This morning I am "sailing to Philadelphia", as the song says. Then off to Mater Ecclesiae in Berlin, NJ.
SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, come here first!
About this blog…
“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
Fr. Z’s Podcasts RSS Feed
YOUR RECENT COMMENTS
- Chicagiensis_Indianapolitana on A ‘Cri de Coeur’ from the heartland: “With the rather stark difference between +Bp. Schneider’s letter and +Card. Sarah’s letter, a few observations. Let us first leave…”
- Ave Maria on A ‘Cri de Coeur’ from the heartland: “It is the enemy of souls that wants to suppress a valid Mass.”
- FRLBJ on A ‘Cri de Coeur’ from the heartland: “Totally agree with Cri de Coeur. There is no subsitute for that old time religion. We must polititely express ourselves…”
- Ages on 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”: “A minor thing, probably a setting change, but I liked that the desktop version home page previously showed the full…”
- WVC on 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”: “@JonPatrick – I agree – it’s as bad as when they change the layout or swipe function on your smartphone…”
- WVC on Daily Rome Shot 1559: “@TonyO – at the rate we’re going, they’re going to start announcing automatic excommunication for anyone who says anything mean…”
- amenamen on Daily Rome Shot 1560: “Black must keep White King in check, lest White Queen threatens: Bf7+, Kh7 (or Kg7) Qg8# So, Black forces these…”
- Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on Daily Rome Shot 1560: “Black to move and mate in 4. [NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t…”
- revueltos67 on Daily Rome Shot 1559: “White to move and mate in 4 1) Rc8+ Rd8 forced 2) Qxf7+ Kh8 forced 3) Qg8+ Rxg8 forced 4)…”
- JonPatrick on 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”: “I am glad you are not changing the blog’s design. There is nothing I hate more that going to a…”
- kelleyb on 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”: “Father Z earns the GOLD star today!”
- TonyO on Daily Rome Shot 1559: “Monsignor Breis Pereira de Maceió, Archbishop of Maceió (Brazil), has declared excommunication for any priest who celebrates or any faithful…”
- Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”: “Smarticus Pantsicus!”
- Longinus on “The bread was fresh and was good. The cheese was not and was excellent.”: “The dolce is heavenly, especially with a bit of Tuscan acacia honey on it.”
- The most evident mark of God’s anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clerics who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds.
St. John Eudes
Federated Computer… your safe and private alternative to big biz corporations that hate us while taking our money and mining our data. Have an online presence large or small? Catholic DIOCESE? Cottage industry? See what Federated has to offer. Save money and gain peace of mind.
“Until the Lord be pleased to settle, through the instrumentality of the princes of the Church and the lawful ministers of His justice, the trouble aroused by the pride of a few and the ignorance of some others, let us with the help of God endeavor with calm and humble patience to render love for hatred, to avoid disputes with the silly, to keep to the truth and not fight with the weapons of falsehood, and to beg of God at all times that in all our thoughts and desires, in all our words and actions, He may hold the first place who calls Himself the origin of all things.”
- Prosper of Aquitaine (+c.455), De gratia Dei et libero arbitrio contra Collatorem 22.61
Do you want to show some appreciation?
Polls
Loading ...ABORTION PILL RESCUE NETWORK
Your support is important. Thanks in advance.
To donate monthly I prefer Zelle because it doesn't extract fees. Use
frz AT wdtprs DOT comDonate using VENMO
GREAT BEER from Traditional Benedictine Monks in Italy
Good coffee and tea. Help monks.

CLICK and say your daily offerings!
I use this when I travel both in these USA and abroad. Very useful. Fast enough for Zoom. I connect my DMR (ham radio) through it. If you use my link, they give me more data. A GREAT back up.
Help support Fr. Z’s Gospel of Life work at no cost to you. Do you need a Real Estate Agent? Calling these people is the FIRST thing you should do!
Don’t rely on popes, bishops and priests.
