VIDEO sent by a friend… (fun!)

Posted on 3 September 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Posted in Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World |
4 Comments

Edifying things

Posted on 3 September 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At New Oxford Review there is a fine offering by Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ. He’s been doing terrific things these days.   I hesitate to alert you to this because it is behind an annoying paywall.  Each time I run into a paywall my hackles rise and I promise myself never to subscribe.   However, some of you may be subscribed….

In the meantime, he has posted another short video.

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The gang at Catholic Unscripted had an interview with a pro-life activist who has been jailed for praying silently.

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There is going to be a pro-life march in London on Saturday. If you are anywhere near, I’d encourage you to check into it.

Informative and sometimes really funny interview by Gavin Ashenden with Diane Montagna.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1421

Posted on 3 September 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATED:

And now back to a Rome Shot.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

It must be unofficial coffee day. Watching a YT video about a guy who is building a homestead in wilderness Ontario, I learned of a brand of coffee called “Wolf’s Milk” which features Romulus and Remus with the Lupa. Alas, out of stock. I thought The Great Roman™ might enjoy it. This morning my coffee machine had its “clean me” light going, so, even as I type, it is going through its cycle. Then I received a note from the Wyoming Carmelites about their classic “Mystic Monk Blend” which they’ve had for 20 years. It’s good.  What next?

Welcome Registrant:

gec

Not great news abounds these days. It’s been going on for a long time.

Remember: Paul VI met with Idi Amin Dada.

I remind the readership that we do not know what was said in that meeting.      We have only Jasmine’s account.  I, for one, stand with the famous statement of Mary McCarthy when it comes to him.

I would add to this a reminder to pray for priests, especially for troubling and troubled priests. I link to this on the side bar where you can find it each day. It is also linked in the combox form!

A Daily Prayer for Priests

In chessy news… not much…

Black to move.  What to do?

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Hey Fathers!  How about a clerical Guayabera shirt?  (They have lots of lay clothes, too.)

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
1 Comment

Having read two particularly disturbing news items today,…

Posted on 2 September 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Having read two particularly disturbing news items today, I am moved to post this.  I invite you to pray:

An Act of Reparation to the Holy Trinity

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly and I offer You the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended, and by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.

Posted in Urgent Prayer Requests |
4 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 12th Sunday after Pentecost (N.O.: 22nd) 2025

Posted on 31 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this 12th Sunday after Pentecost, or the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time?

Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?

A couple thoughts about the sign of the cross: HERE  A taste…

[…]

Then comes the parable’s twist: a Samaritan appears. The Samaritans were a mixed people, descendants of Israelites left in the Northern Kingdom after the Assyrian conquest (8th c. B.C.) and of foreign settlers. They accepted only the Pentateuch, rejected Jerusalem’s Temple, and worshipped on Mount Gerizim. By the 1st century, Jews regarded them as ritually impure, ethnically tainted enemies. Josephus records that Samaritans once desecrated the Temple by scattering bones during Passover (Antiquitates Judaicae 18.30). Such was the enmity. Yet this Samaritan is “moved with compassion” (σπλαγχνισθεὶς, splagchnistheìs from the delightful verb σπλαγχνίζομαι, splagchnízomai, in turn from σπλάγχνον, splágchnon, “internal organs, guts, viscera, bowels”). Splagchnízomai, as fun to type as to say, is a delightful verb often used of Christ Himself (cf. Mt 9:36; Mk 6:34). Splágchnon is where we get English “spleen” and “splenic”. In ancient times and into the Medieval period, according to the theory of humorism, no joke, the spleen was considered the seat of emotions, for it excreted “μέλαινα χολή, melaina kholé or black bile”, which when dominating made one melancholy. But I digress. While I am not sanguine about avoiding additional digressions, we must keep moving lest you become bilious or phlegmatic.
[…]

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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The execrable BoB, Happy Water, and You (UPDATED with a POLL)

Posted on 31 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Concerning the origins of the dreadful “Book of Blessings” (De Benedictionibus), which ironically doesn’t bless anything.

