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{]:¬)

8 November: Election Day, Solar Plasma Cloud To Strike Earth

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At SpaceWeather:

SUN HURLS PLASMA CLOUD TOWARD EARTH: Yesterday, Nov. 5th, a magnetic filament on the sun became unstable and erupted. The blast opened a fiery canyon in the sun’s atmosphere and hurled a CME toward Earth. According to NOAA models, the plasma cloud could strike Earth’s magnetic field on Nov. 8th, [ELECTION DAY] triggering G1-class geomagnetic storms and auroras around the poles. Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates and more information.

What could go wrong?

Can you spell “Carrington Event”?

Okay, I’m not saying that this is the civilization annihilating event that the Carrington Event was, but I am saying that it looks like a CME is headed toward your planet and that it is timed to arrive on an important day.

Scenario: A massive CME strikes precisely on Election Day causing an EMP great enough to fry many electronic components… many, not all. Because of the disruption, we can’t know what the will of the American People would be about the election of the next President according to the US Constitution. The present megalomaniac regime declares martial law, suspends habeas corpus and posse comitatus. He has he political enemies rounded up. Many are shot “trying to escape”. Then, after a 18 holes of golf, globalist and anti-American exceptionalist that he is, he invites to our shores troops from other countries to pacify regions which have a high percentage of people who support the 2nd Amendment and against also US military units which won’t accept his suspension of the Constitution. The newly minted, self-declared sociopath dictator – whose middle name is coincidentally common among Shias and who, as POTUS, had an Iranian, chief adviser – invites for military support a huge number of Iranian troops. He deploys them to pacify Christians in particular and to convert churches to mosques. To lend medical and health care support to the population surviving in his interment camps he has Planned Parenthood employees coordinate with Dutch doctors brought over for their expertise in euthanasia.

But, in the nick of time… the elite SVVAS arrives to save the day!

Over at SpaceWeather, there is a video of the sun’s canyon… solar cannon… that won’t make you smile very much.

The glowing walls of the canyon trace the original channel where the filament was suspended by magnetic forces above the sun’s surface. From end to end, the structure stretches more than 200,000 km–a real Grand Canyon.

Fragments of the exploding filament formed the core of a CME that raced away from the sun faster than a million mph: movie. NOAA analysts have modeled the trajectory of the CME and concluded that it will probably strike Earth’s magnetic field on Nov. 8th. The impact could spark G1-class geomagnetic storms and auroras at high latitudes. Free:Aurora Alerts

Frankly, this will probably produce some great auroras, if you live with caribou. So, if you live with caribou, go out and watch for auroras.

Posted in Look! Up in the sky!, Semper Paratus | Tagged aurora borealis, Carrington Event, CME, Coronal Mass Ejection, election, SVVAS
5 Comments

Elections Issues: “So what is a parish priest to do?”

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is an interesting bit of news that touches on many point of interest as we rocket to Election Day.

From an editorial in the Albuquerque Journal.

Editorial: Archbishop reacts to priest’s abortion letter
By Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016 at 12:05am

At places of worship across the country, abortion is not an unusual topic for discussion, or even instruction.
That the subject may be given more intense attention during an election season isn’t unusual, either. That’s because even though abortion is legal, based on a 1973 Supreme Court decision, it remains one of the most divisive issues across America and an important one for many religious denominations.

That a Catholic priest in Santa Fe would issue guidance to his flock that is consistent with the Catholic Church’s official position – that abortion is a “moral evil” – shouldn’t come as a surprise – particularly after the presidential candidates staked out their positions in a nationally televised debate.

What perhaps is surprising is the archdiocese’s reaction to Father Larry Brito’s display of a sign on the side of the St. Anne Parish church proclaiming “Vote Catholic, Vote Pro-Life” and a letter to his parishioners urging them not to “vote in representatives into office who are ‘Pro-Abortion’ or as they sheepishly call themselves ‘Pro-Choice.’ ”

Brito did not name any candidates he had in mind, though in discussing Planned Parenthood he made it clear that there is “one candidate who has been endorsed by this evil organization and who has proudly embraced their endorsement.” In the presidential race, of course, that could only be Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Why is a controversy involving one denomination a public issue here? That’s because more than 380,000 New Mexicans are Catholics.

In a response to news coverage of Brito’s letter, the relatively new Archbishop of Santa Fe, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, issued a statement that said something about concern for the unborn, but appears to be a clear reprimand of Brito.

