Save The Liturgy – Save The World – 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{]:¬)
At LifeSite Bp. Scheider has commented. Bp..Scheider (and I) were at the Augustinianum in Rome, the Patristic Institute. He knows something about the ancient Church (and so do I). Bishop Schneider: ‘Nothing more dangerous for religion’ than liturgical ‘interference’ The … Read More →
On 2 August Ad Vaticanum published the remarks of Card. Sarah about the Traditional Latin Liturgy of the Roman, Latin Church. Read it there, but here’s a summary of the piece with my added emphases and comments (aka “zisking”). Essentially, … Read More →
If they think this is going to go away, they are delusional. Keep in mind the phrase: quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur. Also, yesterday in some commentary on the strange opinions of a bishop, I mentioned the issue of “unity”, … Read More →
At work in the Collect for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time are themes of divine adoption, the liberation of the children of God, the peril of error, and the splendor of Truth. Here is the Collect: Deus, qui, per … Read More →
At the table, the post about humeral veils came up. Just to review, the humeral veil used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a sign that the priest himself is not imparting the blessing. The humeral veil hides and … Read More →
Let’s have a look at the Collect for the Mass of the Lord’s Ascension… on this THURSDAY. COLLECT – (1962MR): Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui hodierna die Unigenitum tuum Redemptorem nostrum ad caelos ascendisse credimus; ipsi quoque mente in … Read More →
I am going to drag you – again – through my standard and sustained rant about liturgy, punctuated by Latin vocabulary and Neoplatonism. Consider this a different sort of “food post”. I will apply what I rant about to the … Read More →
Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this Easter Octave Sunday? Tell … Read More →
From a priest… I think… QUAERITUR: Preparing for a funeral Mass in the near future; Is it permissible to chant the Dies Irae sequence in a Latin requiem Mass using the ordinary form? Didn’t see it anywhere in the copy … Read More →
the Cardinal Secretary of State Piero Parolin sent a note to the French bishops before their plenary meeting. It obviously conveys the desires of Leo XIV. One important remark sticks out, particularly in light of the upcoming June consistory: “May … Read More →
Before Lent was lengthened, yesterday, Laetare Sunday, was the mid-point of Lent. Another nickname for the 4th Sunday in Lent is “Mediana“. In this week the fast, but not abstinence, was somewhat relaxed as a kind of refresher before Passiontide. … Read More →
Lately to my Masses I’ve been adding orations from the Votive Mass “pro infirmo proximo morti… for a sick person close to death”. The prayers are staggeringly beautiful. Like to them are the prayers from the Votive “ad postulandam gratiam … Read More →
At Crisis Magazine my good friend Msgr. Hans Feichtinger, who was a theologian for the CDF during the Ratzinger years, examined The Roche Report. Liturgical Terrorism At its core, liturgical tensions point to deeper issues in theology, the transmission of tradition, … Read More →
Peter Kwasniewski invites a mind experiment. Let us run with this thought experiment for a moment. Imagine the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom as our starting point. Now, take away most of the litanies; substitute a newly-composed anaphora (with … Read More →
Do you remember all the way back to the dark year of 2023? Newly minted Cardinal Fernandez of the DDF vowed in an interview that he was not a “Soros spy infiltrated in the Church.” Hamlet 3.2.245 According to … Read More →
When Leo called the consistory, there were several proposed agenda items. Fr. McTeigue aptly describes what happened. [T[hey were going to talk about lots of things and then they talked about not as many things as the things they were … Read More →
I’m a bit pressed for time today, but you should at least see this if you haven’t yet. At NCReg Minnesota Diocese Gives ‘Ad Orientem’ Worship a Shot THERE’s a headline to make you put down your coffee and sit … Read More →
From Ed Pentin at the National Catholic Register: Liturgy Sidestepped at Pope Leo XIV’s First Consistory? [With my emphases and comments.] Cardinals choose evangelization and synodality as key topics, disappointing those who expected the liturgy to be a central theme … Read More →
In the ancient Western Church and in the East, Epiphany was more important than the relative latecomer Christmas. Epiphany is from the Greek word for a divine “manifestation” or “revelation”. There are many “epiphanies” of God in the Scripture. Think, … Read More →
