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{]:¬)

MADISON All Souls Evening – Pontifical Requiem at the Throne

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It is All Souls and we are getting ready for a Pontifical Requiem at the Throne, tonight at 7 pm at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison, WI.

His Excellency Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino will be the celebrant.

The music will be Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Requiem for 4 voices.

This morning already I was out with one of the guys buying purple fabric for the canopy and throne and, I hope, sedilia.

Eager beaver carpenters have made a new canopy for the bishop’s throne.

Alas, I couldn’t find a black rug.

We have our black candle set for the altar and for the catafalque.

Slowly but surely getting everything set up. We also have a black set of pontifical vestments, except for the black gremial.

Catafalque by catafalque!

UPDATE

Meanwhile…

Another arrived…

Anything worth doing is worth over-doing.

UPDATE:

Last night His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, celebrated a Pontifical Requiem at the Throne for All Souls with the intention of the deceased priests and bishops of the Diocese.

The chapel was full and there were 10 priests in choir. We made sure that they had the candles at the right moments.

His Excellency decided to preach before the Absolution. For those of you who do not know, for a Requiem Mass it is proper to preach after Mass rather than after the Gospel.

All in all, it was a worthy endeavor. We prayed for the dead. The music was well performed. The ceremonies went fairly smoothly. The team of servers did a great job. It was a fine Mass for a good intention.

In Madison there is a diocesan wide effort to build a fund to support the formation of future priests. It is especially fitting to remember the priests of the past as we plan for priests for the future.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Four Last Things, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM |
44 Comments

A sharp view of the Synod and the winds of change

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Marco Tosatti, an Italian journalist whom I have always liked and for whom I have even greater respect now than before, has a piece at La Stampa which bears attention. What really caught my eye was his quotation at the end from a liberal journalist who works for a Left-leaning Catholic news agency, Adista.

This quote tells you more than a thousand other editorials on the Synod:

Finally a short note: It’s not very often that I find myself in agreement with Adista, a Catholic news agency. But I could not do otherwise than appreciate this editorial by Augusto Cavadi:

“Two observations to close. Newspapers are saying that this Synod has broken the Catholic Church. False: it brought into the light an old split, perhaps as old as the Church herself. Without going too far back, decades ago now the Catholic philosopher Pietro Prini had written about a submerged schism, invisible, on the part of many (bishops, priests and theologians included) in respect to the official Magisterium. In this split, it is instinctive to find oneself in sympathy with the progressives, but, and I have to add this out of love for sincerity, not without some discomfort. Between some of the current “progressives” and the immovable “conservatives”, my esteem goes to the latter, faithful to their own line of thought even when it is inconvenient to sustain it. In just a few months the change of wind has seen many bishops and pastors, who for decades accused the “reformers” of heresy, now showing themselves to be “open” and “sensitive”. This kind of thing disgusts me. These careerist conformists are too skilled in jumping onto the banged wagon of the powers-that-be-of-the-moment to merit our trust as fellow travelers.”

Posted in Liberals, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Olympian Middle | Tagged liberals, Synod of Bishops
29 Comments

The lesson of Thrasybulus

Posted on 2 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As I contemplate certain things going on in the Church right now, I am reminded of Thrasybulus of Miletus.

The story of Thrasybulus is in Book V of Herodotus’ Histories. A messenger from Periander, a 7th c. BC tyrant of Corinth, asks Thrasybulus, tyrant of Miletus, for advice on how to govern. Thrasybulus doesn’t immediately respond. Instead he leads the messenger into a field. Then, drawing his sword, he slashes the tallest ears of wheat off their stalks. The message: eliminate potential threats to your absolute rule by preemptively cutting down any men who are prominent enough to raise a challenge.

If anyone sticks his head up, chop it off.

