The future and our choices – 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{]:¬)
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 →
The Archbishop of San Francisco issued the text of a Notification he sent to Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Because of the entirely obvious to even a child, she is not to present herself for Communion. HERE He wrote: As you have not … Read More →
A while back I wrote a review of Anthony Esolen’s fine book Nostalgia. HERE In it, I wrote: How often is the charge of “nostalgia” flung as a cliché into the teeth of those who desire, with their legitimate aspirations, the … 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 →
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 →
You will find this video quite interesting. Larry Chapp interviews Bp. James Conley of Lincoln about the reform of the liturgy. Please let me know your high points. For me: communion rails, communion on the tongue, the Roman Canon. They … 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 →
Today I’m chatting with the fellow who runs Federated (see HERE) who has also obtained his Extra license and is doing fun SotA things and QRP with a very cool transceiver… I want one. If anyone out there is not using … Read More →
I give full marks plus an extra kudo to Jesuit Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ. His article at Catholic World Report is OUTSTANDING. How many times have I here urged GO TO CONFESSION! Have I not again and and begged priests … 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 →
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 →
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 →
I’m torn. I really am. On the one hand, don’t you wish they would just stop talking? Stop writing? For example, the new guy to head up the Dicastery (yeah, that’s what we call it now) for the Doctrine of … 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 →
Sometimes pieces, tid-bits of news, fall together in such a way that they seem to be revealing a larger picture or presaging something not yet seen on the horizon. For example, in an exchange of texts today with a notable … 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 →
Fr. Z kudos to Bp. Strickland. Christ is the vine. The traditional Latin Mass is rooted in the vine, robust with truth & bears much fruit. Any attempt to sever the traditional Mass from the Church is an attack on … Read More →
I posted this four years ago and I have not changed my position. No. Way. The. Enemy. Wins.
I am grateful to His Eminence for his kindness, his faithful example, and steadfast faith.
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 →
It occurs to me that we missed celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the stupidly unnecessary, falsely grounded and wickedly cruel attack on the people who desire the Traditional Latin Mass via the document Taurina cacata… er… um… Traditionis custodes. In … 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 →
Feel like a castaway these days? Feel like those who should have the greatest care of you have sloughed you off for the sake of the ways of the world? You are not alone. With that as a preamble, if … 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 →
For the last couple months I was too happy to have had the desire for self-harming. However, now that I am not in Rome anymore I ventured over to the Fishwrap and revisited the darkness of self-inflicted irritation. Sr. Joan … Read More →
In many places the Feast of Corpus Christi gets an “external celebration” on Sunday. It is wonderful to see the multiplication of Eucharistic processions especially with the growth of the Traditional Latin Mass. TLM began, processions generally followed. In 2008 … 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 →
At Crisis there is a piece by Eric Sammons entitled “Our Incurious Bishops“. The idea is this. The SSPX just consecrated a huge and beautiful church in Kansas. It was packed with precisely the sort of people bishops might like … 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 →
Over at Ann Barnhardt’s place you will find a video of something that happened in France in 1987. Catholics who desired the Traditional Latin Mass were locked out of the parish church on Palm Sunday… much like what now-incredibly-Cardinal Cupich … 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 →
From the introduction of Cardinal Sarah’s new book. When priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unworthily, when they give the Eucharistic Jesus to sinners who have no intention of asking Him to forgive their sin’s or of living … 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 →
I bring to the attention of the readership and interesting site called Reverent Catholic Mass Let Us Help You Find a Reverent Catholic Church Near You! The site reads: Trying to find a reverent Catholic Mass or acquire resources to … 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 →
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 →
There’s chatter about “Eucharistic Revival”. I have my ideas about what will work, but I’m afraid that the spirit of Vatican II, at least under the control of the power-that-be, will not be able even to imagine giving them a … 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 →
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 →
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 →
Reality is sometimes harsh. For example, if a parish is not able to pay its bills, it’ll probably have to close or be “merged”. Either way, a few hearts will be broken. I don’t say “lots of hearts” because if … 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 →
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 →
Remember that art that the Synod (“walking together”) process in Philly excreted, not to reflect the actual opinions of young people but to drive an agenda? Well, it turns out that the art was intended not to reflect the actual opinions of … 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 →
The great Fr. Hunwicke at his esteemed page has composed an insightful post. He is dead on target. The reason the haters of the Vetus Ordo fear and hate the Vetus Ordo is because of the moral life implied in … Read More →
Today at Crisis (aptly named) editor Eric Sammons argues that there are four camps (roughly speaking) in the Church today – perhaps the Latin Church in the Northern Hemisphere. Can they be reconciled? Do they constitute different religions? The core: In summary: … 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 →
Francis went to Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan to participate in the VII Congress Of the Leaders Of World And Traditional Religions. That Congress issued a final declaration, surely prepared ahead of time and distributed to the signatories ahead of time. This … 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 →
The Vetus Ordo is against Vatican II! That’s why it has to be crushed and the people who want it marginalized and demoralized to the point that they will quite simply leave the Church. Instead, what will bring about the … 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 →
I am sure that you have by now seen the moronic, sick, anti-Catholic dreck at The Atlantic about the Rosary written by … who? The writer feverishly connected the use of the Rosary, as a matter of spiritual warfare – … Read More →
A year ago, I posted about the psychological abuse of priests and the resulting moral injury. This topic returned to the fore as I read a recent story about a priest who was forced out of his position because he … Read More →
UPDATE: NB: After the The Great Roman™ saw this he offered: That I recall it was not included in the Franciscan Sources and it is believed to have been written at the time of Boniface VIII who suppressed a Franciscan … Read More →
If you are thoughtful, there are applications from this video to your local situation. Never mind that an idiot or two launch intellectually STUPID attacks on the Church as Militant. Think of every scene as a metaphor. This is about … 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 →
There are powerful people in the Church who think that they can suppress the Traditional Latin Mass. They will not succeed. This is one reason why. The video is a couple years old, but … that doesn’t make any difference. … 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 →
Here’s a British film from the late 80’s about an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ukraine, a place much in the news these days. As it began, I couldn’t help but think about the way that traditional Roman … Read More →
The Vetus Ordo is not going away. I received this from a reader: Spain is a country where traditionalism is virtually unknown. The left is obviously virulent, and under the influence of the Opus Dei, the right is solidly ostrich-like … Read More →