“He [Satan] will set up a counter-Church which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, whom he nevertheless refuses to adore, modern man in his loneliness and frustration will hunger more and more for membership in a community that will give him enlargement of purpose, but at the cost of losing himself in some vague collectivity.”
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”- Fulton Sheen
Therefore, ACTIVATE YOUR CONFIRMATION and get to work!
Send Snail Mail to Fr. Z
Fr John Zuhlsdorf
Tridentine Mass Society of Madison
733 Struck St.
PO BOX 44603
Madison, WI 53744-4603
For email HERE
- “The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for every one else the proper pleasure of ritual.”
- C.S. Lewis
This blog has to earn its keep!
PLEASE subscribe via PayPal if it is useful. Zelle and Wise are better, but PayPal is convenient.
A monthly subscription donation means I have steady income I can plan on. I put you my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I often say Holy Mass.
In view of the rapidly changing challenges I now face, I would like to add more $10/month subscribers. Will you please help?
For a one time donation...
To donate monthly I prefer Zelle because it doesn't extract fees. Use
frz AT wdtprs DOT comAs for Latin…
"But if, in any layman who is indeed imbued with literature, ignorance of the Latin language, which we can truly call the 'catholic' language, indicates a certain sluggishness in his love toward the Church, how much more fitting it is that each and every cleric should be adequately practiced and skilled in that language!" - Pius XI
"Let us realize that this remark of Cicero (Brutus 37, 140) can be in a certain way referred to [young lay people]: 'It is not so much a matter of distinction to know Latin as it is disgraceful not to know it.'" - St. John Paul II
-
Recent Posts
- Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 1st Sunday in/of Lent 2026
- Daily Rome Shot 1561
- “And that, to be restored, our sickness must grow worse…”
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 13: Monday in the 2nd Week in Lent – “Everything became clear to me.”
- A ‘Cri de Coeur’ from the heartland
- 2 March – Blog Maintenance & Migration Day – DONE! “Cleanup in aisle 2,5,6…7…9…”
- Daily Rome Shot 1560
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 12: 2nd Sunday in Lent – Benedict XVI from Lent of sad 2013
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 11: Ember Saturday 1st Week in Lent – “Know Thyself!”
- On this Ember Friday we are 38 days out from Easter. What does the number 38 mean to St. Augustine?
- “The bread was fresh and was good. The cheese was not and was excellent.”
- Daily Rome Shot 1559
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 10: Ember Friday 1st Week in Lent – “Ego te absolvo” is your sure guarantee!
- Two items worthy of your precious time
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 09: Thursday 1st Week in Lent – Law and Order
- WDTPRS – Collect of Ember Wednesday of Lent (TLM & Novus)
- Daily Rome Shot 1558
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 08: Ember Wednesday 1st Week in Lent – The Four Preachers
- Daily Rome Shot 1557
- Brief summation of Bp. Schneider’s appeal to Pope Leo about the SSPX
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 07: Tuesday 1st Week in Lent – Against the wicked
- Daily Rome Shot 1556
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 06: Monday 1st Week in Lent – Bonds
- From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 26-02-18 – Ashes
- ASK FATHER: Why are Sunday “of Lent” in the Novus Ordo and “in Lent” in the TLM?
- Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 1st Sunday in/of Lent 2026
- Daily Rome Shot 1555
- LENTCAzT 2026 – 05: 1st Sunday of Lent – ANGELS!
- Daily Rome Shot 1554
- Card. Müller: a canonical solution for the SSPX
Let us pray…
Grant unto thy Church, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, that She, being gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may be in no wise troubled by attack from her foes. O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people making supplication unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of Thine anger which we deserve for our sins. Almighty and Everlasting God, in whose Hand are the power and the government of every realm: look down upon and help the Christian people that the heathen nations who trust in the fierceness of their own might may be crushed by the power of thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
PLEASE RESPOND. Pretty pleeeease?