I thought there was one prayer which truly blessed, an option for a rosary with the traditional version they ported in, but they changed it to bless the person who would use it, not the rosary itself. Their aim was to destroy the distinction between invocative and constitutive blessings.

Matthew Hazell has for years been doing yeoman’s work in exposing the process, discussions, move and maneuvers to produce the Novus Ordo (in all its ramifications).  We owe him a debt a gratitude for bringing these items to light.

I have more to say about this, below.

On a different but related note…

A little more about the blessings issue.

There is a difference between an invocative blessing, that calls a blessing down on people or critters, and a constitutive blessing or consecration, that results in a lasting state.

We can bless or consecrate some things and places and some people (in the case of religious, priests) such that they are sacred things, places or persons.

Somethings for sacred use are important enough to be exorcized before being blessed.  In, for example, the blessing of water, salt, oil, etc., the exorcism removes these things from the realm of the Prince of this world (the Enemy). They are then blessed or consecrated, constituted as blessed things, so that they can be of use in putting to flight demons and to help the state of our bodies and souls. To do that, they first need to be exorcised. Then they are blessed with a constitutive blessing.

This is important for, for example, Holy Water.  In the execrable BoB, there is no blessing that blesses the water.  Instead, the prayers call down a blessing on someone who might use it.  We might think about this sort of water as “Nice Water” or “Happy Water” (or probably Just Plain Water).   That said, in the Novus Ordo Missale Romanum there is a blessing for water to be used on Sunday which explicitly aims to bless the water with an optional blessing of salt.  It doesn’t (if memory serves) have an exorcism of the water first, and it is much impoverished compared to the traditional rite in the Rituale Romanum.  Yet, it blesses the water.

For example:

“… dignare, quaesumus, hanc aquam + benedicere… deign, we implore, to bless + this water… “

The second option (aren’t there always options in the Novus Ordo?) has:

“…hanc aquam, te quaesumus, + benedicas...  we implore You that You + bless this water… “

This link will take you to the English of the execrable BoB for the Nice Watery prayers.  HERE  Note how every rite in the Novus Ordo has to look like Mass?  Readings… homily… blah blah blah… of course with multiple readings options!

The difference between what is in the Novus Ordo Missal and the BoB demonstrates how incoherent the BoB is.

Another quick point.  In the execrable BoB the options for making Nice Water speak to the reason for making water, for example, that people who use it will be “refreshed inwardly” or “renewed in body and spirit”.

In the older, traditional rite, when the priest exorcizes the salt (to be added to the water) he says it is for the “health of soul and body” and for the expelling of demons.  When he blesses the salt, after the exorcism, it is again for “health of mind and body” and also for freeing whatever, person or thing, “all uncleanness and every attack of spiritual evil”.  Are you sensing a theme?  When the priest exorcises the water, he says that it is “purified to escape all the strength of the enemy and able to root out and displace the enemy himself with his apostate angels, through the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ”.  When he blessed the exorcised water, he says:

“Let us pray. O God, for man’s salvation You have established the greatest mysteries in the substance of water, be favorable to our petitions and pour out the power of Your blessing + upon this element prepared by many purifications. May this Your creature, which serves Your mysteries, receive the efficacy of divine grace to expel devils and banish disease. In the homes of the faithful and in all other places may anything sprinkled with this water be free from every uncleanness and safe from harm. Let no pestilent spirit or corrupting air dwell therein. May all the hidden snares of the enemy depart. By the sprinkling of this water may anything hostile to the safety and peace of those who dwell therein be banished. And may the well being sought by the invocation of Your Holy Name be protected from all attack. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Now THAT’s true Happy Water!

But wait, there’s more.   Then the blessed salt is poured into the water and the combined salty water solution is prayed over:

“O God, author of unconquered strength and King of an unconquerable empire, forever the glorious conqueror, You restrain the power of the devil, overcome the cruelty of the roaring enemy, attack all hostile wickedness with power. Fearful and humble, we beg and beseech You, Lord, look upon this creature of salt and water with kindness, honor it and make it holy with the dew of Your goodness. Wherever it is sprinkled, may every infection of the unclean spirit cease through the invocation of Your Holy Name, may the terror of the poisonous serpent be driven out, and may the presence of the Holy Spirit be everywhere with us who ask Your mercy. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever, and ever. Amen.”