Wonderful customs come with the Feast of the Epiphany. Real Epiphany is 6 January, by the way. Happily, this year it doesn’t get transferred to a Sunday because it falls on a Sunday. On Epiphany we find in the Roman … Read More →
Lately I have almost every day been adding orations from the Votive Mass “pro infirmis” during my celebration of Holy Mass. The orations from that Mass are poignant. Here is the Secret: Deus, cuius nutibus vitae nostrae momenta decurrunt: suscipe … Read More →
At The Free Press there is a piece about the fact of the increase in the number of young women wear chapel veils or mantillas in church. I’d be interested in your thoughts on the article and on the topic … Read More →
I’ve been getting notes about, and seeing chatter about on the interwebs, people setting up home chapels just in case. I think it is good to have one anyway, not just in case. In any event, while it is relatively easy to … Read More →
This is a recently recovered skeleton of the elusive Pullus, but not the Pullus Galinaceous, but rather Pullus Marinus, as the sign says. It is in the airport in Pittsburgh, which is a strange place for it. However, seeing is … Read More →
I was given a manuscript of a new book by Bp. Schneider to look over. It is about heresies. Just as he put out a book about the truths of the Faith that are to be believe, now he has … 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 →
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 →
In the Novus Ordo calendar the observance of Epiphany (12 days after Christmas – the reason it is called “Twelfth Night”) is in some places moved to the Sunday, this year tomorrow. Some say that moving it to Sunday allows … Read More →
At Epiphany we Latins have – traditionally – chanted a solemn proclamation of the key liturgical dates or movable feasts for the new year of salvation, just begun. This underscores how these dates and seasons are all interconnected. The liturgical … Read More →
As Christmas approaches, it seems strange to write that we have need of some good news! Good news has come, however, from the Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrier, of Chémeré-le-Roi, France, a traditional group of Dominicans. They recently completed a … Read More →
This comes via a comment under another post HERE QUAERITUR: Serious question – if a priest were to bless an unholy act, would he be bringing a curse upon himself? God the Father is very clear in the Dialogue of … Read More →
A couple weeks ago, I brought to your attention a 4 November piece at Catholic World Report by Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ, which commented on the “Eucharistic Revival” which is underway under the impulse of the bench of bishops. Fr. … Read More →
As we approach the end of another liturgical year, an odd thing happens in the Church’s traditional, pre-Conciliar calendar. The Sundays left over after Epiphany, after Christmas, are finally dusted off and prayed until the liturgical year is concluded. This has … 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 →
Cross posted with One Peter Five HERE. We would have had a first selection from Philippians last week, the last Sunday of October, but the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost was superseded by the Feast of Christ the King in the … Read More →
The Collect for the 31st Ordinary Sunday, which was in the ancient Veronese Sacramentary, is also found in the Extraordinary Form on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. Omnipotens et misericors Deus, de cuius munere venit, ut tibi a fidelibus tuis … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a question about “active participation”. The priest that used to service my SSPX chapel was very adamant about is using a missal to follow and pray the Mass. He added that it wouldn’t be … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw a tweet or whatever it is that they are called now starting an argument about whether or not people in the pews should bow to the priest when he enters to say the Traditional … Read More →
Remember! There’s only one expression of the Roman Rite. Right? We turn our adventurous eyes today to Zimmerman, Minnesota and Christ Our Light parish. Fr. Kevin Anderson, pastor, demonstrates how very badly things can go wrong when there is a … Read More →
Here is some amazing news. In Grand Rapids, MI, at the great Sacred Heart parish (wow, what a school!), there is going to be a musical series unlike anything I’ve heard of in the States or elsewhere. It is a … Read More →
I have great news. The other day the sacristan at Santissima Trinità here in Rome and I were chatting about the RED VESTMENT PROJECT. In a nutshell, the various sets of red vestments for Mass that many priests use on … Read More →
The other day we read at NLM that His Eminence Robert Card. Sarah (former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments) published a piece at the journal of Communio. Communio (Ratzinger, Bouyer, de Lubac) is/was the … Read More →
