Thanks for the music! Charlie Daniels and Ennio Morricone

Posted on 6 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Two figures in music died today.

Charlie Daniels.  Here’s a favorite of mine:

Play video

Ennio Morricone.

Play video

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JUST TOO COOL! “SHEEP, EYES, NOSE, DEER, BLOW UP, TEA, MOUSE, TURKEY, ONION”

Posted on 5 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is a very cool video.

Play video

Apparently, there was code translating machines but they weren’t that fast.  The “telegraphic” code words in the unwritten Navajo language, with their memorized meanings, meant that coms were very fast.

During WWI the Choctaw language was used for tactical messages.   Meanwhile, Japan and Germany had sent people to these USA to study native languages!   However, there was Navajo, which is really complicated.

400 Navajo were in the Code Talker program, in all 6 Marine Divisions.   The Japanese had cracked the codes for the Army and Army Air Corps, but not the Marines.   There was even a Navajo captured by the Japanese, but he couldn’t make it out.

Code Talkers were at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Pelilieu and Iwo Jima.  Major Howard Connor, signal officer of the Navajos at Iwo Jima, said, “Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.”

More at the Naval History and Heritage Command. HERE

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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 5th after Pentecost (NO: 14th Ordinary) 2020

Posted on 5 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Was there a good point made in the sermon you heard at the Mass for your Sunday, either live or on the internet?

Let us know what it was.

Also, are you churches opening up?  What was attendance like?

For my part…

Play video

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URGENT: Archbp. Broglio of @MilArchUSA on Navy Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Religious Services 

Posted on 4 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I have been sitting on this and sitting on this and sitting on this….

Finally…

From Archbishop Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services:

Archbishop Broglio Issues Statement on U.S. Naval Orders Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Religious Services
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07-04-2020

Archbishop Broglio Issues Statement on U.S. Naval Orders Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Indoor Religious Services

“…. the Navy cannot legally prohibit family members from frequenting religious services off base….”

URGENT: Archbp. Broglio of @MilArchUSA on Navy Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Religious Services WASHINGTON, DC – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued the following statement today on the prohibition by some commands in the US Navy against participation in off-base indoor religious services:

For Immediate Attention: COVID-19 Orders– U.S. Navy

A few nights ago I watched Silence, a movie about the persecution of Catholics in Japan in the 1600’s.  The persecution was systematic and destined to eradicate the faith from the islands.  While the current situation in the US is certainly not one of persecution, the movie does invite the viewer to recognize values, determine how important they are, and decide what value merits a sacrifice, even the ultimate sacrifice.

Several of the faithful whom the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is privileged to serve have brought to my attention the recent prohibition by the US Navy in some commands of participation in indoor religious services off base.  Service members are required to sign that they have received the FRAG orders.  Those who disobey will be held accountable.

The orders also add that “civilian personnel, including families, are discouraged from” indoor church services, as well.

The provision is particularly odious to Catholics, because frequently there is no longer a Catholic program on naval installations due to budgetary constraints or many installation chapels are still closed—even though many of them could well ensure appropriate social distancing.

Of course, the Navy cannot legally prohibit family members from frequenting religious services off base.  Those family members return home where the military member lives.  What is the protective effect of the prohibition for the Navy personnel?  Zero.

Upon receiving this information I immediately contacted the Navy Chief of Chaplains’ Office.  They have been unable to offer any relief from these provisions.  My attempt to contact the Chief of Naval Operations has not even been acknowledged.

Participation in the Sunday Eucharist is life blood for Catholics.  It is the source and summit of our lives and allows us to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.  Certainly, the Navy personnel who fall under this restriction are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, because no one can be required to do what is impossible.

However, given the great lengths to which Catholic churches (and I presume others) have gone in order to ensure social distancing in seating, receiving Holy Communion, and even adjust the liturgy to avoid any contagion, I wonder why the Navy has decided to prohibit the faithful from something, which even the Commander in Chief has called an essential service.

I want to assure the Navy Catholic faithful of my prayerful solidarity, invite them to continue to participate in Masses that are broadcast or live-streamed, and to be fervent in their faith.  This situation will pass and, as Pope Francis reminded us, Christ is in the boat with us.

