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{]:¬)

Teacher trashes 1st graders Christmas gifts: “Jesus is not allowed in school”

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

More liberal tolerance.

TEACHER REPORTEDLY SEIZES FIRST-GRADER’S CHRISTMAS GIFT AND TRASHES AFFIXED RELIGIOUS STORY

A first-grade teacher in California told a student that “Jesus is not allowed in school” before removing a religious story the child affixed to candy canes in celebration of Christmas last month, a non-profit legal firm claims.

The incident reportedly unfolded on Dec. 13, when 6-year-old Isaiah Martinez brought gifts for his peers to Merced Elementary School in West Covina, Calif.

According to a press release distributed by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, the firm handling the case, “Each gift consisted of a traditional candy cane with a message attached that recited the legend of the candy cane. The legend references a candy maker who created the candy cane to symbolize the life of Jesus Christ.”

According to the legal group, when Martinez presented the gifts, he was met with major resistance from his teacher, who reportedly took the candy canes and removed the Christian story affixed to them.

“After conferring with the school principal, the teacher told Isaiah that ‘Jesus is not allowed in school’ and, at the apparent direction of her principal, ripped the candy cane message from each candy cane, threw the messages in the trash, and handed the candy canes back to Isaiah for delivery to his classmates,” the press release continued. “Isaiah then nervously handed the candy canes to his classmates in fear that he was in trouble for trying to bring a little Christmas cheer and ‘good tidings’ to class.”

[…]

Read the rest there.

Thanks heaven little Isaiah didn’t post happy, innocent season’s greetings in the Fishwrap‘s combox! Can you imagine what they would have done to him over there?

Posted in Liberals, Our Catholic Identity, Religious Liberty, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged bigots, Christmas, reglious bigotry, War on Christmas
22 Comments

The National ‘c’atholic Reporter’s combox travails. Wherein Fr. Z responds. (UPDATE: John Allen leaving!)

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I saw over at Fishwrap (aka National Schismatic Reporter) that the promethean neopelagian powers-that-be have closed the comboxes on all their posts, articles, entries.

“¡Vaya lío!”? Not so much, I guess.

Apparently Fishwrap’s editors didn’t like what people were writing. Things were, I dunno… getting out of hand?

I have some sympathy with that predicament: wholly anonymous commentators can be authentic jerks.

My solution has been to impose registration and to act like a benevolent dictator. I want you to have a place to comment, but this is more like my living room than it is Hyde Park.

I have, from my sympathy, begun to think about setting up a special corner for Fishwrappers here at my place.

It would need a name, of course.

Keep your eyes peeled for a possible document from my pen entitled:

Pisciobvolventium coetibus

UPDATE 2117 GMT:

And now it seems that John Allen is leaving the Fishwrap to be an assistant editor for, the horror, The Boston Globe. HERE My best wishes to Mr. Allen on his new path.

I predict that, with the closing of the comboxes and the departure of Mr. Allen, Fishwrap is going to be shriller than ever as they flail around.

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Liberals, Lighter fare | Tagged Fishwrap, National Schismatic Reporter, NSR, Pisciobvolventium coetibus, self-absorbed promethean neopelagians
35 Comments

REVIEW: Travel-size 1962 Missale Romanum – AT LAST!

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Looking for a gift for a traditionally-minded priest?
Looking for a gift for a soon-to-be-ordained seminarian?
Looking for materials for your budding Extraordinary Form Mass group in your parish?
Looking for the right stuff for your own home’s private chapel for when Father visits?

This is just the thing.

I recently received from the great Canons of St. John Cantius in Chicago, a new printing of a travel-size 1962 Missale Romanum. They have it in their webstore. HERE

So many priests and I have lamented the paucity of small-format altar missals, more convenient for travel or for smaller altars in, say, private chapels. Now we have a good option.

Let’s have a look.

The book comes in a sturdy slip cover. It is bound in burgundy leather with gilt-edged pages and sturdy tabs.

Embossed with gold.

Fine quality paper and very clear font.

It was produced by the Fraternity of St. Peter. However, the guys at St. John Cantius sent me one and the FSSP guy did not. Ergo…

It is published with ecclesiastical approval.

You can see the size of the book in relation to my thumb.

In relation to a pen.

The so-called “Gallican Prefaces” are included among the standard Prefaces. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, these are Prefaces for Advent, the Blessed Sacrament, Dedication of a Church, All Saints and Holy Patrons. They were granted for use in 1962. Not everyone agrees that they ought to be used, but I would rather have them in the book and be able to choose to use them or not.

