“Month’s Mind” TLM Requiem (Missa Cantata) for Justice Antonin Scalia.

Posted on 5 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a note that there will be a Sung Requiem Mass in the traditional form of the Roman Rite for the one month mark for the repose of the soul of Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday 12 March at 12 Noon at St. Rita’s in Alexandria, VA.

You may know that it is traditional to celebrated Masses on certain “minding” days after someone’s death.  Typically a Requiem is offered at the 30 day mark and 1 year after.  Masses are also traditionally offered on the day of death itself or when the news of death arrives, on the 3rd day after and the 7th day after death. When counting these days we can count from the day of death or burial without including the day of death or burial in the count. So, if Joe Bagofdonuts goes to the Lord on Monday 5 June, we start counting from Tuesday 6 June.

The “mind” Mass tradition is quite ancient. The very early Apostolic Constitution speaks of the third day after death because that is how long Christ was in the tomb. St. Augustine and St. Ambrose mention them as established custom already in the 4th and 5th c. St. Ambrose in De fide resurrectionis writes: “Nunc quoniam die septem ad sepulchrum redimus, qui dies symbolum futurae quietis est … Now since on the seventh day, which day is the symbol of future repose, we return to the tomb.” Ambrose also wrote of the 30th day in his work on the death of the Emperor Theodosius: “Quia alii tertium diem et trigesimum; alii septimum et quadragesimum observare consueverunt, quid doceat lectio consideremus … Since some have been accustomed to keep the third and the thirtieth day; others the seventh and the fortieth; let us consider what the lesson teaches.” And of course we have many instances of sermons on the anniversaries or feasts of the deaths of martyrs.

Pray for the dead, consider the Four Last Things daily and…

GO TO CONFESSION.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Events, Four Last Things, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , ,
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POLL – VIDEO: Should there be a basic quiz before you are given a ballot?

Posted on 4 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

We are in soooo much trouble.

We let these kids vote!

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Look what the education system as accomplished.

Yes, that video is from 2014. Does anyone think that the situation has improved in the meantime?

Basic civics… history… gone.

Could they have passed a written test, have done better than when suddenly put on the spot? Maybe. But those questions were pretty basic. Am I wrong?

Sometimes I wonder. If you can’t name your senators and rep at least at the national level, if you don’t know the names of the President or Vice President, if you haven’t a clue about … much… should you be given a ballot?

Folks, please do what you can to make sure that your children know something? And not just about their Catholic Faith but about their country as well?

QUAERITUR…

Choose your best answer. The combox is open to those who are registered and approved here. As always, THINK before posting. If you engage someone, do so thoughtfully and address them directly. It isn’t wrong to be content to read if you can’t think or be polite.

Should there be a basic knowledge quiz before a voter can have a ballot?

View Results

UPDATE:

As I continue to think about this, and the whole question of disenfranchising the un-informed, … what about people who just vote straight party? Along party lines? Should there be a challenge question? “Which of these platforms is that of the political party for whom you are voting?” And for “independents”?

Complicated. Throughout history, from the Greek polis onward, people have tried to figure out voting rights and qualifications. My frivolous poll can’t solve much, but… hey! It’s the 2016 Frustration Election!

Posted in POLLS | Tagged , ,
69 Comments

Pope Francis on Confession and Confessors

Posted on 4 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Holy Father speaks of confession, the Sacrament of Penance, not rarely.

He just gave the Pope’s annual address to a group which participates in a workshop held by the Sacra Penitenzieria Apostolica.  I did that workshop several times.  I urge all clerics in Rome to take it when it is offered during Lent.

This year the Holy Father said (HERE), among other things…

“Let us restore to the centre – and not only in this Jubilee Year – the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a true space of the Spirit in which all, confessors and penitents, are able to experience the only definitive and faithful love, that of God for each one of His children, a love that never disappoints. [If there is anything in the Church that needs a serious effort at restoration, it’s the Sacrament of Penance.  ] St. Leopold Mandic reiterated that God’s mercy outstrips all our expectations. He used to say to those who suffered, ‘We have in Heaven the heart of a mother. The Virgin, our Mother, who at the foot of the Cross experienced all the suffering possible for a human creature, understands our hardships and consoles us’. May Mary, refuge of sinners and Mother of Mercy, always guide and sustain the fundamental ministry of Reconciliation“. [Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us!]

