Fr. Z's Blog

In some places EPIPHANY is the big gift giving day, for obvious reasons.  Please remember me when  EPIPHANY  shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE  These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon. Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for next year), utilities, groceries, all the necessities.  You get what you need and, at no extra cost, you provide important help for which I am grateful.

Meanwhile, black to move and mate in 4.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Interested in learning?  Try THIS. There’s a big sale on right now.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

We are in the season of Christmas!

By FSSP seminarians

News and how to send. HERE

In some places EPIPHANY is the big gift giving day, for obvious reasons.  Please remember me when  EPIPHANY  shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE  These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon. Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for next year), utilities, groceries, all the necessities.  You get what you need and, at no extra cost, you provide important help for which I am grateful.

The (small) presepio at the Chiesa Nuova.  Note the presence of Cardinals Baronius and Newman along with, of course, Pippo Bbono.

Meanwhile in Samarkand – sounds like the title of a novella – the World Rapid and Blitz Championships are taking place on 26-30 December.  Big names are there.  Huge field in the open section.  Magnus: 4.5/5.  But others are there with him.

Meanwhile, the Alireza “Boy” Firouza is not playing in an even in Rouen after failing to bypass Wesley So in the ratings in the cobbled up matches in Chartres.  And now FIDE has issued last minute changes to tournament registrations.  It’s chaos and it’s not pretty.  Alireza is “playing by the rules”, but it just seems wrong.

Meanwhile, solve this… white to move, gain material and an eventual win.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

The wonderful Benedictines of Gower Abbey have beautiful Christmas music albums.

Caroling at Ephesus

Christmas at Ephesus

In other news, bishops conference after bishops conference in Africa have repulsed FS.  I thought it was just Americans that were the problem!  I just read that the Hungarian bishops conference has done the same.  Not a surprise. But think about how weird this is… cross the border into Austria and priests are pretty much obliged to give blessings.

Picture if you will. …. Hungary “no”, Austria, “priests must”. You are crossing the border into… THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

It will be interesting to see how this eventually tallies up…. or is it down?

In some places EPIPHANY is the big gift giving day, for obvious reasons.  Please remember me when  EPIPHANY  shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE  These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon. Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for next year), utilities, groceries, all the necessities.  You get what you need and, at no extra cost, you provide important help for which I am grateful.

This is not my shot. It is from APOD. Magnificent… in Torino, Italy… the Basilica of Superga, Mount Monviso, the Moon rising with Earthshine.

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout

Backwardist
ens … [used email address.. not a great idea]
sammy

Chessy business… Magnus after the 1st Round is 4.5/5 along with Arjun Erigaisi and a couple others.  Fabi is way down (now) at 48th with 3.  There are 200 players.  Alireza is not there.

Black to move and mate in 4.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

Interested in learning?  Try THIS. Big sale on right now. Up t0 80% and also BOGO.

NEW – KID ART PAGE

UPDATE 26 Jan ’24

Richmand, TX (even the envelop was kid art! Great!)
Fort Worth, TX (more TX!)
Slovakia (lovely 3d card and hand-written letter with fountain pen – prayers, of course, as you ask.  I ask, as well, for myself and my mother.)

UPDATE 24 Jan ’24

Willits, CA (nice photos)
Rome
Portsmouth, England (kid art!)

UPDATE 18 Jan ’24

Singapore
W. Fargo, ND (big family)
Battle Ground, WA (cool stamps)
Estes Park, CO (I’ve been there!)
Littleton, CO (thanks for the kind words, donation, and connection with Montenegro)
St. Paul, MN (*sigh*)

UPDATE 17 Jan ’24

Woodstock, GA (Thanks to you, O faithful, “200!” Your whole gang got me through a very bad time and still help.)
Bottesford, England (Many thanks, and also for the donations via WISE)
Maple Grove, MN (memories surfaced – hard to image that is Peter in the photo – and thank you)

UPDATE 13 Jan ’24

Livermore, CA
Fort Collins, CO (nice family)
Indianapolis, IN (one of my favorite songs/poems at Christmas time)
Jupiter, FL (maybe we’ll run into each other at Conchy Joe’s and congrats on the nuptials)
South Jordan, UT (thanks!)
Gibralter (yes, I will)

UPDATE 9 Jan ’24

Today two more packs of mail arrived!

Lincolnshire, IL
Vero Beach, FL
Eureka, CA (good pilgrimage)
Okotoks, Alberta (kid art of St. Philip!)
San Mateo, CA (camino… someday)
Montgomery, AL (thanks for the ORDO!)
Atlanta, GA (thank you)
Andover, MN (good books especially Scott Hahn’s – prayers)
Post Falls, ID (I recall from October in Rome!
Oak Park, IL (PERSEVERE!)

