These are special words.
Be in the habit of saying them, often.
Let your kids hear you say them, often.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
WWII in Italy: Old Allied Sign in Puglia
World War II was not so long ago.
On the side of this old Fascist building in Foggia they still have painted these words from 1944 (the building had been made into the local Allied headquarters).
Anno Christiano MMX: New Years Resolutions for 2010
Try reading the Roman Martyrology entry for each day.
Get your copy from The Newman Press (Westminster, Maryland).
A lesson from the Martyrologium Romanum is read in choir, at Prime, by many seminarians and monks and priests alike.
Get your copy from The Newman Press (Westminster, Maryland).
A lesson from the Martyrologium Romanum is read in choir, at Prime, by many seminarians and monks and priests alike.
Rome's Piazza Venezia Christmas of 2009
Finally, after three years of being absent, the Christmas tree in P.zza Venezia is back.
An Endangered Species: the Outdoor Manger Scene
This photo was taken in Lanciano, high in the Abruzzi, across the street from the famed Eucharistic miracle.
In Rome the three traditional outdoor manger scenes are seen in St. Peter's Square, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.
The famous manger scene of Roma Termini has not been seen in about 9 years and this year the manger scene at Stazione Roma San Pietro was not seen either.
Catholic Custom: Prelatial Cuffs
So as to not be damaged when the alb is laundered they are often detachable (i.e. with snap buttons).
Midnight Mass at the Vatican 2009
As everyone knows, during "midnight" Mass this year just after 10 p.m. there was an attacker during the procession. I have decided to only post these two pics of the procession, both of which are positive.
Calling for a Return of the Two Portable Altars in the Laterano
It was always a nice (and harmless) little tradition that only the popes had the privilege to celebrate Holy Mass atop the main altar of the Lateran Archbasilica.
Meanwhile, all visiting priests had the joy to celebrate Holy Mass atop this portable altar, if they so wished, overlooking the same confessio (where the martyrs are buried).
Then came the 1960s when suddenly it was said that this (Catholic) tradition was "bad" and that "change" had to happen. Today there is no portable altar and many different canons and priests often celebrate Mass atop the main "papal" altar.
What the Portable Altars at the Lateran Archbasilica Looked Like
Notice the portable altar in front of the confessio? And the other in front of the cathedra? Ah, the good old days!
Le Tradizioni in Rome: Le caldarroste
The caldarrosta is just what the tourist is looking for and adds to the holiday cheer.
Rome Gypsy
Because they have never sat in a classroom or been to school, their minds are often very simple. Speaking to some of them is perhaps a bit like speaking to a little child. The trick is to speak to them in Romanian and then they light up like a Christmas tree. This angel, strangely, has called me "Raymond" for years.
Trinitarians in Rome
Study their history.
Perhaps this is your call?
Let us pray!
See here: http://www.trinitarianhistory.org/.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Taking Pics in the Vatican Basilica
Take it from somebody who was there: the time for a return to the sedia gestatoria is now.
And grazie della foto, Shawn!
Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message of 2009
Um, maybe someone forgot to mention that "Jesus is the reason for the season": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oldI0UrizQM
Cohors Helvetica and a Word about Vatican Security
The enfolding arms of the Bernini colonnades welcome all, into a safe place known as St. Peter's Basilica.
And there at the Papal Masses you have the most colorful military unit in the world, the Swiss Guard. For the most part these guys do fine work and act as an able bulwark in protecting the popes and others.
On the other hand, there is the Corpo della Gendarmeria, whose members are Italian nationals. They are the private security detail of the pope (along with some of the Swiss Guard), who assist at some few other functions as well. Fat with nepotism, they have always been quite definitely in second place. The brass are older men who are wise in the ways of preserving themselves in power and they are most of the names on the Vatican Comitato per La Sicurezza and are the Direzione dei Servizi di Sicurezza e "Protezione Civile".