The "sign of peace" during Mass in the Ordinary Form...
- I dread it as it approaches and think of ways to avoid it. (36%, 9,555 Votes)
- I tolerate it. (35%, 9,195 Votes)
- I hate it so much I won't go to Mass where it is done. (12%, 3,205 Votes)
- I like it and am happy to do it. (11%, 2,955 Votes)
- I don't care one way or another. (6%, 1,696 Votes)
Total Voters: 26,606
Loading ...WDTPRS POLL
Should the Bishops of the USA have us return to obligatory meatless Fridays during the whole year and not just during Lent?
- Yes, and I think this is very important. (81%, 15,546 Votes)
- Yes, I guess so. (9%, 1,716 Votes)
- No, I hesitate about such a move. (5%, 900 Votes)
- No, this would be a really bad idea. (3%, 511 Votes)
- I don't care. (2%, 431 Votes)
- What's penance? (1%, 152 Votes)
Total Voters: 19,255
Loading ...























When will you be in Berlin, Father?
Ooops. I mention this because I’ll be there on Sunday.
I’m curious, too, when you will be at Berlin (as opposed to Camden). Although I cannot make it to Camden on Friday evening, perhaps I could make it to Berlin tonight or Thursday.
I am jealous. Philly is my favorite US city. I hope you eat a cheese steak while you are there.
Hooray that you are coming to Philly, Father! Will you be celebrating mass here, or only in NJ?
Kradcliffe: Be careful what you wish for. The following comes from an Aug. 13, 2008 blurb from Philadelphia’s all news radio station KYW-1060:
Gov. Rendell Reveals Secret Philly Cheese Steak Recipe
by KYW’s Steve Tawa
Airport executives from around the country were in Philadelphia for a conference. They heard Governor Rendell talk about important infra-structure needs, but also the fine details of what makes a good – or bad – cheesesteak.
Governor Rendell continued a tradition of telling visitors about the great restaurants, as well as the junk food in Philadelphia, including Tastycakes, soft pretzels, and cheesesteaks:
“Your first impression will be, ‘what’s the big deal, it’s steak, cheese and a roll?'”
He says other towns make three big mistakes and cannot replicate a real Philly cheesesteak:
“The first mistake they make is that they use good meat. You have to use the fattiest, stringiest meat possible for taste and Constancy.”
Rule number two that they break:
“They use real cheese. It says cheese steak, right? You have to use cheese whiz.”
And if you like grilled onions on your cheese steak. Rendell recalls one out of town visit:
“They took the fried onions off the grill, and I saw the chef stop and drain off the grease. You cannot do that. You have to put the greasy onions on the roll with the lousy meat and the cheese whiz.”
And there you have it, the secret recipe.
Quodcumque facitis, ex animo operamini sicut Domino
accipietis retributionem haereditatas. Domino Christo
servite. Et pax Christi exsultet in cordibus vestris
et grati estote. I hope that you have a wonderful
time in Pa & NJ, Fr.Z!
John, I am not at all phased by that! I always ordered mine “whiz with!”
It was great having you in Cleveland. God bless you and your work.
Kradcliffe:
You gotta stop goin’ to Pat’s “King of Steaks.” Everyone knows the real royalty is across the street at Geno’s. Geno’s uses (mostly) provolone or american. If you insist, whiz is available.
I have to second John Enright. No real cheesesteak has cheese whiz — it’s provolone all the way!!
First of all, its “whiz wit'” not “with.” Second, Geno’s and Pat’s are good for the ambience only. Third, GO IGGLES! E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!
(sorry)
I would’ve said Chubby’s or D’Alessandro’s, but most people don’t know about them, while Geno’s and Pat’s are worldwide names. Tony Luke’s and Jim’s Steaks are also up there. For Hoagies, how ’bout Sarcone’s or Greenman’s?
Okay, last cheesesteak comment.
