Daily Rome Shot 1193 – The Wreath for the Immaculate Conception

Posted on 8 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I have great shots today, which I feel compelled to post.   There were sent by The World’s Best Sacristan™ at The Parish™.

Each year, the confreres of the Archconfraternity at Santissma Trinità in Rome give a wreath for Our Lady’s column at the Piazza di Spagna, set up in honor of the infallible declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (celebrated today, even though it is the 2nd Sunday of Advent).   The confreres make sure that their wreath is front and center for the eyes of which ever Supreme Pontiff will show up.

Let’s follow the wreath from parish to column.    The lovely facade. newly restored, in an artful shot.

We start at Mary’s altar in church.

   

The wreath is in the center still, but someone shoved it over.

Here’s some proof of the report that Francis has a massive bruise on his chin.  From the live stream, I think.

Did anyone watch the live stream of the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris?  I did, for part of it.

The church is splendidly bright.   The vestments and new altar etc., and the organ music, were ugly, contradictory.   The build proclaims ORDER! FAITH! which the accoutrement screams CHAOS! INSTABILITY!

 

GAH!

Check out this disc of Christmas music from the seminary of the FSSP! A great stocking stuffer!

By FSSP seminarians

In chessy news… HERE

White to play and mate in 4.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1192 – A day that will live in infamy.

Posted on 7 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please remember me when Christmas shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

Welcome registrants

deb… (used email address, not good, but welcome)
FraterCyrillusMariae
Kimaro97

Talk about infamy! Try 16 July 2021.  The Traditional Latin Mass must be suppressed. BUT… this!  A whiff of hypocrisy, perhaps? Those high atop the thing are singing along “We are the poseurs! Weeee are the pooooseurs… of the Church!”

I share my outrage with my friend His Hermeneuticalness, the great Fr. Tim Finigan. I feel cheated that we don’t have jet packs by now. HERE

Behold, the Christological Goldfinch!

In chessy news… HERE

Motus ad lusorem cum militibus albis pertinent. Scaccus mattus, scilicet mors regis, duobus in motis veniat.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
6 Comments

ASK FATHER: Looking for an altar stone

Posted on 6 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a transitional deacon…

QUAERITUR:

I am searching for an altar stone because I am in the process of ordering one of those beautiful St. Joseph the Apprentice altars like the one you posted a number of years ago.

As you know altar stones are hard to come by these days and I am on the search. I know you are very busy but if you had any suggestions, advice, or contacts I would be very thankful.

St. Joseph’s Apprentice! Good choice. He makes beautiful portable altars. I warmly endorse him and I am grateful for what he has made for me.

At his website, he wrote (my emphases):

Part of our mission statement here at St. Joseph’s Apprentice is to put as many altar stones back into the service of Our Lord as we can. This remains our goal and we have been very successful. Of the 300 + altars I have built thus far, probably 95% have altar stones. Many of these stones are from the basements of churches or backrooms in rectories. Most altar stones were removed from the altars when the many changes came about with the Sacrifice of the Mass in the 1960’s. The altars, instead of representing a place of sacrifice, became more like a banquet table. Because it was so hard to find suitable altar stones, with much discussion and encouragement of several priests, I started making simple altar stones with empty sepulchers. These altar stones are not consecrated, so a priest will either have to get permission from his Diocesan Offices (Bishop) to consecrate his own stone, or he will have to ask his Bishop to consecrate it himself. I am also willing to sell my altar stones to those priests who only want a stone, not a complete altar.

NB: The cavity into which a relic is placed and then sealed in is called a “sepulcher”.

In addition to rectory basements, sometime there are stones in chancery archives or in parish vaults of churches which are old and at some point wreckovated.  I suspect that some lay people have rescued stones.

I recall how at my hell hole US seminary we seminarians were told by a super heretic traitorous dog of a disgusting priest to dumpsterize vestments and stones from the chapel’s side altars.  We rescued a lot of stuff.  Horrid days.  I digress.

Another solution could be to use an antimension, sometimes called a Greek corporal since Eastern eparchs consecrated then pretty often.  They are like a corporal with a relic sown into or placed in a pocket.  They are spread out like a corporal and are, in effect, a portable altar.

An antimension would cut down on the weight of a St. Joseph’s Apprentice (SJA) altar.

I have a couple antimensia – two sizes, one small enough for my SJA altar – consecrated by Card. Burke using the rite for the consecration of a portable altar.   That rite is not easy to find, so here it is as a public service.

Blessing of ONE – HERE

Blessing of MORE than one – HERE  (NB: You will need to change the name of the saint in the text from St. Justin to whosever relic you have)

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
2 Comments

Send 2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z!

Posted on 6 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

HERE

UPDATE 8 Jan:  NEW CARDS ARRIVED!  I’ve added a lot more towns.  There was new kid art and KID LATIN!