UPDATE 3 Jan ’24

I am thrilled! More cards came. The first I pulled from Santa Bag – he was late – had great kid art. I think I’ll create a new page for kid art. It was wonderful. It chokes me up. I understand why parents put it on their fridges and don’t want to throw it away.

Okay… where are you?

Dallas, TX (kid art)
Coeur D’Alene, ID (from St. Joseph’s Apprentice, which I plugged when they were starting… now on altar #780)
Henrico, VA (typed! LOVE IT! and thanks)
Tiverton, RI (Merry Christmas, Father!)
Harrisburg, PA (thanks)
Ocala, FL
Brooklyn, WI (prayers for J)
Harrisburg, PA (again! different … thanks)
West Chicago, IL (thanks for that, it means a lot)
Menominee Falls, WI (great pics of the procession and thx for kid art!)
Houston, TX (Annual $2 bills! I LOVE it. When I get there, we must meet. Thanks for everything)
Cudahy, WI (nice stamps)
Pleasant Plain, OH
St. Louis, MO (I’ve thought about relocating to be near the Chess Club… seriously)
London (I WANT to come! I do. I’m watching flight costs.)
Kingston, ON
Loganville, GA (thanks!)
Watervliet, NY (congratulations!)
Overland Park, KS (my God comfort you in your grief… thanks for the kid art)
Orlando, FL
Manchester, UK (I hear there’s a soccer team there… and a TV series… Life on Mars?)
Flushing, NY (thanks… good Chinese food there and thanks for tuning in to streams)
Story, WY (Masses!)
Medford, MA (prayers for your mother… please pray for mine?)
San Diego, CA (thanks! Pity about your… local … problem)
Mechanicsburg, PA (nice photo)
Fort Collins, CO (I thought, looks like the Met’s tree… and it was!)
Silverton, OR (nice note and pics)
Brea, CA. (Thanks for those kind words)
Delmar, NY (not Christmasy but thanks for the donation to me and to the TMSM (still prez!))
Melbourne Beach, FL (thanks, Father, sincerely)

Funny…

UPDATE 31 Dec ’23

East Lyme, CT (photos)

UPDATE 29 Dec ’23

More arrived today! Alas the MAIL IS SO SLOW. The pack was sent priority and it took a week. What would non-priority be? Is this is sign in anticipation of “The Collapse”?

Anyway, there was great KID ART from

Camden, SC (kind words and it was nice to see the photos of the artists!)
Camden, SC (another! Tolkien was very important in the path of my life)
East Lyne, CT (long time commentator – I admit I detest seagulls (because of Rome) but the “beige” thing made me laugh because of Paul VI and the color of the office I worked in the Curia “Paul VI beige”)
Alliston, ONT (Thanks!)
Fairfax, VA (with ref to WI)
Boca Raton, FL
Independence, KY (Masses!)
Monteagle, TN (so far the only card from here)
Taxton, VA (thanks you for the podcast thanks!)
Lubec, ME
Windsor, ONT
Southwark (Thank you, my dear friend, I hope to see you again soon)
Fritch TX
Shelbyville, KY (long letter – new cat?)
Indianapolis, IN
S. Bend, IN (thanks for no glitter)
Thousand Oaks, CA
Wichita, KS (thanks and thanks for the prayers – keep them coming)
Bethesda, MA (such good TLM news – yay!)
Waltham, MA (that Boston trip was great!)
Ashford, Middlesex (I don’t like bar codes either)
Depford, NJ
River Ridge, LA

UPDATE 28 Dec ’23

Marion, IN (lovely card)

UPDATE 27 Dec ’23

A few cards came to the secondary SOCOM address.

Pickens, SC (thanks)
Ottawa, ONT
Baldwin, NY (a reader and commentator for.. what… 30 years?)
Beaumont, TX (thanks)

UPDATE 22 Dec ’23

MORE ARRIVED this evening. My mail comes after 6PM!!! Outrageous!

Lake Mills, WI (HI!)
Wading River, NY (pretty bad shape)
Ave Maria, FL (yes, prayers, of course)
Atherton, CA
Alexandria, VA (thanks and good for you!)
Irving, TX (nice photo)
Chula Vista, CA (Masses)
Bowie, MD (Masses)
Shelton, CT
Sanford, FL (thanks, guys!)
Plano, TX
Roeland Park, KS (thanks!)
Madison, MS (keep going)
W. Warwick, RI
Livingston, MT (Ave Maria!)
Lakeside, CA (cool eclipse stamp)
Simi Valley, CA (soon Broken Arrow, OK)
Washington, MD (big family! yay!)
Gravesend, Kent, England (hey there!)
Roselle Park, NJ (wow, that’s for sure!)
Jamaica, NY (Recently I’ve been near there!)
Rochester, MI (Masses)
Palos Heights, IL (It made my day to read that.)

