Month: October 2024

STOP! Look at this: “What Are Synods Good For?” (AUDIO)

Take a few minutes – right now, not later – and read the piece over at the ever valuable The Catholic Thing by my old friend Msgr. Hans Feichtinger. This is outstanding in its perspicacity and in its concision. There is hardly a word wasted (which is good because the policy of The Catholic Thing is to keep their daily offerings under 1000 words).

I’m going to presume on my friendship with both Msgr. Feichtinger and the editor of TCT Robert Royal and read this piece for you, so that you can listen to it easily in your car or elsewhere… perhaps several times.   Their webpage has a button to hear a computer generated reading but I think I will be able to manage a slightly more interesting recitation.

A taste:

What Are Synods Good For?

[…]

The very idea that evangelization needs more synodality is, in fact, questionable. Evangelization needs witness, prophecy, holiness. For synods to have a place in the work of evangelization, they need to stay away from political ways of thinking.

When people engage in a lot of Church sociology, it’s a sure sign of being stuck in a confused nostalgia about Christendom, and in approaches that have been failing for some decades: pace Cardinal Radcliffe, but the reasons why bishops, clergy and laity in Africa (and not only there) reject Fiducia supplicans are deeply biblical and doctrinal, not “pressure” they feel from Orthodox, Protestant or Muslim groups in their countries, bolstered by Russian, American, or Arab money.

Such a statement is theologically shallow, and Marxist in its reductionism of all things to power and money. On closer inspection, it’s even a kind of a conspiracy theory and/or a projection. The pressure from people with power, influence and money, endlessly pushing an LGBT agenda, is much stronger in North America and Europe. This ideological colonization is by now exhausting even the papal patience.

[…]

Rome 24/10 – Day 20 & 21: Hammer of Freemasons

The beautiful blue Roman sky was today illuminated at 07:28.  It will darken considerably after 18:21.   The Ave Maria is now in the 18:30 cycle in the Roman Curia, if they did anything over there.

Thank you, Lord, for this day.

This day is also the Feast of St. Gaspar del Bufalo (+1837), known as the “Hammer of Freemasons”.   A great title.

I have interest in St. Gaspar as one of my Roman patrons because I exercised ministry as a seminarian and then deacon at the basilica in Rome where he helped to found devotion to and the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood at San Nicola in Carcere.   He had a tense relationship with the state (Napoleon’s police were after him). Masons tried multiple times to assassinate him… as they do. His answer to the French commissar asking him to sign his submission to emperor should be the motto of every pope and bishop requested to yield to the world:

“I can’t, I musn’t, I don’t want to.”

That’s how a Roman priest says ‘No’ when he wants to be talkative.”

It’s better in Italian.

‘Non posso, non debbo, non voglio!’

I wonder if Pius VII’s “Non debemus, non possumus, non volumus” didn’t come from St. Gaspar.  I’ll bet it did.

These days it’s more like, “Volumus! Possumus! Debetote etiam vos!”   Anything to appease the secular realm.

St Gaspar’s tomb is in the little S. Maria in Trivio, tucked away behind where the flashy Trevi Fountain.  His bronze tomb has no barrier and the hand of the image of the saint is extended outward so that you can grasp it.  It is quite moving.

St. Gaspar had ways that really could irritate, as many saints.  For example, he could sense satanic objects and would charge into peoples homes to seize and destroy them no matter how well hidden.  When he was young, he grew up across the mighty Church of the Gesù where his father was a cook at the Altieri palace.  When Gaspar was very young he had a malady of the eyes that threatened blindness.  He was cured through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, whose arm is in the Gesù.  As a priest of Rome he was critical of the Papal States which got him into hot water.  The Pope had confidence in him, and asked him to engage in charitable works.

St. Gaspar, Hammer of Freemasons, pray for us.

My 1st class relic of St. Gaspar.

Speaking of the Most Precious Blood, I had occasion yesterday to ask Christ to wash with His Precious Blood the guy in the street – again – outside of where I was saying Mass all of a Sunday evening.   The same really bad musician this time had – I am not making this up – a banjo, instead of a guitar.  He was decidedly not a better banjo player than a guitar player.  The suspicious side of my character suspects that this was not an accident, especially given how it went last week.  As you may recall, I had ask the holy angels to quiet him while I said Mass.  As I passed him later he said, “The demon doesn’t like you.” (Al demonio non piace!).   In any event, I started Mass and he quieted down for a while, just to start up again right at the consecration.  I paused and renewed my plea and he calmed down again and was mostly quite for the rest of Mass.   Passing him by this time I heard a mumble, but nothing I could make out.

Yesterday I was out to lunch at a wonderful place near The Parish™.  Starting with tongue and pizza bianca with a wonderful herby green schmear and homemade mayo.  This we shared around.

