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{]:¬)

21 Oct – St Gaspar del Bufalo – “Il martello dei Carbonari… Hammer of Freemasons”

Posted on 21 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today is not only the anniversary of the time travel scene in Back To The Future via the souped up Delorean, it is also, and more importantly the Feast of St. Gaspar del Bufalo (+1837), “Hammer of Freemasons”.

I have interest in St. Gaspar as one of my Roman patrons because I exercised ministry as a seminarian and then deacon at the basilica in Rome where he helped to found devotion to and the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood at San Nicola in Carcere. He had a tense relationship with the state (Napolean’s police were after him) and Masons tried mulitple times to assassinate him.

His answer to the French commissar asking him to sign his submission to emperor should be the motto of every pope and bishop requested to yield to the world:

“I can’t, I musn’t, I don’t want to.”

That’s how a Roman priest says ‘No’ when he wants to be talkative.”

It’s better in Italian.

‘Non posso, non debbo, non voglio!’

I wonder if Pius VII’s “Non debemus, non possumus, non volumus” didn’t come from St. Gaspar.

These days it’s more like, “Volumus! Possumus! Debetote etiam vos!”

His tomb is in the little S. Maria in Trivio, tucked away behind where the more flashy Trevi Fountain is collocated. His bronzen tomb is not set off by glass and the hand of the image of the saint is extended outward so that you can graps it. It is quite moving.

It seems that St. Gaspar had ways that really could irritate, as many saints. For example, he could sense satanic objects and would charge into peoples homes to sieze and destroy them no matter how well hidden.

When he was young, he grew up across the mighty Church of the Gesù where his father was a cook for the Jesuit college there. When Gaspar was very young he had a malady of the eyes that threatened blindness. He was cured through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, whose tomb is in the Gesù. As a priest of Rome he was critical of the Papal States which got him into hot water.

St. Gaspar, Hammer of Freemasons, pray for us.

My 1st class relic of St. Gaspar.

YOUR URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Posted on 21 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

PLEASE use the sharing buttons! Thanks!

Registered here or not, will you in your charity please take a moment look at the requests and to pray for the people about whom you read?

Continued from THESE.

Let’s remember all who are ill, who will die soon, who have lost their jobs, and who are afraid.

I get many requests by email asking for prayers. Some are heart-achingly grave and urgent.

As long as my blog reaches so many readers in so many places, let’s give each other a hand. We should support each other in works of mercy.

If you have some prayer requests, feel free to post them below.

You have to be registered here to be able to post.

I ask a prayer for myself. I’m dealing with a lot of challenges right now.

Also, please pray for PT mother of 11 with advanced cancer and very little time remaining in this life.

Also, a neighbor, M, just diagnosed with cancer.

Also, for those recently bereaved.

And let’s not forget Fr. Dana Christensen, who has advancing ALS.

STOP what you are doing. Go to First Things. Read Archbp. Chaput’s latest about the “courtiers” of Francis.

Posted on 21 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This post’s title says it all.

Go to First Things – HERE

For those of you who dawdle, a couple tastes:

Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century saint and Doctor of the Church who renewed the Western monastic tradition, once warned that “The most grievous danger for any pope lies in the fact that, encompassed as he is by flatterers, he never hears the truth about his own person and ends by not wishing to hear it.”

Every pontificate has its courtiers. The current one is no exception; quite the opposite. Thus, St. Bernard’s words came easily to mind as I read a recent Austen Ivereigh article for America magazine.

He calls them “courtiers” which is polite.

[…]

Conflict, a lot of it, both within and beyond the Church, comes with the job of every bishop. The bishop of Rome is not excused from that unhappy burden. And EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo, whom Ivereigh seems to regard as a special tool of the diabolos, does not pose quite the same fearsome threat to the Church as, say, China’s Xi Jinping. Or significant figures in America’s current leadership.

[…]

Massimo Faggioli’s sunny assessment of Joe Biden and Biden’s seeming common ground with Pope Francis—his recent book is Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States—certainly qualifies him for courtier status, despite his text being rudely dismembered by veteran religion journalist Ken Woodward in a Religion News Service critique. Prof. Faggioli’s relentless commentary on the United States, American Catholics, and so much more—he arrived in our country in 2008, apparently knows everything about us, and currently teaches at Villanova University—makes up in astonishing breadth for what it lacks in depth. In December of last year, Faggioli suggested that “the parallel between [Biden] and the late Italian pope [John XXIII] certainly offers hope from a historical point of view.” Or maybe not so much. Any parallel between the two men might be news to the saintly dead pope, since the Democratic party has effectively sacramentalized abortion, exterminated pro-life Catholic witness in its ranks—ask former Congressman Dan Lipinski—and our “Catholic” president has signed on fully to the party’s slash and burn campaign.

Neither Ivereigh nor Faggioli measures up, though, to that zenith of melodrama and ill will achieved in 2017 by Antonio Spadaro and Marcelo Figueroa.