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
Comments Off on Send 2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z!

Report: French Bishops may forbid Traditional Masses in churches for the 2025 Chartres Pilgrimage

Posted on 5 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

First there’s this.

;

Now from Rorate…

French Bishops’ Paper: The Vatican Considering forbidding Traditional Masses inside Cathedrals for the 2025 Chartres Pilgrimage

The semi-official daily newspaper of the French bishops, La Croix, had news on this startling development yesterday: the greatest Traditional pilgrimage in the world (and largest Catholic pilgrimage in France) under threat.

From our friends at French blog Le Salon Beige:

The Vatican may ban the celebration of the traditional Mass at the Chartres pilgrimage. According to information gathered by La Croix:

“…the dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments considers that this annual gathering raises questions of conformity with the rules in force on the Mass in the ancient rite. And would indeed consider banning certain celebrations.”

British Cardinal Arthur Roche, author of the texts restricting the celebration of the traditional Mass, believes that the organizers of Notre-Dame de Chrétienté did not respect the norms. As a diocesan priest recently wrote on X, liturgical norms were not respected for the installation of the new altar at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. But these norms can be flouted without the prefect of the dicastery for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments reacting:

“The closing mass in Chartres cathedral is a lawless zone. The question of banning this mass seems to be on the table.”

Jean de Tauriers, president of Notre-Dame de Chrétinté [Rorate note: the organizers of the Pilgrimage], interviewed in La Croix, expresses his “befuddlement” and says he feels “overwhelmed” by the “bureaucracy.” He regrets a potential limitation that could “be difficult to explain” to future participants.

The bishop of Chartres, Mgr Philippe Christory, refuses to make a decision and puts the responsibility back on Rome:

“If anyone should decide anything, it’s the Pope”.

In Paris, Mgr Ulrich did not wait for a decision from Rome. He has already indicated that the traditional mass will not be celebrated in the restored cathedral. At the risk of letting the organizers celebrate mass in front of the cathedral’s closed doors? A return to the origins of pilgrimage…

And Notre-Dame de Chrétienté knows how to organize open-air masses. Jean de Tauriers says he’s not worried:

“This pilgrimage began outside the cathedrals. Maybe that will be the case in 2025 – that would be sad, but it won’t stop us and it won’t limit our enthusiasm or our numbers.”

Personal anecdote of a moment of grace.  I was in Paris when the late great Extraordinary Ordinary, Bp. Robert Morlino died.  Though a contact, the day after I was able to celebrate a Requiem Mass for him in Notre Dame at the altar of the Crown of Thorns using the Vetus Ordo in black vestments.  Amazing memory moment and memory.
Later that evening, I was nearly run into by a motorcycle when I slightly slipped off I curb near that well-known place for macarons off the Rue Jacob.  The next day, something shoved me from behind in front of a motorcycle near the Pont des Artes.  That resulted in various broken ribs and several broken bones in my … of course left… foot.   Pay back.
On the other hand, I gave Bp, Morlino’s Latin breviaries – passed on to me – to an exorcist friend who was missing a volume or two.  He threatened a demon to bring them with him to pray the office.  The demon flipped out.
Some people don’t take demons seriously.
Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
16 Comments

From a reader… to you other readers… “Thank you”

Posted on 5 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This is the sort of thing that makes my day… week… month…

From a reader… my emphases.

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and forever, Amen!

Greetings Fr. Zuhlsdorf,
We would like to thank you for asking for prayers on behalf of Patrick through the intercession of Chaplain Emil Kapaun in early November.
Patrick had surgery to remove the tumor which was rather large and located on his brain stem. The delicate surgery was successful in removing the entire tumor and the pathology results were that it was benign. We could not have asked for a better outcome! We came home the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Patrick is adjusting to his new normal as his brain continues to heal. We have felt the gentle presence of Chaplain Kapaun’s intercession in so many ways. What a blessing the communion of saints are to us! Please thank your readers for all their prayers for little Patrick.
We would like to send you a Christmas card, too. May we have an address that will get it to you quicker? We met you years ago, at St. Mary’s of the Pine Bluff August 15, 2020. You prayed a beautiful Mass of the Ages and blest many items before Mass for our children. I think D gave you a challenge coin. He has since retired.
We have followed your blog for years and are so grateful for your prayers, wisdom and insights. Just a little sliver, of the good that has come from it…
Tomorrow is December 6th. In 2019, you sent out a plea from your exorcist friends to pray a holy hour of reparation for the pachamama on first Friday which was December 6th. I asked our pastor if we could do this and he agreed (I think he reads your blog). We have been having a Holy Hour of Reparation since then and it has grown to many people coming. It is beautiful.

