Stational Mass at San Nicola...

On Saturday, March 8, Archbishop Luigi De Magistris sang Pontifical Mass in the Classical Rite at the Roman Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere.

The Mass was well attended and began with an outdoor procession of clergy and faithful with banners and the chanting of the Litany of Saints.

Stational Mass at San Nicola...

Great to see vestments from the reign of Pius IX still being used.

Stational Mass at San Nicola...

The cope that was used by the assistant priest...

Stational Mass at San Nicola...

A taste of Rome relics one sees in a parish. Here's a relic of St. Joseph for the veneration of the faithful...

Stational Mass at San Nicola...

On any Friday during Lend if you attend a Via Crucis in Rome you will likely see displayed a relic of the true cross.

Chaldean rite Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho...

Here is the Archbishop enjoying the most beautiful view of the Vatican in all of Rome from the campus of the Urban College. Please pray for his soul. He is a hero. Tell your kids about him. May he pray for us...

AP photo from the internet.

Requiem: Archiep. Paulos Faraj Rahho...

Please pray for the soul of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho. I saw him in the Hall of Benedictions above the atrium of the Vatican Basilica this past November. This coming May he was supposed to return to Rome to ordain one of his Chaldean rite seminarians to the diaconate (from the Seminario G.P. II).

"When the Turks succeeded in disembarking at Otranto, murdering the archbishop in his cathedral, martyrizing 800 men, and carrying off women and children into slavery, Mahomet II had boasted to the world that he would top St. Peter's dome with the Crescent Moon and wind the Pope's head in a turban."

St. Pius V by Robin Anderson, 1978.

Pius IX on those who kill Archbishops...

"These evils have recently increased enormously through the quite unheard-of excesses of beastly, God-forsaken scum. In particular, We are horrified and tormented by the murder of the Archbishop of Paris which has filled the whole world with fear and horror."
Beneficia Dei, June 4, 1871

Change of date with Rome Castrillón Hoyos Mass...

Ciao tutti:

I just spoke with a member of the brass and he mentioned that the Mass with Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos will be on Saturday, April 19, so please everybody change the date as I wrote that it would be on April 23. I guess the actual time of the Mass has yet to be announced. For further information see this site: http://www.constantinianorder.org/.

Sorry and thanks.

Original post has been changed and now reads:
http://orbiscatholicus.blogspot.com/2008/03/classical-rite-in-rome-with-card.html

P.S. Fr. Emerson, can I, too, be a knight?

From Russia: renovation faithful to the neo-Gothic...

Here we get a rare glimpse into a Latin rite parish building in the Russian Federation which survived the 1917 Revolution.

The interior is being restored thanks in large part to the exceptional wisdom and talent of Matthew Alderman of the Shrine (http://holywhapping.blogspot.com/) who has given of himself pro bono.

Be a part of this historic renovation and give today: http://www.vladmission.org/. The renovation has been faithful to the harmony of the neo-Gothic design and some work remains yet to be done.

"They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."

Isaiah 61: 4

Pro-life posters in Rome...

We do not stand alone as our pro-life movement is global. Christians like us who are abhorred by the corporate abortion industry, which is beyond human semblance, are working diligently everywhere to educate average persons during this election year.

From Isaiah 49: "The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name....And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant...Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands..."

March 10 in Rome...

Take a close look at the craftsmanship here.

March 10 in Rome...

It was a rainy Monday morning and to celebrate the Feast of St. Frances of Rome the Abbot General of the OSB oliv. sang Pontifical Mass to a small crowd at the Basilica of Santa Maria Nova in the Roman Forum. It was really nice...then they had Solemn Pontifical Vespers in the afternoon.

March 10 in Rome...

Here we see the Fr. Abbot General dom Michelangelo Tiribilli, OSB oliv.

The clergy hat: il capello Romano...

The clergy hat: il capello Romano...

The clergy hat: il capello Romano...

Here we see the inside of a Roman flat hat from the 1930s.

The rock tabernacle...