My heart goes out to people who are constrained either to attend Sunday Masses at parishes where weird stuff goes on or have to drive great distances. My heart is broken for people whose shepherds deny them their Christian dignity by … Read More →
Nice for Saturday! Thanks to The Great Roman™! The wonderful Benedictine monks of Le Barroux make great wine from the ancient vineyards of the Avignon popes. You can have some. Get some and help them. Win. Win. White to move … Read More →
The late great liturgist and holy Card. Archbp. of Milan, Bl. Ildefonso Schuster, whom I often quote, on 30 August 1954. Future Pope Roncalli . His tomb is in the Duomo of Milan. It was opened in 1985 as part of … 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’m confident that pretty much all of us priests have at one point or another after a Mass heard something along this line, generally from one of our treasured senior mass-attending Catholic ladies: “O Father, thank you for that message. … 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 →
A priest friend sent a link to a piece in The European Conservative which argues for the Sarum Rite. In itself, that’s interesting. Adherents of the Roman Rite will, however, appreciate the introductory section. My emphases and comments: The Tragedy … Read More →
Since I am in Chicago, I post today a link to a story from this date last year, 4 August 2022, about the Archdiocese and the Institute of Christ the King. HERE You might remember that the local Archbishop said … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have been doing research however to no avail. What is the official book and english translation used for blessing after Vatican 2 prior to the release of Book of Blessing? The book of blessings remained … Read More →
If in baseball there was recently a perfecto, in the ecclesial world a certain bishop has been hitting dingers. I posted about the piece by Bp. Athanasius Schneider at The Catholic Thing HERE. Today I note that at One Peter … Read More →
I had a question from a reader/viewer who was wondering about the preparation of the chalice during a streamed Mass. When it came to the water, I didn’t pick up the water cruet to add water. QUAERITUR: It looks like … Read More →
On this Sunday, when many are celebrating Corpus Christi, I’m feeling a little nostalgic. I spotted this photo in my plentiful archive. Back when the world was a brighter place and hearts were buoyant and war was not being waged … 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 →
You long-time readers will know that when there is a hurricane or some natural phenomenon like storms that spawn tornadoes coming along I plead with bishops and priests to put on their gear and pray against the storms using the … Read More →
Dear readers, this is the sort of thing that Popes do! They fight against the forces of Hell and they work for the salvation of souls. For example, when the ancient obelisk that was in the Circus of Caligula off … Read More →
The consecration of Immaculata Church in St. Mary’s Kansas. This is a “workshop” in CATHOLIC theology and spirituality. NB the purifications and exorcisms before moving to the consecrations. Booklet HERE Writing on the floor!
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 →
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The practice of Forty Hours Devotion should be revived. Forty Hours originally evolved to ask God’s protection from external threats, such as invasion or disease. Now, it should be undertaken because … Read More →
I had an exchange this morning via texting with a friend who was wondering about the validity of an absolution. I suspect that priests who screw around with the words of absolution aren’t purposely trying to be cruel… but that’s … Read More →
The nickname Laetare originated from the first word of the Introit chant for Sunday’s Mass, “Rejoice!” On Laetare Sunday there is a slight relaxation of Lent’s penitential spirit, because we have a glimpse of the joy that is coming at Easter, … Read More →
This is for either your “Too Little Too Late” file or your “Better Latin Than Never” file, depending on your predominant world view. HERE Wim Card. Eijk of the Archdiocese of Utrecht published a plan called “Continue doing this in … Read More →
May I suggest that you add this bishop to your list of those for whom you regularly pray? Pray especially for his protection from the Enemy and his human agents in the Church. The new and young bishop of Columbus … Read More →
There is a convincing piece at Catholic World Report by James Baresel about what I think is the greatest conflict in the Church today: her conflict within herself over her sacred liturgical worship. Why, “greatest”? Because we are our rites! … Read More →
