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{]:¬)

How stupid are things getting in this time of Coronavirus, you ask?

Posted on 25 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

How stupid are things getting in this time of coronavirus, you ask?

Here are a couple of examples.

How NOT to do things.

Concelebration.

This is wrong is so many ways.

Not that this nitwit doesn’t have a paten with host, or a chalice with wine. He is “concelebrating” online.

This looks very much like simulation of a sacrament, specifically, simulating Mass. Canon 1379 threatens “a just penalty” for the simulation of a sacrament.

That said, to incur a censure a person has to commit a sin, know that something is wrong to do and do it anyway. I suspect that this fellow is so clueless that he would simply be ignored. But there it is: a photo on Fakebook. Therefore something has to be said about it.

A priest cannot celebrated sacraments at a distance over the phone or zoom or another means. A priest cannot consecrated the Eucharist or absolve your sins via skype.

No. Just… no.

Next, this greeted me on my phone last night and I see that it is out in the wild now on Twitter.

This could only be possible in a world infested with liberals… pic.twitter.com/MCbrtneEVe

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 24, 2020

Let’s leave aside the optics of pointing any sort of gun at a baby.

I want to think that this is just a joke. They are posing. They are trying to be funny. Whether or not this is funny could be left to the beholder.

Is this a photo of a real attempt to baptize?

Let’s assume that it is for a moment.

Assuming that this dopey priest said the proper form of baptism while using the squirt gun with water and that the water reached the skin of the head of the child, would this be a valid baptism?

Let’s dissect.

For baptism to be valid, water must be used. It could be dirty water, but it has to be water.

The “proximate matter” of baptism is ablution with water. This means physical contact of the water and the person’s body. The ablution symbolizes outwardly what happens in the soul.

There are different ways to accomplish this ablution. There is dipping or immersion (immersio), pouring (infusio) or sprinkling (aspersio).

However, in all cases, the water must flow on the head. If the water does not touch the head, at least the hair of the head, the baptism is doubtfully valid. In the case of a person trapped in a wrecked car and all that can be reached is a leg, pouring the water over the leg would be doubtful and, if possible should be administered conditionally later.

To be sure about validity of the baptism, the water should be poured in enough quantity and on a place of the head where there is exposed skin, at the same time as the Trinitarian form is recited: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” In my opinion it is best to say the form in Latin, although approved translations are allowed.

The form is absolutely essential. In no circumstance can it be altered. These words must be pronounced simultaneously with action of making the water contact the head. Not before. Not after.

A good practice is to pour the water thrice, with the Names of the Persons of the Trinity, or continuously as the whole form is pronounced, directly on bare skin of the head. That way there is no question about validity.

In the case of baptism by immersion, there does not have to be a three-fold immersion.

But… delivery of the water, from a distance, with a squirt gun (while saying the form)?

In the case of a normal, non-stupid, baptism, the priest will often use a baptismal shell rather than his hand to pout the water. It is a good practice. The point is, an instrument can be used to deliver the water to the skin of the head of the one being baptize.

In the case of a normal, non-stupid, and valid baptism, the ablution and the form must be performed at the same time. You can’t pour and, afterward say the form. One can say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, [slight pause POUR] and of the Son [slight pause POUR], and of the Holy Spirit [slight pause POUR].” In that slight pause the water is delivered to the head. How long can the pause be? I don’t know, but there is no good reason to wait. So, if the water from the squirt gun (aspersio) arrives at the head of the infant and the water runs on the skin, and if the idiot priest is saying the proper form, even in intervals between the squirts from the water gun, then it seems to me that this could be valid.

However, if someone came to me, and described this scene, I would suggest a conditional baptism. And I would suggest the whole rite as in the Rituale Romanum.

Why?

There is no good reason to FOOL AROUND WITH SACRAMENTS!

Coronavirus is probably making people stupid. For sure it is revealing the stupid that’s already there.