Grama’s meatballs. The place is known for recipes that the owners grandmother made.

I had braised mutton. I spoke to the chef about it at length. It was in a marinade the day before. Some juniper and clove and wine. About 5 hours to braise, the last hour with a bay leaf and rosemary. It melted.

The side altar of Our Lady of Sorrows with The Parish™’s fine Crucifix.

What else can I tell you?

Today I am doing laundry. Also, I just got off the phone with the goldsmith’s shop. They are working on my paten (again). Aldo says it should be ready on Thursday or Friday. I’m betting Monday. Beati qui non expectant… and all that.

In churchy news… I don’t have much good to say about the walking together about walking togetherity going on over the river. This, however, is encouraging.

Also, Fr. Z follows Fr. V.

I had a nice note from the Summit Dominicans, the “soap sisters”, who make lots of other things as well including candles. They send candles for my chapel. Sister wrote to tell me that they earmarked a couple sets of ADVENT candles for me! Very sweet of them. I always think of them and say an Ave when I light my Advent wreath.

Advent isn’t that far off. Perhaps you should think about candles?

And this, just because I love St. Joan of Arc.

In chessy news … HERE

Upcoming sacrilege in Atlanta and Communion in the hand. Musings.

LifeSite reports that some foolish group in Atlanta will hold a “black Mass” during which a sacred Host will be desecrated.

The Archbishop of Atlanta has called for acts of penance, adoration and reparation. “Some” Catholic churches will have Mass to counter the sacrilege.  Two were named, one of them Byzantine and, therefore, not of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.   I hope there are more than two.

The bulletin of the Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell says (emphasis added):

“Jesus Christ cannot be harmed by any action of theirs, but we are responsible for allowing the Eucharist to be stolen and desecrated”….

It might be that those perpetrators of an extremely imprudent act have a Host because someone broke into a church and stole one or more.  It might be that they have a priest on their rolls who supplies them.

It might be that one of their number causally walked out of church with one because of Communion in the hand.

Byzantines don’t have Communion in the hand.

Yes, we Latins are responsible.   Steps should be taken always to safeguard the Hosts in our tabernacles and in their distribution at Communion.

If something is deemed important enough, then at least adequate if not superlative care will be taken.

Moreover, if we have correctly read the notices about the recent survey concerning faith if the Eucharist, the respondents themselves pointed to Communion in the hand as having been a factor in the Eucharistic faith.  They recommend that, to help restore reverence and faith in the Eucharist that Communion in the hand – and extraordinary ministers of Communion – be phased out.

Is this hard?   Given the stakes?

 

ACTION ITEM! GULF & FLORIDA BISHOPS, PRIESTS, LAITY: Pray the Litany against Hurricane “Milton”

Please retweet and share around.  The buttons are just up there… ? … see e’m?   

Hurricane Milton is coming.

It could be Cat FOUR.

Here’s an action item for you believing priests and bishops out there.   With confidence we can pray the prayers which the Church has designated against storms.

I believe what the Church believes.  Do you?

Therefore….

BISHOPS OF THE GULF COAST AND FLORIDA: Stand on the steps of your respective cathedral churches, dressed in cope and miter and, surrounded by clergy, with crosiers in hand, pronounce from the traditional Rituale Romanum the Litany of Saints with the deprecatory prayers against storms.  [below]   Ring the cathedral bells.

Bells are sacramentals.  They are “baptized” and given names.  They speak.  In valleys of mountainous countries, as storms approached, people would ring the bells and pray the Litany.  That’s one of the reasons why we have consecrated bells!

You all talk to each other: perhaps coordinate your timing.

I know that in every chancery at least one person reads this blog, probably more.  Readers, especially if you know your bishops personally, ask them to do this.

Look, you bishops out there… I know you are nervous about Rome frowning on you because you used a traditional book.  You don’t have to publicize it.  If you are nervous, do in it private.  BUT DO IT.

For the love of God and those in your charge.  Use the God given office and authority of a successor of the Apostles and PRAY DOWN THIS STORM!

PRIESTS OF FLORIDA: Ditto.  Also, if you have blessed bells, ring the bells of your churches against the storm.

LAY PEOPLE: Get on your priests about this.  The prayers of priests and bishop are powerful.  Also, ask your holy angels to protect you and to help you make prudent decisions.

Fathers, Bishops…

Use the old Roman Ritual (yes, the traditional book – you can do it! – it’s the real deal!) and pray the Litany with the deprecatory prayers against storms. A procession could be done around the grounds of the cathedral or even indoors… even with a very few.

You don’t have to be directly in the line of the storm to pray for others!  You don’t have to be in Florida!  

Fathers… Bishops… do this in Latin to be most effective.