We are back in violet this Sunday, as Pre-Lent begins in the traditional Roman Rite. Here’s a poll. Anyone can vote, but only registered and approved participants can comment. ALL comments are moderated. Keep in mind that Septuagesima could fall … Read More →
On this coming Sunday, Holy Church begins to sing in a new key. We have come around, in the traditional calendar, to Pre-Lent. The “Gesima Sundays” have Roman Stations. Today we are at St. Lawrence “outside the walls”. Being in … Read More →
Here are some bits of good news. First, an amuse bouche. Next, I had this note from someone where the TLM is celebrated by the FSSP: Someone from work and with lots of prejudices came yesterday and he said he … 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 →
Sometimes I muse on the truly horrible formation we seminarians in the 80’s received in Sacred Scripture. I broke through that deficit with my knowledge of classical languages and studying Patristic Theology at the best place to do so in … 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 →
On the SIXTH of January, Epiphany, we prayed liturgically with the three mysteries of the Lord’s life revealing Him as divine: the adoration of Jesus by the Magi, the changing water to wine at Cana, and His baptism by John in the … Read More →
Yesterday I received a PDF of a new “Decree” from the Archbishop of Cincinnati, Dennis Schnurr. HERE The Archbishop has introduced a new “policy” on ad orientem worship. There must be in every parish or “cluster” (they say “family”) of parishes at … Read More →
In the Novus Ordo calendar the observance of Epiphany (12 days after Christmas – the reason it is called “Twelfth Night”) is in some places moved to the Sunday. They reason that more people will celebrate the important feast that … Read More →
Monday was Christmas. Today is Childermas, the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The “Coventry Carol”, a lullaby of mothers to doomed children, dates to the 16th century. It was part of a Mystery Play, “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors”, about chapter … Read More →
For a couple years I’ve posted about this custom. This year I had pretty much forgotten about it until I got an email from a priest who asked for a recording of this year’s version. The main text does really … Read More →
Today is 21 December, the Winter Solstice and the Feast of the Old Testament Prophet St. Micah. Since the beginning of December, Holy Mother Church has been imitating the Lord on the Road to Emmaus. She has been reminding us … Read More →
Because I continue to get question in my email about bizarre things that priests do to the FORM OF ABSOLUTION, it is good to remind everyone that in 2023 the Novus Ordo form of absolution in English is to change. There … Read More →
A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2022. Today, Fr. Parsch gives us an insight into how to “Rejoice!” in the Christian way of rejoicing. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf · ADVENTCAzT 2022: 15 – 3rd Sunday of Advent: Why … Read More →
Yesterday I posted a response to a question about the validity of Mass if a priest says “for all” instead of “for many” in the English version of the Novus Ordo. HERE That raised a question in the combox so … Read More →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: My 1956 Saint Andrew Daily Missal, pages 1111 et seq., allows for partial indulgences, measured in days and years, upon various prayers; yet, current my Baronius Press missal does not. Two Questions: 1. Have partial indulgences … Read More →
The Gospel for our 2nd Sunday of Advent according to the Vetus Ordo, the Roman Mass, has two sections which need to be addressed separately, though they are connected. Firstly, in Matthew 11 John the Baptist is in prison because … Read More →
I’ve been reading something co-written by scholars whom I have hitherto respected. These are not “libs”. These are not Fishwrap types. They are sound scholars. What they signed is over-the-top ideological cant about the Novus Ordo and its Spirit-inspired glories, with a strong polemical … 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 →
From a reader… QUAERITUR: My parish has recently been gifted a beautiful new set of Sacred Vessels for use at Holy Mass. We have asked the bishop to bless them when he’s next due to come here for Confirmations but … Read More →
And there’s this… ACTION ITEM! Be a “Custos Traditionis”! Join an association of prayer for the reversal of “Traditionis custodes”. HERE
A while ago, I ran into a claim that in the near future devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus would be more and more important. Think about how our ecclesial shepherds have, through neglect and even expressions of contempt, … Read More →
From a priestly reader… QUAERITUR: I cannot find when to use the Biretta at the Homily, should it be worn, if so, then does one wear at for the Epistle & Gospel readings in the vernacular/English? Thank you for your … 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 →