Everybody has seen the newsreel of the attack on the pope. What is not seen in the video is that after the girl was taken down (and subsequently took down the pope), she then got up ( = got away) and ran down the center aisle through waves of the security cavalcade and only then plowed into the 87-year-old cardinal about half way down the center aisle at which point the Gendarmeria security was (finally) able to stop her (only after she plowed into the cardinal) and carry her out (near the manger scene).
A lack of able security is akin to touching pitch. And this blessed obliviousness of the Gendarmeria has proven dangerous. The careless and carefree bonhomie of the Corpo della Gendarmeria only makes it clear that change needs to be in the air and that the return of the sedia gestatoria, which many are still against, might just be the smartest solution.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Greeting in Latin
Amabilissimi fratres:
Magna cum benevolentia salutem plurimama mittimus vobis!
In hac Domini Nativitatis solemnitate, Deus pater et creator noster, qui ex Beata Maria Virgine nasci dignatus est, concedat vobis gaudium spei, salutis, sui amoris atque misericordiae erga vos.
Deiparae Mariae sanctique Joseph intercessio vobiscum sit per cunctum annum venturum, ut feliciter, pie ac in Altissimi gratia agatis!
In parvulo Christo Rege nascituro,
JPSonnen
Magna cum benevolentia salutem plurimama mittimus vobis!
In hac Domini Nativitatis solemnitate, Deus pater et creator noster, qui ex Beata Maria Virgine nasci dignatus est, concedat vobis gaudium spei, salutis, sui amoris atque misericordiae erga vos.
Deiparae Mariae sanctique Joseph intercessio vobiscum sit per cunctum annum venturum, ut feliciter, pie ac in Altissimi gratia agatis!
In parvulo Christo Rege nascituro,
JPSonnen
A Call for a Return to the Sedia Gestatoria: Alzatevi, Andiamo!
Hearts have to be prepared for its return: still far too many in Italy are against the return of the sedia gestatoria (triumphal chair) and for all the wrong '60s reasons.
But would this have happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcP_00cPnZc&feature=player_embedded if the pope had been safe in his own St. Peter's Basilica aloft in the elevated sedia (where finally all the crowds can actually get a glimpse of him) with a square of security around this sedia and its sediari?
Everybody already passes through the metal detecting as they enter the Basilica. The pope is eighty-two. This is his second fall this year. Why is the Italian establishment in the Vatican still so opposed to the return of the sedia and what can we do to help convince them to see the wisdom of former generations in making use of the very practical sedia gestatoria?
But would this have happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcP_00cPnZc&feature=player_embedded if the pope had been safe in his own St. Peter's Basilica aloft in the elevated sedia (where finally all the crowds can actually get a glimpse of him) with a square of security around this sedia and its sediari?
Everybody already passes through the metal detecting as they enter the Basilica. The pope is eighty-two. This is his second fall this year. Why is the Italian establishment in the Vatican still so opposed to the return of the sedia and what can we do to help convince them to see the wisdom of former generations in making use of the very practical sedia gestatoria?
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Catholic Custom: Embossed Arms on Liturgical Books
Often wealthy families in Catholic countries then as now have a chapel in their palace. In these family palaces one can sometimes find liturgical books in the chapel with the family coat-of-arms embossed on the cover, as seen here. In addition, arms of cities and prelates, etc., are sometimes embossed in a like manner.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Chief Rabbi of Rome (Dr. Israel Eugenio Zolli) Defends Venerable Pius XII
From Chapter 17: "The Charity of Pius XII"
"One might say of the reign of Pius XII that he is inspired by Isaiah's words: Peace is harmony, peace is salvation, to those near, to those afar off. I want to heal them all...There is no place of sorrow where the spirit of love of Pius XII has not reached. Volumes could be written on the multiform works of succour of Pius XII. The Catholic priesthood throughout the whole world, religious men and women and the Catholic laity, stand behind the great Pontiff. Who could ever tell what has been done? The rule of severe enclosure falls, every thing and all things are at the service of charity...No hero in history has commanded such an army; none is more militant, more fought against, none more heroic than that conducted by Pius XII in the name of Christian charity...Pope Pius XII is followed by all with the fervor of that charity that fears not death. No one asks for anything except to follow in the footsteps of the Master under the guidance of Pius XII...I did not hesitate to give a negative answer to the question whether I was converted in gratitude to Pius XII for his numberless acts of charity. Nevertheless, I do feel the duty of rendering homage and of affirming that the charity of the Gospel was the light that showed the way to my old and weary heart. It is the charity that so often shines in the history of the Church and that radiated fully in the actions of the reigning Pontiff."