Thank you again,
D & G

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
5 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1191 – just another day with the Jesuits

Posted on 5 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Meanwhile, it’s just another day with the Jesuits of NYC.

Welcome registrant:

Marys Dowry

There is a high level discussion going on at 1 Peter 5 between bright minds about.  You might have a look if you have some reading time.  You’ll have to follow a couple links “backwards” to see what sparked it.  HERE

Pres. Trump will attend the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris on 7 Dec.  There is an interesting article about the contribution of Americans to the restoration.  HERE This seems to be part of the reason why 47 is going.  Francis is going to Corsica.

The Dominicans of Summit, who make great things for Christmas gifts, will close their online store from 16 December – 1 January.  So – PLEASE – go check what they have.

CLICK!

Please remember me when Christmas shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

In chessy news… HERE

White to mate in 2.

UPDATE:

This is alarming….

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments

Daily Rome Shot 1190

Posted on 4 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please remember me when Christmas shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

When I was 7, my grandmother gave me boxed sets of LPs of plays of Shakespeare read by some of the world’s greatest classical actors of the time. I played those things until they were smooth. At first I didn’t understand well what was going on by I was mesmerized by the language. After a while, I got it. This opened up for me all manner of language pathways and imagery. Now I read this, from Epoch. This is very cool. More HERE

Meanwhile, a story about how the Vatican is “on the verge of bankruptcy” and is struggling to pay employee pensions.  HERE  I’m reminded of Margaret Thatcher’s wisdom about Socialism and money.   Perhaps were a little more sanity to come out of Rome, people would give again.  Just an idea.

A story about the ecclesiastical tailor shop in Rome, Gammarelli, which will prepare gear for some of the new Cardinals named in the upcoming consistory.  HERE

At Stream a piece by William Kilpatrick about the open letter Bp. Strickland sent to the US Bishop when they were meeting in Baltimore.  Strickland accused the bishops of silence the face of heresy.  The results from the bishops: crickets.  Is this “The Spartacus Strategy”? HERE

In chessy news… HERE

Black to move and mate in 4.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
8 Comments

Send 2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z! – UPDATED (8 Jan 2025)

Posted on 4 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 19 Jan ’25:

Shelbyville, KY
Las Vegas, NV
Lake Charles, LA (health… yeah)
Southwick, MA
“Little Miss Virginia”
Ave Maria, FL

UPDATE 7 Jan ’25:

Ashburn, VA (nice card from Silverstream)
Bottesford, Leicestershire

UPDATE 7 Jan ’25:

I am delighted to have received another batch of cards and a couple of packets. Thank you to everyone who made the effort. I enjoy them. There was good kid art, too. There was also a note in LATIN from a 1st grader.

St. Joseph’s Apprentice wrote with news. He is a carpenter who makes wonderful portable altars HERE. Included in the news was that he has a collaborator who sews antimensia. Fantastic. Also, this is touching, A father whose son was ordained, took apart a wooden cradle he had built for his son and it was fashioned into a beautiful portable altar.

Wilie, TX (thanks!)
Orlando, FL (nice)
Vatican City
Covina, CA (indeed – GO TO CONFESSION!)
Lincoln, NE (quite a packets, praise God for the ordination)
Alliston, ON
Calabasas, CA
Ashford, Middlesex
Lake Minichumina,AK (please drop me an email? HERE)
London, SE13 (HEY THERE!!)
Dayton, MT (thanks)
Rome,
Coeur d’Alene, ID (St. Joseph’s Apprentice – thanks and terrific bits of info!)
Letterkenney, Donegal (thank you)
Roselle Park, NJ
Wichita, KS (thanks and I won’t!)
Elkton, MD
Mesa, AZ
Broken Arrow, OK
Pewamo, MI,
Indianapolis, IN
Harrisburg, PA (thanks!)
West St. Paul, MN
Elizabeth City, NC (book)
Madison, WI (my mailman! THANK YOU!)
St. Paul, MN
Escanaba, MI (thanks, brother)
Budd LAke, NJ (thanks)
Bradenton, FL (thanks you!)
West Warwick, RI (not kid art, but kid LATIN! 1st grade!)
Story, WY (masses!)
New Hope, PA
Fallon, NV
Alexandria, VA (thanks and GO TO CONFESSION!)
Mission Hills, KS (yes, I’m sure it did)
Destrehan, LA
Montgomery, AL (FSSP Ordo, thanks)
Portsmouth, Hampshire (great kid art!)

UPDATE 30 Dec ’24:

Huzzah! More cards!