The archbishop wrote that while emotions are running high as the election nears, “these emotions do not give us license to endorse or denounce a candidate because of his or her position on a given issue.” He referred the Catholic faithful to consult a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops document called “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” for advice as they prepare to vote.

“One of the fundamental points that is made in Faithful Citizenship is that the ‘Church’s leaders are to avoid endorsing or opposing candidates or telling people how to vote,’” Wester wrote. “Rather, ‘This is a decision to be made by each Catholic guided by a conscience formed by Catholic moral teaching.’ ”

Wester also could be concerned that abortion rights supporters might attempt to cause problems between the church and the IRS, threatening the church’s status as a nonprofit. Or it could be that he is setting a new tone on this “given issue,” that perhaps the church’s position is no longer as black and white as portrayed in the church’s official Catechism, which says:

“You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. … Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.”

So what is a parish priest to do?

Wester’s statement seems to emphasize that abortion is just one thing for a Catholic voter to consider in a complex political world. Brito’s would seem to be that the church teaching on an “abominable” crime should figure much more prominently than other issues.

While Wester’s statement implies that the clergy can’t talk about who to vote for, or not vote for, if a pastor can’t speak about what many religious groups consider to be a moral crime in the context of an election, then what do the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of religion or speech really mean in a country that was founded upon those principles?

[…]

Read the rest there.

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, I'm just askin'..., The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Olympian Middle | Tagged abortion, Albuquerque, Archd. Santa Fe, election
24 Comments

ASK FATHER: Priest told us we can receive communion twice a day. Is he right?

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I am really confused. Our parish priest told us that we can receive communion two times a day, however, I have been reading where two times a day is not always correct. Two times a day is for special circumstances, such as a wedding or a funeral and Mass. I also wonder about receiving communion at the vigil Mass on Saturday and then two more times on Sunday. Is that correct? I don’t think so. Do I understand correctly?

Catholics in the state of grace can receive twice in one day.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law says:

Can. 917 – Qui sanctissimam Eucharistiam iam recepit, potest eam iterum eadem die suscipere solummodo intra eucharisticam celebrationem cui participat, salvo praescripto Can. 921, § 2.

…

Someone who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist can receive it again (iterum) on the same day only within the Eucharistic celebration [i.e. Mass, not a Communion service] in which the person participates, with due regard for the prescription of can. 921 § 2.

That iterum does not mean “again and again”, but merely “again, one more time”.

Can. 921 § 2 says that if a person is in danger of death, he may receive Communion even it is not in the context of Mass. That is Viaticum.

Also, that “Eucharistic celebration” in the canon does not mean just any service involving Communion. It means Mass. That was cleared up by the Holy See in an official response to a dubium, an officially proposed question.

So, say in the morning you attend a Novus Ordo Communion service wherein you receive Communion, or you went to a Mass in either Form. Later in the day you stumble into a church where Mass about to be celebrated and decided to stay for it. At that Mass you can receive Communion again (iterum). This would be even if you were, say, visiting a Maronite Catholic Church, or a Ukrainian Catholic Church and their Divine Liturgy was about to get under way.

However, if you were at Holy Mass in the morning and then stumbled into a Communion service at a priest-less parish in the afternoon, you could NOT receive again because a Communion Service isn’t Mass. If you were at Mass in the morning and then in the afternoon when you were visiting your auntie in the hospital when the chaplain came, you could not receive even if the priest invited you to do so (which in my opinion he should not). However, if you stayed for another Mass immediately following, you would be able to receive.

Canon 917 tries to walk the line between promoting frequent reception of the Eucharist and a superstitious or excessive frequency, which – I can assure you – some people fall into.

The key here is that the second time must be during a Mass, and you may not enter the Mass at some late point merely in order to receive.

Viaticum, which is Communion in the context of Last Rites for someone in danger of death, is a separate issue. Even if a person has received twice in a day, if the person is in danger of death, he can – of course – be given Viaticum.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law |
11 Comments

The new SSPX seminary in these USA

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The SSPX had their US seminary in Winona, MN in an old Dominican house.

But they grew.

They built a new US seminary Virginia.

They blessed it the other day.

Posted in SSPX | Tagged SSPX
25 Comments

14 Nov – SUPER SUPER MOON

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Mark your calendars!

From Science Alert:

We’re about to see a record-breaking supermoon – the biggest in nearly 70 years
The closest full moon in the 21st century.

If you only see one astronomical event this year, make it the November supermoon, when the Moon will be the closest to Earth it’s been since January 1948.

