Fr. Z's PODCAzTs

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Nice people! Great service!

 

Welcome registrant:

MargaretAnn

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

In churchy news...

This is worth a read.  At the UK's Catholic Herald, an article about how Francis wrote to the Cardinals telling them to tighten the belt and work for zero deficit.  They are going to have to resort to "seek external resources to cover operating costs" and then those who do well should "contribute to cover the general deficit".   Also, he has urged "mutual collaboration and synergies".   There's a really interesting point at the end of the article about a "Council for Inclusive Capitalism with the Vatican".  Check it out.

Card. Pell was not available for comment.

Something popped across my screen that I did  four years ago, namely, my reading of Shakespeare's Sonnet 44, from my daily Twitter series of all of the Bard's Sonnets. Yup, I did them all, 154.  I threw in some other poets too, for variety, like GK Chesterton, and  That was a fun project. I was challenged my one of you readers to do it because Patrick Stewart was doing it during COVID Theater.

#ASonnetADay - 44. "If the dull substance of my flesh were thought..." pic.twitter.com/M3r3Hb0pDv

— Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (@fatherz) September 25, 2020

In chessy news...

I'm finishing up a batch of Mass intentions right now. I'll have room in my register for more while I am in Rome.  Also, I often say Mass for my regular benefactors and special Roman Sojourn Donors.   HERE for the form I use.

Today is, along with being Ember Friday, the feast of Saint Eustace, Sant'Eustachio. We saw his church yesterday through the street view. Hadrian old his general Eustachius to sacrifice to the gods. He refused. Trajan had him and his family sent ad bestias, to the lions, but they just lay down at their feet. Hadrian ordered them to be killed in a heated bronze bull. Constantine probably built the first oratory here, which is near the Pantheon. Across the way there is a famous coffee shop. I lived in this zone for several years and we could smell the coffee roasting.... not in a bronze bull.

I can take some Mass intentions right now.  HERE  NB: right now I can only receive stipends electronically (Zelle (preferred), Venmo, PayPal, Wise) because of upcoming travel.

Thank you SS for switching monthly donation over to Zelle.

Welcome registrant:

ambroseschoolSEO

In churchy news...

Gavin Ashenden has some observations at the UK's Catholic Herald about a old chestnut. HERE

The CDF.... er um... DDF... made a ruling on Medjugorje. HERE My view remains unaffected.

Pres. Trump was going to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, but the visit was cancelled. HERE I'll never forget seeing a video of Duda chasing down a Sacred Host which the wind had caught at an outdoor Mass.

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One of the strongest chess players for Poland right now is Jan-Krzysztof Duda (2732). Duda seems to be a common Polish surname, originating from "bagpipes" or "bad musician". Maybe a bad bagpipe player in his ancestral line?

Here's a bonus shot from inside Sant'Eustachio.   Given that the billboards were removed.... and that today we begin a Novena to St. Michael!

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

In chessy news... HERE

Support the wonderful Benedictines of Le Barroux, who are making excellent wine from the ancient vineyards of the Avignon Popes in S. France.

Hey DLS! Thanks for the donation via Zelle. I don't have an email address for you, so I can't write a thank you note. Drop me a line?

Also, happy INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

YAR!  (Especially to Fr. Altier!)

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

If you are moving or thinking about moving, contact Real Estate For Life. They can help you find a realtor who will donate to a pro-life cause.

In Churchy news today...

today is one of the days (also 16 December) upon which the solidified blood of St. Januarius liquifies in the sight of thousands. Today the blood liquified again, to the relief of many. When it does not, bad things like earthquakes happen.

They bring the ampule with the saint's hardened blood close to the relic of his head. It then liquifies and bubbles. Card. Schuster says of this:

The ampulla containing his blood is exposed before the people, together with the reliquary in which the head of the martyr is preserved, and after an interval during which prayers are said, the blood begins to liquefy, increasing in volume, as though it were bubbling up. The writer has been able to verify this miracle, which he has observed closely, and, like others who have studied it, he is obliged to confess that there seems to be no possible natural explanation of this phenomenon. It may be that, in this manner, God is pleased to show to the people of Naples that the blood of their great Patron — aeterno flori as the ancient sepulchral inscription calls it — is still active and powerful in the sight of the Lord, for with God there is no past, but all is present and living in his sight.

He always has a good observation.

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On  Twitter, the hilarious Eccles is holding a "Tournament of Bad Hymns"  HERE

In chessy news...  QUACK!

The other day there was a big storm in Rome with lots of lightning.

The view from the steps of my adoptive parish, Ss. Trinità dei Pelegrini.

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Welcome registrant:

beardown5240

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

I haven't started in earnest to raise funds for October and part of November in Rome. However some of you have already sent donations in anticipation using "wavy flag" or, even better, Zelle or snail mail (no fees). I'm trying carefully to note you all down in my prayers and Mass lists. Thanks already to

VF, JL, MR, DVDH, DC, LG, MMcM, MH, SB, PG, HL, MM, SAS, JL, EW, AN, WW, GG, MK, DH, MP, AC,

Right now I am looking at a new book published by Angelico Press, which is doing yeoman's work for the Lord and the Church.