Posted in Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, You must be joking! | Tagged can. 1379, simulation of a sacrament, validity of baptism
19 Comments

Fr. Z’s Kitchen: The Contraption

Posted on 24 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A little while ago, I made risotto with taleggio cheese and pears. One of you readers observed that, from common love for risotto, I should have a KitchenAid Multi-Cooker [US HERE – UK HERE]

Given that challenge, I put it on my wishlist and, it showed up. Eventually, it even got to me! I wasn’t alerted that a particular box had arrived for several days. Also, there was no gift receipt or note in the box, so I have only a vague notion of who might have sent it (the challenger?) and no certain way to send thank to the right person.

However. Thank you!

Having been thus enriched with what I now call The Contraption. It’s a rather complicated that “crockpot” that will also sear and sauté. It can be programmed to execute a series of temperatures on a schedule. I figured I had better use it. There was only one choice for the first attempt: risotto.

Would The Contraption make a) better or at least equal risotto than I make by conventional means and b) would it save me work and time?

I had some decent frozen mixed seafood in the archive, so risotto frutti di mare.

The mise en place.

While heating the seafood stock, I cranked up the heat on The Contraption and got the fat going for the first treatment of the rice. Risotto needs that first taste of heat in some oil or butter to begin breaking into the starches.

As you can see, The Contraption can stir, on a schedule, along the bottom and around the sides.

With the onion.

Time to give it some wine.

Last October for my 60th birthday in Rome, the chef at a great place near to the parish made a special risotto for us. I suggested that he think about pairing with with sake, which a friend from Japan had brought when he came for the Summorum Pontificum pilgimage. He made a splendid special recipe with a touch of Sambuca. I don’t have any Sambuca, but I did have a little Pernod. So I added a touch.

You know what that is.

Well along, in goes the seafood, cherry tomatoes and some peas.

Garnished with pepper and parsley with a sharp, minerally white.

The texture was smooth and creamy, just right. It took longer than a regular pan might have, but the results were good.

Verdict on this risotto and a first round with The Contraption.

Did it save me time and effort? No, neither. That’s because, using for the first time, I was stuck there watching it. However, it did take longer than the conventional method. I might not have had the right temperatures.

The risotto itself was quite good. As good as I usually make it? Pretty close. But this recipe was also a one off. I happened to use something I had on hand. I would have to try something simpler, such as a risotto with white wine and then be willing to walk away for a while. Otherwise, I could just do it in the pan.

That said.

I also used The Contraption for two other non risotto things.

First, I made soup from the left overs of the Supper For The Promotion of Clericalism. The Contraption was great for that.

Also with yet more leftovers I made a terrific Bolognese sauce. The Contraption was really good for that. That seems to be, so far, it’s strong suit.

Meanwhile, here’s a commercial for the Latin Mass Society in England, of which my friend Joseph Shaw is the chairman. The Catholic Truth Society has a new booklet (they excel at booklets).

Sample.

Also, I was quite simply horrified at the grocery store at the price of crème fraîche. “This is not to be tolerated!” quoth I. “I am making my own.”

Heavy cream, a couple tablespoons of cultured buttermilk, cover with something that can breathe, let it sit in a fairly warm place for 24 hours. Check it. If it needs more tang, leave it a little longer. It’ll keep a long time in the fridge. There are some sauces and garnishes that really need this, instead of a substitute. So easy and relatively cheap. The cream was on sale for .89.

So, that is The Contraption.

Many thanks to the kind reader who sent it, whoever you are.

Posted in Fr. Z's Kitchen | Tagged creme fraiche, The Contraption
7 Comments

ACTION ITEM: A tip for receiving Communion on the tongue in time of COVID-1984: HOLD YOUR BREATH!

Posted on 23 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In this time of COVID-1984, where up is down and back is front and clocks are melting off the edges of tables, there are some in high places in the Church who are determined to ban Communion on the tongue. Determined. They come up with one thing after another.

