Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
American Martyr Killed by Communists in Korea: Bishop Patrick James Byrne
Killed on a death march one year after being consecrated bishop.
http://maryknollmissionarchives.org/?deceased-fathers-bro=bishop-patrick-j-byrne-mm
18th International Liturgical Conference (in Herzogenrath, Germany): Inspiration for the Future – 10 Years Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificum“ of Pope Benedict XVI
A terrific conference. God bless the participants and organizers.
http://www.liturgische-tagung.info/programme.html
http://www.liturgische-tagung.info/programme.html
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Attn. Young Catholic Women: What Convent to Join?
There are many options for young Catholic women today.
The thriving convents tend to be the newer ones.
This short list is a start.
Please share it so that young Catholic women can visit and stay in at least one convent. It is an important experience.
The thriving convents tend to be the newer ones.
This short list is a start.
Please share it so that young Catholic women can visit and stay in at least one convent. It is an important experience.
Norbertine Canoneses of Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph
(http://norbertinesisters.org/)
Carmelite Monastery of the Infant of Prague (https://carmeloftraversecity.org/);
Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist (https://www.sistersofmary.org/);
A Sample of the Church's Rich Calendar: Some March Feasts/Patrons
March 1: St. David, patron of Wales and newborns.
March 2: Blessed Charles the Good, patron of counts and crusaders.
March 6: Sts. Felicity and Perpetua, patrons of widows, death of children.
March 7: St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of Catholic schools.
March 8: St. John of God, patron of the sick, nurses, hospitals and booksellers.
March 9: St. Frances of Rome, patron of motorists and widows.
March 9: St. Dominic Savio, patron of choirboys and the falsely accused.
March 12: St. Gregory the Great, patron of church music.
March 14: St. Matilda, patron of parents of large families.
March 17: St. Joseph of Arimathea, patron of funeral directors.
March 19: St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church.
March 21: St. Benedict, patron against poison.
March 22: St. Isidore, patron of farmers.
March 22: St. Nicholas of Flue, patron of councilmen.
March 23: St. Turibius of Mongrovejo, patron of native rights.
March 24: St. Gabriel, patron of telecommunications and diplomats.
March 24: St. Catherine of Sweden, invoked against miscarriages.
March 25: St. Dismas, patron of convicted prisoners.
March 28: St. Guntramnus, patron of repentant murderers and divorced.
March 2: Blessed Charles the Good, patron of counts and crusaders.
March 6: Sts. Felicity and Perpetua, patrons of widows, death of children.
March 7: St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of Catholic schools.
March 8: St. John of God, patron of the sick, nurses, hospitals and booksellers.
March 9: St. Frances of Rome, patron of motorists and widows.
March 9: St. Dominic Savio, patron of choirboys and the falsely accused.
March 12: St. Gregory the Great, patron of church music.
March 14: St. Matilda, patron of parents of large families.
March 17: St. Joseph of Arimathea, patron of funeral directors.
March 19: St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church.
March 21: St. Benedict, patron against poison.
March 22: St. Isidore, patron of farmers.
March 22: St. Nicholas of Flue, patron of councilmen.
March 23: St. Turibius of Mongrovejo, patron of native rights.
March 24: St. Gabriel, patron of telecommunications and diplomats.
March 24: St. Catherine of Sweden, invoked against miscarriages.
March 25: St. Dismas, patron of convicted prisoners.
March 28: St. Guntramnus, patron of repentant murderers and divorced.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
50th Anniversary of Musicam Sacram
Pastors and lay folk, take the time to read it!
5 March, 1967 - 2017
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_instr_19670305_musicam-sacram_en.html
5 March, 1967 - 2017
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_instr_19670305_musicam-sacram_en.html
Venerable Pius XII
What Vatican II Actually Says About Changing Nuns Habits
"Since they are signs of a consecrated life, religious habits should be simple and modest, at once poor and becoming. They should meet the requirements of health and be suited to the circumstances of time and place as well as to the services required by those who wear them. Habits of men and women which do not correspond to those norms are to be changed."
-Vatican II, Decree on the Appropriate Renewal of the Religious Life (Perfectae Caritatis), 17.
Catholica Summer Program in Rome for Boys
For boys age 14 - 18.
Support this fine effort to teach the Faith and grant the Rome experience to fine young Catholic men.
More here: https://catholicasummerprogram.com/.
Support this fine effort to teach the Faith and grant the Rome experience to fine young Catholic men.
More here: https://catholicasummerprogram.com/.
Monday, March 27, 2017
US President at the Latin Mass Every Sunday
Kennedy attended Mass at different times, that way, people didn’t know when he would show up and the church wouldn’t be overrun with crowds. Some of the ladies, however, would attend every Mass when the President was in town to improve their odds of catching a glimpse.