PROCESSION FOR AVERTING TEMPEST [Better in Latin, but here is the English.]

The church bells are rung, and all who can assemble in church. Then the Litany of the Saints is said, during which – at the right moment, namely, after the invocation, “That you grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, etc.”, the following invocation is said twice:

From lightning and tempest, Lord, deliver us.

At the end of the litany the following is added:

P: Our Father (the rest inaudibly until:)
P: And lead us not into temptation.
All: But deliver us from evil.
Psalm 147
P: Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; * praise your God, O Sion.
All: For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; * He has blessed your children within you.
P: He has granted peace in your borders; * with the best of wheat He fills you.
All: He sends forth His command to the earth; * swiftly runs His word!
P: He spreads snow like wool; * He strews frost like ashes.
All: He scatters His hail like crumbs; * the waters freeze before His cold.
P: He sends His word and melts them; * He lets His breeze blow and the waters run.
All: He has proclaimed His word to Jacob, * His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.
P: He has not done thus for any other nation; * He has not made known His ordinances to them.
All: Glory be to the Father.
P: As it was in the beginning.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: Lord, show us your mercy.
All: And grant us your salvation.
P: Help us, O God, our Savior.
All: And deliver us, O Lord, for your name’s sake.
P: Let the enemy have no power over us.
All: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm us.
P: May your mercy, Lord, remain with us always.
All: For we put our whole trust in you.
P: Save your faithful people, Lord.
All: Bless all who belong to you.
P: You withhold no good thing from those who walk in sincerity.
All: Lord of hosts, happy the men who trust in you.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

Let us pray.
God, who are offended by our sins but appeased by our penances, may it please you to hear the entreaties of your people and to turn away the stripes that our transgressions rightly deserve.

We beg you, Lord, to repel the wicked spirits from your family, and to ward off the destructive tempestuous winds.

Almighty everlasting God, spare us in our anxiety and take pity on us in our abasement, so that after the lightning in the skies and the force of the storm have calmed, even the very threat of tempest may be an occasion for us to offer you praise.

Lord Jesus, who uttered a word of command to the raging tempest of wind and sea and there came a great calm; hear the prayers of your family, and grant that by this sign of the holy cross all ferocity of the elements may abate.

Almighty and merciful God, who heal us by your chastisement and save us by your forgiveness; grant that we, your suppliants, may be heartened and consoled by the tranquil weather we desire, and so may ever profit from your gracious favors; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.
He sprinkles the surroundings with holy water.

Bishops, priests!

You don’t have to advertise this or call in the TV cameras (though that would be great, too).  JUST DO IT.

C’MON!  What do you have to lose?

Rome 24/10 – Day 7: Our Lady of the Rosary

It was cloudy, but the sun probably rose on time at 7:12.   It will probably have to be take on faith (evidence of things not seen) that it will set at  18:43.

The Ave Maria Bells is set for 19:00.

Thank you, Lord, for this day.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary which means that it is also the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto.   In Italian it’s: Lépanto.

It is also the Feast of St. Mark, Pope, who died in +336.  He was one of the first who was not a martyr.  I think the very first was Miltiades.

Here is a shot of one of the NEW black vestments laid out for one of the priests to celebrate a Requiem.   This is the one with my stemma.  What a pleasure to see it in use for the first time!

And this is The World’s Best Sacristan™ screwing around.

I had to consult with Pippo the florist today.  He assures me that there will be alstromeria soon.  However, I had to speak about 50 long stem yellow roses requested by friends who are coming to celebrate their 50th anniversary of marriage.  They want to give them to Mary at The Parish.  Nice.

Pippo, setting up.  You can say send him a note:  info@pippocampodefiori.com   You might say, “Ciao Pippo e Anastasia da uno dei lettori di don John!”

Then to the butcher, nearby.  Delivery in progress.

Rabbit… yum.

Today is the Feast of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus, early martyrs.  There is an image of them in the Church of St. Mary della Scala in Trastevere.  I’ve posted it before.  Not real flattering, I think.  It seems to me that both of them just saw …

… the consistory list.

It’s the eyes upward to Heaven that does it… or is it an eye roll?   Maybe it’s that.  An eye roll to Heaven.

Consistory list or maybe they are participants in the Walking Together about Walking Togetherity.

St. Sergio: “Please get me out of here?”
St. Bacco: “If I have to listen to this Jesuit one more minute…”.

Yesterday at the parish we had the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii.

And just for nice, from Holy Mass in the morning… external celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary (thus, white).

That leads to churchy news….

Yes, the list of new cardinals is out. Of those I know anything about, one is pretty good. One… an perhaps a subtle insult to the whole institution of the College and to us.

In chessy news… HERE

Hey Fathers!  How about a clerical Guayabera shirt?