A fine image of the Lord, as the “T” of the Te igitur.

Of course the More Solemn Tone of Prefaces are included in an appendix.

I like the way the ribbons are constructed. They are strong and reinforced but in such a way as not to damage the pages. There are six ribbons. That should get us by.

Placet.

From the Biretta Books website:

The high quality features of this beautifully produced Missale Romanum include: 1224 pages with gilt edges, 6 ½”width x 8 5/8”height x 1 5/8”depth, handmade plastic tabs on both sides, bordered bands, cover in burgundy split leather with gold stamping, and includes a sturdy Missal slipcase.

Please note that since this Missal was printed in Germany, the propers for the United States or Canada are not included. We will soon have a supplement with the American feasts that can be inserted in the Missal.

NB: I exchanged email with Fr. Haynes in Chicago. They are indeed publishing the supplement for the USA. He didn’t say when it would be available, but I assume it is coming soon.

To purchase this fine Missale Romanum go HERE.

Also, there is a video about the missal:

PS: One of these days we will get a really small one, like those used by military chaplains back in the day.

Posted in Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged Biretta Books, Mass kit gifts for priests, Missale Romanum, St. John Cantius
11 Comments

ASK FATHER: Father took away our kneelers! What can we do?

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Our very new parish pastor removed our Communion kneelers this past Sunday. They had been in standard use for at least the last 10 years if not longer.
Many parishioners are quite upset, but he certainly isn’t denying anyone Communion kneeling and on the tongue. He’s just making it hard or impossible for the aged and infirm (and the pregnant, like me). We all know GIRM 160, [See HERE] but do we have any recourse for getting our kneelers back? (It is well known that the Bishop will not be on our side on this).

First, I am sorry that you have a cruel priest.

Sad news. I don’t think you parishioners have much hope in this case.

If the kneelers were of significant artistic or historic value, there might be some possibility to argue for their preservation. On the other hand, Father Cleverboots could then claim that he removed them to preserve them!

I suggest some direct dialogue with the priest, prompted by a large number of people. Perhaps their pleas will soften his heart, along prayers to his Guardian Angel. If, however, Father digs in his heels, there’s little earthly recourse, especially if the local bishop is unsympathetic and uncooperative.

Moreover, if you are physically able, you can kneel anyway, with or without the piece of furniture. Redemptionis Sacramentum 91 remains in force.

Then there is The Nuclear Option.

I refer the honorable questioner to the Bux Protocol.

I once heard Msgr. Nicola Bux answer a questioner during a conference about an uncooperative bishop, thusly:

“St. Joseph is Patron of the Church. You must pray a lot to St. Joseph in this situation, that he either open the bishop’s eyes or he close them for good. [applause laughter] This isn’t a joke, eh? St. Joseph is truly very powerful. You must pray a lot to St. Joseph. Moreover St. Joseph was placed in the Roman Canon by Pope John. You can also put him into all the other Eucharistic Prayers after the Blessed Virgin Mary saying ‘and St. Joseph her Spouse’. I am convinced that St. Joseph will do a great deal.”

You might pray to St. Joseph – Terror of Demons, Patron of the Dying, Solace of the Afflicted, Protector of the Church – and ask him to help get the prie-dieu back.

He was a carpenter, right?

Go to Joseph.

UPDATE:

Some participants in the combox – still open! – below suggest bringing your own kneeler! There are “garden kneelers”. Who knew?

Here is a handy link to one. HERE And it adjusts into a handy seat!

I am picturing the Communion line…. heh heh.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged Bux Protocol, GIRM 160, kneelers, prie-dieu, Redemptionis Sacramentum, St. Joseph
32 Comments

ASK FATHER: Do the faithful have the right to make a confession anonymously?

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest:

Do the faithful have the right to anonymous confession? If anonymous confession is not available, are they excused from confession until they can get to an anonymous confession? Do priests have a right to anonymous confession?

Can 964 § 2 of the 1983 CIC states:

Ad sedem confessionalem quod attinet, normae ab Episcoporum conferentia statuantur, cauto tamen ut semper habeantur in loco patenti sedes confessionales crate fixa inter paenitentem et confessarium instructae, quibus libere uti possint fideles, qui id desiderent.

Insofar as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be laid down by the conferences of bishops, though with the caveat that they, furnished with a fixed grate between penitent and confessor, which the faithful who desire it can use according to his own will (libere), always be located in an open place.