Rome Quotes
"Spotted at mass at St. Agnes today: three birettas in the sanctuary and
rose-colored vestments with blue and gold orphreys; in the nave at least
two bow ties; a man in a three-piece suit; a woman in a big Kentucky
Derby-style hat; mantillas; one elderly man with pocket watch, fob and
chain on his waistcoat; a girl in Converse sneakers and leggings; a
woman in a bright pink fuzzy angora sweater, and a young matron in a
flowered full 1950s circle skirt with crinoline. The mass music was
Mozart with full orchestra in the loft and choral soloists; the
architecture 18th century Austrian, the mass 1970 but in Latin, and the
rubrics and vesture closer to 1570. And it was all timeless and
heavenly."
-Matthew Alderman
-Matthew Alderman
"Mom, Dad, Where Did all This Ugly Liturgical Art Come From?"
The people were tired of greatness, prestige and words. They turned to this - the glorification of the ugly. Some blame Vatican II, but the truth is it began long before that.
There are many, more poignant examples than these two illustrated above.
Notice the cretinous faces?
In North America the ugly in liturgical art came from - and continues to come from - St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. Sigh.
The artist? His name was Frank Kacmarcik.
He was an avant garde, never married artist from St. Paul, Minnesota. The Benedictines of St. John's Abbey fell in love with him and later named him an "oblate."
A strong critic of his oddball art was Vatican II peritus Monsignor R.G. Bandas, who grew up in the shadow of the Abbey in Silver Lake, Minnesota. He had their number.
Bandas described the modernistic productions as "pictoral horrors" and "visual blasphemies," pictured as though the saints, Christ and Mary were suffering from abject despair, elephantiasis, leprosy or a deforming arthritis, all contrary to the teachings of the liturgy that Christ "reigned triumphantly" from the cross and that the Blessed Mother is "all beautiful" (tota pulchra).
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Morris Motors in Rome
A good day to see classic cars in Rome is on a Saturday, when there are weddings.
Morris 8 1935.
What An Antimension Looks Like
Sewn inside the antimension is a small relic. This one dates from 1967. It is to never be laundered.
See HERE.
The rite of blessing in the Roman Ritual is interesting to see: http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/resources/books-1962/rituale-romanum/53-blessings-of-things-designated-for-sacred-purposes.html
Friday, March 24, 2017
How to Preach a Wedding Sermon
Here is a basic guide for your sermon: http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/resources/books-1962/rituale-romanum/66-matrimony-instruction.html
A few tips:
Keep it simple.
Keep your focus.
Keep it short.
Get your material from the Catechism of the Council of Trent on marriage.
Take advantage of the teaching moment.
Remember that some or much of your audience has not darkened the door of a church in many years, if ever. Gauge your audience.
Address your sermon to the married couple. Stay on topic. Do not include topics that have nothing to do with love or marriage. Do not rant.
A few tips:
Keep it simple.
Keep your focus.
Keep it short.
Get your material from the Catechism of the Council of Trent on marriage.
Take advantage of the teaching moment.
Remember that some or much of your audience has not darkened the door of a church in many years, if ever. Gauge your audience.
Address your sermon to the married couple. Stay on topic. Do not include topics that have nothing to do with love or marriage. Do not rant.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Monsignor Richard J. Schuler, PhD in 1941
Seminarian friends in 1941: Monsignor Lavin, Monsignor Schuler, and Monsignor Dulac.
Photo taken at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota (incidentally, the same seminary that Archbishop Sheen graduated from in 1919, and where he frequently returned to preach retreats).
I was privileged to know all three of these eminent men of learning and holiness. Nicest guys you could ever imagine. Princes among men.
I can still remember Mons. Dulac giving lowly old me the pax at Solemn High Mass when I was an altar boy.
These men loved the priesthood of Jesus Christ. They loved the Church. They were very good at being priests. They also gave their lives to the College of St. Thomas (today the University of St. Thomas). They believed firmly in Catholic education.
May their reward be heaven. We, their spiritual sons and heirs, continue their legacy. They gave their lives for the salvation of souls.
Thank you to Fr. Tim Ferguson for the pic!
Monday, March 20, 2017
Pastors: Be in Touch To Schedule 2018 Pilgrimages for Your Parish
You like to travel? Would you like to introduce your parishioners to pilgrimage?
Join us as a chaplain.
Let me know what itinerary you are interested in and we can put something together for you and your parish.
Join us as a chaplain.
Let me know what itinerary you are interested in and we can put something together for you and your parish.
john at oc-travel.com
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Friday, March 17, 2017
Montini, Ora Pro Nobis!
We are all seeing him in a new light.
Like him or hate him, at least he was Catholic.
Like him or hate him, at least he was Catholic.
Missionary Bishops Consecrated in St. Peter's Basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1963
Rome Quotes
"The vast majority of the people of Asia do not want communism; they are merely too apathetic to react against it. So Asia sleeps while communism marches."