During the event, which will happen on the eve of November 14, the Moon will appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than an average full moon. This is the closest the Moon will get to Earth until 25 November 2034, so you really don’t want to miss this one.

So how do you get a supermoon?

As NASA explains, because the Moon has an elliptical orbit, one side – called the perigee – is about 48,280 km (30,000 miles) closer to Earth than the other side (the apogee).

When the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up as the Moon orbits Earth, that’s known as syzygy (definitely something you want to keep in your back pocket for your next Scrabble match).

When this Earth-Moon-Sun system occurs with the perigee side of the Moon facing us, and the Moon happens to be on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, we get what’s called a perigee-syzygy.

That causes the Moon to appear much bigger and brighter in our sky than usual, and it’s referred to as a supermoon – or more technically, a perigee moon.

Supermoons aren’t all that uncommon – we just had one on October 16, and after the November 14 super-supermoon, we’ll have another one on December 14.

But because the November 14 Moon becomes full within about 2 hours of perigee, it’s going to look the biggest it has in nearly seven decades.

“The full moon of November 14 is not only the closest full moon of 2016, but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century,” says NASA. “The full moon won’t come this close to Earth again until 25 November 2034.”

Depending on where you’re viewing it from, the difference between a supermoon and a regular full moon can be stark, or difficult to tell. If the Moon is hanging high overhead, and you have no buildings or landmarks to compare it to, it can be tricky to tell that it’s larger than usual.

But if you’re viewing from a spot where the Moon is sitting closer to the horizon, it can create what’s known as ‘moon illusion’.

“When the moon is near the horizon, it can look unnaturally large when viewed through trees, buildings, or other foreground objects,” says NASA. “The effect is an optical illusion, but that fact doesn’t take away from the experience.”

[…]

Posted in Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged Super Moon
2 Comments

Trepidation Shot Through With Hope

Posted on 5 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am in Toronto where I am speaking at a wonderful conference called SERVIAM, focused on renewal of the sacred in the Church.

Many people have expressed to me their fears and concerns about where the world is today (many want to know about the US elections and they are well informed!), and where the Church is in the world today.

But I am also seeing and hearing concrete signs of how people are taking matters into their own hands and forming small groups of support, especially when their priests and bishops are less than optimal, or even soft-pedaling sins they confess, or smoothing over immorality in our culture.

Among the things that I have noticed are how small efforts produce good results. For example, quite a few have told me how they use this blog. That is encouraging. People have asked me to bless Rosaries prepared by my friend Fr Heilman, the Combat Rosary. They intend to give them as gifts or to use them. Many people want objects blessed and they tell me from whom they are intended and why. People are relying also on the promises of God, through the Church, for sacramentals. They are not forgetting God’s work.

The Holy Spirit is at work among a creative minority here.

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism |
6 Comments

My View For Awhile: U-Turn

Posted on 5 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I completed my two talks at the Serviam conference, giving them my ¢2 about the orientation of the soul, towards God, death and our sacred worship.

Meanwhile, I spotted a Cubs flag in the airport parking lot.

Waiting for boarding.

As I listen to the announcements, I hear a combination of good news and rather ominous news. Good: they announced that Mass was to be celebrated in the chapel (of this dreadful airport) at the top of the hour. Bad: when they announce other things, they that you have “two minutes”. No, they something like “TWO MINUTES!“. “The doors are closing NOW!” I’ve noticed a deep interested in minutes here in Canada, especially the final minutes. Could this be the influence of hockey?

The venue for the talks. We had Mass in the morning. Not shot of that, alas.

At display tables someone was peddling Rosaries (some of which I blessed) and books of my friend Fr. Heilman.

And now, it’s a quick turn around to the USA.

We did our US customs here in Toronto, oddly enough. I remember something of the kind when I visited Vancouver. It was a rather complicated and tedious process even with the fast track that I have. I’m glad I brought the special card, which was the only way that the rent a cop was going to let me into that line.

This will be a mercifully short flight and layover. And…

… don’t we set our clocks back tonight? SLEEP is needed, desperately.

UPDATE

ZUHLSDORF’S LAW kicked in.

How many Delta guys does it take to change a lightbulb?

We’ve now had a couple hours delay. Apparently they couldn’t change the light bulb.

And so they changed airplanes. It was going to be here “any minute”… from the hanger.

They didn’t specify which hour that minute might be in.

Eventually, however, they found another plane. Now that it’s here, they have to clean it. Good grief! Everyone knows that you don’t put your horse away wet!