This canon doesn’t use the language of “rights” – which rings oddly when speaking of the Church and the sacraments, even though this sort of language crops up here and there.

Nevertheless, the canon clearly states that a confessional with a fixed grate is to be available so that the faithful, the fideles (fideles includes deacons, priests and bishops, by the way) who desire to may use them.

That said, were parish priest and local bishop not adhering to the universal law and not providing a confessional with a grate for the faithful, the faithful would not be dispensed from the obligation to make a confession annually. Moreover, the lack of obedience on the part of the parish priest or bishop in this matter would not dispense the faithful from the requirement to confess all mortal sins in kind and number before the reception of the Blessed Sacrament.

Bottom line: the lack of a fixed grille or grate does not let anyone off the hook.

“But Father! But Father!”, some of you non-clerical fideles are saying by now, “What’s a sinner to do? What if we want to preserve our anonymity but the arrangement the priest provides doesn’t allow it?”

First, notify your local bishop with a brief, firm and polite letter and send a copy of same to the Apostolic Nuncio.

Also, perhaps the faithful who are denied the option of confessing behind a grate, after writing to the bishop, could borrow a Muslim neighbor’s burqa, or use a large hand fan.

In addition, the pastor is adamant about not installing a fixed grate, perhaps a note might be added to one’s weekly offering,

“Dear Father, I am sorry that our offering has gone down from $100 per week to $50 per week, but we’ve had to made budgetary provisions for gas for our weekly visit to the Shrine of St. Winwaloe in order to go to confession anonymously behind a fixed grate. We’re also making a large annual donation to the good monks there for their kindness in allowing us to confess anonymously.”

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged can.964, confession, confessional, fixed grate, grille, reconciliation, sacrament of penance
35 Comments

The visual image of what happened in that room made my flesh crawl.

Posted on 6 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I’m sharing this because even the visual image of what happened in that room made my flesh crawl.

From the Albany Times Union:

Jerome M. Hauer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s director of homeland security, took out his handgun and used the laser sighting device attached to the barrel as a pointer in a presentation [?!?!?] to a foreign delegation, according to public officials. It happened Oct. 24 in Albany at the highly secure state emergency operations center below State Police headquarters.

These officials, one of whom claimed to be an eyewitness, said that three Swedish emergency managers in the delegation were rattled when the gun’s laser tracked across one of their heads before Hauer found the map of New York, at which he wanted to point. [?!?!?]

Hauer, commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, was disabled by a stroke a few years ago and can be unsteady. He isn’t a law enforcement official. He carries the loaded 9-millimeter Glock in a holster into state buildings, an apparent violation of state law barring state employees from bringing weapons to the workplace, several witnesses say. [I, for one, am grateful to our elitist liberal overlords.]

[…]

Asked about the matter over the course of several weeks, Cuomo’s press aide promised to look into it but has repeatedly had no comment. Hauer’s communications officer, Peter Cutler, also promised to look into it, but he has declined to respond beyond saying he is unaware that it happened. “I’ve heard rumors,” Cutler said.

[…]

I would be in favor of stricter gun control laws…. for this guy!

Need a laser pointer? No prob. Just USE YOUR GUN?!?

Okay, realizing that you have to give a presentation and you forgot your laser pointer…. walk over to the map and use your damn finger!

The hair stood up on my arms as I read of this stupid stupid stupid lapse of attention and discipline. Assuming the man had any training, that is. I can easily imagine that he, as one of the state’s liberal elite, was handed his CCW license without any of that tiresome gun safety course and training falderol.

Meanwhile, my law-abiding friends in New York find it nearly impossible to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights because of people like these.

UPDATE 6 Jan 0031 GMT:

In other news, from CBS:

Judge Overturns Chicago’s Ban On Gun Sales, Keeps It In Place For Now

CHICAGO (AP) – A federal judge has potentially opened a new market to gun dealers after ruling as unconstitutional Chicago ordinances that aim to reduce gun violence by banning their sale within the city’s limits.
U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang said Monday that while the government has a duty to protect its citizens, it’s also obligated to protect constitutional rights, including the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. However, Chang said he would temporarily stay the effects of his ruling, meaning the ordinances can stand while the city decides whether to appeal.
The decision is just the latest to attack what were some of the toughest gun-control laws in the nation. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Chicago’s long-standing gun ban. And last year, Illinois legislators were forced by a federal appeals court to adopt a law allowing residents to carry concealed weapons; it was the only state that still banned the practice. The resulting law largely stripped officials in the city and surrounding Cook County of their authority to regulate guns, which especially irked officials in Chicago, where residents had to apply for concealed-carry permits through the police superintendent.