Between Rome and Rebellion: A History of Catholic Traditionalism with Special Attention to France

by Yves Chiron and John Pepino (translator). Originally in French on 2022.

US HERE - UK HERE

This is not a "breezy" book.  The author, who has written also on Paul VI, has looked deeply into what "traditionalism" and - the perennial accusation - "integralism" are.  This more a French thing than American or English, I think.  But it is real.  Saying that people who simply love the traditional Roman Rite are "integralists" are, to my mind, the liturgical equivalent of a lib calling someone who doesn't cringe and conform a "racist trans phobe".   The first chapter on "From 'Integrism' to Romanity" has left me gasping a bit at the thorough coverage of the whos whats wheres whens, etc.

Since France has figured at the core of the renewal of Tradition, in a way that these USA have not, this is an important historical chronicle.

Scripta manent.

White to move and mate in 2.

NB: I'll hold comments with solutions 'till the next day so there won't be "spoilers" for others.

In chessy news, something has happened in my brain. When I work with game analysis in the monthly issue of Chess Life or in book I am beginning to visualize positions for several moves after, say, a diagram. Often after a diagram you will get the notation of a few moves with a parenthetical, "better would have been... etc.". I'm starting to be able to wade into that notation. I don't know it is affecting my game yet. One thing I've noticed about how I used to learn languages. I'd get to a point and then plateau. Then I would stumble around like a moron who had never heard of the language in question. Then, suddenly, things would start to fall into place. I wonder if the analogy of shuffling cards makes any sense. Division, then total chaos, then new order. I know I am getting old and my mind isn't what it used to be. So I have to find new angles and methods to learn these things. Can I improve my visual memory at this point in my life? That is a key to the success of most chess players beyond analytical skills.

Meanwhile I just read that in Budapest a 9-yr old defeated three Grand Masters in one event. He is the youngest ever 2200 ELO.

And the Chess Olympics are staring up in Budapest. I've been casually working on Hungarian for a while. I'd really like to visit there.

Real-estate for Life... if you are moving or need to work with property, check them out. The agents donate part of their fee to pro-life causes. And don't forget the sisters. Their shop is great for gifts and they can use the support.

Finally, I am taking some intentions. HERE

My 1st class relic of St. Leo the Great

From today's Matins. Magnificent....

Sacraméntum reconcilatiónis nostræ, ante témpora ætérna dispósitum, nullæ implébant figúræ; quia nondum supervénerat Spíritus Sanctus in Vírginem nec virtus Altíssimi obumbráverat ei, ut, et intra intemeráta víscera, ædificánte sibi Sapiéntia domum, Verbum caro fíeret, et, forma Dei ac forma servi in unam conveniénte persónam, Creátor témporum nascerétur in témpore, et, per quem facta sunt ómnia, ipse inter ómnia gignerétur. Nisi enim novus homo, factus in similitúdinem carnis peccáti, nostram suscíperet vetustátem, et, consubstantiális Patri, consubstantiális esse dignarétur et matri, naturámque sibi nostram solus a peccáto liber uníret; sub iugo diáboli generáliter tenerétur humána captívas.

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I sought out the longer passage from Letter 31 to Pulcheria. She was the younger sister of the Emperor Thedosius, who played a major role in ruling the Empire. She was also involved in the success of sounds, Catholic doctrine concerning Christ at the Council of Calcedon in 451.  The Latin above is in italics below.

But it is of no avail to say that our Lord, the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, was true and perfect man, if He is not believed to be Man of that stock which is attributed to Him in the Gospel. For Matthew says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” and follows the order of His human origin, so as to bring the lines of His ancestry down to Joseph to whom the Lord’s mother was espoused. Whereas Luke going backwards step by step traces His succession to the first of the human race himself, to show that the first Adam and the last Adam were of the same nature. No doubt the Almighty Son of God could have appeared for the purpose of teaching, and justifying men in exactly the same way that He appeared both to patriarchs and prophets in the semblance of flesh; for instance, when He engaged in a struggle, and entered into conversation (with Jacob), or when He refused not hospitable entertainment, and even partook of the food set before Him. But these appearances were indications of that Man whose reality it was announced by mystic predictions would be assumed from the stock of preceding patriarchs. And the fulfilment of the mystery of our atonement, which was ordained from all eternity, was not assisted by any figures because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon the Virgin, and the power of the Most High had not over-shadowed her: so that “Wisdom building herself a house” within her undefiled body, “the Word became flesh;” and the form of God and the form of a slave coming together into one person, the Creator of times was born in time; and He Himself through whom all things were made, was brought forth in the midst of all things. For if the New Man had not been made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and taken on Him our old nature, and being consubstantial with the Father, had deigned to be consubstantial with His mother also, and being alone free from sin, had united our nature to Him the whole human race would be held in bondage beneath the Devil’s yoke, and we should not be able to make use of the Conqueror’s victory, if it had been won outside our nature.