Eliminate excellence by all necessary means and with extreme prejudice.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Si vis pacem para bellum!, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Olympian Middle | Tagged Herodotus, Tall Poppy Syndrome, Thrasybulus
34 Comments

Z-SWAG In the Wild: Zed-Head gear

Posted on 2 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a note from a reader today:

If a note of appreciation helps you to keep going, consider this a thanks.

PS. I’m sewing a Zedhead patch on the back of my leather biker jacket.

I ride a Yamaha Road Star 1600cc

I must admit, I’ve never had a thank you note quite like that. Then again, the “ZED-HEAD” Swag is pretty new! Follow the link to find out more about why I made this one.

Meanwhile, I returned from Rome to find in my mail some round “Zed-Head” magnets! I affixed one to my hardened-portable power system, which is built into an ammo can and can be charged by solar panel (which folds and fits into the can).

Thanks to the official Fr. Z Blog photoshopper, the great Vincenzo for the design. Check out his extremely cool clocks. HERE

Posted in In The Wild, Just Too Cool, Lighter fare | Tagged Pius Clock, Zed-Heads
3 Comments

MANHATTAN, NYC: Holy Innocents to remain open!

Posted on 2 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today’s Hell’s Bible has a story about the decisions Card. Dolan made about parishes that were under consideration for closure or merger.

It seems that Holy Innocents, the only parish in Manhattan to have the Extraordinary Form every day of the week, will for the time being remain open.

Also, St. Michael’s in Hell’s Kitchen, where Fr. Rutler is pastor, will remain open for now. Fr. Rutler is also the administrator of Holy Innocents.

My spies tell me that St. Michael’s might only have a couple more years.

In that same general area of the island, St. John the Baptist will merge with Holy Cross near Times Square.

Changes to parishes go into effect on 15 August 2015.

I am happy that Holy Innocents has receive a stay. It is a spiritual treasure.

UPDATE:

I received this from a reader:

Today Father George W. Rutler, announced some good news from the pulpits of his two Manhattan parishes. The historic Church of the Holy Innocents where Father Rutler is Administrator, will remain as it is. In the past year it has been increasingly active and free of debt. Recently there has been widespread interest in the fate of the historic parish. The even more historic Church of Saint Michael, once also considered for closing, has also experienced a growth in membership and in the past year contributions to its support have increased more than 500 %. Cardinal Dolan has decided to “hold in abeyance” a recommended merger of St. Michael’s with another parish and stated in his letter to the parishioners that he intends to monitor its situation “in the month and years ahead” in consideration that the church may eventually be moved to a more central location nearby in the heart of the Hudson Yards area which now is the largest real estate development in the history of the nation. [move the church? Or build a new church?] Father Rutler expressed thanks for the prayerful support of parishioners and visitors at a time when many parishes in the archdiocese are being reconfigured in response to a long period of study in the “Making All Things New” program. A year ago Father Rutler was transferred from the Church of Our Saviour where he had been pastor for twelve years. Originally, that church was once considered for closing but since then it has become internationally known and debt free, [I hear that the black ink line is plummeting like a paralyzed falcon…] with many priestly vocations., gaining Father Rutler the nickname “Father Fixer-Upper.” He asked parishioners to respect the many difficult decisions that the Cardinal has had to make and expressed his wish that the faithful will honor the confidence that archdiocesan officials have placed in them by working harder to spread the Gospel in the great city and archdiocese of New York.

Posted in Linking Back, Non Nobis and Te Deum, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged Archd. New York, Card. Dolan, Fr. Rutler, Holy Innocents, parish closures
36 Comments

Was Card. Burke prohibited from saying Mass in Austria?

Posted on 1 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Is it possible that this actually happened? I’ll try to get more information.

It seems that Card. Burke has been prohibited from celebrating Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form at the parish near Klosterneuburg in Austria, held by Augustinian Canons.