With regard to the issue of what a priest should do if he finds himself unable to give absolution, [It doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen.  Sometimes a person gets into the box who isn’t Catholic.  Sometimes, a person doesn’t confess anything.  Sometimes a person doesn’t demonstrate desire to change.  Remember that all sacraments have both form (the words of absolution) and matter (the sins that are confessed).  No confession of sins, no matter to be absolved, no absolution.  Examine your consciences and confess all mortal sins in both kind and number.  Learn a good, classic Act of Contrition.] the Holy Father recommended, “First of all, see if there is a way; many times you will find it. [Sometimes confessors have to ask a couple questions.] Secondly, do not focus only on spoken language, but also on the language of gestures. [Not apparent if there is a fixed grate or screen, but his point is good.] There are people who do not want to speak but through their gestures demonstrate their repentance, their pain. [Ummm… they have to communicate something to absolve.  I’m sure he is talking about those who have a hard time spitting it out.] And thirdly, if you cannot offer absolution, [rare… Once a priest is convinced that the penitent is a) finished and b) truly sorry and c) wants to amend her life, he should not delay in giving absolution.] speak like a father: ‘Listen, I cannot absolve you of this, but I can assure you that God loves you, that God awaits you. Let us pray together to Our Lady, so that she may protect you, and come, return, as I will await you as God does’, and give a blessing. … This is always the point: there, there is a father. … God knows how to forgive things better than we do. But may there at least be the image of the Father”, concluded Francis.

I say…

GO TO CONFESSION!

What on earth are you waiting for?  Your last breath?  Does that seem smart to you in even the least way?

Don’t play fast and loose with your eternal salvation.

If you are aware of serious sins,

GO TO CONFESSION!

It’s a matter of eternal life or eternal death.

See

Posted in Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , ,
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YEMEN: 4 Missionaries of Charity, 12 others handcuffed, shot in head at retirement home

Posted on 4 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The practitioners of the Religion of Peace have been at it again.

From FNC:

Gunmen execute 16 people, including 4 nuns, in Yemen retirement home

A team of gunmen unleashed a massacre at a retirement home run by Catholic nuns in Yemen Friday, killing 16 people including four nuns, Yemeni security officials and witnesses said.

The gunmen then moved from room to room, handcuffing the victims before shooting each of them in the head. A nun who survived said that she hid inside a fridge in a storeroom after hearing a Yemeni guard shouting “run, run.”

Missionaries of Charity, an organization established by Mother Teresa, runs the home in the chaotic southern port city of Aden, which descended into lawlessness after a Saudi-led coalition recaptured the city from Shiite Houthi rebels last summer.

Yemen’s civil war has split the country in two. The northern region, where Shiite rebels are in control, has been struck by an extensive air campaign by a Saudi-led coalition. The southern region, which is controlled by the internationally-recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia, is suffering from a power and security vacuum. The Islamic State terror group and al-Qaida affiliates have exploited the lawlessness and created safe havens in the south.

No terror group immediately claimed credit for Friday’s slaughter.

Khaled Haidar told The Associated Press that he counted 16 bodies including that of his brother, Radwan, in the home. All had been shot in the head and were handcuffed. He said that in addition to the four nuns, six Ethiopians, one Yemeni cook, and Yemeni guards were among those killed.

Haidar said his family was the first to arrive at the house and that he spoke to the surviving nun, who was crying and shaking. Haidar said that his family later handed her over to a group of southern fighters in charge of security in the local Aden district of Sheikh Osman.

Vikas Swarup, the spokesman of India’s External Affairs Ministry, said the attackers had asked the guard to open the gate on the pretext of visiting their mothers at the retirement home.

Sts. Nunilo and Alodia, pray for us.
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
St. Pius V, pray for us.

Posted in The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Religion of Peace | Tagged , , ,
22 Comments

NYC Days 1-2: Wine, Women and Song

Posted on 3 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am in New York for a few days as the guest of a member of the Constantian Order of St George for their investiture, to see an opera, and have some R&R in the galleries of the Met. I’ll have some Masses too.

The Met, by the way, has changed its logo, etc.  I don’t like it.  First, they got rid of the metal pins, the thieves, and went to adhesive tags.  Now this.


I carry little blank books to make lots of notes and sketches.   One of you readers sent the one I am using now.  They were in my wish list.  Thanks.

Here is a lovely Ancient Greek Attic red-figure wine-chiller called a psykter.  It is sort of mushroom shaped.  It is a great example of function defining form with balanced decorations.


It was designed to bob about in a larger wide open vessel of cold water.

It dates to about 520 BC.

As it moved the dolphins would seem to swim.  Nifty.