This is becoming absurd.

I was so in need of sleep before a really early Mass.

UPDATE

Hours after our sched, we are boarding. I suspect all will be motivated to complete the process with alacrity.

Posted in On the road, What Fr. Z is up to |
2 Comments

4 Nov: The Death Mask of St. Charles Borromeo

Posted on 4 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A few years ago a priest friend of mine in an area of Switzerland which was of the Ambrosian Rite of Milan, sent me a video of a rare death mask of St. Charles Borromeo. He died after visiting that area and had actually left his biretta behind, which my friend’s church preserved.

The death mask of St. Charles Borromeo.

Truly one of the great noses of all time.

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged St. Charles Borromeo
8 Comments

ASK FATHER: I was told that you are either supposed to always veil or never veil

Posted on 4 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a readerette…

QUAERITUR:

I have developed a love for veiling at the TLM, I attend a daily NO Mass and veil there too. My mom dislikes and does not allow me to veil when I attend the NO Mass with her. I was told that you are either supposed to always veil or never veil (outside of the TLM). Can I veil part time or what should I do?

Not allow…?

First, I am glad that you are interested in covering your head while in church. This is a fine tradition, Bible-based and with a long history even in the law of the Church. That said, women no longer have an obligation under the Church’s canon law to cover their heads in church. You may cover or not as you wish.

As you wish… unless, of course, you are of an age that places you still under the authority of your parents. If you are young enough to be under their authority, then they can determine how you are to dress.

And yet, if you are going to daily Mass on your own, you may be out and on your own. If that is the case, do as you please. You have to decide how to keep the peace with your mother.

There is no requirement to cover your head always if you have done it once, to cover at the NO if you have done it at the TLM. Does that even sound right?

Full time or part time, it’s up to you.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism | Tagged chapel veil, head covering, mantilla, veil
10 Comments

I’m sure you’ve heard the word “jesuitical”.

Posted on 4 November 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You may have read about how, during the airplane presser on the way back from Sweden, Pope Francis was asked a question about the ordination of women. The Pope slammed the door hard, saying, “Never“, which on my planet, which on your planet, is an adverb that means “not ever”, “at no time” HERE

BUT WAIT! On Planet Jesuit, “Never” is far more … flexible.

I’m sure you’ve heard the word “jesuitical”.

One of my regular correspondents reacted to a piece at Jesuit-run Amerika about the Pope’s words. You’ll be shocked to learn, I’m sure, that the Jesuit publications does a logical fan dance to make never mean “well, maybe someday”. It’s Jesuit reasoning at its entertaining best!

Everyone understood exactly what Pope Francis said. But on Planet Jesuit, black is really white… or vice versa, depending on the results you want.

Bottom line: They want the ordination of women and they’ll do anything, even to a Pope’s clear words, to obfuscate and sow confusion so as to keep creating questions and pressure.

Meanwhile, as a salutary amuse–bouche before going over there to read, here’s something I spotted during my early morning review of overnight action on the interwebs:

UPDATE:

Over at the often-amusing Eye Of The Tiber I saw this:

Pope Francis Confirms Doctrine Of The Resurrection Will Last “Forever”

The Church’s belief that Jesus rose from the dead will stand forever, Pope Francis said Tuesday.

The 79-year-old pontiff made the declaration in response to a reporter who asked whether he thought the Church would always insist that Jesus actually rose from the dead.

“St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands,” Francis said during a news conference aboard the papal plane.

The reporter then went on to ask, “Forever, forever?”

“If we read carefully the declaration by St. John Paul II, it is going in that direction,” the pope responded. “St. John Paul II said, ‘In order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to do away with the Resurrection, and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.’”

The reporter followed the Pope’s statement by insisting that many people have long rejected the “archaic notion” that Jesus rose from the dead, namely atheists, agnostics, and “members of many other religions as well.”

“Do you not believe that this antiquated belief is a barrier to your desire for reconciliation with other world religions and philosophies?” the reporter asked.

“You know what? I’m going to go ahead and confirm a few more things for you,” Pope Francis responded.”Let me tell you what else I’m going to confirm. I hereby confirm that the Cubs will lose the World Series. I will also confirm that the Cubs will take another 71 years to get to the World Series and that the Padres will take 71 years to get to a .500 record. I confirm that you are going to continue to ask me stupid questions. Lastly, and more importantly, I confirm that I’m kind of shocked that I just gave a plane interview and confused no Catholics about my stance.”