘weaponizing’ the Eucharist. However, this is simply application of Church teaching. One would have to demonstrate that a person’s actions in following Church teaching is explicitly for a political purpose in order to justify the accusation of ‘weaponizing’ the Eucharist,” the archbishop wrote. “I have been very clear all along, in both my words and my actions, that my motive is pastoral, not political.”
He added “that one can also violate Church teaching and take Holy Communion for a political purpose as well, thus ‘weaponizing’ the Eucharist for one’s own ulterior motives.”
Cordileone had notified Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and a resident of the archdiocese, May 19 that because of her obstinate support for legal abortion she is not to present herself for Communion, and that should she do so, she is not to be admitted.
Cordileone’s instruction applies only within the San Francisco archdiocese.
The archbishop explained to his priests that since September 2021, he has made several attempts to have a dialogue with Pelosi about her support for legal abortion. His efforts, he said, were met either with no response or “that the Speaker was unavailable due to her schedule.”
“In consequence of all this and all that has led up to it, it is my determined judgment that this resistance to pastoral counsel has gone on for too long, [A looooong time ago was already “too long”, but hey! this is right.] and there is nothing more that can be done at this point to help the Speaker understand the seriousness of the evil her advocacy for abortion is perpetrating and the scandal she is causing. I therefore issued her the aforementioned Notification that she is not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”
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His notification added that she may be admitted to Communion after [NB] having publicly repudiated her advocacy for the legitimacy of abortion and having received absolution.
Cordileone pointed out that the law he is applying in this situation, Canon 915, is found in the book of canon law that deals with the Church’s sanctifying office, rather than in “Book VI, which is the Church’s legislation on penal law.”
“Thus, this is not a sanction, or a penalty, but rather a declaration of fact: the Speaker is ‘obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin’ (canon 915). A sanction, on the other hand, such as excommunication, has its own particular process and reasons for being applied. This is quite distinct from the application of canon 915,” he explained.
The archbishop went on to note that the promulgation of Pope Francis’ recent revision of penal law described “three pastoral motives that have also guided my discernment here: responding to the demands of justice, moving the offending party to conversion, and repairing the scandal caused.”
He observed that “Pope Francis’ purpose in issuing this revision of the Church’s canonical legislation on penal sanctions is clearly motivated in large part by the commitment to insuring the integrity of the Church’s sacramental life.”
“It is for this reason,” he added, “that there is now a canon which punishes by suspension, to which other penalties can be added, one who ‘administers a sacrament to those who are prohibited from receiving it.’”
Cordileone added that his decision had not been made lightly, but is “the fruit of years of prayer, fasting and consultation with a broad spectrum of Church leaders whom I respect for their intelligence, wisdom and pastoral sensitivity, and it continues my efforts to invite the Speaker down the path of conversion.”
With regard to the sanctity of life the Church is in a spiritual battle, he maintained: “It is not poetic rhetoric to call the proliferation of abortion demonic.”
Because of this, he asked of his priests three things: to preach about the topic; to promote living the consecration of the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and to pray the St. Michael prayer after Mass.
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“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
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…”
Suburbanbanshee 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…”
prayfatima 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…”
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“Until the Lord be pleased to settle, through the instrumentality of the princes of the Church and the lawful ministers of His justice, the trouble aroused by the pride of a few and the ignorance of some others, let us with the help of God endeavor with calm and humble patience to render love for hatred, to avoid disputes with the silly, to keep to the truth and not fight with the weapons of falsehood, and to beg of God at all times that in all our thoughts and desires, in all our words and actions, He may hold the first place who calls Himself the origin of all things.”
Everyone, work to get this into your parish bulletins and diocesan papers.
The most evident mark of God’s anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clerics who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds.
St. John Eudes
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Don’t rely on popes, bishops and priests.
“He [Satan] will set up a counter-Church which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, whom he nevertheless refuses to adore, modern man in his loneliness and frustration will hunger more and more for membership in a community that will give him enlargement of purpose, but at the cost of losing himself in some vague collectivity.”
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”
“The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for every one else the proper pleasure of ritual.”
- C.S. Lewis
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As for Latin…
"But if, in any layman who is indeed imbued with literature, ignorance of the Latin language, which we can truly call the 'catholic' language, indicates a certain sluggishness in his love toward the Church, how much more fitting it is that each and every cleric should be adequately practiced and skilled in that language!" - Pius XI
"Let us realize that this remark of Cicero (Brutus 37, 140) can be in a certain way referred to [young lay people]: 'It is not so much a matter of distinction to know Latin as it is disgraceful not to know it.'" - St. John Paul II
Let us pray…
Grant unto thy Church, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, that She, being gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may be in no wise troubled by attack from her foes. O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people making supplication unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of Thine anger which we deserve for our sins. Almighty and Everlasting God, in whose Hand are the power and the government of every realm: look down upon and help the Christian people that the heathen nations who trust in the fierceness of their own might may be crushed by the power of thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
la
Monday, tomorrow, is “Feria Secunda in Rogationibus“.
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…”