-Before the Dawn by Eugenio Zolli, c. 2008, pp. 193-196.
"One might say of the reign of Pius XII that he is inspired by Isaiah's words: Peace is harmony, peace is salvation, to those near, to those afar off. I want to heal them all...There is no place of sorrow where the spirit of love of Pius XII has not reached. Volumes could be written on the multiform works of succour of Pius XII. The Catholic priesthood throughout the whole world, religious men and women and the Catholic laity, stand behind the great Pontiff. Who could ever tell what has been done? The rule of severe enclosure falls, every thing and all things are at the service of charity...No hero in history has commanded such an army; none is more militant, more fought against, none more heroic than that conducted by Pius XII in the name of Christian charity...Pope Pius XII is followed by all with the fervor of that charity that fears not death. No one asks for anything except to follow in the footsteps of the Master under the guidance of Pius XII...I did not hesitate to give a negative answer to the question whether I was converted in gratitude to Pius XII for his numberless acts of charity. Nevertheless, I do feel the duty of rendering homage and of affirming that the charity of the Gospel was the light that showed the way to my old and weary heart. It is the charity that so often shines in the history of the Church and that radiated fully in the actions of the reigning Pontiff."
-Before the Dawn by Eugenio Zolli, c. 2008, pp. 193-196.
Pius XII to Americans on the Eve of War
See his own words from 1939 and see whose side he was on: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12SERTU.HTM.
John Paul II Defends Venerable Pius XII
September 11, 1987
Meeting with Jewish Leadership
Words of Gratitude
Miami, Florida
"It is also fitting to recall the strong, unequivocal efforts of the Popes against anti-semitism and Nazism at the height of the persecution against the Jews. Back in 1938, Pius XI declared that 'anti-semitism cannot be admitted' (September 6, 1938), and he declared the total opposition between Christianity and Nazism by stating that the Nazi cross is an 'enemy of the Cross of Christ' (Christmas Allocution, 1938). And I am convinced that history will reveal ever more clearly and convincingly how deeply Pius XII felt the tragedy of the Jewish people, and how hard and effectively he worked to assist them during the Second World War. Speaking in the name of humanity and Christian principles, the Bishops' Conference of the United States denounced the atrocities with a clear statement: 'Since the murderous assault on Poland, utterly devoid of every semblance of humanity, there has been a premeditated and systematic extermination of the people of this nation. The same satanic technique is being applied to many other peoples. We feel a deep sense of revulsion against the cruel indignities heaped upon the Jews in conquered countries and upon defenseless peoples not of our faith' (November 14, 1942)."
-John Paul II to the Church in America: A Complete Collection of the Pope's Addresses to Catholics in the United States 1978-1988 by The Cambridge Center for the Study of Faith and Culture, pp.114-115.
