A Rose Vestment follow up and GREAT news! – UPDATED

Posted on 2 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 3 April 2019:

You can “Pound Fr. Finigan” by using this address/link:

paypal.me/FatherTF

And of course mine is

paypal.me/fatherz

___ Originally Published on: Apr 2, 2019

The great Fr. Finigan, His Hermeneuticalness, who is recovering from serious health issues – PRAYERS FOR HIM! – now has a little more time to write for his blog.  He posted recently a piece about the fruits of the Mass.   HERE

However, he leads off with a photo of a rose vestment laid out for Mass on Laetare Sunday and in he includes a photo of the rose Solemn Mass set that YOU readers helped to purchase in 2009 – 10 years ago! – for his parish when he was still in Blackfen.     HERE

Do some of you remember the “Pound Fr. Finigan” campaign?

That was a sad situation in Blackfen, because a whack-job took over Fr. Finigan’s place and destroyed his work.   For years I worried about that set of rose vestments.  Quo?

Fr. F writes:

Back in 2009, Damian Thompson and Fr John Zuhlsdorf encouraged many people to contribute to providing a High Mass set of rose vestments for Our Lady of the Rosary in Blackfen where I was parish priest. Those vestments were later acquired by St Bede’s at Clapham Park where they are regularly in use. There are many people who benefit from the special fruits of the Masses celebrated using those vestments.

St. Bedes!   That is terrific news!  I knew the former pastor (parish priest) there, Fr. Basden, and know the new pastor, Fr. Holden.  They recently swapped places, Fr. Basden going to Ramsgate and Fr. Holden going the Clapham Park.    Great priests, great places, fortunate people, everyone wins.

In any event, I am so relieved about the Blackfen Rose set going to St. Bedes.  I couldn’t be more pleased.

Gosh… 10 years ago!

Finally, allow me to ask for another “Pound Fr. Finigan” campaign.   Since he is no longer a parish priest as he convalesces, he doesn’t have nearly support he had before.   You know what that means.  I sure know what it means!

 

Posted in Just Too Cool, Linking Back, Mail from priests | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: “Official” Litanies approved for liturgical use? – UPDATED!

Posted on 2 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATED BELOW

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I have wondered what it means for litanies to be “approved for liturgical use”. Of course, there are many litanies floating around, and then there are those “official” litanies – but what exactly would be the liturgical context for which they are approved? I only know of the Litanies of All Saints being a part of the liturgy of the Church.

Thanks for asking about litanies.  We need more litanies and more processions.  Less nattering!  More devotions!

As you say, there are lots of litanies floating around, such as the famous Litany of Humility written by Merry del Val.   It is a good litany with good petitions and no harm is done by reciting it… on your own.   I wrote a facetious (sort of) litany: Fr. Z’s Litany for the Conversion of Internet Thugs (2.0)

However, when it comes to scheduling a collective and formal recitation of a litany, priest with people, we may used only the litanies officially approved by the Church for public worship.

There are eight Litanies officially approved by the Church for public use.

UPDATE: A priest wrote to remind me that the Congregation for Divine Worship approved other litanies.  In Ephemerides Liturgicae 127 (2013) 248-256 we find approval and text of the Litania de Domini Nostro Iesu Christo Sacerdote et Victima and the Litania de Sanctissimo Sacramento.

PDF HERE

There is the

  • Litany of Saints, used at the Easter Vigil and during ordinations, Rogation days, exorcisms, etc.
  • Litany of Loreto, the Marian Litany, often recited after the Rosary
  • Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
  • Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Litany of the Most Precious Blood
  • Litany of St. Joseph
  • UPDATED…
  • Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim
  • Litany of the Most Holy Sacrament

I have a PODCAzT about how to sing official litanies.

For example, you are a member of the Holy Name Society and you have a meeting of the many men who belong to the group.  You can have a formal singing or recitation of the Litany of the Holy Name, in church, led by the priest, etc.   During, for example, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, you could have the priest lead the Litany of the Sacred Heart.  During a lovely procession in honor of St. Joseph, you can have the singing of his litany and the same for the Blessed Virgin.

I would very much like chant notation for all of these litanies, especially the two most recently approved.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged
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HYUGE advance for Law Enforcement Officers thanks to Pres. Trump

Posted on 1 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As many of you know, I’m a big supporter of LEOs.  With my family background, I pretty much bleed blue.   Also, I am a strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment and LOTS of training for … well.. everyone, whether they decide to conceal carry or not.

That said, I had an email today from Tactical and Preparedness Newletter, which reports a stunning – pardon the pun – new development!

This is an exciting step forward and I can’t wait for the civilian version.