[…]

Are you ready to go there yet?

Note the “Donate” button at the bottom of that page. I did.

Posted in The Drill | Tagged Archcbp. Charles Chaput, First Things, Massimo Faggioli
8 Comments

Bp. Provost of Lake Charles implements ‘Traditionis custodes’, Francis ‘Plessy v. Ferguson’ legacy document

Posted on 21 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The motto on the coat-of-arms of Most Rev. Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles (Louisiana), is Pro Futuris Serit… He sows for the sake of those to come. His CV is HERE. A quick scan suggests that he is a cultured man.

Bp. Provost issued a decree for the Diocese of Lake Charles about Francis’ Plessy v. Ferguson legacy document, the cruel Traditionis custodes.

Frankly, the best reaction from diocesan bishops would be to ignore it. But…

Bp. Provost put out an explanatory letter with a decree. The letter sets the context for the diocese: recovery from hurricanes, flooding, pandemic. And now, Traditionis custodes.

I am issuing this Decree for the implementation of Traditionis custodes in compliance with its prescriptions. As a pastor and a bishop, I am aware of the needs of the flock and address them. We do so liturgically for numerous groups that require special attention, such as our University students, the Hispanic community, and the hearing impaired. Our pastoral concern extends as well to those who worship in the usus antiquior, that is with the Roman Missal of 1962, and who have done so since the establishment of the Diocese. I am unaware of anyone in this community who has expressed opposition to the Second Vatican Council, much less denied its legitimacy. As well, those who have chosen to discuss with me their devotion to the usus antiquior have insisted upon the validity of the reformed liturgy. With this in mind, I would be grossly negligent, if not callous, to implement any restrictive law while at the same time ignoring these realities.

Bravo.

The whole thing breaks down into.

We are up to our neck dealing with disasters.
And now comes this document when we have real problems.
I’ve not experienced the negative things that are claimed about Tradition oriented people.
People are just trying to do there best here.

The decree.

The bishop is invoking can. 87 to dispense from TC art.3 § 2 and Masses in the Vetus Ordo will continue at parishes, which are now designated at locations for the Vetus Ordo.
There is no prohibition of the administration of the other sacraments.
The bishop will grant the faculty to any priest who is idoneus. This is for private celebration (which I don’t think a priest needs) and publicly at approved times.
Pastors should seek permission to begin new Masses.
Priests can use the Breviarium Romanum and Ordo for confessions.
New priests should ask for the faculty.
He appointed a priest to be moderator for all of this.
The Institute of Christ the King can continue as before.

This is minimally invasive and, all things considered, about the best application of the cruel and unnecessary Traditionis custodes we have seen.

Fr. Z kudos to Bp. Provost.

ACTION ITEM! Be a “Custos Traditionis”! Join an association of prayer for the reversal of “Traditionis custodes”.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Fr. Z KUDOS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Traditionis custodes | Tagged Bp. Glen John Provost, D. Lake Charles, Traditionis custodes
8 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 309

Posted on 21 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged Rome Shot
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Beautiful Pontifical Mass with Bp. Athanasius Schneider in Detroit – PHOTOS

Posted on 20 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This last weekend in Detroit there was held the annual Call To Holiness conference, with which I have been involved in the past. This year, Bp. Athanasius Schneider was a speaker and the celebrant for a Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool at the beautiful Assumption Grotto Church.

I have some photos.

I am particularly proud to share these photos here because some of YOU READERS contributed to have them made. I commissioned them from Gammarelli in Rome for the TMSM, the Tridentine Mass Society of Madison, of which I am still the president. The TMSM was happy to loan out this green set, which had not yet been used for a Pontifical Mass. We have also additional dalmatics for a Mass at the Throne and an antependium which they decided not to use at Grotto for this Mass: their altar is far wider than it is.

The TMSM is a 501(c)(3) organization, and accepts donations. I am still involved. We are NOT giving up or giving in, so keep on giving! That way we can expand and help groups working to maintain the beautiful Traditional Roman Rite!

I received a collection of photos from the conference and the Mass and after the Mass when Bishop Schneider was meeting people. Do NOT tell Beans but there were… shhhhh, this is secret… NON-WHITE PEOPLE there! Again, don’t tell Beans. He put the lie about that only white people like the TLM, suggesting that you, we, are all racists. HERE

The music for this Pontifical Mass at Grotto was the Missa Princeps Pacis by William Lloyd Webber.

As you look at the photos, you can hear the Mass. It’s short and lovely and in the best English tradition of sacred choral music.

Some select shots.

First, the church.