D’Alessandro’s has always been my favorite plus they’re closed on Sundays, which I respect, even though during football season they could probably make a fortune.
A friend and I used to take a cheesesteak tour ever other year on the day after Thanksgiving. We’d usually hit about four places, splitting a snadwich at each place. After the the first cople of years, we’d gone to all the name places and started going to lesser known neighborhood joints. The reality is, there are so many mediocre steaks out there but also alot of hidden gems.
David or John—Can you get a low-fat,
vegetarian cheesesteak with low-carb fries?
I’m surprised that you haven’t commented on the “Yahweh” stuff from the CDW.
For Hoagies, how ‘bout Sarcone’s or Greenman’s?
Primo’s is also very good, as is Lee’s Hoagie House.
Where will you be in Philly, Father? If you will be congregating with the WDTPRSers in the evening, I can join because I have conference meetings all day. God bless!
Daniel
“Can you get a low-fat, vegetarian cheesesteak with low-carb fries?” HERESY!
I didn’t like Pat’s. I did like Geno’s. I thought it would be pretentious to actually write the word “with” as “wit.”
Only neo-cons eat provolone. True Traddies do the Whiz. Charismatics go in for American, naturally.
Kradcliffe:
Where would you put Sen. John Kerry, who ordered a sandwich with, ahem, Swiss! The answer he received after the stunned counterperson stopped glaring at him was “Swiss? Swiss? We don’t got no Swiss.”
I am only in the Philly/Camden area for a couple days, long to participate at the Solemn TLM on the 15th and then get outta town. I should be back in the beginning of October to preach the Forty Hours at Mater Ecclesiae. I will have more time then. Perhaps there could be an area blognic.
In the meantime, we need some in depth analysis of the steaks… the what, the where.
Was in Philly about two years ago. Went to Pat’s. I took a walk over to Gino’s, and while their cheesesteak may be as good, if not better, I am glad I went where I did. I saw a poster/photo on the outside wall where you order which concerned a certain chain restaurant that has their waitresses dress very imodestly. It was there with the support of the management/Gino’s. I don’t pretend to know who is the most moral of any place I go to. It’s just that when I see something some blatantly in your face, I would prefer to go to those places that are not so defiant of the standards we are expected to take.
Also, and more importantly, has anyone ever been to St Rita’s shrine for confession to Fr James Galligan, OSA. He has the deportment of a true spiritual son of St Augustine. Humility was running though him. I only went to him once, but what he feed me as counsel has been cause for reflection more times than I can count. I would go to him again w/o hesitation. Does anyone know how he is currently doing? Does anyone know if he is up for saying the TLM again?
Thanks,
Rob
Father Z:
Here’s a link to Philly steak sandwich reviews. I don’t necessarily agree with the order of the rankings, but in general, most of the top places are listed! Like DavidD said, though, there are plenty ” of hidden gems” in the Philly steak and hoagie world. If you need more info on Philly steak sandwiches, hoagies, soft pretzels, Tastykakes, South Philly Italian Water Ice, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Iggles or anything else uniquely Philadelphian . . . let me know. Since I’m a Mummer (you know, the Stringband guys who wear gaudy feathered costumes and play Big Band music on banjos and saxophones), I know what I’m talking about when it comes to the City of Brotherly Love.
Wow, Kradcliffe, that’s the first time I’ve ever been called a neo-con! Your comment was hilarious.
Fr. Z, I tend to favor the smaller cheeseteak joints. Just make sure you get it in South Philly, get your pretzels in the Northeast, and stock up on Tastykake jelly krimpets at WAWA — then you’ll be set Philly style. I’m looking forward to your October visit!
For my money, Jim’s at 4th and South Sts. is the best. …..but I have yet to try Tony Luke’s.
I know you’re out of here by now, But when you come back, don’t go to pats or geno’s I don’t like either, though my brother swears by them.
I go to Jim’s when I’m in center city, but the best I’ve had are in University City where I live.