The Coming Storm – Fr. Z's Blog: Recent Episodes
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" - Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)
On this day, 19 September, in 1846 Our Lady appeared to two young shepherds at La Salette in France. She appeared seated on a rock, weeping, with her face in her hands. She wore a headdress like a bright crown … Read More →
The Gospel reading for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Vetus Ordo) was from Luke 10. It begins with verse 21 in which the Lord rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks His Father in Heaven. However, when we read our … Read More →
UPDATE: 29 July 2024 The French Olympics peeps said “Oh no! That wasn’t the last supper! That was an “interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus [that] makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings”. They lied. The … Read More →
There is a piece at Rorate from a couple days ago which addresses a massive problems in Italy with paltry vocations, unstaffed churches, and declined church attendance. They are hitting the pot of strong coffee that we in these USA … Read More →
I was made aware of a piece published last week by the National Catholic Register by Larry Chapp about Traditionis custodes three years on. I was on the road, so I stashed it for a bit. I was at first rather enthusiastic about … Read More →
At the National Catholic Register, His Excellency Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, has penned a piece in defense not only of the Vetus Ordo, but of the people who desire it. This is important. The attacks on the Vetus … Read More →
There are developments. The Times of London published a letter signed by “prominent figures” in the UK world of arts, business, politics and journalism urging that there be no new restrictions on the Vetus Ordo, the Traditional Latin Rite. This is … Read More →
I saw this at Twitter/X. These home chapels are more Catholic than a lot of post-Conciliar churches. I know a few Catholics, and I am hearing rumors of many more, who are building chapels in their homes, with altars, preparing … Read More →
I occasionally check posts from the past. I found something from a few years ago, which feels right for these hard days, especially in view of future persecution. From a reader… QUAERITUR: Dear Father, I feel [unsafe] going to Church, … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: What on earth is going on with a new document that will ban the TLM (Traditional Latin Mass)? You seem quiet. Don’t you worry about this? This question represents many notes I’ve received. I’ll answer this. … Read More →
I saw a pipiatio on Pipiatum (X) about Cicero’s oration against Cataline. It brought back many memories. Not that I was there… but I was, sort of. I studied it in school. Also, there is an inscription from the consulship … Read More →
Pentecost Saturday Today the Season of Easter comes to an end. The cycle that started with pre-Lent Sunday’s is over. Being an Ember Saturday, there would be a vigil in the night in preparation for ordinations to the priesthood at … Read More →
Reactions to Harrison Butker’s commencement speech abound. Today there are couple of note. First, at Crisis is a piece by Paul Kengor: “Hell’s Fury for Harrison Butker” subtitled: “If you’re sick of the bullying thugs of cancel culture, then stand with Harrison … Read More →
Each day it is a little harder to recognize our world. Here are a few of scary items. First… just watch… Demo of Google’s AI agent. This is insane ? pic.twitter.com/EJWIgBkwpF — Alvaro Cintas (@dr_cintas) May 14, 2024 Right? Then … Read More →
There is an interesting piece – interesting because it was in the first place written and published – from the AP about the shift among younger Catholics to “conservative” and even – gasp – traditional ways. HERE ‘A step back … Read More →
I ran into a notable quote today at one of my daily stops, the estimable Laudator. The quote is from the work On the False (or Dishonest) Embassy by the ancient Athenian orator Demosthenes (+384 BC). The context is the negotiation of the … Read More →
I saw a piece at the Baltimore Sun which says that the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be the 30th diocese to declare bankruptcy. They will close parishes. What will be left? 21 of 61. Meanwhile, there is an FSSP parish … Read More →
At Crux there is an account of an address that Robert Card. Sarah gave to the Bishops Conference of Cameroon. Some tastes with my emphases and comments… “Many Western prelates are tetanized* by the idea of opposing the world. They … Read More →
From SpaceWeather. A BIG CME IS COMING: Two sunspots erupted at once on March 23rd, producing a powerful X1-class solar flare. A bright halo CME is now heading for Earth. Models suggest it could reach our planet during the early hours … Read More →
I spotted a video on Twitter/X. But first… let me help you get into the mood. Now that that’s in your head…. The video I spotted is a 1968 documentary from NBC “The New American Catholic”. The Masses you see … Read More →