UPDATE 3 Nov ’22: A priest wrote to tell me that I was wrong about the period for the plenary indulgence during the “octave”. He said he was sure that the period was extended for the entire month of November. … Read More →
The great liturgical scholar Klaus Gamber said that the de-orientation of the altar was the more destructive change after the Council. To make that clear: The priest celebrating Mass facing the people did more damage to the Faith than anything … 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 →
A friend and long-time internet colleague – once a member of the staff of the ancient Catholic Forum on Compuserve! – sent the following from a blog called Harvey Millican 2.0: Musings of a Trad Dad: “These Our Men“. I … 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 →
In the 1962 Missale Romanum there are prayers “in order to repel storms”. I am using these prayers now in the face of hurricane Ian. The prayers are ancient, to be found in the 5th c. Gelasian Sacramentary (PL 74) in “XLVII. … Read More →
In the Divine Praises we pray: Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Today, 12 September, is the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Devotion to the name of Mary was at first in Spain, by Carmelites. … 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 →
In general, I don’t want to know anything about the personal lives or thoughts of actors or other celebrities. If I go to a movie, I don’t want to know that the person on the screen is really a moronic … 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 →
Which one of these things is not like the others? A) Cross-hatched loaf. Get a a little cheese, some slices of sausage, some wine… what’s not to like? B) Hot Cross Buns. Hot from the oven! Yum. C) The “bread” … Read More →
From a priest… QUAERITUR: Is it okay to learn how to say the Traditional Latin Mass? Where are we at with the whole overblown, skewed notion of obedience and authority today that it would enter into a priest’s mind that … Read More →
The Council Fathers of Vatican II voted overwhelmingly to approve some few mandates that would result in a reform of the Roman Rite. A body was assembled to implement that reform. It was operated by radical ideologues who had their … Read More →
In another post I mention reception theory regarding law, specifically Traditionis custodes. If a law isn’t accepted by the group for whom it is intended, it is essentially no law at all. One could, by this, contend that laws that were … Read More →
Cross posted with One Peter Five: This week’s task is scary. The Gospel for this 8th Sunday after Pentecost presents probably the most difficult of the Lord’s parables to explicate. This week we hear the Parable of the Unjust Steward … Read More →
Continuing our look at Desiderio desideravi (aka Desideedee). The letter, as I wrote before, is a mixed bag. It seems divisible according to the voice and topic. That probably reflects authorship by different people or groups. Continued from HERE. The … Read More →
Far and wide the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi, which properly fell last Thursday, has been transferred to this Sunday. Was there a good point made in the sermon you heard for your Mass of Sunday Obligation? Let us know. … 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 →
Pentecost Friday I was informed that at NLM there is a great explanation of the Pentecost Roman Stations. I’ve gotten a few things wrong in previous posts. Don’t worry, they aren’t points for examination at the pearly gates. I find … Read More →
Pentecost Thursday. The Roman Station is St. Lawrence outside the walls, which is where it would have been in the Easter Octave on Wednesday. However, given that yesterday was an Ember Day, and Ember Wednesdays are at S. Maria Major… … Read More →
Pentecost Wednesday: Ember Day Another Octave ramble which might have a couple of surprises. Back in the day, 5th c or so, Pentecost was enriched with an Octave, thus extending the festal character of the great feast. So, what to … Read More →
Iraq On June 3, 2022. 172 of our children, 99 boys and 73 girls, received the first #HolyCommunion in #Baghdida #Qaraqosh The region that was heavily attacked by Isis militants a few years ago to exterminate Christians, scream out loud … Read More →
Tuesday in the Octave of Pentecost. Another little ramble. The Octave has Roman Stations. As the last two days honored St. Peter at churches bearing his name, one would expect now that St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles should … Read More →
I celebrated Mass in the afternoon, so my thoughts about the readings are coming together. Being away from home I don’t have so many resources and notes. I’ll just jot a few things down for you and if you find … Read More →