Author Archives: Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)

St. David: Musical Poet King, Prophet, Progenitor of Christ

Holy Church considers many Old Testament figures to be saints. Today when you open your trusty copy of the 2005 Martyrologium Romanum you will find, just below the St. Thomas Becket, this interesting entry: 2. Commemoratio sancti David, regis et … Read More

Posted in Classic Posts, Saints: Stories & Symbols, SESSIUNCULA |
3 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1208 – Succisa virescit

Octave of Christmas, let’s look back to the 1st Mass of Christmas! Right click for larger. And then there’s this jackass. One notes with interest that what he attacks is traditional rather than post-Conciliar.   I wonder if he was perhaps … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

27 Dec – St. John Evangelist and St. Fabiola and Card. Wiseman about the Bible

Today, being the Feast of the Evangelist John, we have a special blessing for wine and other libations.  I wrote about that HERE.  We have this blessing because of an assassination attempt.    There was an attempt on the life … Read More

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols |
2 Comments

ASK FATHER: Must we do penance, abstain from meat, on Friday in the Octave of Christmas?

This is a question which comes up each year. It came up again today. Must we do penance on Friday within the Octave of Christmas? The short answer is YES.  This year. According to Canon Law, Catholics are bound to … Read More

Posted in 1983 CIC can. 915, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
2 Comments

26 Dec: St. Stephen the Protomartyr, his Archconfraternity, and the Octave

In addition to Boxing Day, and the day good King Wenceslaus went out, it is the feast of St Stephen. I hope all your snow is neat and crisp and even. St. Stephen’s feast has been celebrated this day since the … Read More

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Saints: Stories & Symbols, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged
1 Comment

25 Dec 2020: Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD – RIP

In your goodness, please offer a prayer for the repose of the soul of Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD, who died on Christmas Day in 2020. Foster was a Carmelite if Holy Hill, WI, Latinist for many Popes in Rome, and … Read More

Posted in PRAYER REQUEST |
4 Comments

“Et verbum caro factum est”

Posted in Just Too Cool |
Comments Off on “Et verbum caro factum est”

The Burning Babe – A Christmas Day Poem by a English Martyr Saint

The Burning Babe by St Robert Southwell, S.J., martyr (1561–1595) As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow, Surpris’d I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to … Read More

Posted in Poetry, SESSIUNCULA |
3 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1207 – Buon Natale!

Many thanks to anyone who has sent an item from my wishlist.   I try to send a note, when I am able.  Amazon has made it harder to do that.  Sometimes, they don’t include gift slips.  Once, the slips had … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
6 Comments

PRAYERCAzT: Singing the 2024 Christmas Proclamation or Kalendas in Latin (audio), – and a hard ASK FATHER question

First, the Kalendas. For years I’ve posted about this.  It was/is a custom for centuries before Mass begins to sing the Kalendas, the solemn announcement of the birth of the Savior at Prime. Since Prime isn’t being sung in many places, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, PRAYERCAzT: What Does The (Latin) Prayer Really Sound L, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
5 Comments