A sad bit of Dominican news: the monastery of the Santo Domingo el Real in Madrid has had to close for lack of vocations, 805 years after its foundation by St Dominic. The nuns have long been guardians of the … Read More →
I’m calling on every Catholic in America to return to Our Lady and join in prayer. – RAYMOND LEO CARDINAL BURKE The website is HERE Sign up and each month you will received an email from Card. Burke. This video … Read More →
Young Jacinta and Francisco, the seers of Fatima were canonized in 2017. They are, I believe, the youngest canonized non-martyr saints on the calendar. “On the calendar…”. They aren’t on the traditional Roman calendar. However, perhaps there is a way … Read More →
It has been quite a week. During this last week I’ve felt a real malaise, a spiritual smog. Many have written asking for my comments on highly visible disasters. Firstly, my insights lead me to the brilliant conclusion that, “Yup, … Read More →
Sad news continues. Remember… it is an attack on Tradition and on the Traditional Roman Rite, but even more it is an attack on the people who want them. They don’t like the people. Bad news. France On the eviction of the … Read More →
In this video with Robert Royal, Larry Chapp knocks it out of the park! He describes the present theological trend, a “theology from below” especially in relation to moral theology. The starting point becomes one’s subjective experience rather than the … Read More →
At First Things there is a really helpful piece by Gerhard Card. Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and a present participant in “Walking Together about Walking Togetherity”. Card. Müller gives some background to … Read More →
I call your attention… no. Wait. To those who don’t like the Traditional Latin Mass… to those who don’t like me personally or what I write or defend… to those who don’t understand why there are Catholics who aren’t just … Read More →
Looking at the Synod (“Walking Together: “W-T”) from as far as I can manage while being in Rome and as close as I need to be because I simply have to, the image that comes to mind is tied sack … Read More →
LifeSite today looked at what the participants of “Walking Together about Walking Togetherity” are discussing and it fits with what I have written before. The true content of the “W-T” is the process itself. The aim is to make “W-T” a … Read More →
The point of the “Walking Together about Walking Togetherity” is the process itself. The process is the content, the message. That does not mean that there are not sidelines, some of them dominant. One of them is the normalization of … Read More →
This is from Catholic Vote. Everyone, I’ve been saying all along that whatever “Walking Together about Walking Togetherity” might produce in terms of texts or recommendations for some papal document, none of that makes a difference. The real content is … Read More →
Because I entertain moments of self-hatred which I evolve into moments of reparation for for “walking together”, I tuned into a YouTube video of the very thing… “Walking Together about Walking Togetherity”. It is a morning session from yesterday. If … Read More →
At kath.net, the German site, there is a story that Card. Müller, former Prefect of the CDF and once Bishop of Regensburg, advises Bp. Strickland of Tyler NOT to resign. Excerpt: According to Catholic teaching, the Pope is by no … Read More →
Today, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is also the anniversary of the 2007 Summorum Pontificum going into effect. This Motu Proprio – the Emancipation Proclamation for the faithful who desire the Vetus Ordo – was a keystone … Read More →
In about mid-August I had heard that perhaps Bp. Strickland would be ousted by Rome in the first part of July. “I’ll believe it,” quoth I quietly but pretty much believing, “when I see it.” We heard about the visitation … Read More →
At The Catholic Thing today, my friend Dr. Robert Royal asks the elephantine – nay, rather, mastodontic question: Is there something wrong in Rome? The obvious answer is YES. Only a fool or fanatical ideologue (in the real sense) would … Read More →
On the way back to Rome, Francis was slightly Mongolian grilled when asked about the book that is making waves The Synodal Process ((“walking together”)) Is a Pandora’s Box: 100 Questions and Answers which has a Preface by Card. Burke. … Read More →
Run don’t walk to read a piece by a chap of whom I had not heard just a few short months ago. Larry Chapp has a great piece on the great façade of the upcoming Synod on Synodality (“Walking together … Read More →
At Crux there is a piece about a new booklet published on 22 August by TFP concerning the upcoming Synod (“walking together”). Card. Burke wrote the intro… Burke claims Pope’s synod will foster ‘confusion, error and division’ Keep this in … Read More →
A recent piece at the SSPX site deals with the “vertiginous” drop in priestly vocations in France, in particular, Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe. The figures they used are from the French bishops conference and other non-SSPX sources. The … Read More →
I posted this four years ago and I have not changed my position. No. Way. The. Enemy. Wins.