Also going on now is an Exhibit of the French portrait painter Elizabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun who was active for about 50 years and died in 1842.  She was a favorite of the court, especially the unpopular Marie Antoinette and she had to flee when the terror of the Revolution started.   She worked in Rome, Naples, Vienna and St Petersburg.  I have to admit that she’s got game, even though she was mainly limited to portraits, mostly – but not exclusively – of women.  She must have had a knack for keeping her sitters engaged and entertained.  They never look stiff or uncomfortable.


Here is a pastel self portrait in traveling clothes she made when she fled Paris in a harrowing coach ride with. according to her memoirs, a evil-smelling criminal who described having killed people she happened to know.  She doesn’t look much at peace.

Also, to make up for the lack of The Feeder Feed, have some birds… from 18th  c. Germany.


The hoopoe is quite elegant.

The song comes tomorrow in the form of Donizetti.

Lunch yesterday: Chinese – some spicy lamb and cumin.



Lunch today: hot dogs with mustard and kraut from the cart in front of the Met.

Oops photo didn’t save.   Well, you know what these look like.  Maybe I’ll get another on the way out.  It’s a good cause because the cart supports a wounded Marine.

I’m always sad when I have to leave the Met.  Almost as sad as this little 15th c. alabaster Catalan guy.

UPDATE:

Having abandoned my comfy black BDU for the black suit, vest, links and dressier shoes, I was out for my next round of obligations.

After singing a Missa Cantata using the Votive Mass for Jesus the High and Eternal Priest,  I went to my event.   It was nice to have had the “High Mass”, since Card. McCarrick was at the other Mass… if you get my drift.

My host and I eventually left the reception and headed for a late supper.  Along the way…

Now, as I ready myself for Morpheus, my dogs are seriously barking.  I went from these, to these.  The one pair, with Foxfire socks, I can wear and walk in all day, every day, stand in museums, trudge and dash as I need.  They don’t slip on slick or oily surfaces.  I’ve broken ankles doing stuff, so the one pair is really helpful. These others… whew.

I haven’t often wanted custom made shoes, but today?…. damn.

Posted in On the road, The Feeder Feed, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged ,
16 Comments

The Three Days of Darkness – 2016

Posted on 2 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Three Days of Darkness took place again this year in L.A.  I was actually in L.A. at the time, but I didn’t have a chance to get down there and participate.  Darn.

Here is a video of a typical Darkness Days “Liturgy”.

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I am for once glad that they use the vague word “Liturgy” throughout, since “Mass” seemed inappropriate.

Be sure to take in the crowd choreography at about 24:15

I don’t know what’s going on from about 35:40.  But I didn’t understand Laudato si’: The Movie either.

And if you are looking for liturgical dance, 41:15 with the Karo Syrup music we have all learned to loathe so much.  What makes it great is how seriously they take it all.

48:45 – things get really weird, pantheistically weird, in the “penitential rite”.  We have, apparently, committed sins against “Brother Tree” with our ecological sins.  Watch the people try the choreography. Take the time to listen to the bizarre ramblings.

The sacrilege doesn’t end there. “Offertory” about 1:40:00

Another Darkness “Liturgy” … HERE I’m sure you an find your favorite moments on your own.

Ditto… HERE… the closing “thing”. The first 8 minutes might make your eyes and ears bleed. No, really. The Gospel is a sort of High School reader’s theatre bit – 29:15 And then there’s 1:49:00 following.

“But Father! But Father!”, some of you are bleating, “You are judgmental and you pollute the earth and harm Brother Tree and Sister Turtle and Cousin Effluvium. This liturgy is what Vatican II wanted! It’s… in there. It is! This is what Pope Francis is leading us to! Oneness with creation and no more sinning against the Earth. That’s the real sin, being against ecology, and … and…you don’t get it because you hate Vatican II!”

All I’ll add is that, as I watched, I had the odd sensation of my IQ dropping point by point and estrogen invading my brain through the video feed.

May all the saints and angels preserve us.

Posted in Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, You must be joking! | Tagged ,
98 Comments

My View For Awhile: Never Sleeps Edition

Posted on 2 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Having spent a day in the Cupboard Under The Stairs, to wash clothes and refresh the suitcase, I’m off on this cold dark morning once again.  Sleep?  Pffft.

  

Happy there were many good parking slots available.

  

This is a CRJ700: blech.

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

A new ride home from Bugatti

Posted on 1 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The new Bugatti has been revealed.

From CNN:

Bugatti Chiron: Meet the next ‘world’s fastest supercar’ [In Greek mythology Chiron was a centaur with a gift for healing. He eventually gave up immortality and was placed by the gods in the heavens as the constellation Centaurus. BTW… be sure to read Michael O’Brien’s Journey to Alpha Centauri]

Bugatti unveiled a new high-performance supercar at the Geneva Motor Show on Monday.