-Bishop Walsh, 1949
-Bishop Walsh, 1949
Servant of God Francis Xavier Ford: American Bishop Killed in Communist Prison
Did you know of this saint?
Pray for his holy intercession.
Name one of your sons after him.
Hopefully Maryknoll will publish an edited version of his letters and mission reports.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier_Ford
Bishop James E. Walsh: American Missioner Saint
Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston had this to say of him: "I believe Bishop James Edward Walsh is the finest missionary to go forth from America in my lifetime."
Bishop Walsh spent his life as a missioner in China. At age 28 he was named superior of the Maryknoll Fathers in China. At age 36 he was consecrated bishop on Shangchuan Island, where St. Francis Xavier, the glorious Apostle to the Indies, died in 1552.
After the Communists took control of China in 1948, Bishop Walsh spent twelve years in solitary confinement in a Communist prison. His is a precious witness. I wish Maryknoll would publish in books the papers of Fr. Price and the other earlier missionaries. Their lives were fascinating beyond belief.
Read his biography.
Read his book.
March 16 in Rome: Annual Palazzo Massimo Day
A rare glimpse of a private family chapel in Rome.
Image from the Internet.
Image from the Internet.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Communion, Marriage and Divorce
A fine and simple synopsis for the lay faithful.
http://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/2017/03/16/communion-marriage-and-divorce/
http://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/2017/03/16/communion-marriage-and-divorce/
Prayers for Fr. Philip Johnson
From Fr. Z: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2017/03/action-item-urgent-prayer-request-fr-philip-johnson/
Our Lady of Good Health, bless and look with pity upon your humble servant.
We are praying for a miracle. Oremus!
Our Lady of Good Health, bless and look with pity upon your humble servant.
We are praying for a miracle. Oremus!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Rome Quotes
"Every priest who
preaches the Word of God in times of persecution has no escape; he will
die like Jesus on the Cross, with arms tied."
-Blessed Elias
-Blessed Elias
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Created Domestic Prelate by Venerable Pius XII in 1957
Monsignor Vincent Foy, heroic Canadian defender of Catholic teaching, especially Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae, passed away on March 13, 2017.
Ordained priest in 1939, he was 101!
From Wikipedia: "He has consistently written and taught on the intrinsic evil of artificial contraception, and strongly upheld Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae vitae when the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the Winnipeg Statement."
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Foy
"So he sounded the alarm, loudly and repeatedly, inveighing against the Winnipeg Statement and all its pomps and works. By the 1990s, one heard jokes that there was no subject — from divine revelation to recipe books — that Msgr. Foy could not relate to the Winnipeg Statement. His dogged fidelity prevailed, and in 2008, the Canadian bishops consigned the Winnipeg Statement to history with a new document celebrating Humanae Vitae’s 40th anniversary, Liberating Potential, which called upon Catholics to “discover or rediscover” the wisdom of Paul VI and the Church’s tradition."
Source: http://www.catholicregister.org/columns/item/18292-msgr-foy-knew-what-was-at-stake
"For decades he has fearlessly articulated and defended the teachings of the Church – in a time of moral and doctrinal chaos in the Church in Canada. He is best known for his untiring defense of Catholic teachings on marriage and family life, Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae vitae. His efforts have earned him a papal commendation and the Pro-life Man of the Year Award."
Source: https://msgrfoy.com/about/
Monday, March 13, 2017
Rome Quotes
"The love of the missioner for the other sheep prompts him to go to endless trouble to help them; it is a ministry that provides ample scope for unselfish sacrifice."
-Bishop James Edward Walsh (who spent twelve years in a Communist prison in China)
-Bishop James Edward Walsh (who spent twelve years in a Communist prison in China)
March 9 in Rome: Annual Car Shows
There are a few nice car shows each year in Rome.
Search online "auto d'epoca Roma."
March 9 in Rome: Annual Opening of Room of St. Frances of Rome
March 9 is a great day to be in Rome. Lots of events on the Feast of St. Frances of Rome, my birthday!
For any young ladies discerning a possible call to cloistered convent life, consider here.
It is open once a year on March 9, the Monastero delle Oblate di Santa Francesca Romana, a cloistered community of nuns in the heart of Rome.
Located on the Via del Teatro di Marcello, in the shadow of the Capitoline Hill. The upstairs chapel is a must see.
For any young ladies discerning a possible call to cloistered convent life, consider here.
It is open once a year on March 9, the Monastero delle Oblate di Santa Francesca Romana, a cloistered community of nuns in the heart of Rome.
Located on the Via del Teatro di Marcello, in the shadow of the Capitoline Hill. The upstairs chapel is a must see.
March 9 in Rome: Annual Feast of St. Frances of Rome Celebration at Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana in the Roman Forum