It has been a hot summer. CLIMATE CHANGE! WE ARE ALL GOING TO DROWN IN THE GLACIERS! This was spotted at American Thinker. What NASA and the European Space Agency are admitting but the media are failing to report about … Read More →
At Rorate today there is a useful piece by Roberto de Mattei. In spite of his strange jabberings about “the jab” It is useful in that it provides a few concise paragraphs that put into perspective where we have been … Read More →
Longtime readers here know of my love of poetry. Hence, from the beginning this talk by Michael Hitchborn at the Coalition FOR Canceled Priests grabbed my attention, for he began with William Butler Yeats and his most famous work. He … Read More →
Sincerely, I think all this madness will pass one way or another. Today is the anniversary of the release of Summorum Pontificum, the saintly Pope Benedict XVI’s “emancipation proclamation” for those who desired what they ought to have had all along: freedom … Read More →
At CNA I saw something that shocked but didn’t surprise. German exodus: Half a million Catholics abandon Church in historic departure The Catholic Church in Germany is facing an unprecedented crisis, with more than half a million baptized Catholics leaving … Read More →
A couple years ago I posted about the psychological abuse of priests and the resulting Moral Injury. It is good to review this concept occasionally, and consider it in light of what is going on in the Church today. Moral … Read More →
I was sent this news: France: Number of Ordinations at A Low Only 88 French candidates will be ordained priests this year, announced Eglise.Catholique.fr (June 22). 52 of them belong to dioceses. It is the lowest number of ordinations in … Read More →
This came to my email and I have to share it. Some of you have surely seen it already but repetita iuvant! ~~~~~~~~~ TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s !! First, we survived being born to … Read More →
This time of year many new priests are being ordained and, consequently, many priests observe their own anniversaries. In the traditional, Vetus Ordo of the Roman Rite a priest can add orations for himself, Pro seipso sacerdote, on the anniversary … Read More →
Two things. First, Swiss Bishop Vitus Huonder has released the third in a series of videos about the undeniable crisis in the Church. It is in German with subtitles. Put down or put aside other things. Click. Fold your hands and watch this … Read More →
I am stretching back into my memory for how this all worked. In 1993 John Paul II went to Denver for World Youth Day There were Stations of the Cross, mimed, in which a woman depicted Christ. Mother Angelica of … Read More →
In my Daily Rome Shot today, I had photos of billboard that have appeared in Rome, quoting popes, in favor of the Traditional Latin Mass. I subsequently received a request from the people behind this initiative along with a press … Read More →
At Crisis there is a MUST READ piece by Jennifer Bryson Why Do Heretics Remain in the Church? The counterfactual optimism of heretics keeps them in the Church while working to destroy it. A perennial question. She breaks it down … Read More →
I’m not making this up. Bishop Hermann Glettler of the Diocese of Innsbruck installed the so-called ‘lenten cloth’ in the 18th century Innsbrucker Spitalskirche. The giant cloth bears a photo of a a pig’s heart. Over the altar. HERE I’m … Read More →
Remembering always that the Traditional Latin Mass needs to be snuffed at Catholic schools like Steubenville, here’s what’s going on at Notre Shame. From Breitbart: The University of Notre Dame’s gender studies program is hosting a talk with the author … Read More →
From this new study about vocations to the priesthood and ordinations in these USA: HERE I was told by a bishop that bishops say they do not hear that men have been inspired toward priesthood by Francis. Of course the … Read More →
Practical advice for you, radical traditionalist subversive that you are, from the always helpful Babylon Bee. 13 Ways To Tell If Your Priest Is An Undercover FBI Agent So there you are, trying to worship peacefully, and then out of nowhere … Read More →
In a recent post, because of the persecution of those who desire the Traditional Roman Rite, I mentioned having a “house chapel”. Priests will be cancelled. Masses will be suppressed in churches and chapels. Remember: this is not aimed at … Read More →
Dear readers, we have to get our heads into a place that will help us to maintain our cool and balance in a storm or wave of storms. Mental and spiritual preparation before hand is needed. It is possible – probable … Read More →