White Bear, MN
River Ridge, LA (with Shakespeare news)
Austin, TX
Stockport, SK4 … Manchester? (“united” in prayer)
Greenville, MI (thanks for the Masses)
Brooklyn, WI (how they’ve grown… *sniff*)
Dorchester, MA
Thaxton, VA (figs and peaches?)
Fredericksburg, VA (continuing thanks)
Shelton, CT (idem!)
Appleton, WI
Raynham, MA
Atlanta, GA (thank you)
Fritch, TX (thank you)
Mesa, AZ (good to hear from you)
Deptford, NJ
Boca Raton, FL
Irving, TX
Stamford, CT
Lubbock, TX (thank you for the Mass)
Bethesda, MA (once TLM… never turn back!)
QTH Lakeside, CA (73!)
Avon, CT (“old reader, new trad”)
Mechanicsburg, PA
Plano, TX (dog… Wheaton?)
Loganville, GA (y ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!)
Archd. Southwark (Good to hear from you, Father!)
San Antonio, TX (Thank you)
Brooklyn, WI (all growing… *hhhh*… I must come north – KID ART!)

UPDATE 27 Dec ’24:

Magnolia, DE (good luck with the zoo)
Chula Vista, CA (thanks for the novena! good to see you)
Louisville, KY
Savannah, GA (nice family)
Atherton,CA
Deerfield, NY
Rapid City (what lovely words – I’m inspired to continue)
Sanford, FL
Wading River NY (That was a wonderful note. I am grateful.)
Rochester, MI (hope so)
Plano, TX (thanks for the … thingie? It’s under my glass as I write)

UPDATE 24 Dec ’24:

Greendale, IN
Forest Grove, OR
Lake Mills, WI
Boise, ID
Pickens, SC
Delmar, NY

UPDATE 23 Dec ’24:

A first wave arrived.  I am so happy!  I hope for many more.  It is great to read also your annual updates.  They are becoming familiar.

Arbor Vitae, WI (prayers for your eyesight)
Scottsdale, AZ
Clochester, VT (myrrh – who knew)
Lost Nation, IA (creative letter/card!)
Dillsburg, PA (kid art!)
Lodi, WI
St Mary, MO (thanks for those kind words)
Coon Rapids, MN (hey there!)
Eagle, ID (nice card)
Malone, NY
Pen Argyle, PA
W. Warwick, RI
Menomonee Falls, WI
Waltham, MA (yes, that Boston trip was great!)
Dallas, TX (lovely window)
Tiverton, RI (hey there!)
W. Salem, WI (kid art!)
Australia (It’s okay if you stop sending weird stuff. Merry Christmas, though!)
Andover, N (thanks, and good reading list!)

Originally Published on: Dec 4, 2024

I always enjoy your Christmas cards.  The notes and letters which describe the year people have had are interesting and, often, moving.  I read them all.

And drawings by kids are great!  Last year I finally started a KID ART PAGE.  I wish I had done this earlier.

If you would like to send me Advent/Christmas greetings or cards, please send by snail mail.

Remember mail?

As I have done in years past, I’ll try to post all the places whence they were mailed from around the world.  Keep in mind that if you don’t include your address, at least your city, I can’t easily do that.

I have a US PO BOX address.

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
733 Struck St.
PO BOX 44603
Madison, WI 53744-4603

That is the P.O. Box of the Tridentine Mass Society of Madison

Someone will regularly check the P.O. box for me and forward everything.  NB: That will add a little time to how long it takes to reach me… but they do reach me.

If you want to send something time sensitive, or perhaps expensive – like keys to a Bugatti – contact me. HERE   I can give you a faster address!  If you’ve been a regular benefactor and we’ve had contact, you might consider that option.

Please DO NOT send perishable food items. I am sure they would be wonderful but, please, just don’t.

If you put glitter in the card, I’ll recite the Maledictory Psalms against you.

If  I receive something threatening or illegal, I will immediately turn it in to law enforcement.  I’m sorry I have to write that under such a cheery topic, but this is the world we live in, especially in this dreadful craziness going on.

 

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
Comments Off on Send 2024 CHRISTMAS CARDS to Fr. Z! – UPDATED (8 Jan 2025)

Daily Rome Shot 1189

Posted on 3 December 2024 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In churchy news…

We are all glad that Notre-Dame de Paris is open again and that the bells are ringing. But, that altar… and ambo… and… what the….?!?

This is interesting… though I think another famous “world leader” is skipping the event.

Please remember me when Christmas shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US 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.

And…

There is a good story at CNA about the Benedictines nuns from Gower Abbey in Missouri (reminder: wonderful music CDs and Sr. Wilhelmina) expanding to an old abbey in English.   A good read.  HERE

Lifesite says that there was/is indeed a document on Francis’ desk which he declined to sign after a conversation with a friend.  It seem that Robert Moynihan was the source behind the Lifesite piece.

And….

In chessy news… HERE

White to move and mate in 2.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
7 Comments