I saw in one diocesan document the patent falsehood that Communion on the tongue results in frequent contact between fingers and the tongue.

I’ll admit that contact could happen if the priest doesn’t know what he’s doing and if the communicant doesn’t stay still. Moving targets are harder to hit. Holding the Host wrong makes it harder to place.

So, people, BE STILL.

So, Fathers, use your BRAIN.

I’ve also seen the excuse that people are breathing when they receive on the tongue. Yes, indeed. Breathing.

Apparently, breathing on the priest’s hand is lethal. For the priest, maybe? Hands don’t breathe back, so the next communicant isn’t in danger from that. And priests can use hand sanitizer.

But let’s try to take that breathing point seriously for a moment. We can eliminate this excuse in a simple way.

Hold your breath when you receive Communion on the tongue.

Since churches are re-opening, let’s review a few tips for receiving Communion on the tongue.

Here’s a spiffy old drawing from a good, old fashioned catechism. My notes in red.

A) Neither head back nor tongue out.
B) Hands in the way of the paten.
C) Head back. Tongue not out.
D) Tongue out. Good. Head down. Bad.

Allow me to add

E) STAY STILL.

F) HOLD YOUR BREATH.

If your ~~pastoral overlords~~… er um… bishops and chancery types, are worried about you breathing on the priest’s hand, thus ushering in human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, then confound their expectations and, when receiving on the tongue…

HOLD YOUR BREATH.

Is this hard?

No, it is not.

And if you are from a culture where you are taught to take the Host with your teeth, okay… but a) do NOT bite the priest who may be surprised by what you are doing and b) think about not doing it that way.

G) DON’T BITE THE PRIEST.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged Communion on the tongue, coronavirus, COVID-1984
18 Comments

Fearmongering @JamesMartinSJ goes to the zoo on national TV about churches reopening and about @RealDonaldTrump

Posted on 23 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Last night when I heard on Martha MacCallum’s show on FNC that Jesuit homosexualist activist Fr. James Martin was up to talk about the lockdown and reopening of churches after Pres. Trump’s comments about opening places of worship, I had a sinking feeling.

Sure enough, the Jesuit’s comments were absolutely cringe worthy. Even Martha was a little embarrassed. At the end, she made an effort to be kind.

LINK TO THE VIDEO HERE

[I had embedded the video, but the vexatious video player is set to autoplay. So if you don’t have an adblocker everybody who loads this page gets a dose of Martin’s voice, thus spoiling their visits here. I am merciful. Hence, I’ve removed the dratted video player and replaced it with a link.]

Martin admits that churches are essential, but then he trashed the idea that anyone – in this time of lockdown – should go to church. He said that opening up church is just going to lead to more infections and “more death”. “We need to listen to public health officials and epidemiologists first.”

DEATH!

Martha came back with, “What is your definition of safe?”

Martin responded with the example of a couple of churches that, some time ago, reopened and people got sick. Then he doubled down with, “We have to listen to the experts and not look at this as a political issue.” A POLITICAL ISSUE!

It’s POLITICAL! After all, TRUMP said churches should open!

Martha responded with statistics. 99.8% of people who contract COVID-1984 recover. She asked, in effect, don’t we have to learn to cope with this and get life going again?

Martin: “At some point we do, but I’m not sure if that point is now or not. … Why put anyone at risk?”

DEATH!

POLITICAL!

Martha admits that the vulnerable should stay home. Then she cites a doctor from Stanford and that “It’s more dangerous to stay in lockdown.” People staying in lockdown have many other problems. People need to go to church, etc.

Martin, however, wasn’t overly concerned about what people might be suffering (like depression, not treating other illnesses, being broke, suicide attempts). After all… DEATH! If there is a chance that someone might infect someone else, churches should not open until the EXPERTS say so… not the President. Because… POLITICAL! Right?

Martin: “You may be sad and missing people, but is that worth if you are asymptomatic going in and shaking someone’s hand or sharing the Communion cup and getting someone sick and having them die.”