Here we see the international mark of the dwelling place of God with stone from all across the globe: emerald Siberian malachite, aquatic Persian lapis lazuli, royal stairs of Egyptian porphery, Sicilian jasper, etc.

Meanwhile we see depictions of the Holy Trinity as well as the Last Supper. This tabernacle is located on a side altar at Santa Maria alle Fornaci in Rome.

Architectural gem in posh Parioli...

If a Roman tells you they live in "Parioli" you're supposed to get excited as that's the zone where very wealthy persons live in nice Fascista era flats with big gardens.

This is the parish that was built for them by the Vicariat. As wierd as it looks, it's one of the most interesting in the whole of Rome. It's just down the street from Opus Dei headquarters (Santa Maria della Pace) and it's called the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Architectual gem off the Tiber...

Everyone has their favorite parish in Rome. This is mine. It's the Gran. Madre di Dio at Rome's famed Milvian Bridge.

Come si vede dalla foto, it was constructed under the reign of Pius pp. XI. The interior is simple, but the exterior is grand.

Walk the riverside parapets up to the Ponte Milvio. This is where Constantine defeated Maxentius. Find the bridge on your map and walk there some afternoon and enjoy.

That hour of the day: sun-drenched Rome...

Each corner of Rome has its moment each day when the sunshine brings it alive. This makes each corner imbued with its own moment.

As you walk the seven verdant hills of Rome down the Capitoline on the Via Panisperna with the view of the Esquiline rising further down the street, you will see this rectory attached to St. Agatha of the Goths.

To the consternation of devils: Catholic culture lives

It's pretty much universally agreed that the radical feminist movement was rather thorough.

That is to say until the blossom of the remnant...

To all our beautiful, youthful Catholic ladies who veil their heads in His presence, JPSonnen from Rome thanks you!

Salvator Mundi Salva Russiam

Ukraine is important. And so is Russia, too. That which goes on in that part of the world is of great concern to me, as I once lived for a short time in Vladivostok, Russia. In that part of Russia there are many persons of Ukrainian Catholic descent.

I encourage everyone to take a look at this very interesting site by the name of Russkij-Sion: http://ruskij-sion.blogspot.com/. The Catholic Church is international. It is here in the West, but also in the East. There's lots going on so have an interest and be informed. Pray for the Church and Her leadership in these former Soviet countries and know that stat promissa Fides (the promised Faith remains).

Bach recessional: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Today was a nice day. In pouring rain I attended Pontifical Mass at the hidden and lovely Basilica of Santa Maria Nova in the Roman Forum. The Abbot General, in pontificals, sang the Mass, Dom Michelangelo Tiribilli, OSB oliv.

It was great to hear the organ there as it's really one of the best in all of Rome, or at least my most favorite. Today they had a Vatican organist playing. He's an American and really very nice. I don't remember his North German name, but he was born in L.A. and has lived in Rome for over forty years. For twenty years he's played at Papal Masses.

I still remember when for recessionals at Papal Masses with Pope John Paul II he would sometimes play the haunting Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 of Bach. For the recessional today he played it and it made me think of Frankenstein as I was in the crypt chapel under the sanctuary there with all the echoes and the skeletal remains of St. Frances of Rome.

Yesterday the Vatican Basilica was the stational church. So we all attended the solemn vespers there with the procession of canons, Roman clergy and seminarians. They brought out the copy of the hallowed veil of Veronica and blessed the faithful to the rings of a bell (it's on YouTube so check it out).

The day before, on Saturday, the stational Mass was at San Nicola in Carcere. Archbishop Luigi de Magistris sang the Mass. There was a procession, too, with the chanting of the Litany of Saints with lots of great relics.

I also went to a WWII arms bazaar on Saturday and an antique car show on Sunday. At the car show they brought out Mussolini's old 1936 Fiat staff car which is still owned by the government. They also had Alberto Sordi's old BMW and lots of other neat autos. So if anyone is interested let me know and I can post some photos of the cars.

Cardinal Pacelli in Rome...

From Santa Maria dell'Anima...