Meeting with Jewish Leadership
Words of Gratitude
Miami, Florida
"It is also fitting to recall the strong, unequivocal efforts of the Popes against anti-semitism and Nazism at the height of the persecution against the Jews. Back in 1938, Pius XI declared that 'anti-semitism cannot be admitted' (September 6, 1938), and he declared the total opposition between Christianity and Nazism by stating that the Nazi cross is an 'enemy of the Cross of Christ' (Christmas Allocution, 1938). And I am convinced that history will reveal ever more clearly and convincingly how deeply Pius XII felt the tragedy of the Jewish people, and how hard and effectively he worked to assist them during the Second World War. Speaking in the name of humanity and Christian principles, the Bishops' Conference of the United States denounced the atrocities with a clear statement: 'Since the murderous assault on Poland, utterly devoid of every semblance of humanity, there has been a premeditated and systematic extermination of the people of this nation. The same satanic technique is being applied to many other peoples. We feel a deep sense of revulsion against the cruel indignities heaped upon the Jews in conquered countries and upon defenseless peoples not of our faith' (November 14, 1942)."
-John Paul II to the Church in America: A Complete Collection of the Pope's Addresses to Catholics in the United States 1978-1988 by The Cambridge Center for the Study of Faith and Culture, pp.114-115.
Cardinal Montini (Future Pope Paul VI) Defends Venerable Pius XII
"On the eve of leaving for Rome, his secretary, Don Macchi, called his attention to a play entitled The Vicar by a German playwright named Rolf Hochhut in which Pope Pius XII was portrayed as a cowardly pragmatist who acquiesced through silence in the Nazi slaughter of the Jewish people. Cardinal Montini retired to his study and wrote a letter to the editor of the London Tablet which had published a summary of the play, with a copy to Raimondo Manzini, director of Osservatore Romano. The letter stated that the writer had worked in close contact with the late Pius XII from 1937 till 1954 when Pius, as Cardinal Pacelli, was Vatican Secretary of State and during most of his later pontificate; that the characterization of Pius XII was false. The late pope, he wrote, was noble, virile, compassionate rather than cowardly and opportunistic. 'The thesis of Die Stellvertreter lacks psychological, political and historical insight into reality,' he wrote, 'and theatrical charm is a poor substitute for reality. If Pius XII had acted as Hochhut would have had him act, there would have been such reprisals and such devastation that, after the war, Hochhut himself, with better historical, political and moral insight could have written a more realistic and more interesting drama than the one he has so unfortunately staged. If Pope Pius XII had carelessly or recklessly let loose further ruin upon a tormented world in a spirit of bravado or political exhibitionism then, indeed, might Hochhut have held him guilty for the fate of countless innocent victims.' 'One should not play with such subjects nor accept the distorted images of historical personages which have been twisted and torn within the imagination of theatrical artists insufficiently endowed with historical judgment or, God judging them, honest intent....Pius XII was sensitively aware of his duty to mankind and of historical reality. He did not condone the horrible crimes of German Nazism....An attitude of condemnation and of protest which Hochhut blames the pope for avoiding would have been not only useless but harmful in ways beyond his power of imagining.'"
-Shepherd of Mankind by William E. Barrett, c. 1964, pp. 268-269.
-Shepherd of Mankind by William E. Barrett, c. 1964, pp. 268-269.
Archbishop Sheen Defends Venerable Pius XII
"During the summer months following that incident, I went to Rome, and one evening had dinner with Cardinal Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII, who was then the Secretary of State. The next morning I visited him in his office and he said to me: 'Will you please tell me what you know about the university and the opposition to the rector, James H. Ryan.' I answered: 'Your Eminence, I beg to be excused from any comment about the university and its rector.' At that point the Cardinal dropped the subject, and pulled out a number of German newspapers from a file and began reading and translating them. For over an hour he spoke with considerable vehemence against Hitler and Nazism."
-Treasure in Clay by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, c. 1980, p. 46.
-Treasure in Clay by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, c. 1980, p. 46.
Anti-Defamation League Defends Venerable Pius XII
"A small glimpse of the work done, the incredible detail to be handled and the risks to be run, is obtained from a report prepared by B'nai B'rith long after the war. In the Bulletin of the Anti-Defamation League for October 1958 the report reads: 'It is known today that, under Pope Pius XII's instructions, 15,000 Jews received asylum in Castel Gandolfo. In convents and monasteries, canonical enclosure was lifted so that Jews of both sexes might find security under Vatican immunity. More than 180 places thus made available a secret asylum given to over 7000 refugee Jews.'"