It seems tragic to offer these reflections on the Independence holiday when we honor the bravery of those who forged this Nation to ensure self-evident truths about the endowment by the Creator of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Should those who swear to protect and defend the Constitution be obliged to surrender their First Amendment Rights?

+Timothy P. Broglio
Archbishop for the Military Services, USA
-30-
The AMS was established as an independent archdiocese by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 as the only Catholic jurisdiction responsible for endorsing and granting faculties for priests to serve as chaplains in the U.S. military and VA Medical Centers. AMS-endorsed priests serve at more than 220 U.S. military installations in 29 countries, making the AMS the nation’s only global archdiocese. AMS-endorsed chaplains also serve at 153 VA Medical Centers throughout the U.S. The AMS service population also includes American Catholic civilians working for the federal government in 134 countries, but currently, due to limited resources, the AMS cannot adequately serve this population. Worldwide, an estimated 1.8 million Catholics depend on the AMS to meet their spiritual and sacramental needs. For more information on the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visit milarch.org, the only official website for Catholics in the U.S. Military. ????For information on the Cause of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., visit capodannoguild.org.
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UPDATE on FEEDBACK: How has the COVID-1984 lockdown changed you LITURGICALLY? Priests and laity.

Posted on 4 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 4 July 2020:

It is 2:30 in the afternoon and I have finished reading the avalanche of emails you sent.  Some of them were straight-forward descriptions of what changed at the parish.  Some were that with also what you thought and felt about them.  Some had deep introspection and some had predictions for the future.  Some were quite sad.  Others had strong notes of hope.

The whole thing has been instructive.

What have I learned from your feedback?

In large part, it has been a confirmation of what I have heard and suspected.

  • People are not happy with their bishops and, in some cases, with their priests.  A common word was “abandoned”.
  • Some priests took this as an opportunity.  Priests saying Mass privately or with few people said the TLM or the Novus Ordo in Latin and ad orientem, and many of them don’t want to go – or won’t go – back.
  • Many were grateful for the SSPX chapels, because they did not shut down.
  • Quite a few observed that they learned more about the TLM through live streams.  There were varying degrees of “participation” in live streamed Masses, ranging from getting dressed up and ready to finding them awful as a substitute.
  • A large majority of those who went beyond descriptions of the logistical changes at their churches wrote about how they will never take church and the sacraments for granted again.  They realize that the system is more fragile than they thought.
  • Not a few connection COVID and what happened in churches with the dreadful Pachamama idolatry last October.

I am very grateful for these notes.

Drop me a note with and put in the SUBJECT line (copy and paste works well):

MASS IN THE TIME OF COVID

Write to me HERE

___ ORIGINALLY POSTED 2 July 2020

UPDATE on FEEDBACK: How has the COVID-1984 lockdown changed you LITURGICALLY? Priests and laity.FATHERS!    I would like some feedback.

How has COVID-1984 and the lockdown changed how you have been saying Mass.  In particular I am interested in those of you who have been affected by, perhaps, switching to TLM only or often and to ad orientem worship.

LAY PEOPLE!   I welcome feedback from you as well.

Many of you have not had access to church.  What have you learned or discerned from this?  Have you been watching Masses streamed online?  Have those streamed Masses been mostly what you followed in your average parish or have you started to view Traditional Latin Masses online?

Drop me a note with and put in the SUBJECT line

MASS IN THE TIME OF COVID

Write to me HERE

UPDATE:

Imagine for a moment that you want feedback on a question.

And imagine that you don’t want to miss anything someone might send.

You get a lot of email and you don’t want things going into spam or going unnoticed.  So, you ask that people put a specific phrase in the subject line of the email so that those emails will go into a handy folder.

Just for the sake of imagination, mind you.

UPDATE on FEEDBACK: How has the COVID-1984 lockdown changed you LITURGICALLY? Priests and laity.

Adventures in email!

o{]:¬)

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ACTION ITEM! URGENT PRAYER SUGGESTION! Archbp. Carroll’s “Prayer for Government”

Posted on 4 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

ACTION ITEM! URGENT PRAYER SUGGESTION! Archbp. Carroll’s “Prayer for Government”

Our nation is being torn by organized factions.  The followers of those factions are mostly blind and dim dupes, the ultimate products of a long-targeted education system precisely for these days.  We run the risk of losing all that our forebears won.