Yet to be Pope: the newly ordained Pacelli...

The Chiesa Nuova in Rome was the first parish assignment of Fr. Eugenio Pacelli. Here's a nice plaque they have there in honor of his time there.

Can somebody take the time to translate this?

Classical Rite in Rome with Card. Castrillón Hoyos

On Saturday, April 19, Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos will sing Pontifical Mass in Rome according to the usus antiquior at the Church of Santa Croce off Via Flaminia (Via Guido Reni).

This Mass is being organized by the Spanish branch of the Constantinian Knights of Saint George in celebration of their patronal feast day.

The parish, built in 1913 under the reign of Pius X, is a twentieth century remake of a Medieval Roman church. The Mass time has yet to be announced. Clergy bring talare e cotta (cassocks and surplices).

Ab Urbe Condita: twenty-eight centuries of glory...

All roads lead to Rome and it's been that way for ages. Everyone makes their visit here. Even my parents made the trip (my mother came four times), my grandfather came twice, all my brothers and all my sisters. We all had great tours.

But then there's the unlucky pilgrim who pays for a tour of the Vatican Museums and ends up with an anti-Catholic guide who knows nothing and hates everything.

For the greatest tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Basilica contact us and enjoy your time on holiday:
http://www.orbiscatholicus.com/.

March 8: yellow flowers for la festa delle donne...

Mom and Dad:

Conceived in the year of three popes was I and born on the Feast of Saint Frances of Rome. On Palm Sunday you carried me into the temple for my Holy Baptism and you christened me John Paul after the new smiling Pope.

Your son is now almost thirty: he has new wrinkles on his face, some gray hair, his stomach can't take all foods anymore and he gets tired more quickly. But it was you two who gave me the world: the gift of the promised faith and much more, too. You have enabled me to live in Europe for over four years now. You've been okay with me being absent for six Christmas holidays. You have supported and carried me and all through great faith, hope and charity. For all this I am very grateful.

So thank you!

Teach your kids team spirit for the papacy...

God save the King and long live the Pope...

March 7 in Rome: Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas...

March 7 is theologians day in Rome, or at least it used to be until the sixties. This day also marks the 45th anniversary of the visit of Blessed John XXIII to Rome's Dominican University, the Angelicum. It was then that he raised the Angelico from simply being a Pontifical Athenaeum to being a Pontifical Univeristy.

Earlier that morning he had met with the then public enemy number one: the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and his wife. The couple reportedly wept as they made their exit from the audience. The story of their meeting is a nice one.

The good, bad and ugly...

We've all heard countless laymen complain for years: "Gosh, where did we get all these rotten bishops from anyways?" Some blame Paul VI, or John Paul II, the sixties or Vatican Council II.

But then some blame this prelate, now almost 100 years old. Meet Archbishop Jean Jadot, born in 1908. The modernist darling Hans Küng once wrote this of him: "As you know there is a whole generation of 'Jadot-bishops' in the States who belong to the best. I wish that the Catholic Church in the United States may again receive apostolic delegates and bishops of the quality of Jean Jadot."

To read his story see here: http://trosch.org/lip/archbishop-jadot_93.htm

America's seminary in Rome...

One of the nicest pieces of real estate in all of Rome is the Pontifical North American College. Here we see their motto from Psalm 57 (my heart is steadfast).

It's a nice campus. If there were vines on the walls you'd see all the ambitious little ants scrambling all over for a desire of preferment/attainment. But instead, in priestly formation, we must remind ourselves that the highest law is the salvation of souls and nothing more (no matter what anybody says).

The Church is young!

Accipe Spiritum Sanctum (Receive the Holy Spirit)!

This prayer is from the Roman Pontifical, from the Consecration of a Bishop. It is pronounced by the consecrator and by the co-consecrators, as they lay their hands upon the person being consecrated (ca. 10th century).

Where to study in Rome...

If it's God's will for you to study at the Antonianum, then see here: http://www.antonianum.ofm.org/.

German flags honor Bayerisch Pope...

Rome: Caput Orbis Terrarum...