During the sermon, Bp. Scheider said:

We don’t yet know. Maybe it will come a time, when the celebration of the traditional Mass will be very much limited. In such a situation there could arise a chain of catacomb-Masses, as happens in times of emergency and persecution. Maybe many Catholics of our day shall live through a time similar to that described by St Basil the Great, during the persecution of traditional Catholics by the liberal Arian episcopate in the fourth century. He wrote:

“The mouths of true believers are dumb, while every blasphemous tongue wags free; holy things are trodden under foot; the better laity shun the churches as schools of impiety; and lift their hands in the deserts with sighs and tears to their Lord in heaven. Even you must have heard what is going on in most of our cities, how our people with wives and children and even our old men stream out before the walls, and offer their prayers in the open air, putting up with all the inconvenience of the weather with great patience, and waiting for help from the Lord.” (Ep. 92)

Do NOT give up.

DO NOT give up!

DO NOT GIVE UP!

ACTION ITEM! Be a “Custos Traditionis”! Join an association of prayer for the reversal of “Traditionis custodes”.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged Assumption Grotto, Athanasius Schneider
4 Comments

“Brought to you by Pfizer.”

Posted on 20 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

“Brought to you by Pfizer.” ? pic.twitter.com/6eKmrvM5OW

— Kelly Bee ? (@ke11ybender) October 19, 2021

The machine has unlimited money.

Biretta tip o{]:¬) to Anne Barnhardt.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
1 Comment

Majority of Catholics don’t know about the cruel attempt to suppress the Traditional Latin Mass. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 20 October 2021 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

We need to work harder, friends.

Some time ago, Pew Research Center did a poll and found that “Two-thirds of U.S. Catholics unaware of pope’s new restrictions on traditional Latin Mass”. HERE

This is interesting, because it shows how Catholic news is not getting to Joe Bagofdoughnuts.

Despite the controversy, most U.S. Catholics are unaware of Pope Francis’ recent actions, with roughly two-thirds saying they have heard “nothing at all” about the new restrictions, according to a Pew Research Center survey of adults conducted Sept. 20-26, 2021. But there are pockets of opposition to the new rules, with weekly Mass-goers and Catholic Republicans expressing higher levels of disapproval than those who do not go to Mass regularly and Catholic Democrats. Nevertheless, Francis remains a very popular figure among American Catholics, with about eight-in-ten continuing to express a favorable view of the pope, little changed since March.

Catholic Democrats. The Democrat party is the Party of Death. A Catholic who willingly embraces the values of that party, with its clear and aggressive pro-abortion platform, is unlikely to be attracted to the TLM.

As a matter of fact, the content of the TLM is likely to repel such a person if she is not converted by it.

Otherwise, there are probably swaths of Catholic who still vote or at least self-identify as Democrats because a) their parents were dems and/or b) they are so uninformed that they don’t know how far the party has moved to the left.

How would they be aware of what’s going on with the TLM? If they are going to church at all, their parishes are probably leftist too.

All the survey respondents who indicated they have heard at least a little about the new limitations received a follow-up question asking whether they approve or disapprove of the pope’s decision. Their opinions are divided about evenly between those who approve (9% of all Catholics) and those who disapprove (12% of all Catholics) of Francis’ actions. An additional 14% of U.S. Catholics say they have heard at least a little about the change, but either have no opinion on it or declined to give their opinion.

The poll also broke down political alignment and views of Francis. You might be able to guess at the results.

A priest friend familiar with the ways of statistics wrote to me:

The more interesting statistic from another poll is that only 20% of Catholics 40 years old and younger attend Mass regularly (meaning “at least 1 time monthly). I suspect a greater percentage of them attend TLM than the Catholic population in general. Also, assuming the veracity of this statistic, 80% of the Catholic parishes should be shuttered…and presto chango, there’s no priest shortage whatsoever and the seminaries are producing sufficient numbers of ordinandi for those numbers.

We have to factor in the demographic sink hole opening up under the Church. Pretty soon the percentage of active, practicing Catholics who are inclined toward traditional worship is going to grow even faster. This is one reason why, I believe, there are attempts to crush Catholics who desire traditional sacred liturgy.

Here’s my main point.

I tried to spark some energy among people who do NOT know about the antics of Francis and others regarding traditional Catholic sacred worship. That’s why when I posted the proposition about being a true Custos Traditionis – pray the Memorare and offer morifications for the overturning of Traditionis custodes or at least its benign interpretation, HERE.

However, to get the ball rolling with more people, I also offered a t-shirt and buttons that say Custos Traditionis and, beneath,

“Ask me.”

Either in Latin or, more practically, in English. Memorare in various languages on the back.

“Ask me.”

This is intended to inform more people about what has been done to Catholics – all Catholics – through the cruel and unusal move of that Motu Proprio.

Do NOT be complacent. Do NOT accept this situation as “normal”. There is nothing “normal” about the attempt to suppress the the Traditional Roman Rite in the Roman Catholic Church. It is such a self-contradiction as to be diabolical.

“Ask me.”

Your weapons in this battle – which is by no means over – are prayer, penances, and information.

Get informed. Be ready.