The fool says in his heart ‘There is no God.'”

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From something I spotted in a tweet, I did some digging to find the source. This is from a Psalter in the Getty Museum.

DESCRIPTION: An enthroned man wearing a fool’s cap illustrates the opening verse of Psalm 52-“The fool says in his heart ‘There is no God.'” The scroll he holds proclaims this heresy: Non e[st] Deu[s] (There is no God). Two mischievous demons incite him to this thought, while an angel above attempts to warn the fool against such a notion.

Closer… right click for really big…

Posted in Just Too Cool |
3 Comments

LENTCAzT 2025 – 28: Tuesday 4th Week of Lent – Living in God’s presence

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Roman Station today is San Lorenzo in Damaso, where the Church’s three highest tribunals are located.

Fulton Sheen gives us a pep talk.  Card. Bacci tackles an important aspect of the spiritual life.

HERE

Posted in LENTCAzT, PODCAzT | Tagged , , ,
Comments Off on LENTCAzT 2025 – 28: Tuesday 4th Week of Lent – Living in God’s presence

Daily Rome Shot 1284

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In the background you can see part of the facade and dome of S. Carlo e Biaggio, which has been closed for years after the big earthquake that it Norcia. I’m told it is to reopen soon. Last time I was there in February, the park was being massively cleaned up.

Very cool…

 

Memento Mori…

Chessy news… I’ll probably play OTB today.  HERE

In today’s hard puzzle, white to move and mate in 5.  Good luck.

Nice people! Great service!

Every home should have a chess set.  Every kid should learn to play.  It is a lifetime gift that cuts across people and generations.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

Interested in learning?  Try THIS.

Some time ago, I bought a great travel set from Chess House (with which I have an affiliate program).  It is simply the best travel set I’ve seen.  It weighs hardly anything.  The pieces are magnetic.  The board has a pleasant leather backing.  It packages up into a little bag.  It looks nice.  15% discount TODAY

9? Milled Leather Travel Magnetic Chess Set with Wood Pieces

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.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

31 March – Feast of St. Amos, Old Testament Prophet

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today in the older Roman Martyrology it is the Feast of the Old Testament Prophet Amos.

Many of the Old Testament figures are considered saints and they have feast days, quite a few in Advent (for obvious reasons) but also at other times of the year, scattered around.

In honor of SAINT Amos the Old Testament Prophet, we can look at something that St. Augustine of Hippo penned, commenting on Amos 3:1-8 and 4:11-12.  The chosen people have been unfaithful and God will punish them.  Amos poses rhetorical questions about their behavior and God’s response.

Amos says:

Does a lion roar in the forest,
when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
if he has taken nothing?

…

The lion has roared;
who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
who can but prophesy?”

…

Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

Augustine expands on Amos’s lion (s. 55.3):

”Lord, You have been our refuge.”  Therefore we have recourse to You.  Our healing shall be from You, for our evil is from ourselves.  Because we have abandoned You, You have abandoned us to ourselves.  May we therefore be found in You, for in ourselves we had been lost.  “Lord, You have been our refuge.”  Why, my brethren, should we doubt that the Lord will make us gentle if we submit ourselves to be tamed by him?  You have tamed the lion, which you did not create.   Will your Creator be unable to tame you?  What is the source of your power to tame such savage beasts?  Are you their equal in bodily strength?  By what power then have you been able to tame such huge beasts?  The so-called beasts of burden are wild by nature, for it untamed they could not be endured.  But because you are not accustomed to see them except when handled by men and under the curb and control of men, you might think that they were born tame.  At any rate, consider the savage beasts.  The lion roars; who does not fear?  And yet, whence your knowledge of the fact that you are more powerful?  Not in bodily strength but in the inner reason of your mind.  You are more powerful than a lion, because you have been made the image of God.  The image of God tames a wild beast.  Is God unable to tame His own image?

A good point of reflection for Lent.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Patristiblogging, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged
Comments Off on 31 March – Feast of St. Amos, Old Testament Prophet

LENTCAzT 2025 – 27: Monday 4th Week of Lent – If Christ suffered, then…

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Roman Station is Santi Quattro Coronati.   Last year on this day we heard from Fr. Troadec.  This year Fr. Parsch affirms something important for the life of the individual but also of the Church.

“Through the centuries the Church must walk the way of the Cross; woe to her if she seeks other paths, for only through the Cross can she arrive at her goal, resurrection.”

HERE

Posted in LENTCAzT, PODCAzT | Tagged , , ,
1 Comment

Daily Rome Shot 1283 – Laetare at The Parish™

Posted on 30 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Parish™, where I will soon be once again thanks to you wonderful Roman Donors.  This is today, as you can see from the rose vestments on the altar and tabernacle.

It seems that don Vilmar had the sermon today. Pics from the World’s Best Sacristan™.

The Benedictines of Gower Abbey recorded the responsories for Tenebrae.

Tenebrae at Ephesus

US HERE – UK HERE

These are the RESPONSORIES of Tenebrae for all three days of the Triduum.  They are, arguably, the most beautiful chants of the entire liturgical year.  Order now and have this in time.  A good gift.

It’s always something.

1000% agreement.

Par for the course these days… let’s celebrate heretics who did immeasurable harm to souls.

Quid novi scaccorum ….  QUI

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

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
2 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 4th Sunday of Lent – Laetare – 2025

Posted on 30 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff.

It is the 4th Sunday of Lent in the Novus Ordo and in the Vetus Ordo.   It is nicknamed “Laetare Sunday”.   In England of yore, people went “mothering”. It was also called “Mid-Lent” Sunday (because Lent once started later).

Surprisingly, the experts of the Consilium didn’t do away with Lent completely.  How backwardist.

The Roman Station is Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

QUESTION: At the Mass you went to, was the Station mentioned?  Let us know in the combox.

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Sunday Mass of obligation?

Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?

I have a few thoughts about the orations in the Vetus Ordo for this Sunday: HERE

A taste:

In the ancient Church of Rome, we Catholics didn’t begin the most serious period of penitential fasting until this midway point before Easter.  Originally, the Lenten period began with Quadragesima or “Fortieth”, also the Latin name now for Lent.  The days from Ash Wednesday through Saturday were added later to take into account the Triduum, etc.  Hence, we are about 20 days into ancient Lent which is why this 4th Sunday was called “Dominica in vigesima … Sunday on the twentieth” and also “caput ieiunii … the start of the fast”.  At this mid-point, there was a brief pause for us to catch our breath, as it were, like Jewish pilgrims needed on the way up the long sloping climb to Jerusalem.  In fact, the Collect for Mass has the very word “respiremus … may we catch our breath, be refreshed”.

Posted in Sermons | Tagged
3 Comments

Harrowing vision of Padre Pio

Posted on 30 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Posted in Priests and Priesthood | Tagged
1 Comment

LENTCAzT 2025 – 26: Laetare Sunday 4th of Lent – Joyful progress – FIXED

Posted on 30 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Okay, the music is there now.  However, you may need to refresh your cache to clear the version that did not have music, or try another browser.

Today the Roman Station is Holy Cross in Jerusalem where the relics of the Passion are venerated.

Fr. Troadec speaks about joyful progress.

HERE

Posted in LENTCAzT, PODCAzT, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
Comments Off on LENTCAzT 2025 – 26: Laetare Sunday 4th of Lent – Joyful progress – FIXED

Daily Rome Shot 1282

Posted on 29 March 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome registrant:

EdwardVIII

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.

Please support the wonderful traditional monks of Le Barroux.

This…

And this…

And this…

In chessy news… HERE

Black to move and mate in 4.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
1 Comment