Be The Maquis – 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{]:¬)
And this is why, in the end, what has happened in Charlotte, NC, is far more wicked than the temporary desecration of Canterbury Cathedral. https://t.co/VPpDw2gdxQ — Damian Thompson (@holysmoke) October 12, 2025 Today I had a chance to talk to … Read More →
Today I received a text from a priest friend who sent photos of the brand new COMMUNION RAIL which they just installed in the “old church”. This one these places where they built a new church but kept the old … Read More →
At the National Catholic Register there is a story about how the Bishop of Lincoln has told priests, “NO PHONES in the Confessional”. HERE Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, formalized a new policy this year banning … 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 →
At The Pillar I read… The TLM, and liturgical politics at the Eucharistic Congress:https://t.co/Q7FHRg7prq — The Pillar (@PillarCatholic) June 20, 2024 TLMS as part of the scheduled Masses for the Eucharistic Congress? Not just coincidental? I would very much like … 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 →
I received this very interesting message, which I have been given permission to share. As I write, it is the Feast of St. Raymond of Peñafort (and of St. Emerentiana). I haven’t edited this. It is from a reliable source. … Read More →
At Aleteia, which I also never look at, there is a piece very much worth reading from top to bottom. I’m glad a friend alerted me to this. A man with sons set them to a hard task. He muses … 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 →
Bp. Strickland, by all accounts, spends a good portion of time before the Blessed Sacrament every day. For any who may be concerned, be assured I am Jesus Strong! Pray for Pope Francis and Christ’s Bride the Church, she has … Read More →
I posted this four years ago and I have not changed my position. No. Way. The. Enemy. Wins.
This is great. You remember that Card. Cupich of Chicago attacked the people who attended the south-side church in the care of the Institute of Christ the King by placing the Institute priests in an untenable position. He forced them … Read More →
In the San Diego Union-Tribune there is a piece about the Traditional Latin Mass sure to thrill the local ordinary. Opinion: I’m a Catholic who prefers Latin Mass. For my family, it’s about handing on tradition. BY LUKE HEINSTSCHEL Shortly … 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 →
This deserves wider attention. It underscores the attitude of cruelty unleashed in the tragically ill-conceived, ineptly named Traditionis custodes. In that unfortunate Archdiocese of Chicago, this … at the cathedral. From 1 Peter 5: Chicago Rosary Rally Assaulted Since February … Read More →
For the second time today I choked up a little. The first time was this morning during Mass. The profundity of the moment, place, act smothered me and I could barely breathe. Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O … 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 →
This is what devout resistance looks like. When the bishop thrown you out of your church, go to the gym. I rarely look at Fakebook, but this rare time it was worth it. The Bishop of Arlington tossed the folks … 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 →
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 →
But remember… the problem is the Traditional Latin Mass! If only we could shut it down, the seminaries would fill up again. Right? The average age of a priest in the United States is 67. The large ordination classes of … Read More →
I’ve been spending a lot of time recently in the Old Testament, seeing how again and again and again the People whom God chose broke covenant after covenant after covenant. God punished them with afflictions to bring them back and … Read More →
I have an action item for you. Below, I am pushing a couple of books, one old and one new. Here on my treasure chest, this blog, I am channeling my inner Matthew 13:52. But first, a rant from your … Read More →
Do you long-time readers remember how, back in the 1990’s, bishops refused to obey the commands of John Paul II regarding generosity in the application of legislation in force at that time concerning the Vetus Ordo? How they … Read More →
I received a note from a reader. I was praying this litany of the English Martyrs today. Please note we implore them to always preserve the Latin Mass, something they died for in many cases. Perhaps in these remarkable times … Read More →
I saw quite a piece at The Remnant about a priest – Father James Mawdsley – who, in unmistakable terms, called out Francis and Roche and those others who have been trying to oppress the faithful who desire traditional Catholic liturgical … Read More →
Consider a few points, in no particular order. Traditionis custodes and the Dubious Dubia (TC&DD) are an incoherent mess. TC&DD are founded on faulty theological grounds: that Vatican II is the lens through which all doctrine and discipline of the … Read More →
I received a copy of the letter which Bp. Dewane sent to his priests in which he attempts to forbid ad orientem celebration of Holy Mass according to the Novus Ordo. This is a steaming mess. There many things wrong … Read More →
Take note… I saw this at CNA: ‘Devastated’ Traditional Latin Mass devotees petition Arlington bishop to ease restrictions Supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass are petitioning Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, to lift restrictions he recently imposed on the … Read More →
UPDATE 17 Jan 2022: The thugs got busy. UPDATE 16 Jan 2022: God bless Bp. Strickland. This brave priest goes to the heart of the issue. “Do we go the way of Jesus Christ or do we accommodate and compromise … Read More →
There might be Alpha and O-micron variants. There is a Xi origin. X marks the spot. Constantine wanted Nicea. Xi… “I want” is, in Chinese, xi?ng. Reuters: Historic conclave: Chinese bishops, priests brief Hong Kong clerics on Xi’s religious views … Read More →
The Bergoglians – papalatrous and fervid – are today doing exactly what their progressivist counterparts in the 1970’s did: they accuse “rigid” bishops of “not getting with the groovy program, man.” Back then, the progressivist fear was that young people … Read More →
The way to defeat the enemy must at some point mean pressing ahead. I like this video about a men’s group in the London area, Mary Magdalen Men’s Association.
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Card. Cupich, who is a trusted advisor of Pope Francis, issued a document the other day called “The Gift of Traditionis Custodes”. I take it you don’t see it as a gift, but I notice that … Read More →