I am from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, where, back in the day, the “consecrated blizzard of the North”, Archbp. John Ireland (nomen omen) drove thousands of Ruthenian Catholics into schism by his narrow prejudices and tyrannical attitude. … Read More →
Here’s an informal thought exercise. If Vatican II was supposed to usher in a new “springtime”… I saw something – HERE – EUROPE, NO LONGER CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE “Only a part of the cultural … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: My job with a state agency includes reviewing proposed regulations of other state agencies. For many years, when we did this task we would change old references to the generic “he” or “him“ to “he or … Read More →
There is a good piece at The Catholic Thing today about the concept … and eventually person … of the Antichrist. I’ll point out a couple things that caught my eye. First, something on a liturgical note. The writer, Francis … Read More →
I firmly believe that Card. Pell would have been a “kingmaker” in an upcoming conclave because of his ecclesiastical experience, his personality, and his enormous moral authority after his persecution and unjust imprisonment. As one of my correspondents wrote, rightly, … Read More →
This year 1 January, the Octave of Christmas or the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God fell on a Sunday. All Sundays are Holy Days of Obligation. Next year, 2024, 1 January falls on a Monday. That means that, … Read More →
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. For my part I am, at the time this … Read More →
This is Archbp. Emmanuel Lafont of French Guiana, retired, during the Amazonian Synod (“Walking Together”). He is “walking together” with the demon idol Pachamama, carrying it ceremonially and scandalously in procession into the Roman church Santa Maria in Traspontina. We … Read More →
A couple weeks back Hell’s Bible (aka NYT) published an airy yet vicious attack piece about Catholics who attended the Traditional Latin Mass. Apparently, if you go to the Vetus Ordo, you might be a white right-wing extremist of some … Read More →
I try not to pay too much attention to Jesuit-run Amerika Magazine. It occasionally intrudes. Even less to I want thoughts of or by Austen Ivereigh. I am therefore grateful to my friend Fr. Raymond J. de Souza who, writing … Read More →
Signs of the times… First, Archbp. Vincenzo Paglia – head of the Pontifical Academy for Life – did an interview for RU-486‘s (aka The Tablet) with the writer most suited for that sort of intercourse. You will recall that when … Read More →
Forgive typos… I am writing under time constraint and pressures. Biretta tip to Peter Kwasniewski – o{]:¬) – for the following from Mr Cricket, Andrea Grillo, whose photo on his blog looks like – and it is exactly what he is … Read More →
In the great movie The Incredibles, at the end a new super villain appears from underground in a big drilling thing and shouts: “Behold the Underminer! I’m always beneath you, but nothing is beneath me!” This sums up the catholic … Read More →
From the National Catholic Register (the Catholic paper, not the other one, the Fishwrap). Pope Francis announced on Sunday that the Synod (“walking together”) on Synodality (“walking together”) will be extended to 2024. Speaking in his Angelus address on Oct. … Read More →
11 October 1962 saw the opening of the Second Vatican Council. John XXIII, brushing off the reservations of advisors and those whom he consulted, determined to have that Council (but who refused to reveal of Secret of Fatima at Our … Read More →
A friend in London sent this video of procession with the Rosary, Rosary Crusade of Reparation. He wrote: It’s held each year on the Saturday after the feast of the Holy Rosary, and the March starts at Westminster Cathedral and … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: At my parish, we have a new pastoral administrator…. Don’t know the whole story, but suffice it to say that Fr. W does not really seem to want to be in parish ministry. Our parish has … Read More →
WOW. I am a bit at a loss for words, after reading this. It is dead on. I would only quibble with one small part, but even in that he has a point that ought to be considered. There are … Read More →
It seems that Swiss Card. Koch has raised his concerns about the Germans “Synodal (“walking together”) Way”. In doing so, he has incurred the wrath of German bishops and others who have sent him, and the organizers of an event … Read More →
When I first saw this, I thought it was a spoof account. It isn’t. In #Frascati22 our experts are working on the syntheses produced during the local consultation phase. Pages and pages full of stories, insights, but also in some … Read More →