Tactical and Preparedness Newsletter
By: Ox and David Morris

In a bold move to Back The Blue, Trump spokesman, John Spartan, announced that a new hybrid-weapon is going to be made available to all federal, state, and local US law enforcement.

Based on the 2260s Phaser used on the TV show “Star Trek,” the pistol form weapon has stun, heat, and kill modes and an effective range of 100 meters. [Tell me YOU don’t want one!]

Dr. Raymond Cocteau said, “This will truly revolutionize law enforcement in the US. Early testing has shown that officer proficiency with the phaser is 8-10 TIMES higher than with traditional pistols because officers enjoy setting the phaser to ‘stun’ or ‘heat’ and practicing at home in addition to training at the range.”

When combined with tactical “3 seashells” training, [Very important!] it provides a huge jump in the ability to seamlessly scale force. [Split infinitive… oh well.]

“One of the biggest benefits is the ability to do realistic training in stun mode using pets, children, and spouses as moving targets.

[…]

I can’t wait for the civilian version!  Think: hordes of Unneeded Ministers of Communion swarming the sanctuary, etc.

Because I know that the mention of Pres. Trump is a “trigger” (pardon for pun) for the dems out there, and various foreigners, I’ll turn the comment moderation ON for a while.

o{];¬)

Posted in Lighter fare |
33 Comments

POSITIVE NEWS! TLM parish in @dioprovidence

Posted on 1 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Positive news from the Diocese of Providence, RI.

Here is a news story about the revival of a parish, which was going to close, by the Fraternity of St. Peter, FSSP.

I want to add a couple things before you watch this.

First, the reporter refers to this as “going back in time”. Well, yes, okay. We know that if we are going in the wrong direction, we have to retrace our steps and find the right road. However, the retracing is for the sake of the future and NOT the past!

Also, she referred to Bp. Tobin’s decision as “drastic”. NO! Common sense is NOT DRASTIC! NOT acting on common sense is drastic. She got that terribly wrong.

Finally, while I admire and support the FSSP, the REAL renewal will come from diocesan priests in their regular diocesan parishes. That’s why I want everyone to know what a terrific job Fr. Jay Finelli is doing at his place, in the Diocese of Providence, at Tiverton, RI, the Church of the Holy Ghost. Fr. Finelli has been working hard hard hard for years. Let’s not think that the FSSP would have been even a consideration if Fr. Finelli had not lead the way and shown that it was possible.

That said, Fr. K kudos to Bp. Tobin and Fr. Berg.

Posted in Fr. Z KUDOS, Just Too Cool | Tagged , ,
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Getting ready for Holy Week and singing the Passion in Latin

Posted on 1 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Where I am, we are preparing for the great Triduum with its ceremonies which make present to us, sacramentally, the mysteries they represent.

Yes, we are going full-tradition this year.

I am very hopeful about having the help of priests for these days, which will also involved the singing of the Passion.   I’ve done the whole Passion several times… whew.

In anticipation of Palm Sunday, and the Passion according to Matthew, I’ve been sending out some information to our prospective sacred ministers.  It occurred to me that priests out there might also like to have this.

Here’s an oldie ASK FATHER and also PODCAzT text from 2016.  Follow the links if you are interested:

I had a panicked email from a seemingly desperate cleric who is to sing the St. Matthew Passion for Palm Sunday.  I am glad that he wrote today instead of next Saturday!   He wanted help with the tone.

As if I have time to record the whole Passion from St. Matthew and post it here!  Sheesh!

No… wait…

I did record the whole St. Matthew Passion and post it here!  Years ago, in 2008, in my PRAYERCAzT project, which has lain dormant for a while.

Once upon a time, I was regularly recording short podcasts to help priests new to all this singing in Latin thing get the tones and Latin into their ears.

My podcast for the Palm Sunday Passion has a longish intro of beautifully sung chant from the Mass, but I get into the 30+ minute text soon enough.

Here, Father!  For you!  And good luck with the singing.

Do you need the notation? HERE

BTW… I mention the special tone for the part of the Passion excluded from the 1962 Missale.  I have for years now improvised the last part, after the genuflection and silence, in the old tone.  It works just fine and it is permitted.  In my recording, I included the excluded part, lest we lose the sound and memory of that beautiful tone for the Passion.

021 08-03-11 Palm Sunday – Passion of St. Matthew (sung)

And for good measure… before someone asks.