And HERE In Spanish:

Noticias en Español 30/10/2014 22:56:31
Gloria.TV News on the 31st of October 2014

A Cardenal se le prohibe celebrar Misa:
El próximo miércoles el cardenal Raymond Burke se suponía que debía celebrar una misa de rito antiguo en la iglesia parroquial de Viena de San Leopoldo, que pertenece a los monasterio muy ricos de Klosterneuburg. Pero la misa fue cancelada. El preboste de Klosterneuburg, el Padre Bernhard Backovsky ha prohibido personalmente al pastor local permitir al Cardenal celebrar.

Cardinal’s have faculties to celebrate anywhere, but they will certainly not do so if local authority is set against it. Since Card. Burke is the consummate gentleman, it is unlikely that he would press the case.

Fall out from the Synod? Perhaps someone didn’t like that Card. Burke objected to certain paragraphs of the mid-point Relatio?

We will know more about this soon.

UPDATE: 2 Nov 1306 GMT

From a friend:

People that I know at Klosterneuburg have told me that the EF is a huge point of contention there, since it was the home of Pius Parsch. Many of the older canons, some of whom knew him personally, are very proud of the fact that they were doing “the Reform” before there was a reform. When Pius XII condemns “false archeologism” in Mediator Dei, Parsch is his principal target, since he was already doing Offertory processions with the faithful carrying the gifts, Mass versus populum etc. back in the ’20s. But of course, the majority of the vocations in that house now are young Americans (or at least non-Austrians) all on fire for tradition, not just in the liturgy, but in the whole canonical life generally. If Card. Burke was in some way refused permission to say the EF, it’s a pretty safe bet that it was the canons themselves, rather than the Archdiocese of Vienna, that did it.

Posted in Liberals, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged Austria, Card. Burke, Klosterneuburg
42 Comments

“They lived not only in ages past…”

Posted on 1 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A priest friend sent this, which I now share while it is still (for me) All Saints.

By the Choir of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

I sing a song of the saints of God,
Patient and brave and true,
Who toiled and fought and lived and died
For the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
And one was a shepherdess on the green;
They were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
And his love made them strong;
And they followed the right for Jesus’ sake
The whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
And one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
And there’s not any reason, no, not the least,
Why I shouldn’t be one too.

They lived not only in ages past,
There are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints
Who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,
In church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
For the saints of God are just folk like me,
And I mean to be one too.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged All Saints
13 Comments

GERMANY: Where the weird stuff comes from

Posted on 1 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Why is it that truly weird stuff comes into the Church from Germany?

I think it may be because of a) the Church Tax and b) that Rahner won in German speaking countries.

Here is an example of how weird things are in Germany. HERE and HERE

[wp_youtube]q9anuLQtUNs[/wp_youtube]

[wp_youtube]R_Yg-aYSVKA[/wp_youtube]

Liturgy Science Theatre 3000!

Posted in Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Self-absorbed Promethean Neopelagians, You must be joking! | Tagged church tax, Die Kirchensteuer, Germany, Karl Rahner, Markus Krauth
96 Comments

What is their problem?

Posted on 1 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Tom Ryan of the Fishwrap (aka National Schismatic Reporter) has a piece about how people are ignoring Card. Kasper’s book.

I am forced to wonder: do people who are perpetually whining about the lack of mercy ever bother to go to confession?

Could it be that they don’t have a sense of how mercy is exercised in the Church is because they don’t go to confession?

If they make proposals about Communion for the civilly remarried and probably people in homosexual unions, they probably don’t believe what the Church believes about the Eucharist.

But if they are constantly banging on about a lack of mercy in the Church, I wonder of they have any contact with Christ in the Sacrament of Penance.

Is that part of their problem?

While it could be said that Pope Francis is the “Pope of Mercy”, it can also be said that he is the “Pope of the Confessional”.

Posted in Liberals, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity |
9 Comments

Orthodox Church to be re-built at World Trade Center

Posted on 1 November 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here is a video which is a digital “tour” of the future St. Nicholas [Orthodox] National Shrine to be built at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.

The video is pretty cool. I am not hot about their interior choices, but it is striking.