DEATH!

What bubble is this guy in? There is a cliche about Jesuits and liturgy, but where, I ask, are people today – even if they can get into a church – shaking hands and sharing the cup?!?

It strikes me that he is so enmeshed in a specific type of “liturgy” that he can’t imagine, simply cannot conceive of, a Mass in which people don’t do those things.

And, of course, it all leads to DEATH!

Toward the end of the video Martha stares at him in her monitor with incredulity. She was clearly disappointed by his responses, and I don’t blame her one little bit.

This would have been a very different segment if she had invited Fr. Gerald Murray to comment. He’s also in NYC, by the way.

Martin, Jesuit and modernist and political liberal that he is, reduces the reopening of churches to a political issue. He scaremongers with “DEATH!” He is entirely without a clue as to what dioceses, even the one he lives in, are doing concerning social distancing and hygiene at Masses. Like the tyrannic democrat martinets who have political power now, he would keep everyone under lockdown indefinitely and to hell with individual lives.

Martin’s response about people locked in with depression and fear was chilling.

What irony. Pres. Trump, concerned with people’s real lives, says we need churches open and more prayer. Martin the Jesuit says that’s political. People are “sad”? Too bad.

Fellows like this Jesuit are all about the “seamless garment” right? We must not be single issue voters! We shouldn’t talk about abortion as much as we do. Instead, we should talk even more about the death penalty, and “gay” rights, and global warming, and the plight of the poor. Libs, supposedly so flexible in their thinking, so broadminded in their perspective, easily balance all sorts of issues simultaneously, effortlessly. Conservatives, however, are just too stupid to see the “big picture”.

But here’s the Jesuit homosexualist activist (pretty much a one issue guy, by the way) saying that it doesn’t make a difference if you are “sad” right now, if there is even a slight risk that you are going to KILL SOMEONE – YOU PERSONALLY will inflict DEATH!!! – by going to church, then the churches should remained locked until experts say they can open. Never mind about all the other important issues: skyrocketing calls to suicide crisis lines, people not getting diagnosed or treated for other ailments because they are afraid to go to the doctor or can’t get in, gargantuan unemployment, businesses – the work of lifetimes – closing perhaps never to reopen. Those are COVID-1984 issues too!

What about a seamless garment when considering the impact of Coronavirus?

Maybe those other issues need a response other than a lockdown?

Would it occur to a Catholic priest that there are things worse than physical death and that death isn’t the end?

No no! Because…. you know… DEATH! No flexibility is to be tolerated.

Come to think of it, had Pres. Trump said that we should keep the churches closed, Martin would probably have said, “We should open the churches as soon as possible. Let’s not make this a POLITICAL issue. After all… people… locked down in their homes, alone! There’s…. DEATH!”

What Fr. Martin doesn’t get, but that we understood immediately, is that Pres. Trump can’t open a single Catholic church by presidential order. Only bishops can do that. Only the bishops can establish the safety conditions under which churches may reopen.

Pres. Trump deftly made it possible for bishops to do their jobs, even in the face of despotic governors and mayors.

President Trump gave our bishops cover. Because, you know… it’s POLITICAL. Right?

I’ve changed my mind. I’m delighted that Fr Martin was on last night. Many more people need to know how he and his side thinks.

UPDATE:

A friend sent a link to an article HERE that says that

Doctors in Northern California say they have seen more deaths from suicide than they’ve seen from the coronavirus during the pandemic.

“The numbers are unprecedented,” Dr. Michael deBoisblanc of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California, told ABC 7 News about the increase of deaths by suicide, adding that he’s seen a “year’s worth of suicides” in the last four weeks alone.

[…]

By late March, more people had died in just one Tennessee county from suicide than had died in the entire state directly from the virus.