023 08-03-18 Passion of St. John (Good Friday – 1962 Missale Romanum)

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
2 Comments

ASK FATHER: Communion on the tongue for people with Oral Herpes – HSV-1

Posted on 1 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

Father Z, I have been diagnosed with oral herpes. It is fairly common and to my knowledge I am asymptomatic. With that said should I avoid receiving the precious blood ever? Also, can I still receive the Lords body on the tongue? Thank you

First, thank you for being concerned about other people.  Herpes simplex is contagious.  It can be transmitted through direct contact, such as kissing, and through sharing of utensils.  That would mean partaking of Holy Communion from the chalice, even though the minister ought to wipe carefully the surface each time.

A huge percentage of people have HSV-1, many contracting it as children from their parents.  Once you’ve got it, you’ve got it for life.

If you are symptomatic, I would decline receiving from the chalice.   When you are symptomatic, the surface, etc., is highly contagious.

Could you still receive on the tongue?  I think so, yes.  However, be sure to extend your tongue well and tip your head back a little to present a good “landing zone” for Father to hit with the Host.  Priests who celebrate the TLM regularly, therefore always on the tongue, generally know how to distribute without any finger/tongue contact provided that the communicant is also self-aware.

That said, you are never compelled to receive Communion at every Mass.   You can decide not to receive even though you are in the state of grace and, thereby, could receive.

Folks, when you receive Holy Communion on the tongue, STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE.  

Please please please make it easy for Father to give you the Host.   Don’t do the tip of the tongue out of the tiny space between your lips as you present your forehead at him under the edge of your chapel veil.

You don’t have to channel Gene Simmons or do your best impression of the logo of the Rolling Stones.  Just tilt your head back a little and stick your tongue out.

I know that some people from certain cultures have learned to take the Host in their teeth.  Well… okay.  That can work too even though there is also a long tradition of not breaking the Host with the teeth, but rather, if possible, letting the Host mostly dissolve before swallowing.

Think about other people, their well-being and their sensitivities.  That’s charity, which always involves self-sacrifice for the good of others.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
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ACTION ITEM! Prayers for the late Fr. Augustin Toshio Ikeda, chaplain of Traditional Latin Mass in Tokyo

Posted on 1 April 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Dear readers, I earnestly request your prayers for the repose of the soul of a great priest, extremely important to his flock in Japan, Fr. Augustin Toship Ikeda.

I met Fr. Ikeda during my last trip to Tokyo, in January.

My friend, and a coordinator of Una Voce Japan, Augustin Shinsuke Yoshikawa, sent me this notice:

Our beloved priest, Fr. Augustin Toshio Ikeda, Paulist priest, chaplin of our Latin Mass Community in Japan, passed away yesterday, on 31st March.

Thank you all for your earnest prayers for his recovery.

He guided us from 2012 and was lux mundi for us among priests in Japan who are hostile or indifferent to Traditional Latin Mass.

I was honored to serve him as acolyte and his presence always made me aware that God is merciful.

Funeral will be held in Wakaba house, Tokyo on 3rd April.

While I was in Tokyo, I learned how important Fr. Ikeda was to the Japanese Catholic community and, in particular, for the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass.  These good people have endured a great blow.  In solidarity, help them with prayers.

Pray for Fr. Ikeda.

Posted in ACTION ITEM! | Tagged ,
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Patience?

Posted on 31 March 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please pardon the delay for the new LENTCAzT. I’m a little tired. The last couple of days have been exacting. Among other things, I was a speaker at a fine men’s conference in Milwaukee, an amazing event, really.

I’ll be on it right away. I’m just a bit drained. How did Bilbo put it? “I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
5 Comments

Your LAETARE Sunday Sermon Notes & Rose Vestment POLL

Posted on 31 March 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Was there a good point in the sermon you heard at the Mass to fulfill your Sunday Obligation?  Let us know.

Here’s mine.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Also, did you see rosacea vestments today (hopefully not baby-rattle pink)?

Anyone can vote, but only registered and approved users can add comments.

TEST POLL (because it was broken and we're fixing it))

View Results

An image from the live stream.  At the end of Mass, on the way out, we have a custom of – each in order as we leave the sanctuary – tipping our hats to the Blessed Virgin.

Posted in POLLS, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged , ,
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POSITIVE! New head transformed Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” within the CDF

Posted on 31 March 2019 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Edward Pentin reports at the National Catholic Register that Francis has appointed someone to run the new section within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which has taken over the brief of my old stomping ground the former ad hoc Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei“.

Msgr. Patrick Descourtieux!

Descourtieux, French, has been a professor of Patristics at my school, the Patristic Institute Augustinianum (across the street from the Palazzo Sant’Uffizio and colonnade of St. Peter’s Square).  He also worked with the now CDF-absorbed PCED for many years.

Msgr. Descourtieux is sincerely dedicated in regard to traditional groups, level headed, very smart and well-informed.

This is a very positive development.

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