Pray in a special way today, Independence Day, and also make acts of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who is the Patroness of these United States.

ORIGINALLY POSTED 2 June:

Everyone, in this time of chaos and mob brutality, please PRAY for government officials.

Fathers, you might want to have everyone pray this after Masses.  This, and other prayers, are deeply needed.

The following prayer was composed by John Carroll, Archbishop of Baltimore, in 1791. He was the first bishop appointed for the United States in 1789 by Pope Pius VI. He was made the first archbishop when his see of Baltimore was elevated to the status of an archdiocese. John was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

For Catholics who love their country!

PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N.,the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude DONALD J. TRUMP, the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

I became familiar with this moving prayer at my home parish of St. Agnes in St. Paul (MN) where it was recited after all Masses on civic holidays of the USA, such as 4 July and Thanksgiving.

Americans among the readership might print it and bring it to your parish priests and ask them to use it after Mass on national holidays.

ACTION ITEM! URGENT PRAYER SUGGESTION! Archbp. Carroll’s “Prayer for Government”

firstcontcongresslarge (1)

Continental Congress at Prayer

The opening prayer session of the 1st Continental Congress was about 3 hours long.

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GREAT BOOK: With Latin in the Service of the Popes: The Memoirs of Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1885?1971)

Posted on 3 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

GREAT BOOK: With Latin in the Service of the Popes: The Memoirs of Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1885?1971)I am reading a charming little book, which is also helpful for explaining the ongoing importance of Latin for the Church.

With Latin in the Service of the Popes: The Memoirs of Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1885-1971) translated by Anthony Lo Bello.

US HERE – UK HERE

Card. Bacci was a great Latinist who worked for the Holy See, for four Popes, for several decades. His mark is all over Vatican City in the form of inscriptions, including for an elevator in the Apostolic Palace.

I used some of Card. Bacci’s splendid reflections in my last series of LENTCAzTs.  He is terrific. Meditations For Each Day.  US HERE – UK HERE

I will assume permission to read you a small section, so you can have a taste.   I will not read all Latin inscriptions, which I find terribly interesting but which are not perhaps best for this tidbit (they are translated in the book).  Also, note that, at the end, the Second Vatican Council was underway as he was writing.   Bacci and Ottaviani would join forces to fight the worst of outcomes of the Council.

GREAT BOOK: With Latin in the Service of the Popes: The Memoirs of Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1885?1971)This little volume is only about 115 pages long, including its index.  Each section has some of the Latin that Bacci wrote, including the Latin oration given by Pius XII at his coronation, which Morton Henry Robinson quoted in his novel The Cardinal (US HERE – UK HERE).

GREAT BOOK: With Latin in the Service of the Popes: The Memoirs of Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1885?1971)The Cardinal was made into a movie directed by Otto Preminger.  It is rumored that young Joseph Ratzinger was a consultant for the movie.  And the liturgical scenes in it, including an ordination to the priest and an episcopal consecration in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, are spectacular.  US HERE – UK HERE    Too bad the movies doesn’t include the game played with Merry del Val, quoting Horace and tossing oranges.   It does, however, have the Card. Initzer strudel crack.

I think you will enjoy the Bacci memoir, even if you don’t know much Latin.  It is also a good press to support, Arouca Press.  They are doing good work.

 

 

 

Posted in Just Too Cool, Latin, Lighter fare, REVIEWS | Tagged ,
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Sadly amusing sign of the times

Posted on 3 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Something darkly amusing for your Friday.

Sadly amusing sign of the times

Meanwhile…

Sadly amusing sign of the times

 

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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ASK FATHER: Should there still be “parking lot Masses” even though churches are opening again?

Posted on 2 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

ASK FATHER: Should there still be "parking lot Masses" even though churches are opening again?From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

In a not-so-hypothetical situation wherein the faithful are able to attend mass on Sunday inside a church, under nearly normal circumstances (face masks, 6 foot distancing), would it be permissible, or even advisable, to opt instead for a drive-in parking lot mass?