The French car maker currently produces only four models — all variations of the famed Bugatti Veyron. The Veyron was introduced in 2005 and the “Veyron 16.4 Super Sport” was named the world’s fastest production car by the Guiness Book of World Records in 2013.

But the Veyron era is about to end.

Bugatti says that the new generation, the Chiron, will be a “completely new development.” According to the car maker, it’ll be faster, more powerful and even more expensive, with a base price of €2.4 million ($2.6 million).

“It is part of human nature to cross boundaries and set new records,” Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. President Wolfgang Dürheimer said in a statement. “This striving is also our driving force at Bugatti. The Chiron is the result of our efforts to make the best even better.”

The new model will have 1,500 HP to work with, which is 300 HP more than the record-setting Veyron. The Chiron’s top speed remains to be seen, but it will be capped at 420 km/h (260 mph) for road use.  [Capped?!?]

Bugatti — which is part of Volkswagen — will make just 500 of the first Chiron series, and a third of them have already been sold. The company began giving private presentations of the car to “select customers” last fall, and will deliver the new cars this fall.

Maybe the price will drop on a used Veyron?

Posted in Just Too Cool | Tagged , , , ,
14 Comments

ACTION ITEM! @povertyinc – UPDATE

Posted on 1 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Click me!

UPDATE:

Poverty, Inc. is now available on Amazon, Amazon On-Demand, and iTunes. The has been screened in over 40 festivals, 100 universities, and 160 cities.

____ Original Published on: Feb 17, 2016

My friend Michael Miller of Acton Institute sent me a note about the release of the DVD and on-demand Poverty, Inc.  We were given a preview during Acton University last summer.  It is truly an amazing film.

It won Templeton’s 2015 Freedom Award.

Here is what Miller sent:

Dear friends,

Great news! Poverty, Inc. will be released on DVD and video-on-demand on March 1st.

You can pre-order today on iTunes, Amazon DVD, and Amazon On-Demand.

Pre-orders and reviews factor into the exposure the film receives on these platforms (right now Poverty, Inc. is #7 on iTunes “Best Sellers” for March 1st). Help us get to #1!

As a special thank you, we’re sending movie posters to the first 100 people who pre-order and write a review (positive or negative, but we hope positive…) a limited edition Poverty, Inc. movie poster. Just email us your review and receipt along with your mailing address.

Finally we’d love it if you could help share the March 1st release of Poverty, Inc. on social media and by forwarding this email to your friends.

Here’s the trailer…

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I have actually thought to get a screening of Poverty, Inc. for a wider audience.

Get on board!

Posted in ACTION ITEM! | Tagged , ,
13 Comments

ASK FATHER: Learning Fear of the Lord

Posted on 1 March 2016 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I have been exploring Fear of the Lord, beginning with Sirach and the OT. I think I understand Pope Francis’ point about it not being a servile fear but one born of awe and oriented to love. The Jewish resources are illuminating and fascinating.

My question is, Father, “how does one learn to fear the Lord?” Is it a mystical experience that is sought in prayer or a practical conclusion of recognizing that we need to fear, as Jesus reminds us, the One who can do more than destroy the body?

Fear of the Lord is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It seems to me that one doesn’t so much learn how to do it, but rather one prays that one be given it and that it be increased.

When we fear, what we fear is an evil.  The object of fear is an evil.  But God is good, not evil.  How do we rightly fear God?

We rightly fear separation from God and punishment for sin.  And so we turn to God in fear and in hope.   Turning to God in fear of punishment is a lesser motive than turning to God in fear of sin.  Children fear punishment from their father.  However, it is better to fear that which offends the father.   Consider the difference between attrition (sorrow for sins because we dread punishment) and the more pleasing contrition (sorrow for sin because of God’s love).  Our service of God is more pleasing and better when we serve in love, fearing to offend, rather than lesser, servile fear of sin’s consequences for ourselves.

Like any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, one can dispose oneself to receive it by practicing the natural aspects of it.  A few pointers might be…

Submit with docility to authority.

Exercise reverence and humility.

Do not act in a manner too familiar or casual with sacred things, places or persons.

Place oneself in an appropriate stance before the Lord who is the creator of the universe.

Kneel a lot.

One of the things we can all do to increase Fear of the Lord in the whole Church and, therefore, the world is to pray and work together to eliminate Communion in the hand.

We can also pray and work to increase reverent sacred worship especially through the use of the traditional Roman Rite.

Save The Liturgy – Save The World.

 

 

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged
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