And, speaking of, “that’s for sure”, this was the card.

And in a separate USPS clear window envelope saying “Because we care!” came this one.

I am relieved that there was nothing of monetary value in there… which I find it strange to say. I really like those! But… good grief. It was torn in half and taped together. I’m glad I could at least piece together the contents and read the family letter.

FRIENDS: If you want to send a check or cash – thanks in advance – let me know and I will give you a different address which will require fewer steps to get to me.

UPDATE 22 Dec ’23

I few more have arrive per aliam viam…

Ashburn, VA
Lodi, WI (what a family!)
Mesa, AZ

UPDATE 20 Dec ’23

FINALLY some Christmas cards have been forwarded.  I’ve been so frustrated.

The batch isn’t as big as at this time last year – as a matter of fact it is massively behind – but I am so grateful for what has arrived.  The annual newsletters are great and family photos.  Over the years you are remembering the name, if not on demand then on the reminder.

And the first card I opened was the only one with KID ART!

Here’s here the cards are from.

Brooklyn, WI* great kid art!
Malone, NY*
Bradenton, FL*
Orlando, FL – (careful with the yoga thing)
Lawrenceburg, IN (census)
Cody, WY*
Irving, TX (thanks for the Masses)
Frisco, TX* (kind words, thanks)
Floral Park, NY
Arbor Vitae, WI*
Livingston, MT* (nice longhorn!)
Lost Notion, IA (beautiful family)
Long Beach, CA* (hey #7!! – yes, there’s one for Poland!)
W. Salem, WI (gosh, prayers for him!)
Woodstock, VA (don’t have to apologize for snail mail)
Covina, CA (thank you and you are welcome)
Savannah, GA (73!)
Louisville, KY
Scottsdale, AZ
Pepperpike, OH (Masses)
St. Paul, MN (I’ll try not to)

Alas, too few, but very good.  Thanks for lifting my evening.

______

Originally published on: Dec 3, 2023

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!  I’ve included one below.

If you would like to send me Advent/Christmas greetings or cards, please send by snail mail (if possible with really cool stamps).

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   We might be able to find you a much 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.

In some places EPIPHANY is the big gift giving day, for obvious reasons.  Please remember me when  EPIPHANY  shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE  These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon. Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for next year), utilities, groceries, all the necessities.  You get what you need and, at no extra cost, you provide important help for which I am grateful.

To those who know only the Novus Ordo, and in the most “relaxed” sense of that rite, I’ll explain.  The “sacred ministers” (the priest, deacon and subdeacon… the men (not women or other) in the funny clothes… are “genuflecting”.  That’s from Latin for “to bend the knee”.  They are not all tying their shoes!  In a sense they are “untying”, as Moses did,  because they are on “sacred ground”, at the altar.  An “altar” is where “sacrifice” is performed, not a meal.  “Sacred” means, “set apart for God and not regular worldly use”.   As if they were the shepherds who went to find the Baby Jesus, they are “genuflecting” in awe of the mystery of the Incarnation.  It is a wise thing to do.  Indeed the Blessed Virgin is seated and she, in turn is the throne on which the Infant King, Wisdom itself, is seated.  Mary is the “Seat of Wisdom”, which is one of her titles in the Litany of Loreto.  At Mass we do what the shepherds did: adore.  Note that one of the ghostly shepherds gestures to a lamb.  These shepherds were the ones who tended the sheep and lambs for the daily sacrifice (there’s that word again) in the Temple, day in and day out, morning and evening.  Christ is the Lamb.

Meanwhile, a Christmasy chessy puzzle, complete with Star of Bethlehem. Biretta tip to Johan Salomon on Twitter.  o{]:¬)

White to move and mate in 2.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

I had to post this.

In chessy news, the Rapid and Blitz is about to start (tomorrow) in Samarkand.  They drew lots for who will start with white and black.  Magnus got white, so they dressed him up a little.

Dressing Magnus isn’t really a bad idea when you consider how he usually dresses.  Also, there is a dress code for the tournament which I think most of the players would generally violate given that they often look like slobs.

There should be an occasional Retro Tournament with loooong battles, maybe not to “first to reach 12”, like in 1972.  Maybe first to reach 8, which would be long enough.  BUT… you have to dress for the matches in suit (preferably dark) and tie (narrow with half-Windsor) and not like the 6th Doctor or whatever Gotham is at any time wearing … especially that lounge-lizard get up the other day in Toronto.  I can’t unsee it.  The prize money should be so huge that players who might otherwise balk at the length (therefore expense) of the ordeal and the indignity of having to dress like a grownup and with respect for others will nevertheless sign on and submit to the aesthetics.

Decorum, gentlemen.  Decorum.

Merry Christmas!

And finally, the Rome shot… Bambino Gesù at my adoptive parish.  Gosh how I wish I were there.