-Shepherd of Mankind by William E. Barrett, c. 1964, p. 179.
-Shepherd of Mankind by William E. Barrett, c. 1964, p. 179.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Year for Priests Conference in Rome
See here: http://www.yearforpriests-clergyconferencerome2010.org/
Jan 7, 2010
Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form
Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran
Celebrant: Antonio Cardinal Cañizares Llovera
Mass Ordinary: Haydn - Missa Cellensis (Mariazellermesse)
Mass Propers: Gregorian chant
Offertory Motet: Stanford: Beati Quorum Via
Communion Motets: Mozart: Ave Verum & Laudate Dominum
Recessional: Mozart - Epistle Sonata, K. 278
Jan 7, 2010
Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form
Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran
Celebrant: Antonio Cardinal Cañizares Llovera
Mass Ordinary: Haydn - Missa Cellensis (Mariazellermesse)
Mass Propers: Gregorian chant
Offertory Motet: Stanford: Beati Quorum Via
Communion Motets: Mozart: Ave Verum & Laudate Dominum
Recessional: Mozart - Epistle Sonata, K. 278
FSSP in URBE: Christmas Schedule 2009
PAROCCHIA PERSONALE SS. TRINITÀ DEI PELLEGRINI
NATALE 24-25 DICEMBRE 2009
VIGILIA DI NATALE
MESSA DELLA VIGILIA 18.30
NATIVITÀ DEL SIGNORE
MESSA SOLENNE DI MEZZANOTTE 00.00
Ordinario: Missa O magnum mysterium (T.L.da Victoria)
Proprio: gregoriano
Mottetto alla Comunione: O magnum mysterium (Pedro de Cristo)
Ingresso, offertorio, post-communio: Concerto grosso op.6 n °8 (Arcangelo Corelli)
Adorazione: Adeste fideles, Tu scendi dalle stelle.
MESSA DELL’AURORA 9.00
MESSA SOLENNE DEL GIORNO 10.30
Ordinario: Missa O magnum mysterium (T.L. da Victoria)
Proprio: gregoriano
Offertorio: Hodie Christus natus est (G.P. Cima)
Communio: Puer natus est (H. Beginiker)
Post communio: Astro del ciel
Uscita: Tu scendi dalle stelle
MESSA DEL GIORNO 18.30
Vi auguriamo un buon Natale.
NATALE 24-25 DICEMBRE 2009
VIGILIA DI NATALE
MESSA DELLA VIGILIA 18.30
NATIVITÀ DEL SIGNORE
MESSA SOLENNE DI MEZZANOTTE 00.00
Ordinario: Missa O magnum mysterium (T.L.da Victoria)
Proprio: gregoriano
Mottetto alla Comunione: O magnum mysterium (Pedro de Cristo)
Ingresso, offertorio, post-communio: Concerto grosso op.6 n °8 (Arcangelo Corelli)
Adorazione: Adeste fideles, Tu scendi dalle stelle.
MESSA DELL’AURORA 9.00
MESSA SOLENNE DEL GIORNO 10.30
Ordinario: Missa O magnum mysterium (T.L. da Victoria)
Proprio: gregoriano
Offertorio: Hodie Christus natus est (G.P. Cima)
Communio: Puer natus est (H. Beginiker)
Post communio: Astro del ciel
Uscita: Tu scendi dalle stelle
MESSA DEL GIORNO 18.30
Vi auguriamo un buon Natale.
Splendor of the Gregorian Rite in the Holy City
Sunday, December 20, 2009.
Church of Gesu' e Maria on Rome's Via del Corso.
Mons. Guido Pozzo sings High Mass for the Rome Apostolate of the Institute of Christ the King.