My diocese has resumed the public celebration of mass, albeit with social distancing enforced. However there is still a parking lot mass being offered out of town wherein people are obliged to remain in their cars and listen to the mass via radio livestream. People close to me have opted to continue attending that mass.

Would attending mass in such a way be prudent, or even permissible, when there are more “normal” options available?

I’m getting tired of all the melodrama, aren’ t you?   Do you have a sense that we are all being lied to?

In any event, this is one of those situations in which we must not pit the perfect against the good.  It is better to be able to be in church for Mass.  However, even in the case of the parent who has to take little Stupor Mundi out of the church and into the narthex or even outside, because little SM is having a core meltdown, it is still good to be there.  You are still morally present to Mass in the church proper.  Is it better to be inside a calm and peaceful church for Mass?  Of course.  But exigencies cause some people to be out and some to be in and that’s just life.

It it a good thing to have parking lot Masses.  Is it better to be in church?  Yes.  It would have been better for the sailor off the coast of Iwo Jima to have been in a church when their chaplain said Mass.

Play video

Should the servers have been in cassock and surplice?  Sure.  But there they were making the best of it.

Frankly, that priest looks a lot like Bp. Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

We work with what we have, friends, and we should strive to do the best whatsoever the circumstances. Need an outdoor altar and have lots of time and help? Make it elaborate and wonderful? Don’t have a lot of time or help? Do your best. Need a sound solution for outside, parking lot Masses and have a budget and a guy with know how? Great! Give them great audio. Don’t have those? Raise your voice!

Do let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Now the question comes in: if there is a better option should one still go to parking lot Masses.

I say, if all other things are equal – ceteris paribus – No!   But not all things are equal.  You might be a young person with a robust immune system and your neighbor might be in her 70’s with various risks.   In her case, parking lot could be better, for the sake of prudence.

I apply this also to the appallingly abused practice of Saturday vigil Masses.  There are people who are perfectly healthy and will no other conflicts on Sunday who haven’t darkened the door of a church on Sunday for years.  They take the minimalist route to fulfill their obligations (though now in most places there is no obligation) not because they are compelled by circumstances, but because they want to have their Sunday entirely free to do… whatever.   Do they fulfill their obligation?  Yes.   But they do it in a stingy way, insofar as their time and lives are concerned.   That is a terrible abuse of the Church’s provision for the fulfillment of the Sunday obligation.

If a person goes to a parking lot Mass because they want perhaps to look at their phones as they tune out now and again, or they perhaps want to be able to drive away quickly – even better than leaving church immediately after Communion – then … well… that’s bad.

We should avoid minimalism when it comes to worship of God.

At the same time, we have to be flexible enough to know when to apply the accelerator, when to shift gears, and when to apply the brakes.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Signing a contract, like for a credit card, but with 35 pages of small print.

Posted on 2 July 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

Do you consider it a sin of lying to sign a contract or an agreement stating that you will/have done something that you know you will/have not done?

In this case, you know the other party does not really care and that the clause is just for liability issues or some other legal non sense.

For example, saying you have read the terms of agreement for your credit card that are 35 pages in fine print. My gut is telling me it’s not a venial white sin lie but just a legal thing. A similar thing is causing a friend of mine stress.

I told the friend an agreement minor misstatement is not the same thing as a usual spoken white lie, so they were in the clear. Was that right to say?

GUEST PRIEST – also a lawyer – RESPONSE: (NAME KNOW TO ME)

See the issue of “adhesion contacts” – HERE

For such adhesion contracts, often used for consumer products, I don’t think there is a reasonable expectation that the consumer will or could read all the elements of the contract, and courts will render unenforceable excessive clauses for lack of a “meeting of the minds” with such contracts. With this in place, the expectation of the consumer shifts away from the need to read the entire contract in a true arms-length transaction of parties with equal negotiating power, and due to court precedence and oversight, and potential court intervention, signing such a contract isn’t a “lie” that you’ve read the whole contract, but that you agree to the contract in light of the underlying law in place applicable to adhesion contracts.

I hope that helps on that one point.

 

 

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