[…]
[…]

Posted in Liberals, You must be joking! | Tagged 2nd amendment
29 Comments

Collegiality: an inquiry

Posted on 6 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today in Corriere della Sera there is an article about the Pope’s recent appointment of a bishop of an obscure diocese in Italy as interim Secretary of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI). As top offices of the CEI lapse further into lame-duck state, the Roman Pontiff – who has traditionally made the appointments – provided an interim solution until the bishops start to vote for the new President, etc.

Big deal, you say. Right? There’s more.

The article in Corriere says that Pope Francis told outgoing President of the CEI, Angelo Card. Bagnasco (whom Francis did not confirm as a member of the Congregation for Bishops) that he needed a list of candidates for the secretary position, and he needed it quickly. Thus began a collegial process: the Pope asks advice, the bishops give advice. Bagnasco polled the Italian bishops for names, a list was created, bishops voted to sort out their top choices. Pope Francis was subsequently handed the list – he requested – of the candidates preferred by the bishops.

His Holiness chose Bishop Nunzio Galantino of the Diocese of Cassano allo Ionio in Calabria.

With due respect to His Excellency and this undoubtedly lovely place, Cassano allo Ionio is to Italy what Biloxi is to these USA, and an Italian’s first reaction to hearing His Excellency’s name is likely to be “Who?” Don’t get me wrong. Obscurity can be great! Obscurity can mean quality!

But obscurity aside, Corriere also says that of all the candidates, Bp. Galantino had only one vote from the bishops polled before the list was turned over to the Pope for his decision.

The Pope ran his finger down the list, bypassing the well-known from esteemed places and picked the guy at the very bottom. If this was indeed a terna, a list of three names, and if the guy the Pope picked had only one vote from the other bishops polled to create the terna, then the two others whom the Pope didn’t pick had a lot of votes.

The appointment of an interim secretary to a conference of bishops isn’t in itself a very big deal. The process of the selection is the big deal. It raises questions.

What happens when the Pope doesn’t agree with advice he requests from bishops?

What does the theory of collegiality suggest for how Popes make decisions?

Do you recall another occasion when a Pope set aside all the advice given by a panel he selected and went his own way?

Humanae vitae.

What was it that Paul VI was subsequently pilloried for by liberals? He set aside collegiality.

What is a Pope to do? Is he supposed to give in and take the opinion of the bishops with whom he doesn’t agree? Is the Supreme Pontiff bound by collegiality? On the chess board of Church governance do “Bishops take Pope”?

To be clear, the answer is “NO!” The bishops do not bind the Pope. Liberals don’t like that, but even Vatican II made this clear. Sorry liberals… (not).

Another point. This is an interim appointment. QUAERITUR: When it is time for the bishops to elect a new Secretary, will the bishops vote in Papa Bergoglio’s interim choice or will they go with someone else?

Press this farther.

If, in a collegial process, the Vicar of Christ is not persuaded about something small, what role is collegiality to play when significant doctrinal, moral or liturgical issues are under discussion?

Some will argue that this appointment of the interim Secretary of the CEI is parva res. But if this is indicative of how Pope Francis intends to treat the advice he is given by bishops, I don’t think it is quite so parva as some will claim.

BOTTOM LINE: It doesn’t make any difference what liberals think about collegiality, or what you think about collegiality, or what I think about collegiality. What matters is what Pope Francis thinks about collegiality. Does anybody know?

Posted in Francis, The Drill | Tagged CEI, collegiality, Pope Francis
31 Comments

An Epiphany Prayer to the Magi for Self-Absorbed Promethean Neopelagians

Posted on 6 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Click!

Evelyn Waugh wrote a terrific little book, Helena. It is about the mother of the Emperor Constantine. US HERE – UK HERE

In our book, St. Helena, discoverer of the True Cross, prays to the Holy Magi.

This is a prayer by and for people who are talented, intellectuals, artists, who because of their intellectual gifts find it difficult to arrive at the same faith of simple people.

The prayer has two messages.

First, simple folk need far less ratiocination (e.g., exegesis, syllogisms, disputations, etc.) than those who are more gifted in order to adore the Baby in the manger. They come to the side of the Lord so much more quickly, willingly, with less hesitation.

Second, there is nevertheless hope for intellectuals, scientists, artist, who, in spite of the difficulties their intellects pose to the Faith, can arrive late at the manger and still by welcomed with open arms by the Holy Family.