A study published in early May suggested that the coronavirus could lead to at least 75,000 deaths directly brought on by anxiety from the virus, job losses, and addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Another study conducted by Just Facts around the same time computed a broad array of scientific data showing that stress is one of the deadliest health hazards in the world and estimated that the coronavirus lockdowns will destroy 7 times as many years of human life than strict lockdowns can save.

Earlier this week, more than 600 doctors signed their names on a letter to President Trump, referring to the continued lockdowns as a “mass casualty incident” and urging him to do what he can to ensure they come to an end.

Gosh, it’s really too bad that they’re “sad”, isn’t it James?

Posted in Blatteroons, Jesuits, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged coronavirus, COVID-1984, Donald Trump, Fr. James Martin SJ, POTUS
27 Comments

UPDATE: BAPTISMAL FONT PROJECT – INSTALLATION! Video message to YOU READERS!

Posted on 23 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I have GREAT news!

Do you remember that last October, while I was in Rome, we had a fundraiser for “new”, but antique, baptismal font for the church Santissima Trinita dei Pelegrini (my adoptive parish in Rome)? That is the the “traditional” parish in Rome. It was not a parish before, so it didn’t have a baptismal font. They were doing something makeshift before.

You readers came though.

I received whole bunch of photos of the INSTALLATION of the new baptismal font!

Here is a message to YOU readers who donated for the baptismal font! This is the pastor, Fr. Jean-Cyrile Sow, FSSP.

Some shots of the installation.

There are great videos, but they were too large to post and they were “sideways”. So I learned how to transform them: shrink and rotate and retain proper dimensions with Blender. Very cool. A new skill.

Let’s see if it worked!

YAY! It worked! Enjoy the Roman workmen chatter.

And this one I have to rotate… let’s see if I can figure out the X and Y scales and percentages.

I am unspeakably proud of you readers who donated to this project.

They are still going to have to install a balustrade around the font.

There are ways YOU can help them! (NB: Europeans use a comma, instead of a period for their money – 100.25 = 100,25)

>HERE<<

When you make your donation, it’ll look like it’s going to the FSSP in general. But it is earmarked for the Roman parish. If you use PayPal, you’ll see this in the online receipt:

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Just Too Cool, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged baptismal font, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini
1 Comment

ASK FATHER: What is physically required for the laity to participate at Mass?

Posted on 23 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

What is physically required for the laity to participate at Mass? If the laity cannot enter the church building, is outdoor Mass required for the laity to be able to participate? If one can follow the liturgy taking place inside the Church (hearing bells, following along over a PA or digital stream), does being outside of the Church suffice? Does live streaming suffice for participating in Mass?

For the sake of this question, I want to lay aside the question of exceptional “mega Masses” as when some Pope or other shows up and people are so far away – including both concelebrants and even ciboria to be consecrated – that, well, who knows what’s happening. Those Masses will be terminated when We have ascended to the Throne of Peter.

Let’s make a distinction. There is participation and there is obligatory participation. Under normal circumstances we are obliged to participate at Holy Mass on Sundays and some other days. Otherwise, we are free to participate or not. During this COVID-1984 thing that’s going on, most bishops (all?) have dispensed people in their dioceses from the obligation to participate on those days when they would otherwise be bound. It is withing their power to do that. It is, in fact, beyond their power to forbid Communion on the tongue, but they are getting away with it. But they can lift the obligation to attend Sundays Masses.

Let’s make another distinction. There is actual, physical presence and there is moral presence. If you are in the church building, and in sight of the physical altar, you are present. If you are near the church building, but because of the crowds (say, for a huge funeral – a normal huge funeral, not necessarily a gargantuan funeral like that of St. John Paul II), or you are in an overflow area and have screens to watch of the video feed of what is going on, or if you have taken precious little Stupor Mundi outside during her sixth melt-down during Mass, you are not physically present but you are morally present. You are there, you would be inside if you could be, you are engaging the best you can in your situation. Contrast that with someone who decides that it is better to go outside and have a cigarette and maybe surf on his smart phone for a while. And contrast that with a surgeon who is on-call, who get’s an call that he has to take, so he goes outside.