"Rome, the herald, the mother and guardian of civilization and the eternal values of life; this Rome which its greatnest historian already called, as if by divine instinct, caput orbis terrarum (capital of the world, Livy, I, 16) and whose destiny is a mystery which is unfolded through the centuries..."

Pope Pius XII: Address on Easter Sunday. March 28, 1948

Catholic knights...

It's a great honor to be a knight. If it's ever you just get your stuff here at G. Guccione or Barbiconi.

Carmelites in Rome...

This photo was taken at the Rvssicvm.

Why all are not Catholics...

"All roads lead to Rome, which is one reason why many people never get there."

G.K. Chesterton: Orthodoxy (20th century).

The mighty Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem...

It's a little awkward to tower over the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins. Meet Michael Sabbah, born in Nazareth on 19 March in 1933. He was ordained priest in 1955.

Nazareth is a nice town. Once I stayed there in a Jewish hotel. On Dubai television they had a Stallone film. As the snow fell that night I walked to the home of the Virgin Mary and then to the home of Joseph, just a minute up the road. It was Christmas day.

From Rome: the glorious tonsure lives...

Canons Regular are always nice. And even better with a tonsure.

Here we see the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem in Rome. See their site here and know they are good guys. Support them today: www.canonsregular.com.

The Roman honeymoon: in the ermine mozzetta...

Well, if you do decide to honeymoon in Rome at least you can meet the Pope this way any Wednesday.

I've heard Catholic ladies complain for years: "It's impossible to find a wedding dress that is modest looking."

The right cuff links...

Ten years ago I got these in Rome and they have served me well. Like many cuff links they're made in England (these are by the London Badge and Button Company).

You can get them at Vincenzo Serpone:

http://www.vincenzoserpone.com/serpone.html?lingua=inglese

Lenten Stational Churches...

Someone asked for the stational schedule for A.D. MMVIII so here it is...

From Rome: Norbertines Sing Mass...

Hats off to the glorious white biretta...and to the spiritual "renewal" in which we now see thanks in large part to Summorum Pontificum of 07.07.07, luckiest day the century!

Last Sunday the F.S.S.P. at their Rome chapel of San Gregorio dei Muratori (http://www.fssp-roma.org/) hosted the O. Praem. (Norbertines) and the Sunday before that they hosted the C.O. (Oratorians) and two Sundays before that they hosted the famous Fr. "Z" (http://www.wdtprs.com/blog/).

Whose next? I hear a B-16 flying fortress...

From Rome: Norbertines Sing Mass...

The Norbertines were founded in the year 1120 and they have a strong liturgical sensus. A part of their charism as the Ordo Praemonstratensis (O. Praem.) is a dedication to the "solemn liturgical cult" as well as to the "liturgical apostolate" (and parish ministry, education of the youth and missions).

From Rome: Norbertines sing Mass...

The triple white sedilia seen in the incense-filled chapel.

From Rome: Norbertines sing Mass...

We notice here the four wings on the Norbertine biretta, instead of the usual three.

FSSP in Rome: Laetare Sunday...

Here we see the faithful layman sporting a rose (not pink!) coloured tie. We see that he displays a rose coloured chasuble. This is proof of lay "active participation" is it not?

Survival: through all manner of calamitous events...

Yesteryear church treasures like this were seen in churches. Today, they are found in antique shops.

I've seen stuff like this in antique shops in Toronto, Cologne, Chicago, Belgium, etc. And what about Quebec or Paris?

The shop here wanted 150 euro dollars for these altar cards on the Via Rasella.

From Rome: Sung Mass in Pontificals...

In pontificalibus...the glorious gemmed ring!

From Rome: Sung Mass in Pontificals...

Prayers at the foot of the altar...

From Rome: Sung Mass in Pontificals...

Mass facing the people can be done right as we see here (right as in "being done according to that which is of the mind of the Church").

From Rome: Sung Mass in Pontificals...

The "Roman style cope."

From Rome: Sung Mass in Pontificals...

The Holy Gospel.