This is my day, and these are my kind.

“Like me, you were late in coming. The shepherds were here long before, even the cattle. They had joined the chorus of angels before you were on your way.

How laboriously you came, taking sights and calculating, where the shepherds had run barefoot! How odd you looked on the road, attended by what outlandish liveries, laden with such preposterous gifts!

You finally came to the last stage of your pilgrimage and the great star stood still above you. What did you do? You stopped to call on King Herod. Deadly exchange of compliments in which began that unended war of mobs and magistrates against the innocent!

Yet you came and were not turned away. You too found room before the manger. Your gifts were not needed, but they were accepted and put carefully by, for they were brought with love. In that new order of charity that had just come to life, there was room for you, too. You were not lower in the eyes of the holy family than the ox or the ass.

You are my especial patrons, and patrons of all late-comers, of all who have a tedious journey to make to the truth, of all who are confused with knowledge and speculation, of all who through politeness make themselves partners in guilt, of all who stand in danger by reason of their talents.

Dear cousins, pray for me, and for my poor overloaded son. May he, too, before the end find kneeling space in the straw. Pray for the great, lest they perish utterly.

For His sake who did not reject your curious gifts, pray always for the learned, the oblique, the delicate. Let them not be quite forgotten at the Throne of God when the simple come into their kingdom.”

Posted in Francis, Just Too Cool, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged Evelyn Waugh, Helena, Magi, St. Helena
19 Comments

“The Gift of the Magi”

Posted on 5 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There is a lovely little story by the American writer O. Henry called The Gift of the Magi.

A young couple, poor, want to give each other Christmas gifts. Their choices, their sacrifices, teach each other about love.

At the end of the story, there is a paragraph about gift giving and wisdom.

Church of England to dump “sin” and “devil” from baptism rite?

Posted on 5 January 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The leading prelate of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who recently called Pope Francis his own Person of the Year, has been a busy bee!

From The Mail:

[Archpb. of Canterbury] Welby [Anglican] casts out ‘sin’ from christenings: Centuries-old rite rewritten in ‘language of EastEnders’ for modern congregation

Parents and godparents no longer have to ‘repent sins’ and ‘reject the devil’ during christenings after the Church of England rewrote the solemn ceremony.
The new wording is designed to be easier to understand – [Right. When texts have less content they are easier to understand.] but critics are stunned at such a fundamental change to a cornerstone of their faith, saying the new ‘dumbed-down’ version ‘strikes at the heart’ of what baptism means.
In the original version, the vicar asks: ‘Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?’

Prompting the reply: ‘I reject them.’ They then ask: ‘Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?’, with the answer: ‘I repent of them.’
But under the divisive reforms, backed by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and already being practised in 1,000 parishes, parents and godparents are asked to ‘reject evil, and all its many forms, and all its empty promises’ – with no mention of the devil or sin.
The new text, to be tested in a trial lasting until Easter, also drops the word ‘submit’ in the phrase ‘Do you submit to Christ as Lord?’ because it is thought to have become ‘problematical’, especially among women who object to the idea of submission. [Hey! They’ve move beyond Jesus! Just like the LCWR!]

The rewritten version – which came after reformers said they wanted to use the language of EastEnders rather than Shakespeare in services – is designed as an alternative to the wording in the Common Worship prayer book, rather than a replacement.
But insiders predict this draft will become the norm for the Church’s 150,000 christenings each year if, as expected, it is approved by the General Synod. It may discuss the issue as early as this summer.

But the idea has angered many senior members of the Church, who feel it breaks vital links with baptisms as described in the Bible. [Bible, Schmible. We are talking about the official State Church.]
Writing in The Mail on Sunday, former Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali said the reform should be scrapped before it further reduced Christianity to ‘easily swallowed soundbites’.
And one senior member of the General Synod, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘This is more like a benediction from the Good Fairy than any church service.

[…]

Fr. Z kudos to that last guy.

For my Anglican readers, just remember that Benedict XVI, Pope of Christian Unity, provided you with an option: Anglicanorum coetibus.

In the meantime, for the Fishwrap types and the squishy who come around here, I hold out hope that you will soon see the Church of England issue Romanorum coetibus.

As you will remember, Romanorum coetibus is that document whereby our Anglican sisters and brothers will make provisions for disaffected catholics, offering them a safe-haven from the patriarchal oppression of Rome while preserving intact their most cherished traditions, such as clay cups, guitars, abortion clinic escort nuns, hand holding, the dream of female deacons, etc.