So, given the circumstances, what really matters is the person’s intention and effort.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged moral presence, participation
7 Comments

23 May – HOLY MASS (TLM) St. Giovanni Battista de Rossi – LIVE VIDEO: 1200h CDT (GMT/UTC -5)

Posted on 23 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Click To Contribute

I will LIVE stream a Traditional Latin Mass at NOON Central Daylight Time (= GMT/UTC -5 and ROME 1900h).

I moved the microphone. I hope it picks up better than it did.

Today: Mass for St. Giovanni Battista de Rossi, confessor. The texts are in the appendix of the Missale Romanum (PSPAL – Masses in some places). I will add special collects for an intention. This saint, very dear to the Romans, was originally buried under a side altar of the church which is now the “Traditional” parish of Rome, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, my “adoptive parish” in the City. His body was (sadly) moved when a church was built and named for him. The original inscription remains at Ss. Trinità. He was a great saint.

Will you please tell others about this Mass? Will you please subscribe to my channel? HERE

NB: You can find an English translation of the Mass formulary HERE. Scroll down. Use the 1960 setting.
We can say the Regina Caeli together, since the Angelus bells are usually ringing when the live stream starts.
I will say a Spiritual Communion prayer at the very beginning for those of you who cannot make a Eucharistic Communion.
I will also recite in Latin the traditional “Statement of Intention” (…a hint to priests).
After Mass and the Leonine Prayers, I will recite a prayer in Latin “In time of pandemic” followed by a blessing with a fragment of the Cross
For texts of Prayers before Mass for each day of the week, in versions for laypeople and for priests: HERE

THANK YOU to my flower donors!

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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ASK FATHER: Can you fulfill your Sunday Mass obligation during “lockdown” by watching online?

Posted on 22 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

While on lockdown, can watching (within a sunday) a replayed online mass fulfill the sunday mass obligation? Or must one have to watch the online sunday mass in real time to fulfill this obligation?

First of all, it is likely that in your diocese the local bishop has lifted the Sunday obligation. That is to say, the bishop has, by his authority, removed – for the time being – the obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and other days of obligation.

Check with your local chancery if you don’t know that for sure. I’ll bet they have.

Second, NO, you do not fulfill your obligation by watching either a Mass streamed live online or a recorded Mass. You do NOT fulfill your obligation when you have one.

However, if there is no obligation to fulfill, go ahead and watch or not watch as you wish. It could be meritorious and helpful for you.

Even when you do not have a strict obligation, it is important that you keep the Lord’s Day holy. Watching a Mass can help you will that.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged coronavirus, COVID-1984, lockdown, Mass Obligation, Sunday obligation
10 Comments

22 May – HOLY MASS (TLM) St. Rita of Cascia – LIVE VIDEO: 1200h CDT (GMT/UTC -5)

Posted on 22 May 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Click To Contribute

I will LIVE stream a Traditional Latin Mass at NOON Central Daylight Time (= GMT/UTC -5 and ROME 1900h).

Today: Mass for St. Rita of Cascia. The texts are in the appendix of the Missale Romanum (PSPAL). I will add special collects for an intention.

Will you please tell others about this Mass? Will you please subscribe to my channel? HERE

NB: You can find an English translation of the Mass formulary HERE. Scroll down. Use the 1960 setting.
We can say the Regina Caeli together, since the Angelus bells are usually ringing when the live stream starts.
I will say a Spiritual Communion prayer at the very beginning for those of you who cannot make a Eucharistic Communion.
I will also recite in Latin the traditional “Statement of Intention” (…a hint to priests).
After Mass and the Leonine Prayers, I will recite a prayer in Latin “In time of pandemic” followed by a blessing with a fragment of the Cross
For texts of Prayers before Mass for each day of the week, in versions for laypeople and for priests: HERE