I can do more about Holy Water in another post, if you wish.  Let’s stop lest this be too long.

Finally, one is forced to ask: Did the people who did this to us even believe in the Devil?

Let’s have a poll. Anyone can vote, but to comment you must be registered and approved.

(2025) I would prefer to use or be sprinkled with water blessed with the ...

View Results

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Pò sì jiù, POLLS, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
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Daily Rome Shot 1420 – LINGUA

Posted on 31 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A nice starter at a favorite place near The Parish™:  Pizza bianca with sliced beef tongue, homemade mayonnaise and a slightly vinegary sauce of herbs.  I’d have this any day of the week… except most Fridays.

Holy Mass today will be offered for my benefactors, those who regularly donate, donate occasionally, or send items from my wish list.  This week a couple of readers sent cans of tuna and another bottles of a hot sauce recommended by an exorcist… which makes you think a little.   In any event, it is my pleasure and duty to pray for my benefactors.  And when I hear that one has passed away, I keep them on my list.

Welcome Registrant:

Downy

Not sure what this means, but it seems not good.

And…

And…

In chessy news… I see that the Global Chess League will start up again in a 3rd Season in India during December. And the Duck Chess Championship is coming up this week at chess.com. Sign up! Maybe we can get some readers going…. for standard, not duck chess.

Interested in learning?  Try THIS.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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

Daily Rome Shot 1421 – BWAH HAH HAH HAH!

Posted on 30 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The counterpart.   Tempus fugit.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

This is foolishness of the highest degree.

The National Sodomitic Reporter has an opinion piece by Jesuit Thomas Reese who doesn’t believe in transubstantiation: “I just don’t believe in transubstantiation, because I don’t believe in prime matter, substantial forms, and accidents that are part of Aristotelian metaphysics.”  HERE HERE HERE  Reese, as a Jesuit, is likely as famously well-formed as most Jesuits regarding things liturgical.

He thinks the present English 2011 translation of the Novus Ordo Missale Romanum should be scrapped and the (rejected) 1998 translation should be adopted.   He wrongly calls the 2011 version a “word-for-word translation” three times and opposes it to the 1998 which is says “conveyed the meaning of the text but was understandable when spoken aloud to contemporary Americans.”   He sees an opportunity because there is now a Pope who speaks English and because Roche is at DDW and because Francis issued Magnus principium.

Enough of that folly.

Instead…

And…

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
14 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1420

Posted on 29 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome Registrants:

Downy
rlp000

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

And…

Jesuit liturgical antics… I am not sure I can embed this from fakebook.   I’ll try It’s cringeworthy.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CSmH88Hc3/

Meanwhile… White to move and behead black in 4.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
6 Comments

The Beheading of John the Baptist and Mass ‘ad orientem versus’

Posted on 29 August 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here is a thought which I offered during my live stream for this Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist (which is my name day more than the Nativity of the Baptist for reasons which over the years have become obvious).

From your liturgical formation and sacramental formation you know that at Mass the ordained priest acts in persona Christi… in the person of Christ.   He is alter Christus.  When he speaks and gestures during Mass, Christ is speaks and gestures.

However, there is a striking moment – and I mean that literally – when his role shifts.  Even when Mass is celebrated versus populum this can be a psychologically powerful moment.

At Communion time, if Communion is being distributed, during Mass according to the rubrics of the Missale Romanum, the celebrant turns toward the communicants with the Eucharistic Host and proclaims like John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29 and 36).

In that moment, the priest speaks NOT the words of Christ, but rather he takes the role of John the herald.

The priest steps away from himself as speaking in persona Christi for a moment, he de-persons himself, he gets himself out of the way, he, defaces himself as alter Christus to become for a moment another John the Baptist. He decreases in order to herald the coming to you of one far greater than he, the Lord Himself in the Eucharist.

The priest is, in a sense, beheaded.  All attention goes to Christ in the Eucharist.

It is one more argument in favor of ad orientem worship, because it makes the Ecce agnus Dei that much more striking.

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