I firmly believe that their overreach will overtake them. Hitherto, Bp. Rey of Fréjus-Toulon in France has been open to accepting traditionally-minded seminarians and religious. Vocations in that diocese were up, unlike the rest of France. Hence, Rome is now … Read More →
Today, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is also the anniversary of the 2007 Summorum Pontificum going into effect. This Motu Proprio – the Emancipation Proclamation for the faithful who desire the Vetus Ordo – was a keystone … Read More →
I read a story at CNA about a diocese in the Netherlands where the wonderous springtime of Vatican II has revolutionized all of Catholic life. So successful has the Vatican II reform been, that the Diocese of Roermond has said … Read More →
Sometimes coincidences are just coincidences. Sometimes they aren’t. Yesterday, 1 September, on the anniversary of a very creepy thing, two very creepy things happened. 1- Francis gave a speech to the world’s bishops, more an more reduced to “branch managers” … Read More →
You will want to watch this before it is expunged from on orders from high atop the thing. Tucker Carlson’s opening monologue on 31 August 2022. He goes over the many ways in which the left, fully in charge, is … Read More →
Church news, especially having to do with the papacy, has lately become a hybrid between a long-delayed forensic autopsy and Fawlty Towers, sickeningly hilarious. Yesterday, I saw this tweet from Damian Thompson. Crazy rumour in Rome that at his August … Read More →
The Vetus Ordo is not going away. No matter how much pressure and repression, no matter how much persecution of priests and marginalization of lay people certain “shepherds” apply, it will remain and grow stronger in ways they fear more … Read More →
I recently wrote: I am convinced that one of the reasons certain bishops and priests seem determined to suppress the TLM and isolate, marginalize the people who want it is because the TLM unsettles, disturbs, annoys, irritates, needles, vexes clerics … Read More →
I am mindful of what I posted here: 3.5% of a group can bring the group down, turn it around, or take it over. A friend, who sees and sends the most interesting things, saw and sent this, from The European … Read More →
3.5% 3.5% of a group can bring the group down, turn it around, or take it over. Alinsky knew this. Demographers know this. At 3%, groups gain significant influence. Read HERE. I was struck by something in the decree in … Read More →
At The Catholic Thing there is a summary piece abooot Francis’ trip to Canadia. It starts: “Well, that’s over.” You can read it there. It paints a rather pathetic picture and darns with faint praise, the point being that it … Read More →
The powers High Atop The Thing fear people who desire the Traditional Roman Rite and hate the Vetus Ordo because they know that the demographic sink hole opening under the Church is gobbling the people they have neglected to catechize … Read More →
UPDATE 15 July: It seems that, again, there are those who cannot keep things to themselves. I had hoped to build a prayerful barrage regarding this really bad news, in the hope that, perhaps, there were still some chances that, … Read More →
I have long observed that a demographic sinkhole is opening up under the Church here in these USA. The fact is that lots of “nones” will stop even pretending to embrace the family religion. Also, the inexorable movement of time is … Read More →
Naomi Wolf. Jewish, liberal, feminist, homosexualist. Not a name that you would think to see on this blog. However, a reader sent me an email with about an video interview she gave about what is going on in the world … Read More →
Fifty years ago today, 29 June 1972, Paul VI uttered those amazing words. He knew that something was not going right. Not at all right. Thus Paul VI: “… We would say that, through some mysterious crack—no, it’s not mysterious; … Read More →
I just saw the Vatican’s Annual Disclosure about Peter’s Pence or Obolo di San Pietro for 2021. The collection is taken up around the world around the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. It is intended to provide means for … Read More →
At Vatican News we find an interview with the Prefect of Worship, whom Francis designated as a Cardinal, Archbp. Arthur Roche, once of Leeds and less-than-successful head of ICEL. Roche is an inveterate enemy of the Roman Rite, the Vetus … Read More →
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t it once a project of Francis to decentralize some of the power from the Roman Curia out to the local Churches? I have this nagging memory that local bishops were to have … Read More →