But from Christ’s marvelous sharing of the two natures, the mystery of regeneration shone upon us that through the self-same spirit, through whom Christ was conceived and born, we too, who were born through the desire of the flesh, might be born again from a spiritual source: and consequently, the Evangelist speaks of believers as those “who were born not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And of this unutterable grace no one is a partaker, nor can be reckoned among the adopted sons of God, who excludes from his faith that which is the chief means of our salvation.

In that last paragraph, I note with interest Leo's use of the Prologue of John, which I and other priests recite at the end of (almost) every Mass in the Vetus Ordo.  Such readings apply more layers upon already acquired layers for what we hear in the Last Gospel as we speak it.  Over the years, it accumulates and it is all "in there".

In Rome on 5 August 358, there was a miraculous snow fall to indicate the location of the Basilica to be built in honor of the mother of God. On the anniversary, white rose petals fall from the ceiling of the Basilica during the Gloria.

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Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

My thanks to those who are taking steps to switch from Continue to Zelle.  Thanks thanks thanks!

In chessy news, I lost a long battle yesterday against one of the strongest players in the club and I won a decisive game that was never in question.

Black to move and mate in 3.

I have to share this.  I must.

Darth Vader toothpick dispenser[? crazyrussianhacker]pic.twitter.com/kTKXfwwcPS— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 23, 2024

On the third Sunday of July Venetians celebrated the "Feast of the Redeemer" with festivities and fireworks.  They commemorate the end of the terrible plague of 1576 that killed 50,000 people.  To ask for God intervention, in 1576 the Senate built a small wooden church on Giudecca island, the "Redeemer" Church. On 20 July 1577 they celebrated the end of the plague thanking Christ for the grace received.  To cross the Giudecca Canal and reach the Redeemer Church on foot, a bridge of barges was created. For 5 centuries the tradition has carried on and a temporary bridge is made.

A friend is in Venice and sent these. I think they didn't build the bridge this year.

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In chessy news, my guy Wesley So - great today - defeated Fabiano Caruana in the lower bracket of Division 1 to advance against, I think, Magnus who lost in the upper bracket to MVL.  I don't know what Magnus was thinking: he played on a tablet... in Rapid.  In time trouble, there's no way anyone can scramble fast enough on a tablet.  In fact in two games when he had a bad position and moving toward time trouble, he just resigned.  I wonder if his heart was in it.   He just had a loss with the death of his mother: R.I.P.  Today at 11 EST it's Wesley v. Magnus (I hope he sticks to his tablet) and Jan-Krzysztof Duda v. Ian Nepomniachtchi. In the upper bracket we are pulling for MVL to give "Puer" a drubbing.

Welcome registrant:

Fr. Dimwitty

 

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

In chessy news, the Biel Festival is underway.  Biel, Switzerland is a beautiful place.  It would be fun to participate in something like this.  Next year?   Hard.  It would be at the same time at the priests conference held by the St. Paul Center.

Nice people! Great service!

Fabiano Caruana won the Zagreb Rapid and Blitz and matched Magnus Carlsen's 27 points record.  My guy Wesley So would up in a three-way tie for second along with MVL and "Puer"". Ian Nepomniachtchi had a rough go. A couple days ago, in a blitz with Wesley, he raised a fuss because he ran out of time (aka "flagged"). He blamed Wesley for having knocked over a couple of pieces and replacing them. However, the video shows that he just simply flagged. Nepo also accused Wesley of doing this before to him, as if it were a planned accident. Yesterday, when Nepo and Wesley played, Nepo - all caught on camera of course - purposely plowed into Wesley's pieces, which had to be reset. Wesley smiled and then beat him.

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White to move and mate in 2.

NB: I'll hold comments with solutions 'till the next day so there won't be "spoilers" for others.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Many thanks to people who have already sent donations for my stay in Rome in October and into November. I haven't started the main effort yet, but these thoughtful readers have already chipped in via "wavy flag" and Zelle. Thank you.

VF, JL, MR, DVDH, DC, LG, MMcM, MH, SB, PG, HL, MM,

Meanwhile, David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve playing chess on the set of The Hunger in 1983.

Talks continued today. A friend of mine, retired chaplain, Navy Captain, remarked "Coming to the conference would have been worth it for this talk alone." I agreed.

We had an excursion to the new building of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology next to the Franciscan University in Steubenville.

The building has three stores, came in on budget and on schedule! Surely a sign that Someone likes this project. The space is bright and roomy, hi tech, thoughtfully laid out. And there is a tantalizing bookstore, as there is at the conference.

I liked this shelf.  Timely!

Scott staying hello to the first wave.

More books, but from the conference tables, not the Center store.

 

Scott holding the final draft of the new study Bible they've been working on since 1998, with something like 18K notes.

Books... right click to enlarge in a new tab.

 

The conference room

Outside my door this morning, a rat with hooves.

At the University.  It was nice to see "normal" trees and see "normal birds".

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More on the talk in a bit.